Director, International Student And Scholar Services - Oge

Job Title: Director, International Student and Scholar Services - OGE
Location: Kennesaw, Georgia
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Full/Part Time: Full-Time
Job ID: 266494
About Us

Are you ready to join a community leading in innovative teaching and learning?

Kennesaw State University is one of the 50 largest public institutions in the country. With our growing enrollment and global reach, we are enjoying increased prominence among Georgia's colleges. We offer more than 150 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to over 43,000 students. Our entrepreneurial spirit, high-impact research, and Division I athletics also draw students from throughout the region and from 92 countries across the globe. Our university's vibrant culture, career opportunities, and rich benefits make us an employer of choice. We are searching for talented people to join our mission.Come to KSU and find your passion.

Location

Our Kennesaw campus is located at 1000 Chastain Road NW, Kennesaw, GA 30144.

Job Summary

Responsible for leading the International Student and Scholar Services Office (ISSSO) including strategic planning, personnel management, operational planning, policy development and compliance, outreach, and advocacy. Integrate services for International Students, scholars, faculty and staff across two campuses to improve coherence and outcomes.

Responsibilities

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES*:
1. Supervises and mentors assigned staff and areas of responsibility
2. Provides clear performance expectations, effective training and feedback and professional development opportunities
3. Manages immigration advising services across university campuses for International Students, scholars, faculty and staff
4. Serves as Principal Designated School Official (PDSO) and provides oversight of visa and immigration SEVIS processes and services for F-1 International Students
5. Serves as Responsible Officer (RO) and provides oversight of visa and immigration SEVIS processes and services for J-1 students and Scholars
6. Develops, implements, and maintains institutional policies around immigration compliance
7. Responds to escalated and/or emergency situations involving International Students, scholars, faculty and/or staff
8. Serves as a back-up for front line advising staff and answers questions from foreign nationals holding F, J, H, O, TN and other immigrant and non-immigrant visa statuses
9. Liaises and advocates with federal, state and local offices and bureaus as necessary for the support of foreign nationals at the university
10. Manages and serves as back-up for staff coordinating inbound exchange programs
11. Liaises with exchange partners, including foreign institutions, exchange organizations and governmental offices
12. Develops and implements a strategic operating plan for the office
13. Adapts the services of the office to respond to changing needs and demands internal and external to the university
14. Maintains integrity of data across multiple systems, including Sunapsis
15. Develops and implements data collection processes to evaluate office business processes
16. Completes data reports as required, including annual Open Doors reporting
17. Assesses office programs and processes and identifies opportunities to better serve client needs and/or meet institutional goals
18. Advocates for the foreign national population on campus
19. Provides expert policy interpretation and analysis to campus stakeholders including HR, academic departments, the Graduate College, the Intensive English Program and others
20. Builds campus partnerships to support awareness of services and issues relevant to International Students, scholars, faculty and/or staff
21. Serves on campus and/or university system committees as needed or requested
22. Provides general leadership within the division

Required Qualifications

Educational Requirements
Bachelor's degree in higher education, international education, public administration or a related field from an accredited institution of higher education
Other Required Qualifications
Current, valid, and unrestricted driver's license
Required Experience
Five (5) years of experience providing immigration advising and/or support services to International Students, scholars, faculty and/or staff in a higher education setting to include experience supervising professional staff

Preferred Qualifications

Additional Preferred Qualifications
Track record of active participation in professional organizations (e.g., AIEA, NAFSA)
Preferred Educational Qualifications
An advanced degree from an accredited institution of higher education in a related field
Preferred Experience
Experience with budgeting, planning, and scheduling
Experience working in a culturally diverse environment
Experience collaborating with academic departments, student affairs offices and a wide range of constituents in higher education and external community organizations in the context of welcoming and supporting International Students, scholars, faculty and staff
Experience using software designed to manage immigration compliance, especially Sunapsis

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

ABILITIES
Able to work successfully with other senior leadership roles within the university (i.e., AVPs, deans, directors)
Awareness of and ability to research country-specific matters
Able to work between multiple campuses and attend state meetings
Able to present sensitive information and provide appropriate diplomatic responses to questions under pressure
Able to conduct oneself in a professional manner in a demanding high stress, fast paced environment over a sustained period of time
Demonstrated commitment to fostering global perspectives
Able to work collaboratively and effectively with a broad range of constituents, including faculty, staff, students, parents, and overseas partners to achieve institutional goals
Able to handle multiple tasks or projects at one time meeting assigned deadlines
KNOWLEDGE
Working knowledge of and ability to apply federal immigration regulations (F, J, H and other categories) in a higher education setting, including prior experience as a Designated School Official and/or Alternate Responsible Officer
Experience living, studying or working in a country outside the US or experience living, studying or working in the US as a foreign national
Knowledge of International Student, scholar, faculty and staff process, policies, and program procedures
Knowledge of international exchange and visitor requirements and federal regulations and policies influencing the flow of International Students worldwide
Demonstrated success as a communicator in an international context and sensitivity to complexities of cross-cultural communication
Demonstrated understanding of international education
Knowledge of best practices in International Student services and successful record in the creation, development, and implementation of student services programs
SKILLS
Excellent interpersonal, initiative, teamwork, problem solving, independent judgment, organization, communication (verbal and written), time management, project management, negotiation and presentation skills
Proficient with computer applications and programs associated with the position (i.e., Microsoft Office suite, SEVIS, Sunapsis, SAS, PeopleAdmin, Oracle INB-Banner, OnBase)
Demonstrated ability to think strategically and creatively
Fluency in a language other than English
Strong attention to detail and follow up skills
Strong customer service skills and phone and e-mail etiquette

Equal Employment Opportunity

Kennesaw State University is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The University is committed to maintaining a fair and respectful environment for living, work and study. To that end, and in accordance with federal and state law, Board of Regents policy, and University policy, the University prohibits harassment of or discrimination against any person because of race, color, sex (including sexual harassment, pregnancy, and medical conditions related to pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity or national origin, religion, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran or military status by any member of the KSU Community on campus, in connection with a University program or activity, or in a manner that creates a hostile environment for members of the KSU community.
For additional information or to file a complaint under the provisions of this policy, students, employees, applicants for employment or admission or other third parties should contact the Office of Institutional Equity at English Building, Suite 202, eeo@kennesaw.edu, or by making a report here.

Other Information

This is a supervisory position.
This position has financial responsibilities.
This position will be required to drive.
This role is considered a position of trust.
This position does not require a purchasing card (P-Card).
This position may travel 1% - 24% of the time

Background Check

• Standard Enhanced
• Education
• DMV

Per the University System of Georgia background check policy, all final candidates will be required to consent to a criminal background investigation. Final candidates may be asked to disclose criminal record history during the initial screening process and prior to a conditional offer of employment. Applicants for positions of trust with screening results which confirm a disqualifying criminal history will be immediately disqualified from employment eligibility.

All applicants are required to include professional references as part of their application process. Some positions may require additional job-based screenings such as motor vehicle report, credit check, pre-employment drug screening and/or verification of academic credentials.

https://www.usg.edu/hr/assets/hr/hrap_manual/HRAP_Background_Investigation_Employment.pdf