International Student Advisor

ArtCenter College of Design is searching for an experienced International Student Advisor to join our team.

The salary range for this position: $24.72 - 27.47 (35-hour work week)

Final salary is based on education, experience, skills relevant to the role, and internal equity.

About ArtCenter
Founded in 1930 and located in Pasadena, California, ArtCenter College of Design is a global leader in art and design education and has had an international reputation for its rigorous, transdisciplinary curriculum, faculty of professionals, strong ties to industry, and commitment to socially responsible design. ArtCenter is a private nonprofit fully accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).

Every position at ArtCenter plays an important part in carrying out the values, goals, strategic vision, and mission of the College. This includes diversity, equity, inclusion, access, belonging (DEIAB) and culture.

Reporting to the Director, International Student Services, The International student advisor provides academic, immigration, cultural, and personal advising to international students. Advisement covers matters related to their immigration status, cultural adjustment, employment, and academic policies that affect their nonimmigrant F-1 visa status. The incumbent serves as a Designated School Official (DSO) and utilizes the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) for required reporting and processing of F-1 student documents and benefits. The position also coordinates and assists with the planning and delivery of events and special programs for international students and the international education community at the College.

This is a full-time on-site position. Normal business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or as defined by the department. The position is eligible for flexible scheduling and some flexibility for limited remote work or may be required as a condition of employment. The demands of this work may include weekends or evenings.

Essential Functions

Advising – 50%

• Advise and assist international students on the issues related to immigration status, cultural adjustment, employment, and institutional policies that affect their nonimmigrant status
• Assist and coordinate international student orientations (three times per year, prior to each academic term) and F-1 employment workshops
• Develop and implement programs and activities that add to the breadth of the international student’s educational experience and success
• Assist with adult life issues advising for international students such as navigating off-campus housing, and understanding student health insurance
• Collaborate with CSE staff to implement Design Culture Immersion (pre-enrollment transition program for newly admitted international students), including orientation and co-curricular experiences
• Work with college administrators and constituencies outside of Art Center (SEVIS Help Desk, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Motor Vehicles, Social Security Administration, immigration attorneys, etc.) in problem solving and advocacy on behalf of international students
• Refer students to on-campus and/or off-campus resources that support their success (e.g., ArtCenter’s Enrollment Services or Career and Professional Development, or offices, organizations, and agencies in the greater Los Angeles Area that provide legal assistance or immigration support)
• Stay abreast of changes in federal regulations that affect international students

Administration – 40%

• Serve as one of ArtCenter’s Designated School Officials (DSOs) for SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitors Information System) of DHS
• Maintain SEVIS data integrity and ensure timely reports via SEVIS
• Maintain up-to-date detailed changes and knowledge of F-1 regulations affecting international students and stay current on institutional policies & procedures that affect international student immigration status
• Process departmental and immigration documents for on-campus employment, program extensions, Curricular and Optional Practical Trainings, and other documents required for international students in order to maintain F-1 status
• Assist with the maintenance, management, and organization of international student records including immigration, financial and government documents
• Monitor and update the International Student Handbook, Inside.ArtCenter online web resources, and social media for international students
• Develop and maintain a high level of knowledge of the College’s student database
• Initiate reports and report structures for international students from a variety of databases as needed
• Process checks and purchase order requests for international student events and programs
• Create and distribute campus events announcements and promotions, as needed
• Provide training to student workers who assist staff in international student advising and processing immigration documents

Campus Life – 5%

• Assist CSE with the implementation of other campus life initiatives, co-curricular programs, leadership development activities, and other outreach and education projects that contribute to student success
• Develop and implement co-curricular programs that address intercultural fluency, global citizenship, and art and design excellence

Non-Essential Functions – 5%

• Serve on educational or college-wide committees, work groups, task forces and/or councils
• Other duties as assigned

• A bachelor’s degree in education, counseling, international relations, foreign affairs, or related studies from an accredited college or university
• Must be a US citizen or Legal Permanent Resident to meet Department of Homeland Security (DHS) qualifications for the Designated School Official (DSO) role
• 1–3 years of progressive experience in administrative support in an office environment, or advising in a higher education environment
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, detail-oriented, highly organized, able to balance priorities, takes initiative, reliable and resourceful
• Ability to work well in a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural environment with students, faculty and staff
• Ability to cultivate positive and collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including but not limited to students, staff, faculty, families, domestic and foreign government representatives and program sponsors
• Ability to handle multiple projects in a fast-paced office with frequent interruptions in the workplace
• Strong computer skills with proficiency in MS Office Suite
• Demonstrated experience in cultivating the values of diversity, equity, inclusion, access and belonging into work practices and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships within ArtCenter’s diverse communities
• Ability to handle all information with tact and discretion and recognizes the confidential nature of ArtCenter business

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in higher education administration, multicultural or intercultural or international education from an accredited college or institution
• Prior experience in higher education
• Knowledge of international student advising processes
• Knowledge of Department of State (DOS), and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regulations pertaining to international students and exchange visitors
• Working knowledge of SEVIS reporting and processing
• Prior experience living or working abroad (outside of the U.S.)

Physical Demands and Working Environment

The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

This is a full-time on-site position. Normal business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or as defined by the department. The position is eligible for flexible scheduling and some flexibility for limited remote work or may be required as a condition of employment. The demands of this work may include weekends or evenings.

Environment: Work is performed primarily in a standard office setting with frequent interruptions and distractions; extended periods of time viewing computer monitors; interactions with other individuals. Due to the nature of the work environment, there is regular exposure to fumes, dust and noise.

Physical: The position is generally performed in an office setting and at events. Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in an office setting or attend/work events; to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; to occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist; to lift, carry, push, and/or pull light to moderate amounts of weight (up to 30 pounds); to operate modern office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including use of a computer keyboard; and to verbally communicate to exchange information. Regular and consistent attendance are required for most positions. Able to work nights and weekends to attend events and travel between campuses.

Vision: Must be able to have the visual capacity to perform activities such as preparing and reading reports, viewing a computer terminal and other normal office work with or without correction.

Hearing: Must be able to communicate effectively in the course of normal office communication or exchange ideas with or without correction.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by the employee assigned to this job; they do not purport to describe all functions. Employees may be assigned other duties, and the essential functions may be changed from time to time as necessary.

Diversity Statement
ArtCenter is fully committed to fostering a culture that values diversity, equity, inclusion, access and belonging not only in vision but in practice. Our path forward is predicated on our belief that multiple points of view, life experiences, ethnicities, cultures and belief systems are essential to academic and creative excellence. We strive to learn more about difference while respecting the rich diversity in our world, attending to important questions about racial injustice and decolonizing our curriculum. Our campus environment must be vigilant in supporting the full participation of students, faculty, and staff of every race, color, ethnicity, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, marital status, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, socioeconomic status and political viewpoint.

Equal Opportunity Employer
ArtCenter is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity and does not discriminate against its employees or applicants on the basis of race (including hair texture and protective hairstyle), color, religion (includes religious dress and grooming practices), sex/gender (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and/or related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, medical condition (genetic characteristics, cancer, or a record or history of cancer), military or veteran status, national origin, ancestry, disability (mental and physical, including HIV/AIDS, cancer, and genetic characteristics), genetic information, request for family care or medical leave, age (over 40), criminal background (Fair Chance Act), reproductive health decision-making, off-duty and off-premises cannabis use, or any other actual or perceived characteristic protected by applicable state or federal law. Equal employment opportunity is extended to all persons in all aspects of the employer-employee relationship, including without limitation, recruitment, hiring, upgrading, learning and professional development, promotion, compensation, benefits, leave of absence, transfer, discipline, layoff, recall and termination. This commitment applies to all persons involved in the operations of ArtCenter and prohibits unlawful discrimination by any employee of ArtCenter. Applicants who wish to request an accommodation for a disability may contact the Office of Employee Experience and Engagement at (626) 396-2470.

Applicant Rights (Prior Cannabis Use)
ArtCenter will not request information from an applicant relating to the applicant’s prior use of cannabis. ArtCenter will not use information obtained from a criminal history about an applicant or employee’s prior cannabis use, unless ArtCenter is permitted to consider that information under applicable law.

Employment At-Will
All employment with ArtCenter is for an unspecified term and is “at-will.” Employees are free to resign at any time, with or without reason, and with or without prior notice. Similarly, ArtCenter has the right to terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause, and with or without prior notice. This “at-will” employment, which includes the College’s right to transfer, discipline, demote, or change the conditions of employment with or without cause and with or without prior notice, cannot be modified, amended or waived by any oral or implied agreement, and may be modified or altered only by an express individualized written employment agreement signed by both the employee and the College president

ArtCenter Employees have a Mandatory Duty to Report
All employees who know or have reason to know of allegations or acts that violate ArtCenter’s Title IX Policy prohibiting discrimination, harassment, retaliation, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, sexual violence, dating violence, and stalking shall promptly inform the Director, Title IX Compliance and Programs or designee, or the Associate Dean of Students or designee. Faculty, who have a mandatory duty to report, are required to disclose all information including the names of the parties, even where the person has requested their name remain confidential.

Pursuant to the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA), all employees who know of or have reason to suspect child abuse or neglect involving alleged victims under age 18 shall promptly inform local law enforcement or the county welfare department.