Study Abroad Assistant Director

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Study Abroad Assistant Director
Posting Category:
About UIS: Located in the state capital, the University of Illinois Springfield is one of three members of the University of Illinois system. The University serves more than 4,000 students in 44 graduate and 56 undergraduate programs. You are encouraged to visit the university web page at http://www.uis.edu.
Application deadline: 12/1/2023
Minimum starting salary: $26.23 per hour/7.5 hour workday
Job Summary
The Study Abroad Assistant Director coordinates global education initiatives as a part of the Office of Engaged Learning. These initiatives include UIS Global Experience trips, National Student Exchange (NSE) program membership, International Student Exchange Program (ISEP), and other Study Away programs with partner universities worldwide.
Under general supervision, this individual assists in managing study away programs by providing general supervision of assigned programs, information, and personnel/staff that are part of all aspects of a study away program.
Duties and Responsibilities

• Provides coordination and oversight of study away services. Provide program-specific counseling for all students regarding academic programs, services, admission, financial aid, scholarship information, student work programs, course and program planning, scheduling, registration, study habits, career planning, social adjustments, etc. Evaluate transcripts and other application documentation to determine student eligibility for the program. Maintain and manage associated records. Serve as instructor of record for students studying away.
• Maintains partnerships withacademic departments, chairs, faculty, and academic advisors to keep theminformed about and involved in offering appropriate study away opportunitiesfor students. Coordinate course articulation and academic planning, integratingstudy away options into existing academic programs.
• Direct the campus-widepromotion and marketing of study-away programs recruitment and global educationopportunities; develop publicity and recruitment materials, statistics, andrelease through appropriate communication and media channels, includingbrochures, flyers, calendar of events, posters, bulletins, newspaper articles,radio and television releases, journals, etc.
• Administers immigration and other regulations that impact international exchange visitors at UIS, including issuance of travel documents, certification of immigration status, confirmation of the purchase of eligible health insurance, etc. Design program-specific pre-departure orientation materials, fairs, and recruitment for both students and faculty. Organize incoming exchange student orientation materials and programming. Participate in transporting incoming exchange students to and from local travel stops (airport, train station, bus station) and campus. Serves as Responsible Officer for the US State Department Exchange Visitor Program.
• Arrange and provide the results of evaluations of study away programs; assess student satisfaction and overall program experience. Conduct visits to study away program sites to evaluate programs (e.g., academics, student affairs, and safety/risk management); recommend improvement or program expansion. Research and analyze data related to study away trends, student destinations, program content, and cost relative to campus curricula. Maintain and update the institution list, ensuring implementing agreements are reviewed and revised. Nurture potential new sites.
• Serve as liaison withlocal, regional, and national study away organizations and professional groupsto stay abreast of developments in the study away field. Stay abreast of globalactivities and issues confronting the department. Ensure institutional compliance withnecessary safety, risk, and liability guidelines concerning study awayprograms.
• Facilitate faculty-ledshort-term study away programs and provide logistical support as well ascollaborate with faculty to develop new programs. Review study awaydepartmental or individual student budgets. Assist other campus offices inrecommending relevant scholarship and grant awards. Administer state, local,and gift budgets.
• Performs other relatedduties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree.
Three (3) years (36 months) of professional work experience comparable to that performed at the Study Abroad Advisor level of this series or in other positions of comparable responsibility.
Preferred Qualifications:
Master's Degree or terminal degree preferred.
Previous experience processing F1 and J1 visas
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
Excellent communication skills both written and verbal.
Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills.
Ability to maintain effective interpersonal relationships.
Ability to work with international cultures and customs.
Time management and organizational skills.
Strong organization skills and capable of multi-tasking.
Self-starter with an ability to collaborate with others.
Ability to convey information in a clear, concise, and logical manner.
Proven ability to communicate effectively throughout the University and with outside agencies and customers, demonstrating professional appearance and manner.
Strong interpersonal and leadership skills with ability to train, supervise, mentor, and support team members effectively.
Ability to motivate and lead a team, attaining results through others.
Ability to work under pressure and meet close deadlines.
Ability to handle difficult and stressful situations with professional composure.
Excellent judgement and ability to make independent effective decisions in appropriate situations.
Ability to exercise sound judgment in making critical decisions.
Project management skills.
Ability to follow standards of procedure.
Ability to work under pressure and meet close deadlines.
Engaged on decision making to determine outcome of factors for project execution and delivery.
Strong project management skills with ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Ability to manage a budget and work within the constraints of that budget.
Helps prepare budget reports for management based on estimated revenues, expense reports, and past budget numbers.
Knowledge and writing copy techniques to produce marketing materials.
Ability to process and handle confidential information with discretion.
Proven ability to work on assignments that are complex and sensitive in nature where independent action and a high degree of initiative are required in resolving problems and developing recommendations.
Willingness to obtain/maintain a passport in order to travel internationally to accompany faculty-led trips/ visit exchange sites and partners.
Knowledge of office procedures and spelling, grammar, punctuation, and arithmetic.
Travel Requirements:
10% Willingness and ability to travel internationally and work outside typical business hours.
Employment Policies and other information:
Failure to accurately describe work experience, or failure to submit college transcripts may result in an applicant not being admitted to the exam.
UIS an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer with strong institutional commitment to recruitment and retention of a diverse and inclusive community. Women, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. As a qualifying federal contractor, the University of Illinois System uses E-Verify to verify employment eligibility.
The University of Illinois may conduct background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer of employment. Background checks will be performed in compliance with state and federal law.
UIS employees are strongly encouraged to stay up to date with the most recent COVID-19 vaccination available as a barrier to serious illness.
The University of Illinois System requires candidates selected for hire to disclose any documented finding of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment and to authorize inquiries to current or former employers regarding findings of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment. For more information, visit Policy on Consideration of Sexual Misconduct in Prior Employment.
UIS employment in this role is not covered by Social Security, and instead, is covered by the State University Retirement System.

• You will not pay Social Security taxes and your earning will not be on your Social Security Record. (Your record will, however, show your Medicare wages.
• Your pension from the State Universities Retirement System may affect the amount of your:

1. Social Security benefit and
2. Social Security benefit as a spouse

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Requests may be submitted by contacting UIS HR at hremployment@uis.edu or call 217-206-6652.