Careers at the University of Massachusetts Lowell

General Summary of Position:

This being a promotional opportunity, only current UML Employees within the same Bargaining unit are eligible to apply for this position.

The Assistant Director will analyze, review, approve, and process cases and documentation pertaining to the following non-immigrant categories: 

• F-1 student, J-1 Student, Student Intern, and Scholar categories.

This position will be responsible for:

• Monitoring regulatory changes and ensure that ISSO documentation, E-Forms, and website content are up to date and consistent with current code of federal regulations, and office most updated best practices.
• The oversight, training and professional development of the International Student Advisor position within the ISSO.

This position will be appointed with these official roles:

• F-1 Designated School Official (DSO)
• J-1 Alternate Responsible Officer.   (ARO)

Essential Job Duties:

70% REGULATORY/IMMIGRATION COMPLIANCE TASKS AND STAFF SUPERVISION:

• Responsible for an assigned international student and scholar caseload of current and incoming students and scholars for the F-1 and J-1 non-immigrant categories.   The processing and advising workload will include F-1, Curricular Practical Training, Pre & Post OPT/STEM, J-1 Academic Training as Reduction of Course Load, Extensions, etc.
• Supervise, train and support the development of the ISSO International Student Advisor and -when applicable- other part time immigration advisors
• Collect, evaluate, and analyze immigration regulations trends and issued guidance in order to propose changes and/or adjustments to current ISSO practices, if applicable.
• Identify, gather, organize, and highlight complexes case for review, analysis and resolution during regulatory based meetings with the Executive Director.
• Participate in the meetings with SEVP Field Reps conducting on-site visits.
• Scan periodically ISSO website with regulatory content to ensure conformity to current DHS, SEVP, USCIS, DOS, and CBP published operational requirements.
• Keep Executive Director constantly updated on any cases that may be potentially risking institutional liability.
• Work with OGS and external counsel to request legal advice on particularly complex and ambiguous cases.
• Participates in the efforts to support Exchange Programs (J-1 students), collaborate with sponsoring agencies and supports the advising and service of (financially) sponsored students that contribute to the international enrollment goals of the division.
• Periodically evaluate effectiveness of ISSO J-1 EV Scholar intake process and propose changes/modifications if or as needed.
• Support Executive Director during the periodical F-1 Recertification and J-1 Redesignation process.
• Support the Executive Director during the annual J-1 EV report to the US Department of State,
• Focus on Experiential Learning processes and advising impacting international enrollment, such as CPT, OPT/STEM, J-1 Student Intern, visiting students, J-1 scholars. 
• Participate in the ISSO Advising Hour Rotation.
• Present at the ISSO Informational Coffee Hours and other campus and intercampus meetings as assigned.

30% ISSO CASELOAD MANAGEMENT AND EVENT REPRESENTATION:

• Responsible for an assigned caseload of new direct-entry student processing and advising, which will include some web content, participation in their arrival orientation sessions, as well as document review for SEVIS registration/validation.
• Review and evaluate the output of assigned supervisees in terms of established regulatory norms, institutional policies, and office best practice
• Responsible for document processing/advising of some special non-degree student groups as assigned
• Work closely with HR Immigration Specialist on cases involving Employment Based visa overlapping services provided by the ISSO and/or in conjunction with the Executive Director
• Serve as a dedicated Point of Contact for special student populations like athletes, sponsored students, and J-1 student interns.
• Participate in F-1 or J-1 regulatory based meetings and new program assessment as requested by academic departments or faculty
• Represent the ISSO and or present at professional conferences, webinar and/or meetings
• Meet and maintain positive relationship with Fulbright and IIE staff and advisors

Minimum Qualifications (Required):

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience. Master’s degree preferred 
• 5-7 years of F, J, regulatory experience, international student and scholar processing/advising
• Excellent Computer Skills (Microsoft Office, comfort with databases and web management systems)
• Attention to detail and accuracy
• Excellent organizational skills
• Cultural Sensitivity
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment
• U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) or U.S. Citizen status required

Additional Considerations:

• PeopleSoft experience preferred
• Familiarity with Sunapsis or other similar SEVIS interface applications preferred.
• Familiarity with the use of Homebase application and its connectivity to Sunapsis or other batching applications

Special Instructions to Applicants:

This being a promotional opportunity, only current UML Employees within the same Bargaining unit are eligible to apply for this position.

This is a full-time, benefited SEIU union position in Grade P18.  Salary minimum is $72,170, 25th quartile is $82,093 and midpoint is $92,017.

Please include a resume with your application. Names and contact information of three references will be required during the application process. Submission of a cover letter is optional.