Assistant Director, International Scholar Advisor

Department: International Student and Scholar Services
Salary/Grade: EXS/7

The target hiring range for this position will be between $63,079 - $65,000 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

A well-qualified candidate within this department or unit has been identified and will be considered for the position alongside other qualified candidates identified through a competitive recruitment process. The University reserves its right to give priority consideration to internally qualified candidates.

Job Summary:

Reporting to the Associate Director of Scholar Services, the Assistant Director, International Scholar Advisor will serve as an Alternate Response Office (ARO) and is primarily responsible for interpreting, evaluating and advising on employment-based visa categories (J-1, H-1B, E-3, TN, B-1/WB, O-1, and LPR), as well as ensuring regulatory compliance by creating and submitting various annual reports to federal government agencies, implementing training for NU departments, affiliates, and OISS scholar advisors, and supporting ongoing programmatic efforts within the office. The Assistant Director, International Scholar Advisor will also work to inform the campus community on relevant federal immigration regulations and federal agency guidance. Additionally, the Assistant Director will ensure regulatory compliance by reporting and maintaining international scholar records in the SEVIS system and in the Terra Dotta portal/database.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Provides guidance and direction to junior advisors, with an emphasis on maintaining excellent support and adherence to Federal, State and local regulations in conjunction with OISS policies and procedures.
• Responsible for designing effective training materials and ongoing training opportunities for the scholar advising team.
• Researches immigration policy/regulations, best practices at peer institutions for international scholar support, and market/economic conditions to recommend changes and enhancements to OISS policies and procedures. Regularly assesses effectiveness of programming initiatives, services and resources available to international scholars.
• Provides comprehensive advising to incoming and current scholars in partnership with admitting departments' administrative staff regarding all aspects of the scholar visa application process and lawful U.S entry.
• Collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to implement changes designed to improve/increase program goals and ongoing institutional initiatives.
• Ensures institutional compliance with relevant federal immigration regulations and policies.
• Ensures data integrity and compliance with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) and employment-based case management systems.
• Interfaces with government (federal, state and local) agencies as well as other non-governmental organizations by maintaining up-to date knowledge of immigration laws, regulations, and policies.

Miscellaneous

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Social Sciences, Humanities, Information Systems or related field
• 1-2 years of experience in international education

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Knowledge of visa categories (F, J, H-1B, E-3, TN) and federal regulations
• Must be U.S. Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident, meet Department of Homeland Security Designated School Official requirements
• Ability to work with teams in an outcome-based environment
• Ability to manage confidential information
• Demonstrated ability to communicate across cultures

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

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