What are the responsibilities and job description for the Outreach & Visa Coordinator position at University of Minnesota?
- Bachelor’s Degree with at least 2 years of work experience or a total of 6 years of combined related education and administrative experience in higher education or relevant organization
- Experience living, working, studying, interning, or volunteering in another cultural context
- Ability to clearly and respectfully communicate with all levels of an organization and with individuals from a variety of cultural backgrounds
Preferred Qualifications
- Work experience in international education, preferably working with student visas
- Experience living, working, and/or studying in Scandinavia
- Experience with FileMaker Pro database, PowerPoint, Excel, Word, and MS Office
- Knowledge of theory and practice in areas such as intercultural communication, experiential learning, curriculum design, equity and diversity, and identity development
- Sense of humor!
Position Description:
Job Openings: 1
Ideal Start Date: August 1, 2022
DIS is hiring an Outreach & Visa Coordinator to advise and prepare admitted students for study at DIS, with a special focus on those applying for visas and residence/visitors permits. You’ll join a fun, friendly, ambitious team who believes deeply in the transformative power of study abroad, and in supporting students and partner institutions with a high service level through creative collaboration, knowledge-seeking and inclusive advising. As our local expert on visas and residence/visitors permits, you’ll liaise with students, partner universities, staff in Copenhagen and Stockholm, and with the Danish/Swedish consulates and embassies to ensure we’re offering the highest quality support and advising - with help from a team of colleagues and student employees. The position includes occasional domestic travel to promote DIS at U.S. partner universities, and occasional travel to Scandinavia where you’ll continue deepening your knowledge of DIS and engage first-hand with the student experience abroad so you can represent our programs authentically and successfully prepare future DIS students.
Visa and Residence/Visitor Permit Advising & Processing (65%)
- Master understanding of Danish, Swedish, and Schengen visa and residence/visitor permit regulations and application processes
- Advise a diverse group of students on visa and residence/visitor permit application processes via email, phone, and virtual meetings. Troubleshoot and explore individualized solutions to complex cases with various stakeholders including embassy/consulate staff, students, DIS colleagues, and home universities
- Manage and execute DIS student visa and residence/visitor permit processing, maintaining process documents to reflect frequently updated regulations
- Lead work of two Outreach Associates to ensure all student visa and residence/visitors applications are complete, accurate, and submitted in a timely manner
- Manage relationship with Danish Consulate and Swedish Embassy to ensure continued collaboration and optimal processing of student applications
- Manage elevated cases regarding student applications for visas and residence permits
- Develop and deliver regular staff training related to visas and residence permits
- Provide regular reports to DIS leadership regarding regulatory or process updates impacting DIS student visa and residence permit applications, requirements, or timelines
- Work closely with Enrollment Management team regarding timeline and progress of student visa or residence permit applications vis a vis student admission and registration timeline
- Collaborate with Custom and Faculty-Led Programs team to ensure comprehensive support to any students requiring a visa or residence permit
Student Advising and Preparation (30%)
- Advise prospective and admitted students and their parents via phone and email regarding study abroad at DIS, including program offerings, logistics, cultural and academic differences, and other matters
- Attend and conduct on-campus and virtual promotional events, study abroad fairs, advising sessions, information sessions, classroom visits, presentations, and pre-departure orientations
- Master understanding of education abroad policies, best practices, and requirements, and effectively utilize intercultural communication skills to implement these with students, partners, and parents
- Respond to pre-departure student issues, determine appropriate solutions, and work through to resolution in collaboration with stakeholders
Other Duties as Assigned (5%)
- Promote, support, and participate in education abroad efforts with university partners, professional associations and organizations
- Serve on DIS committees and working groups and participate in Learning Abroad Center and Global Programs & Strategy Alliance staff meetings and activities as appropriate or as assigned
- Participate in other projects/tasks individually or as part of a team
Demonstrate commitment to diversity and contribute to an equitabe and inclusive working and learning environment (100% of the time):
- Continuous learning in diversity, equity and inclusion for oneself and team via training, podcasts, articles, etc.
- Seek to explore and understand cultural differences and create a culture of belonging
- Cultivate and develop inclusive and equitable working relationships with students, partner institutions, and colleagues
Who are we?
DIS - Study Abroad in Scandinavia is a Danish non-profit educational foundation with programs in Copenhagen and Stockholm and a North American Office at the University of Minnesota. We offer high-impact semester, academic year, summer, and custom learning experiences taught in English to undergraduate students from distinguished North American colleges and universities. By inspiring each student’s curiosity and love of learning, DIS fosters academic achievement, intercultural understanding, and development of life skills essential for engaged citizenship.
Our North American Office consists of ~20 international educators who advise, recruit, enroll, prepare, and support prospective and enrolled students. Working closely with 200 U.S. Partner Universities, we build and maintain pathways for study abroad as well as staff and faculty engagement with education abroad. We are a forward-thinking organization committed to attracting and meeting the needs of a high-achieving and diverse student body. To this end, DIS is focused on recruiting resilient, creative, and talented staff who can respond to the ever-increasing demands of the study abroad world. We offer hybrid work, professional development, generous benefits, flexible schedules, and tuition assistance at the University of Minnesota.
Learn more about the DIS Mission and Values here.
Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
DIS is committed to building an inclusive learning environment in a Scandinavian context. We believe that diversity in all aspects of the educational environment is necessary for students to reach their full potential and develop life skills essential for engaged citizenship.
For questions about DIS and the North American Office, please contact DIS@DISabroad.org.
With technical questions about the hiring platform, please contact University of Minnesota Human Resources.
www.DISabroad.org
Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.
Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.
To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-UOHR (8647).
The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.
The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu.
Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.
Please note: All employees at the University of Minnesota are required to comply with the University’s Administrative Policy: COVID-19 Vaccination and Safety Protocol by either providing proof of being fully vaccinated on their first day of employment, or complete a request for an exemption for medical exemption or religious reasons. To learn more please visit: https://safe-campus.umn.edu/return-campus/get-the-vax
Salary : $45,000 - $50,000