Director of International Student Services

Posting Category: E

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: Open until filled

Priority Deadline: 11/20/2024

Minimum Starting Salary: $70,000 annually

Summary:

Reporting to the Dean of Students, the Director of International Student Services contributes to the comprehensive internationalization of the university by providing strategic direction for international and cross-cultural programming for the campus and community and immigration–related advice and guidance to international students and the university administration. The director supervises all staff and operations of the Office of International Student Services, serves as the Principal Designated School Official (PDSO) and supervises the DSO-related responsibilities of any DSOs serving other offices.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Serves as the primary International Student Advisor and Principal Designated School Official for the University (PDSO). Represents and speaks for the school in F-1 student matters. Ensures institutional and individual compliance with the law, by learning and interpreting and applying laws and government policies pertaining to F-1 students and their dependents. Issues and signs forms I-20, update school and student SEVIS records, and assist in other immigration matters dealing with F-1students. Ensures that the institution keeps records that are required to be kept, and that the institution complies with its reporting duties under SEVIS. Approves or recommends benefits for F-1 students and their families. Educates students and the school about their rights and obligations under applicable sections of the Code of Federal Regulations. Serves as the principal emergency contact person for immigration-related issues during non-office hours. Oversees the work of all other ISAs (Immigration Specialists).
• Develops and revises, as needed, the immigration-related policies and procedures of the OISS, and serve as the primary resource to other university officers regarding their own policies and procedures that may be affected by federal regulations and policy guidance or may have an effect upon the international student population.
• Oversees administration of processes/system used for collection, storage, and reporting of data and records for international students and the interfaces between that system and both the official system of record (Banner) and SEVIS.
• Trains newly hired or newly appointed DSOs and keep current DSOs apprised of regulatory changes, new government agency policy guidance, and newly developed university policies and procedures.
• Serves as a university representative to US and foreign government agencies and representatives concerning international and cultural issues.
• Works with the Coordinator of International Programming to collaborate on and coordinate campus activities to promote educational, cultural and social programming for international students’ development, integration, and retention including the annual International Festival, International Education Week, Welcome Week, Homecoming, Springfest, etc.
• Serves as a resource as requested to other university offices such as Enrollment Management, Residence Life, the Intensive English Program, Rec Sports, the Diversity Center, the Addressing Sexual Assault Prevention Task Force, the International Planning and Coordinating Task Force, etc. and student organizations such as the International Student Association, the Indian Student Organization, the Asian Student Organization, etc.
• Cooperates with faculty and other offices to develop and complement the University’s retention strategies for international students.
• Assists the university community with the resolution of concerns and/or conflicts involving international students.
• Develops initiatives in response to the trends, needs, and goals of the division.
• Develops and enacts a communications plan that includes pre-arrival contacts with new students, regular updates to enrolled and OPT students, urgent mass emails, the ISS newsletter, the ISS website, physical and electronic bulletin boards, etc.
• Assesses ISS policies, procedures, and outcomes and create regular reports as needed.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications:

Master’s degree

7 years of experience in a university setting

Experience working directly with international student services and/or intercultural affairs

Supervisory experience

Program planning, and event planning experience

Experience in International Student Recruitment

Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications:

Evidence of relevant continuing professional education and affiliations with professional organizations (NAFSA, AIEA, IIE, AIRC, ACPA, NASPA), current knowledge and understanding of federal visa regulations; proven leadership in faculty and staff professional development in relation to international education.

International travel experience

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

Knowledge of immigration law/policies

Demonstrated leadership ability, knowledge of student development and customer service skills

Strong communication and interpersonal skills

Physical Demands:

• Standing : Rarely
• Walking : Rarely
• Sitting : Frequently
• Lifting : Rarely
• Carrying : Rarely
• Pushing : Rarely
• Pulling : Rarely
• Climbing : Rarely
• Balancing : Rarely
• Stooping : Rarely
• Kneeling : Rarely
• Crouching : Rarely
• Crawling : Rarely
• Reaching : Rarely
• Handling : Rarely
• Grasping : Rarely
• Feeling : Frequently
• Talking : Frequently
• Hearing : Rarely
• Repetitive Motions : Rarely
• Eye/Hand/Foot Coordination : Rarely
• Taste/Smell : Rarely
• Performing Manual Tasks : Rarely
  
  

Working Conditions:

• Extreme cold : Rarely
• Extreme heat : Rarely
• Humid : Rarely
• Wet : Rarely
• Noise : Occasionally
• Hazards : Rarely
• Temperature Change : Rarely
• Atmospheric Conditions : Rarely
• Vibration : Rarely
  
  

Travel Requirements:

5%

Employment Policies and other information:

UIS is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer with a strong institutional commitment to recruitment and retention of a diverse and inclusive campus 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.

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:
• Social Security benefit and
• 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.