Sr. Associate Director

USF World is led by a VP and is comprised of units across Tampa St. Petersburg and Sarasota devoted to promoting ed abroad supporting intl students and scholars the management of intl partnerships intl travel risk and security services management of the Peace Corps Prep and support for a dedicated recruiter tracking and documenting intl research collaborations and the global footprint of faculty students and staff collection of data related to international activities at the University intl alumni development and outreach and the marketing and communication of USF World programs and initiatives. Comprising a total of over 70 staff and a budget of approximately $4.5 M clients are USF faculty developing intl academic experiences curriculum and research collaborations administrators promoting the global priorities of USF staff responsible for supporting intl activities across campuses colleges and other units current and prospective students coming to USF from other countries and U.S. students seeking global experiences as well as university partners from abroad and foreign dignitaries. Community partners include local state national and intl leaders of government and public and private organizations including other institutions of higher ed military business and industry.

Reporting to the Assistant Vice President for Immigration Compliance in the Office of International Services (OIS) the Senior Associate Director is a leading member of a team that works to achieve the universitys global mission. The Senior Associate Director assists with the management supervision and training of all international student and scholar advisors (DSOs/AROs) to ensure consistent success-based service is provided to all students and scholars; supervises the senior international advisors (International Student Advisor III) responsible for practical training and leads the Alternative Responsible Officers ( J Visa Team) responsible for visiting scholars exchange students and Fulbright Exchange Visitors under the Universitys J-1 Exchange Visitor Program; assists with scholar success activities; supports immigration compliance and services for employment based non-immigrant and immigrant visa sponsorship; and provides OIS leadership in the absence of the AVP.

Assists with management supervision and training of all international student and scholar advisors (DSOs/AROs) at USF to ensure consistent success-based service is provided. Contributes to a work environment that encourages knowledge of respect for and development of skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds. Participates in the strategic planning process for the development and implementation of short and long-range goals objectives policies and operating procedures for OIS. Assists the AVP in preparing annual reports program redesignation for the J-1 Program program recertification for the F-1 Program and general compliance with the Student Exchange Visitor Program Exchange Visitor Program Department of Homeland Security Department of State and Department of Labor rules and regulations. Represents the office on various university committees and to internal and external constituencies. Contributes to the overall success of OIS by performing all other duties and responsibilities as assigned including providing leadership in the absence of the AVP.

Supervises the advising team that handles the training processing and monitoring of F-1 students in curricular and optional practical training and the advising team that handles the processing on-boarding and monitoring of J-1 Exchange Visitors (Visiting Scholars Exchange Students and Fulbright). Responsible for maintaining quality of and continuing improvement in services as well as for maintaining and improving information to students and scholars on federal rules and regulations. Ensures effective and efficient workflow and adherence to quality standards. This includes the timely and accurate production and updating of I-20s for students and DS-2019s for exchange visitors and prompt handling of daily tasks associated with SEVIS including but not limited to daily alerts eforms and mandatory reporting. Oversees team communication with government agencies. Serves as a Designated School Official (DSO) for the F-1 Program and an Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) for the J-1 Program. Work closely with the lead for Scholar Success.

Assists the AVP with the review and evaluation of departmental requests for non-immigrant work visas (i.e. H-1B TN O-1) and for employment-based immigrant visa (permanent residence) sponsorship. This includes providing guidance on selecting the appropriate category for sponsorship permanent residency and hosting visitors and working with contracted immigration counsel on the preparation and submission of forms and documents required for filing employment-based petitions; and provides USF Human Resources with guidance on immigration status of employees and students during the hiring process. Assists with quarterly audits to ensure processes and procedures follow all applicable state and federal regulations.

Maintains up-to-date knowledge of regulatory and programmatic resources pertaining to the areas of responsibility; develops and delivers relevant trainings workshops and information sessions. Regularly presents best practices at state regional and national conferences and conjunction with the AVP evaluates current and new laws and regulations governing international students scholars and employees and develop policies and procedures relevant to USF international students scholars and employees.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Special Skills: Intensive knowledge of SEVIS functionality and immigration regulations as a longstanding Designated School Official and Responsible Officer in SEVIS.

Minimum Qualifications: This position requires a Masters degree from a regionally accredited institution in an appropriate area of specialization with a minimum of five years related exempt experience including two years of experience managing exempt level employees; or a Bachelors degree from a regionally accredited institution in an appropriate area of specialization and six years of experience including two years of experience managing exempt level employees. At least two years of experience must involve regulatory-based academic administrative or immigration-related work in the university setting. Experience as designated school official and alternative responsible officer in SEVIS.

Degree Equivalency Clause: Four years of direct experience for a bachelors degree.
Senate Bill 1310- The Florida Senate ( is conditional upon meeting all employment eligibility requirements in the U.S.
SB 1310: Substitution of Work Experience for Postsecondary Education Requirements
A public employer may include a postsecondary degree as a baseline requirement only as an alternative to the number of years of direct experience required not to exceed:
(a) Two years of direct experience for an associate degree;
(b) Four years of direct experience for a bachelors degree;
(c) Six years of direct experience for a masters degree;
(d) Seven years of direct experience for a professional degree; or
(e) Nine years of direct experience for a doctoral degree
Related work experience may not substitute for any required licensure certification or registration required for the position of employment as established by the public employer and indicated in the advertised description of the position of employment.
Minimum Qualifications that require a high school diploma are exempt from SB 1310.

Preferred Qualifications: Currently serving as a Designated School Official and Alternate Responsible Officer. Extensive knowledge of immigration laws and regulations related to SEVIS policies and procedures and experience with F and J visa programs. Advanced working knowledge of immigration regulations as they pertain to employment-based visas and Department of Homeland Security regulations. Previous supervisory and managerial experience in an International Education Office such as international services international admission international students. Solid understanding of information technology used by International Services offices to organize student data report to SEVIS and maintain records in accordance with US government regulations. Exposure to international education as demonstrated by living in a different country working or studying in a different country or working with an international student population.