Director, International Students and Scholars

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Job:

Director International Students and Scholars

The Office of International Students & Scholars delivers a deep commitment to serving Barnards international community. Together with the Executive Director and the Director for Opportunity Programs the ISS Director implements multi-level strategies in line with Access Barnards mission to support students who identify as international first-generation or low-income by aiding in their transition to and persistence through the Barnard College partnership with Human Resources and the Provosts Office ISS provides regulatory guidance and operational support related to the sponsorship onboarding maintenance of status extension and compliance requirements for international faculty members researchers postdoctoral scholars and administrative staff in J-1 Exchange Visitor categories.

Reporting to the Executive Director of Access Barnard the Director oversees immigration advising and institutional regulatory compliance setting strategic direction ensuring adherence to all applicable federal immigration requirements and advances a holistic College-wide approach to international student and scholar support and success.

Job Description:

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Coordinate and develop student-centered programs that promote and sustain international student success. Advise and mentor international students serving as an advocate for international student well-being and success inclusive of visa regulations employment authorizations orientation financial wellness health insurance and personal counseling.
• Provide direct leadership management and mentorship to professional and student staff.
• Oversight of ISS communications and operations. Ensure that all service delivery channels (website phone email and in-person advising) are consistently staffed accessible and deliver accurate responsive timely and empathetic support. Implement enhancements to systems workflows and service models to strengthen operational effectiveness and efficiency. Oversee ISS institutional messaging and communications strategy. Work in close partnership with the Office of General Counsel the Office of the Provost Human Resources and other academic and administrative units to ensure that communication guidance and service delivery reflect compliance with legal and institutional policies.
• Provide oversight of ISS data systems ensuring integrity accuracy and compliance across all records related to international students and scholars. Ensure metrics on caseloads and reach of programming are readily available to allow for innovation and adaptation. Manage external vendor relationships (Terra Dotta Sprintax One to World etc.) by fostering partnerships negotiating contracts and ensuring timely accurate payments for seamless operational continuity.
• Supervise coordination of the Visiting International Student Program (VISP) in collaboration with Admissions and exchange partner institutions abroad.
• Advise prospective and continuing students recent alums and J-1 scholars on opportunities regulations and maintenance of VISA status alongside policies and procedures related to OPT and CPT.
• Serve as the Colleges primary institutional resource for J-1 Exchange Visitor matters involving employees and scholars. Collaborate closely with Human Resources and the Provosts Office to advise on J-1 eligibility sponsorship program administration SEVIS compliance DS-2019 issuance and extensions onboarding maintenance of status employment authorization and related federal regulatory requirements for international faculty researchers postdoctoral scholars and eligible staff.
• Work collaboratively within the Access Barnard leadership team to conceptualize strategic goals for the department support the overall functions of the programs and services provided and offer direct guidance for international student initiatives. Interpret and apply academic and campus policy and procedures as well as promote and analyze best practices in advising to the international student community in collaboration with the Director Opportunity Programs and the Executive Director of Access Barnard to foster student retention and completion. Contribute to the development and analysis of Access Barnard assessment efforts and communications (newsletters semesterly reports annual reports etc.).
• Maintain fiscal responsibility of the International Student Services budget with accountability to Barnard College and private funding sources.
• Collaborate with Barnard Admissions to serve as the campus liaison for international students during the pre-application process enrollment and throughout their matriculation at Barnard.
• Collaborate with campus partners at every level including but not limited to Residential Life & Housing Beyond Barnard the Deans Office for Advising & Support the Registrar the Office of the Provost Columbia Athletics and United World College Davis Scholars to ensure a holistic well-supported international student experience. Provide consultation and updates to Human Resources and the Provosts Office regarding immigration-related processes affecting international faculty researchers postdoctoral scholars and staff with a particular focus on J-1 Exchange Visitor regulations institutional obligations and risk mitigation.
• Serve as Principal Designated School Officer (PDSO) and Responsible Officer (RO) in the SEVIS database at Barnard College. As the Colleges senior representative on immigration policy and regulatory compliance the Director works in close alignment with the Offices of General Counsel the Provost and Human Resources to act as the Colleges primary liaison on matters related to the Barnard international community to U.S. government agencies including the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and U.S. Department of State (DOS) representing the institution in matters related to compliance audits and regulatory interpretation. A visible leader on campus the Director fosters strong relationships with international students and scholars ensuring institutional responsiveness to the needs and concerns of Barnards international community.
• Oversee the compliance of the College within federal guidelines by maintaining accuracy within SEVIS overseeing departmental policy and creating student instruction guides for work authorizations including CPT OPT STEM OPT and Academic Training. Oversee the compliance of the College within federal guidelines by maintaining accuracy within SEVIS providing institutional guidance and creating scholar instruction guides for visiting professors and research scholars. Develop and maintain institutional procedures guidance documents and compliance resources related to J-1 scholar sponsorship and administration for employees visiting professors research scholars short-term scholars specialists and other eligible Exchange Visitor categories.
• Serve on campus and university-wide committees related to the support of international students within the University.
• Represent the college at outside conferences community meetings and inter-institutional programs and activities relevant to the programs objectives and operations.
• Stay abreast of literature and networks related to the success of international students in higher education.

Skills Qualifications & Requirements:

Required Qualifications

• Graduate Degree required whether Masters PhD EdD JD or other advanced degree preferably in international education higher education administration or related fields.

• Minimum 6 years of progressive leadership and supervisory experience in international student and scholar services within higher education.

• Expertise in immigration regulations including F-1 J-1 H-1B and other employment-based visa categories along with knowledge of SEVIS compliance requirements.

• Demonstrated expertise in immigration regulations affecting both international students and scholars including substantial experience administering J-1 Exchange Visitor programs for faculty researchers postdoctoral scholars and/or staff and serving in a PDSO DSO RO or ARO capacity.

• Must have experience overseeing personnel and administrative operations management of budgets/finance technology systems as well as strength in policy development and implementation.

• Communication skills to allow for straightforward and factual representation of ISS on-campus.

• Discretion diplomacy and a sense of humor are essential.

• Must be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident to comply with U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Department of State regulations to function as the campus Principal Designated School Official (PDSO) and Responsible Officer (RO).

• Must be willing to work during the summer months; some weekend and evening work will occasionally be required.

Salary Range: $110000 - $120000

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors including but not limited to departmental budgets qualifications experience education licenses specialty and training. The above hiring range represents the Colleges good faith and reasonable estimateof the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Company:

Barnard College

Time Type:

Full time