Job Information
Iowa State University International Student Advisor III in Ames, Iowa
Position Title:International Student Advisor III
Job Group:Professional & Scientific
Required Minimum Qualifications:Bachelor’s degree and 5 years of related experience
Special Required QualificationsMust be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident for access to SEVIS as required by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Department of State.
Preferred Qualifications:Master's degree.
Experience working in an international office.
Experience engaging with international populations.
Designated School Official(DSO), Responsible Officer(RO), Alternate Responsible Officer(ARO), or Principal Designated School Official(PDSO).
Experience working in higher education.
Experience using Sunapsis.
Job Description:
The International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) at Iowa State University is currently seeking applicants for an International Student Advisor III, which will be classified as an International Students and Scholars Advisor III.
The International Students and Scholars Office employs staff with many years of experience in the U.S. and abroad. Staff members provide courteous and timely service, apply a broad range of immigration expertise, and deliver informative programming for international students, faculty, staff, postdocs, visiting scholars, and their families. For more information about ISSO please visit the link below.
https://isso.dso.iastate.edu/
The successful candidate for this position must be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident for access to SEVIS as required by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Department of State.
Duties/Responsibilities:
International Student Advising
Applies senior-level independent judgment and professional knowledge to provide guidance and support to international students regarding academic; personal, including scholarship and funding opportunities; and immigration-related matters.
Uses senior-level professional expertise to offer cultural adjustment counseling and resources to international students to help them adapt to the new academic and cultural environment.
Connects international students with appropriate university resources. Collaborates with other university departments, such as admissions, academic advising, and housing, to address individual international student needs.
Provides assistance and support to individual international students during emergencies or crises, including health issues or legal matters.
Provides advising during assigned advising hours and scheduled appointments.
Collaborates with other university departments, such as admissions, academic advising, and housing, to address individual international student needs.
Resolves complex advising cases as escalated by International Student Advisors I & II. May work in collaboration with the Assistant Director for International Student Advising on the most complex cases.
Leads the development and revision of department policies related to advising international students.
Conducts research and analysis on international student trends, demographics, and best practices to inform decision-making and improvements in student advising practices. This includes creating systematic inquiries to improve student outcome and department performance (assessment).
May lead projects, for which well-defined practices and procedures may not exist, to improve international student advising and student outcomes.
Student Immigration Management
Serves as a Designated School Official with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and an Alternate Responsible Officer with the U.S. Department of State.
Maintains high-level professional knowledge of immigration regulations.
Manages accurate and timely reporting of required immigration status information to DHS and/or the U.S. Department of State, and processes immigration benefit requests.
Uses senior-level knowledge to assist with student immigration-related paperwork.
Utilizes the immigration database and university systems to monitor student status and take timely action to ensure students maintain their immigration status.
Uses expert knowledge to maintain accurate records of international students, including immigration status, academic progress, and contact information.
Manages complex immigration cases, as escalated by International Student and Scholar Advisors I & II, including reinstatements, change of status, employment authorization issues, and advising on maintaining lawful status. May work in collaboration with the Assistant Director for International Student Advising on the most complex cases.
Leads the development and revision of department policies related to international students and immigration compliance.
Conducts research and analysis on international student immigration experience. This includes creating systematic inquiries to improve student outcomes, department performance and to ensure compliance (assessment).
May lead projects, for which well-defined practices and procedures may not exist, to improve the international student immigration processing experience and department performance.
Administrative
Trains and mentors junior international advisors.
Manages ISSO scholarships, this includes obtaining annual funding information from the Director, selecting leader of bi-annual awarding committee and providing support to the committee, ensuring scholarship criteria is followed and updating rubrics in the event of changes. Ensures OneApp and department records are accurate and maintained. Oversees strategy of communicating scholarship opportunities to eligible students.
Manage and oversee the activities of the ISSO Communications Graduate Assistant with a focus on the dissemination of precise, accurate and comprehensive information as it pertains to international student outcomes. Implement strategies to improve communication efficiency and effectiveness.
May provide occasional support of ISSO front line client service operations to ensure efficient and effective workflow.
Outreach
Engages in outreach to students to promote international student services, including workshops, seminars, and informational sessions.
May teach courses designed to assist international students in transitioning to the United States.
Contributes to the development and enhancement of international student programs, services, and resources across the university. This may include serving as a liaison to university committees include UAAC, EAB, and Athletics.
Conducts research and analysis on international student trends, demographics, and best practices to support program and curriculum development by ISSO. This includes creating systematic inquiries to improve student outcomes.
Crisis Management
Assist with crisis response and support for international students during major emergencies or disasters, coordinating with university leadership and external agencies.
Represent department on team which monitors student behavior, assesses threat, and develops appropriate intervention plans for evaluation and follow-up on students of concern.
Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an on-going basis without sponsorship.
Leveling Guidelines
• Senior-level position possessing high-level professional and/or technical skills working independently under minimal supervision to support ISU’s mission and department or work unit goals
• Applies senior-level professional knowledge and expertise to work requiring greater latitude
• Solves moderately complex problems and regularly exercises judgment to determine appropriate action
• Regularly exercises judgment to resolve problems and determine appropriate action on a broad set of issue and problems. May provide recommendations regarding problems/issues outside the bounds of defined procedures and practices
• Responds to complicated inquiries, provides training, and provides direction to lower-level staff
• May provide supervision for one to two other staff (i.e., leads a small work team)
• May lead projects for which well-defined practices and procedures may not exist
• Provides guidance to students
Appointment Type:Regular
Number of Months Employed Per Year:12 Month Work Period
Time Type:Full time
Pay Grade:PS808
Application Instructions:To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following: 1) Resume/Curriculum Vitae 2) Letter of Application/Cover Letter If you have questions regarding this application process, please email employment@iastate.edu or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485. Why Choose ISU? Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental; as well as: • Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans • Generous vacation, holiday and sick time and leave plans • Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa) • Life insurance and long-term disability • Flexible Spending Accounts • Various voluntary benefits and discounts • Employee Assistance Program • Wellbeing program • Iowa State offers WorkFlex options for some positions. WorkFlex offers flexibility on when, where, and how you do your work. For more information, please speak with the Hiring Manager.
Original Posting Date: June 24, 2024
Posting Close Date:July 7, 2024
Job Requisition Number:R14914
By focusing on the future and providing the best student experience possible, Iowa State attracts students and faculty who want to make a difference. With a comprehensive land-grant mission of education, research, extension and outreach, we produce scholars whose ideas change the world. And through Innovate at Iowa State , we provide innovative and entrepreneurial opportunities for students of all backgrounds. Located just 30 minutes north of Des Moines, the city of Ames was recently named one of the Top 10 cities in the U.S. for campus life and career opportunities.
Iowa State University is a welcoming, global, and culturally diverse community of students, faculty, and staff. Campus community members have a wide range of backgrounds and experiences and are committed to engaging with each other respectfully as outlined in the university's Principles of Community (https://www.iastate.edu/diversity-and-inclusion/principles-community) . Iowa State recognizes that diverse intellectual and philosophical perspectives are vital to innovation, critical thinking skills, and a dynamic academic community that fosters the land-grant ideals of putting science, technology, and human creativity to work.
All offers of employment, oral and written, are contingent upon the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by federal and state law, ISU policies/procedures, and may include the completion of a background check and/or a consumer credit check.
Iowa State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, marital status, disability, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against. Inquiries can be directed to the Office of Equal Opportunity, 3410 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, 515 294-7612, email eooffice@iastate.edu .
If you have questions about the application process please email employment@iastate.edu or call 515-294-4800 or Toll-Free at 1-877-477-7485 . Iowa State University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should email employment@iastate.edu or call (515) 294-4800 or Toll-Free: (877) 477-7485 . TTY users are welcome to use the Iowa Relay Service number by dialing 7-1-1 or (800) 735-2942 .
General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources (https://www.hr.iastate.edu/careers/compensation) website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.