Director of International Student Services

SUMMARY:

The Director of International Student Services reports to the Vice President for Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity and is responsible for supporting international students and global nomads, including visa compliance, cultural programming, adjustment and transition support, and advocacy, while celebrating their diverse backgrounds and identities on campus and beyond.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Maintain compliance with federal SEVIS program, serving as the Primary DSO (Designated School Official)
• Supervise the Assistant Director of ISS
• Assist international students with leave, withdrawal and readmission including the creation of new I20s
• Work with the Women's Advisory Board to coordinate the WAB Hardship Fund for international students twice annually, the Cookie Break and gifts for January start international students
• Support Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity priority goals and College strategic planning initiatives
• Assist international students with the CPT and OPT employment process and paperwork
• Work with international graduates to maintain status while on OPT and OPT STEM Extensions
• Work with Lewermark Insurance on an annual policy and implementation of a plan for all international students
• To advise and counsel international students on a variety of personal and social matters, including adjustment to the academic and co-curricular programs at The College of Wooster
• To maintain a working relationship with faculty advisors and the counseling and residential staff
• To provide immigration regulation and tax information and services
• To maintain accurate records and statistics each semester on International students, including enrollment, attrition rates and country representation
• To encourage a campus environment which is a positive one for International students and to offer programming for the campus on cross-cultural issues
• To keep Faculty, Staff and Administration aware of the special needs of International students and, wherever possible, to initiate or assist in the implementation of the programs and services to address those needs
• To provide advice and guidance for the International Student Association (ISA)
• Coordinate the International Student Advisory Committee (ISAC) to best support and advocate for international student issues and concerns on campus
• May assist the Dean of Students Office with case management, as necessary
• Respond to student issues, concerns and crises, as appropriate
• Collaborate with other directors in the Division of Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity to best serve students across intersecting identities
• Flexible work schedule with some evening and weekend work.
• Other duties as assigned by the VP for Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Supervise the Assistant Director and assist with oversight of student interns.

Requirements:

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

The successful candidate will have a Master's degree, experience advising, and counseling International students and a familiarity with SEVIS and immigration and naturalization service/regulations.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

KNOWLEDGE:

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.
• Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from colleagues, students, and the general public.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
• Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent using units of American measurement.
• To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Database software; Internet software; Spreadsheet software and Microsoft Office Word Processing software. Will be required to learn additional software as necessary for the position, including DATATEL enterprise solution.
• Computer skills a must (Experience with GroupWise, the Microsoft Office Suite Products, and web page design a plus.)

SKILLS:

• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• Experience with programming essential.
• Excellent communication skills, verbal and written, are required.
• Experience with independent higher education and an appreciation for the relationship between the academic and co-curricular programs at a liberal arts institution are important.
• A cooperative spirit, strong interpersonal skills, sound judgment and a high energy level are all important personal qualities.

ABILITIES:

• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Must be an internally motivated individual with well-defined organizational and time management skills, attention to detail, project management skills, and ability to meet work deadlines are required.
• Must have the ability to prioritize workflow, manage complex tasks, balance competing priorities and be flexible in tasks that are assigned.
• Must be able to interact with a diverse population.
• Must be able to keep information confidential.
• Must be able to report to work on-time, as scheduled. Sound judgment, attention to detail, flexibility, positive attitude, strong organizational skills, and a high energy level are necessary to function in this fast-paced, demanding office.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This role is in an office environment. This is a primarily sedentary role but requires some delivery and travel between building and departments. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Flexible work schedule with some evening and weekend work.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk and climb stairs. The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/may move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. May set sit for long periods of time. Could occasionally move light furniture for rearrangements.

Additional Information:

The College of Wooster does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex/gender, gender identity, gender expression, medical condition, political affiliation, religion, creed, ethnicity, national origin (including ancestry), citizenship status, disability, age, marital status, family responsibilities, sexual orientation, veteran or military status, predisposing genetic characteristics, domestic violence victim status, or any other characteristic protected by institutional policy, or by state, local, or federal law. All offers of employment are subject to verification of the legal right to work in the United States as required by federal law. The College of Wooster is committed by policy and practice to diversity, equity and inclusion. For more information see our nondiscrimination policy.

Application Instructions:

For highest consideration please submit a resume, cover letter, and a list of 3 professional references which includes name, telephone number and email address.