Center for International Education
The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire seeks applications for the position
of International Student Advisor. This is a full-time
annual professional academic staff position with an official title in
the Student Services Coordinator title series with
an anticipated start date of March 1, 2008, or as soon as possible thereafter.
The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire is a public, comprehensive liberal
arts university with 700 faculty and staff members offering a variety
of undergraduate and graduate programs to approximately 10,500 students.
The fourth largest university in the state, UW-Eau Claire has strong
academic programs and a focus on international education. The campus,
often described as Wisconsin's most beautiful, is set on the banks of
the Chippewa River in the heart of Eau Claire. International Student
Services are located in the Center for International Education, which
also houses Study Abroad. Approximately 120 international students attend
UW-Eau Claire.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
The International Adviser will counsel and advise international students,
serve as a liaison with the US Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration
Services, conduct a recruitment program for international students,
including liaison activities with foreign embassies, participate in
recruitment fairs held abroad, administer the annual International Folk
Fair, plan and administer international student orientation, write grants
to sponsoring agencies to support international students from developing
countries, act as adviser to the Association of International Students,
oversee programming of international student activities, prepare the
international student newsletter and direct the international student
health insurance program, among other responsibilities.
This international student advising position is the primary responsible
position for immigration-related matters relative to international student
services, and is charged with ensuring institutional compliance with
federal immigration law, as well as appropriate advising for international
degree seeking and exchange students. The international advisor is also
responsible for tracking student records in SEVIS, maintaining records,
and reporting to the federal government; serves as liaison to academic
advisors at partner institutions throughout the world; provides academic
advising to incoming international students; plans and implements academically-related
programs for international students and scholars; coordinates on-campus
programs and trains and supervises student assistants and support staff.
- Act as Designated School Official (DSO) and Alternate Responsible
Officer (ARO) to ensure institutional and individual compliance with
the law by appropriately interpreting and applying federal policies
and regulations pertaining to F-1 and J-1 students. Prepare document
I-20/DS2019 for the Admissions Office, the English Language Academy,
and the Center for International Education.
- Advise international students, visiting international faculty, staff,
and the community on all regulations set forth by the United States
Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) that may affect F-1 or
J-1 visa holders. Provide advising on (and execution of all actions
related to) all F-1 and J-1 related visa issues--including: the visa
application process, school transfers, changes of status, SEVIS record-keeping
requirements, maintenance of status, reinstatement procedures, program
extension, on campus employment, economic hardship authorization,
curricular practical/optional practical, and academic training, travel
and reentry to the U.S., and dependent visa issues.
- Prepare the J-1 Annual Report for USCIS (for all student or faculty
J-1 visa holders) which includes tracking all DS-2019 forms.
- Update and maintain SEVIS records for F-1 students including: initial
student reporting, active student reporting, draft student records
for transfers, initial records for transfers, program completion,
as well as all SEVIS actions pertinent to maintaining F-1 status,
exceptions to full-time status, changing majors or fields of study,
program extensions, reinstatement, OPT/CPT, change of address notification,
etc.
- Serve as liaison to all of the international exchange programs regarding
the application process, academic advising, and integration into the
local and university community.
- Manage the health insurance compliance requirements for all international
students and visiting foreign faculty.
- Plan and conduct the week-long International Student Orientation
Program.
- Coordinate the Peer Guide program, and conduct the peer guide staff
interviewing, hiring, training, and planning.
- Oversee the Host Friends Program and other community-related international
programming activities.
- Direct Speakers' Bureau Program, develop Speakers' Bureau mailings
and brochures for area schools, churches, and community organizations.
- Train and provide orientation to new student employees, coordinate
student assistant/staff meetings on a regular basis, and evaluate
student assistants at individual meetings.
- Serve as signatory for International Activities and International
Student Orientation budgets. Prepare detailed budget reports, and
review budget needs with Director.
- Assist the Director in preparing grants to support sponsored international
students and visiting international faculty.
- Participate in regular professional development activities, regional
and national conferences on international education, keeping current
on federal immigration regulations.
- Oversee the international student database and supervise students
entering data into the database.
- Assist in recruiting international students.
- Other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Required:
- Previous experience working with SEVIS system
- Bachelor's degree in appropriate field
- Professional experience advising international students
- Knowledge of and experience working with F-1 and J-1 visas
- Demonstrated administrative experience
- Citizen or Permanent Resident of the United States of America
Assets:
- Master's degree in appropriate field
- Broad knowledge of immigration regulations
- Experience planning and implementing international student orientations
and related programming
- Successful grant writing experience
- Experience managing budgets
- Competency in a foreign language
- Excellent communication skills
- Excellent organizational skills
APPLICATION PROCEDURE:
To apply, send a letter of application and vita. In addition, three
recommendation letters must be forwarded to:
Screening Committee
Center for International Education
111 Schofield Hall
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
Eau Claire, WI 54702-4004
DEADLINE: We will continue to accept applications
until the position is filled.
The University reserves the right to check additional references without
the permission of the candidate at the appropriate time in the process.
Criminal background checks are required prior to employment.
UW-Eau Claire is an AA/EEO employer dedicated to
enhancing diversity.
Posted 1/29/08