Department: University Life - International Programs and Services

Classification: Administrative or Professional Faculty

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type: Hybrid Eligible

Salary: Salary starting low 60,000, commensurate with education and experience

About the Department:

The Office of International Programs and Services strives to encourage global awareness by promoting the integration of international students, researchers, and faculty into the campus community. The office provides guidance to students and scholars studying and working at George Mason University in immigration, employment and taxation, assists with adjustment issues, and fosters cross-cultural understanding through programs highlighting global themes.

About the Position:

The International Advisor provides advising on federal regulations and non-immigrant status in the United States, and assists non-immigrants sponsored by, or attending, George Mason University to access resources on or off-campus to help them reach their academic, professional, and personal goals while affiliated with the University. Regulatory advising, certifications, endorsements, and SEVIS actions are undertaken with the goal of ensuring that George Mason University is in full compliance with federal regulations governing non-immigrant students, scholars, and faculty under the university's sponsorship.

Responsibilities:

• Assist non-immigrant students and/or faculty-sponsored, or prospectively sponsored, by George Mason University with compliance to federal regulations, including providing advising services, evaluating nonimmigrant eligibility for benefits under the code of federal regulations, and endorsing documents associated with non-immigrant students, researchers, and faculty, and serve as a Designated School Official and/or Alternate Responsible Officer;
• Interface with key stakeholders within and outside the university to support students' maintenance of status and university compliance, including consultation with faculty and administrative staff on issues related to the university's sponsorship for non-immigrant students, researchers, and faculty, and communication with federal agencies such as the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCS), the Department of State, Department of Labor, Customs and Border Patrol (CBP), Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), and others as appropriate and necessary;
• Provide guidance and referrals on cultural adjustment, academic success, and other issues as requested and required by advisees;
• Perform functions to ensure university compliance with federal regulations governing non-immigrations sponsored by George Mason University, including students, exchange visitors, and employees, to include development and implementation of materials, training, and information sessions such as employment and practical training, travel and re-entry, maintenance of non-immigrant status, and other issues of concern to non-immigrants throughout their association with George Mason University, from orientation to post-graduation employment authorization; and
• Participate in initiatives designed to improve departmental effectiveness and occupational growth such as participating in assessment, professional development, performing additional duties, and undertaking specific projects as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Master's degree in a related field or equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Experience typically obtained within one year working as an F-1 Designated School Official or J-1 Responsible Officer or Alternate Responsible Officer, including experience using SEVIS batching software (such as Terra Dotta, Sunapsis, ISSM, etc.);
• Familiarity with cross-cultural communication and adjustment;
• Demonstrated experience working with students from diverse backgrounds, reviewing and/or managing data and records, handling projects that require analysis of policies and procedures with attention to detail, and working effectively independently and as part of a team;
• Advanced verbal and written communication skills, particularly in explaining abstract concepts to non-native speakers of English;
• Effective cross-cultural and interpersonal skills;
• Ability to use discretion and maintain confidentiality in accordance with federal law and university policy;
• Ability to research and analyze complex federal regulations and apply them to specific cases involving non-immigrants in a higher education setting;
• Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills, including the ability to balance multiple priorities and adapt to changing demands;
• Ability to work independently, as well as to collaborate successfully in a team setting;
• Demonstrated effective work habits, including timeliness, reliability in meeting deadlines, highly skilled interpersonal communication with colleagues and supervisors, and effective stewardship of time and resources; and
• Must have US Citizenship or Lawful Permanent Residence (required by US Citizenship and Immigration Services as a condition of endorsing documents for non-immigrant students and scholars).

Preferred Qualifications:

• DSO/ARO experience;
• Demonstrated experience creating content to help users understand processes and applications, reviewing/analyzing governmental or similar documents, and working with web tools; and
• Experience living, studying, or traveling abroad.

Instructions to Applicants:

For full consideration, applicants must apply for the International Advisor at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a cover letter and resume.

Posting Open Date: May 17, 2024

For Full Consideration, Apply by: May 31, 2024

Open Until Filled?: Yes