Associate Director for International Students
Associate Director for International Students
US-NJ-Princeton
Job ID: 2023-17104
Type: Full-Time
# of Openings: 1
Category: Student Affairs and Services
Princeton University
Overview
The Davis International Center at Princeton University seeks applicants for the Associate Director for International Students vacancy, which oversees a robust immigration caseload and comprehensive compliance management system and processes. This is a dynamic role with a broad range of responsibilities in a fast-paced international student and scholar services office.
The successful candidate will have strong references, extensive experience in immigration advising, strong analytical and management skills, and a high comfort level with working autonomously in a high-stakes environment. We value the ability to effectively communicate with University stakeholders and colleagues, and to engage with students, faculty and staff of diverse backgrounds.
Responsibilities
Position Summary:
Reporting to the Deputy Director of the Davis International Center, the Associate Director for International Students has the following primary responsibilities:
- 40% - Operations/Advising: Plan and manage the day-to-day operational activities of the international student advising services and processing for over 2,000 international students at Princeton University. Provide operational management and planning backup to the scholar advising services.
- 25% - Supervision: Supervise staff and provide leadership and training on matters related to international student and scholar issues.
- 20% - Outreach: Serve as the primary contact for student immigration issues to academic departments, administrative offices, and federal immigration-related agencies (USCIS, ICE, CBP) and the U.S. State Department for international student matters.
- 15% - Programs and other duties: Oversee the planning and implementation of programs related to international students and scholars.
Principle Duties:
- Manage the advisement of the international student population on obtaining and maintaining non-immigrant student status in the U.S., including OPT, CPT, and academic training processing.
- Assist in managing the advisement of the international scholar population on J-1, H-1B, O-1, TN, and other non-immigrant visas.
- Serve as the University’s subject matter expert on visa and immigration matters.
- Establish immigration-related protocols and processes for all University-sponsored international student transactions.
- In coordination with the Deputy Director of the Davis International Center, recommend policy level decisions on immigration matters to the Office of General Counsel, Office of the Dean of the College, Office of the Dean for Undergraduate Students, Human Resources, Office of the Dean of the Faculty, and the Office of the Provost.
- Manage the development and updates for regulatory information resources, handouts, and applications.
- Serve as the University's Principal Designated School Official (PDSO) for the F-1 student program and as an Alternative Responsible Officer (ARO) for the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program.
- Maintain an international student advisee caseload.
- Supervise the maintenance of international student records systems such as SEVIS, Sunapsis, and Peoplesoft, and other relevant systems in support of international students.
- Maintains excellent communication with other relevant campus offices in an effort to serve as an advocate for and resource to international students.
- Organizes and facilitates immigration workshop sessions.
- Contribute to Davis International Center program efforts including the coordination of programs and immigration workshops. Contribute to orientation programs and pre-arrival information.
- Supervise staff as assigned.
- Serves as an advocate and liaison for international students to internal and external constituencies.
- Maintain active membership in appropriate professional organizations such as NAFSA and participate in professional development opportunities. Adhere to NAFSA’s Statement of Ethical Principles.
- Performs other duties as needed to support strategic plans for welcoming and supporting Princeton international students, scholars, and visitors.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Extensive knowledge of immigration law and practice relevant to student and scholar sponsorship, and ability to integrate new laws and procedures.
- Ability to analyze complex immigration issues involving a variety of individuals, situations, rules and external agencies and bring them to a satisfactory resolution
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Ability to use discretion in handling confidential matters.
- Ability to work with strict time constraints imposed by federal law.
- Ability to work collaboratively, accurately and productively in a highly active setting.
- Demonstrated organizational and problem solving skills.
- Demonstrated ability to effectively supervise professional staff.
Qualifications
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree required, plus a minimum of 5 years of experience in the field of international student regulatory advising. At least 2 years of international scholar advising experience.
- 2+ years of experience managing and supervising professional staff.
- US citizen or legal permanent residence required (for Dept. of Homeland Security ARO, PDSO qualification purposes).
- Demonstrated ability to work with individuals from diverse cultures.
- Excellent computer proficiency, including use of government agency databases and platforms (FLAG, SEVIS, etc.)
- Must be able to successfully pass a criminal background check, per federal regulations.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Working knowledge of PeopleSoft and Sunapsis.
- Proficiency in at least one foreign language or significant experience living, working or studying abroad.
- Experience working at a major academic or research institution.
Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. KNOW YOUR RIGHTS
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