Job Details

Assistant Director Of International Student Services

Louisiana State University's International Student Services (ISS) office is seeking collaborative applicants who demonstrate an understanding of working with international students to apply for the role of Assistant Director of International Student Services. Eligible candidates must be U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents, as required by federal regulations, to be certified as a Designated School Official and an Alternate Responsible Officer.

The Assistant Director of International Student Services plays an integral role in day-to-day operations of the student team and helps ensure the unit achieves its direct service goals to the international student population and its compliance responsibilities for the university. The Assistant Director supports the Director of International Student Services in coordinating student advising, office processes and workflows, and student services delivery. This role also participates in the office's mission by providing high-quality advising to international students and scholars and promoting their full participation and integration into the university community.

This position is called upon to interpret internal university policies interfacing with federal immigration regulations affecting international students and scholars at LSU. The Assistant Director will be a member of the student advising team and carry a student caseload. The Assistant Director maintains a well-developed command of the laws and policies at the foundation of student and scholar advising and reports to the Director of International Student Services.

Job Responsibilities

Administrative Management (60%)

• Remain current on immigration regulations and policies impacting F-1 students and J-1 Exchange Visitors at LSU and assist the Director of International Student Services with the following functions:
• Ensure consistency, accuracy, and quality of student advising.
• Develop and deliver educational programming for campus partners that work with and support international students at LSU.
• Update and maintain office policies and procedures documentation.
• Develop and review institutional policies impacting F-1 and J-1 students' maintenance of legal status and access to status benefits.
• Provide guidance to academic departments and units on matters pertaining to F-1 and J-1 students.
• Develop and deliver educational programming for the international student population to enhance their understanding of basic status concepts, maintenance of legal status, and access to status benefits.
• Design and administer training workshops, seminars, and sessions for student advisors and other International Student Services staff.
• Assist the Director of International Student Services with overall unit leadership for student services.
• In the absence of the Director of International Student Services, represent the office in a manner consistent with the goals, mission, and direction of the office and implement crisis management protocols and communication.

Student Advising and Programming (35%)

• Serve as a Designated School Official (DSO) and Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO)
• Assist with reporting and record compliance for F and J SEVIS records.
• Apply comprehensive knowledge of immigration laws, regulations, policies, and procedures to advise and educate F-1 and J-1 students on matters relating to maintaining legal status, applications for regulatory benefits, and the intersection of academic life and regulatory requirements.
• Manage a caseload of international students through advising on complex immigration requirements, options, benefits, and permissions during designated student advising contexts (e.g., walk-in hours, student appointments, workshops, and presentations) and the processing of student requests.

Other duties as assigned (5%)

Additional Requirements

• FERPA - As with all LSU employees, due to this position title and/or responsibilities, this position has an obligation to assist students in the acquisition of necessary services. Should a student appear in need of or seek assistance with issues of an emotional, behavioral, or mental health-related matter, they should be referred to the proper service within the Student Health Center. In situations where the student creates an impression that they are a danger to themselves or others, the advisor should immediately contact the Care Team, the Dean of Students or the appropriate law enforcement agency. The employee outside of those rights contained within FERPA should create no impression of client or patient confidentiality.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree

3 years of experience in an International Student and Scholar Office

Knowledge of government regulations pertaining to F-1 and J-1 students and J-1 Scholars Previous experience with technology functions of an office, interfacing directly with international students and scholars

LSU values skills, experience, and expertise. Candidates who have relevant experience in key job responsibilities are encouraged to apply a degree is not required as long as the candidate meets the required years of experience specified in the job description.

To qualify for federal agency approval to issue I-20s and DS-2019s, the successful candidate must have U.S. citizenship or permanent residence.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Student affairs, higher education leadership, inter-cultural communication, or related field
• 1-2 years of experience with database management and workflow management systems. 2-3 years of advanced experience advising F-1 and J-1 students and J-1 scholars on legal status and related matters.
• Advanced proficiency with Airtable, Sunapsis, Workday Student, and Excel, or similar data management systems. Strong ability to research and apply immigration policies and procedures impacting foreign nationals. Prior experience with scholar and employment-based categories. Strong background in data and case management technology impacting international scholars and students. Prior experience designing and delivering training programs. Previous or current leadership in NAFSA Association of International Educators

Job Competencies

• Ability to balance competing priorities and meet sensitive deadlines.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Exceptional writing ability and organizational skills.