International and Transfer Advisor / Primary Designated School Official

$55,000 - $60,000/Yr

Washington Adventist University - Takoma Park, MD

Full-time

Takoma Park, MD

Educational Services

About the position

This key position serves as the Principal Designated School Official (PDSO) and will guide them from the point of inquiry through the point of enrollment into Washington Adventist University. We are seeking an experienced and energetic individual responsible for assisting students on immigration, F1 and J visas, I-20 creation and understanding and compliance with regard to Federal immigration regulations and university polices. The individual also will be involved in managing the I-20 process and reaching the international and national Hispanic market through partnerships and outreach to Hispanic families advising students on every aspect of the admissions process as well as information regarding the University. The successful candidate will represent the University through on- and off-campus presentations to prospective students, their families, and guidance professionals and assist the admissions team in meeting goals and expectations.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Principal Designated School Official (PDSO)
• Serve as Liaison and collaborate with the International Program Director for programs and services that support international students.
• Engage with the Hispanic community through webinars and workshops to help them plan and realize their postsecondary education dream.
• Assume overall responsibility for the transfer student pipeline from recruiting the matriculation.
• Work with the registrar's office to understand transfer credit evaluations.
• Work with Director of Enrollment to maintain familiarity with our current Community College MOU and articulation agreements while working towards adding more to our portfolio.
• Meet quantitative and qualitative departmental goals for inquiries, applications, and admitted and enrolled students through the completion, review, and conversion of applications for designated territory.
• Assume overall responsibility for electronic reporting of data on students and exchange visitors to the federal government via the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). Oversee data input and real-time transfer of data to SEVIS, including issuance of federal forms I-20 and DS-2019, and event notifications.
• Monitor F-1 international student statuses, alerts, records, and information for SEVIS, compliance: detailed student and program record keeping, running and verifying reports, preparing SEVIS drafts.
• Provide regular education and training on immigration classifications, on the importance of inputting accurate data, and the potential consequences of inputting inaccurate data.
• Assist in developing operational and statistical reports for regulatory agencies and for effective decision-making by the International Task Force or Office of Institutional Compliance
• Create communicate workflow with all populations of international students and institution
• Assist the Director of Enrollment to develop policy, procedures, and program manuals, and agreements with community colleges, schools or foreign markets
• File the necessary petitions including Certification/Recertification and Designation/Resignation in accordance with immigration law, rules and regulations to assist international students in obtaining legal non-immigrant status in F-1 and J-1 categories.
• Interpret and advise international students on U.S. immigration laws affecting non-immigrant F-1 visa holders including statutes regulating maintenance of status, extension of stay, change of non-immigrant status, travel abroad and re-entry, obtaining visas for dependents and other family members.
• Participate in recruitment events to increase the international pipeline and reach Enrollment goal
• Understand admission process; review files for admission decision; calculate GPA and test scores
• Follow up with prospects request about admission
• Develop new international markets that support the Enrollment Goal of 3000 - Vision 2030
• Attend conference related to the International student population for recruitment (such as NAFSA, etc.)
• Supports and affirms a culture of distinctive excellence and exceptional service.
• Attends university events and, required meetings (including weekly Convocation)
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Associate's degree required, Bachelor's degree from a four-year college or university preferred.
• Minimum of three to five years professional experience as a DSO with advanced knowledge of SEVIS, F-1 and J-1 immigration regulations is essential.
• Applicants must be lawful permanent residents or citizens of the United States as required by the Department of Homeland Security for certification as DSO and/or ARO.
• Experience in higher education preferred.

Nice-to-haves

• Spanish speaking proficiency is preferred.
• Experience in working in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work effectively with changing priorities in a dynamic environment.
• Comfortable interfacing with varying levels of clients.
• Self-motivated and able to multi-task.

Benefits

• Salary Range: $55,000 - $60,000