Assistant Director, International Student & Scholar Services

San Francisco Bay University (SFBU) a nonprofit WASC-accredited university situated in the heart of Silicon Valley in Fremont California seeks an innovative and experienced Assistant Director International Student & Scholar Services. SFBUs mission is to offer inclusive innovative and inspirational education for lifelong careers and our vision is to set the standard as a national model of higher education in service of the common good.

At SFBU students come first. We prioritize students needs by fostering personal engagement among students faculty and staff. We are committed to providing affordable high-quality education with a deep commitment to diversity equity inclusion and social justice.

We encourage you to learn more about SFBU by reviewing our strategic plan.

Reporting to the Assistant Provost for Academic Operations & Student Success the Assistant Director International Student & Scholar Services provides strategic leadership immigration advising compliance oversight and holistic support for SFBUs international students and scholars. The position serves as SFBUs Principal Designated School Official (PDSO) and Responsible Officer (RO) leading institutional compliance for the F-1 and J-1 programs and ensuring a welcoming compliant and student-centered experience from inquiry and arrival through graduation and post-completion transitions.

This role balances regulatory expertise student advocacy operational excellence and cross-cultural sensitivity. The Assistant Director interprets complex immigration regulations develops scalable processes supervises and trains designated staff and partners across the university to advance international student success retention belonging and compliance.

This is an Exempt full-time 12-month in person position located in Fremont California. The appointment is renewable contingent upon satisfactory performance.

• Serve as SFBUs PDSO and primary point of contact for Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification compliance and school-record matters.

• Serve as RO for SFBUs J-1 Exchange Visitor Program including sponsor compliance SEVIS reporting record maintenance and required program updates.

• Advise F-1 and J-1 students and scholars on maintaining lawful status including enrollment requirements travel and re-entry program extensions transfers reduced course loads leaves of absence reinstatement changes of status and employment-related matters.

• Provide advising through scheduled appointments walk-in hours virtual meetings email workshops and proactive outreach.

• Support students experiencing academic behavioral health welfare financial or cultural adjustment concerns by coordinating with appropriate campus partners.

• Coordinate airport transportation and arrival logistics for new international students in partnership with appropriate operational units.

• Collaborate with the international team and campus partners on International Education Week and other global engagement initiatives.

• Identify and implement opportunities to strengthen international students belonging retention and success.

• Develop workshops and programs on maintaining status employment authorization Optional Practical Training (OPT) Curricular Practical Training (CPT) taxes cultural adjustment career preparation health insurance and post-graduation transitions.

• Maintain accurate and timely Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) records for F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors.

• Issue update and authorize immigration documents including Forms I-20 and DS-2019 in accordance with federal regulations and institutional policy.

• Monitor enrollment academic status address updates program changes employment authorizations practical training travel signatures transfers and program extensions to ensure timely federal reporting.

• Complete SEVIS registration each term and report required changes within federally mandated timelines.

• Manage and process student requests through relevant university systems.

• Support transfer-out processes for students moving between U.S. institutions.

• Ensure immigration documentation reporting updates and authorizations are accurate and completed within applicable deadlines.

• Lead institutional compliance efforts related to F-1 and J-1 students and scholars.

• Serve as the universitys lead immigration compliance expert and provide guidance on complex F-1 and J-1 matters.

• Supervise train and manage the performance of Designated School Officials (DSOs) and other staff involved in international student services and immigration processes.

• Monitor federal regulations SEVP broadcast messages policy guidance and professional best practices; update university procedures and communications accordingly.

• File and attest to Form I-17 petition updates in SEVIS within required timelines and ensure that school information remains current and accurate.

• Lead SEVP recertification planning preparation submission and follow-up in coordination with institutional stakeholders.

• Conduct periodic internal compliance reviews and address identified risks.

• Establish and maintain institutional policies procedures and resources for F-1 and J-1 international students and scholars.

• Maintain current regulatory content on department portals websites Salesforce configurations and internal training materials.

• Serve as a key resource for faculty staff departments and university leadership regarding international student compliance support needs and institutional responsibilities.

• Educate campus partners on federal regulations institutional policies international student processes and culturally responsive student support.

• Oversee SEVIS user access annual verification and backup coverage for DSOs.

• Collaborate with Admissions the Registrar Academic Advising Residence Life Career Services Student Health Counseling Finance Academic Programs and other campus partners to support international students effectively.

• Develop document assess and improve efficient accurate and student-centered international student service processes.

• Assist with Salesforce configuration workflow development data integrity and student communication campaigns.

• Manage a high volume of student requests while maintaining accuracy timeliness service quality and regulatory compliance.

• Maintain organized records reports communications and compliance documentation.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Bachelors degree from an accredited institution.

• At least three years of professional experience advising international students in a university setting including prior experience serving as a DSO.

• Working knowledge of federal regulations governing F-1 and J-1 students and scholars.

• Experience using SEVIS and managing international student records.

• U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent resident status as required for DSO PDSO and RO eligibility.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Word Excel Outlook and PowerPoint.

• Masters degree in higher education international education student affairs intercultural communication counseling educational leadership public administration or a related field.

• Three or more years of experience serving as a DSO; prior PDSO experience strongly preferred.

• Experience serving as an RO or Alternate Responsible Officer for a J-1 Exchange Visitor Program.

• Experience supervising training or evaluating staff responsible for international student services or immigration processes.

• Experience using Salesforce or comparable student relationship management or international student management software.

• Familiarity with SEVP certification institutional updates recertification audits J-1 redesignation and related compliance processes.

• Strong knowledge of F-1 and J-1 immigration regulations and the ability to apply them accurately to complex student and scholar situations.

• Skill in interpreting and explaining federal regulations and institutional policies in clear accessible language and in training others on those requirements.

• Excellent interpersonal written verbal and cross-cultural communication skills.

• Strong student-centered advising skills and the ability to balance compassion compliance and institutional risk management.

• Strong organizational planning time-management and project-management skills.

• Demonstrated attention to detail and ability to maintain highly accurate records reports and immigration documentation.

• Strong analytical problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.

• Ability to manage confidential and sensitive information with discretion.

• Ability to work independently and collaborate effectively across departments.

• Ability to manage competing priorities deadlines and high-volume student requests.

• Ability to use databases student information systems communication platforms and related technology to improve service delivery.

• Ability to develop scalable processes workflows training materials and student-facing resources.

• Commitment to continuous learning and to remaining current on regulatory changes compliance expectations and best practices in international education.

• Demonstrated strong commitment to diversity equity inclusion and social justice including experience serving students from diverse cultural linguistic religious and educational backgrounds.

• Duties are typically performed in an office environment and may involve extended periods of sitting standing and computer use.

• The position may require occasional bending and lifting or carrying items weighing up to 20 pounds.

• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Salary Range: $105000 to $130000 annually depending on experience. This is a 12-month contract renewable contingent upon performance review.

For full consideration please submit the following materials. Applications received after that date may be reviewed until the position is filled.

• A letter of interest describing your relevant experience leadership approach and demonstrated commitment to diversity equity inclusion and social justice as well as your alignment with SFBUs mission and core values.

• A current curriculum vitae or résumé.

• Names and contact information for three professional references.

This position description is not intended to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities duties or responsibilities required of the employee. Duties responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

SFBU is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. SFBU is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants for employment. SFBU does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices based on race color religion sex age national origin disability veteran status sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by law.

In accordance with federal and state disability laws San Francisco Bay University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you require assistance during the application or interview process please contact SFBU Human Resources at