Edtech.com's Summary

Columbia University is hiring an International Student Adviser to deliver immigration services for the International Students & Scholars Office. The role advises F-1 and J-1 students on visa status, employment authorization, and travel while issuing required US government documents as a Designated School Official. It also partners with University departments and federal agencies to resolve complex immigration cases.

Highlights

Delivers immigration services and advisement to Columbia's international student community
Serves as Designated School Official and Alternate Responsible Officer issuing required US government documents
Advises F-1 and J-1 students on visa status, extensions of stay, travel, and off-campus employment
Evaluates eligibility for Curricular and Optional Practical Training, including STEM OPT extensions
Consults with the SEVIS Help Desk and USCIS to resolve processing or status issues
Presents at orientations and immigration workshops on CPT and OPT topics
Maintains SEVIS reporting and compliance records in accordance with federal requirements
Requires a bachelor's degree and at least 2 years of immigration advisement experience
Offers a salary range of $70,000-$75,000 for the 35-hour-per-week role
Builds partnerships with campus offices and national international education associations

International Student Adviser Full Description

Position Summary

The International Student Adviser delivers immigration services to the international student community at Columbia University. Specifically, the incumbent advises on opportunities, rights, and responsibilities under the immigration laws of the United States, and confers with other University departments, legal counsel, or governmental agencies as necessary; advises international students on all immigration matters related to their presence at Columbia University; acts as Designated School Official (DSO) and Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) in issuing required US government documents to international students in order to obtain student or exchange visitor visas abroad, extend stay, apply for employment authorization, travel abroad, and re-enter the US successfully; collaborates with staff, schools, departments and outside organizations (including vendors) to plan and coordinate collaborative events as needed.

Responsibilities

Acts as appropriate to issue required US government documents for international students to obtain student or exchange visitor visas, extend their stay, apply for employment authorization, travel abroad, re-enter the US, and other benefits as appropriate
Consults with the SEVIS Help Desk and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to resolve processing or status problems
Acts as Designated School Official (DSO) and Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) in issuing required US government documents for F-1 or J-1 visas, and consults with the Associate Director on federal regulations and complex immigration cases
Advises and provides guidance to F-1 and J-1 students on immigration regulations and university policies, including maintaining legal status, extensions of stay, travel, transfers, and off-campus employment
Evaluates immigration documents and academic records to determine students’ eligibility for off-campus employment, including Curricular Practical Training, Optional Practical Training, STEM OPT extension, and Academic Training
Prepares and issues the necessary immigration documents needed for off-campus employment
Serves as a University liaison with the State Department, US Department of Homeland Security, consular officers, and immigration officials
Assists in creating applications, forms, hand-outs, and other communication materials related to immigration procedures, and helps streamline ISSO processes and services
Makes recommendations for process improvements related to non-immigrant matters such as work authorization
Maintains and enhances in-depth knowledge of US immigration and school policies, evaluating complex regulations and applying them to individual cases
Presents at school-specific orientations and immigration workshops, including CPT and OPT, and refers students to appropriate campus and community resources
Responds to questions, inquiries, and correspondence from incoming and current international students and their academic departments in-person, in group settings, and via phone and email
Complies with federal SEVIS reporting and record keeping requirements, including address updates, and keeps regulatory information current on the ISSO website
Cultivates a professional presence on campus and in the field through local and national partnerships, and participates in regional and national international education conferences

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree and or its equivalent
Minimum 2 years relevant immigration regulation, advisement, and compliance experience or equivalent combination of education and experience
Knowledge of F-1 and J-1 student immigration regulations, and SEVIS
Excellent organizational, interpersonal, written and oral communication skills
Ability to communicate effectively with people from different cultural backgrounds

Preferred Qualifications

Master's degree in cross-cultural communication, counseling, area or cultural studies, foreign language, international education, or TESOL
3 years administering and advising federal F-1 and J-1 immigration regulations as DSO/ARO in a higher education setting
Fluency in at least one foreign language
Experience living abroad
Experience teaching/training/presenting, familiarity with Word, Access, PowerPoint

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.

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International Student Adviser

Edtech.com's Summary

International Student Adviser Full Description

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