NAU aims to be the nation’s preeminent engine of opportunity, vehicle of economic mobility, and driver of social impact by delivering equitable postsecondary value in Arizona and beyond.

• This position is an on-site position which requires the incumbent to complete their work primarily at an NAU site, campus, or facility with or without accommodation. Opportunities for remote work are rare.
• This position is posted as International Student and Scholar Services Assistant Director, which is a working title. The NAU system title for this position is International Education Assistant Director.

The Assistant Director for International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) works to support a positive and inclusive working culture, and acts as a subject matter expert on office processes to ensure a high-level of support to stakeholders while ensuring university regulatory compliance. ISSS works with F-1 and J-1 visa holder students to support immigration processes prior to their arrival at NAU, and acts as their guide throughout their time on NAU's beautiful Flagstaff Mountain campus, helping them navigate immigration regulations, academic adjustments, and cultural integration. ISSS also works with university departments to bring J-1 research scholars and international employees to campus, enhancing the research environment on-campus and supporting their experience while in Flagstaff.

International Student and Scholar Advising and Immigration Compliance - 40%

• Support timeline for inbound student exchange, processes and have direct involvement in specialized programs and internship opportunities.
• Lead development of communications & materials to improve advising and communications with students and scholars on academic support resources, university resources, adjustment issues, personal and family concerns, and in emergency situations.
• Act as lead on regular newsletter communications regarding regulatory and university updates to the student and scholar community to support their experience at NAU.
• Act as lead support role for students and scholars who may require additional services and/or response above and beyond day-to-day advising services.
• May respond in the event of an emergencies, during or outside of regularly assigned work shift.
• Serve as a Designated School Official and Alternate Responsible Officer for F-1 and J-1 students and scholars; advise and process requested benefits/reporting requirements.
• Act in lead role with ISSS team to ensure university SEVIS compliance within regulatory deadlines to for new and continuing students and scholars through the use of Sunapsis, Peoplesoft, Salesforce and other technology platforms
• Maintain data integrity in Sunapsis and Peoplesoft to support university regulatory compliance.
• Lead, participate in, and assess the value of educational presentations, surveys, workshops, programs, and activities related to exchange programs, new student orientation, immigration regulations, cultural adjustment, and intercultural competency.

Strategic Liaison and Communications - 25%

• Collaborate with key university stakeholders, engage with the University community, represent ISSS on select committees and work with NAU offices to promote the role of ISSS and support the needs of international students and scholars.
• Liaise with various government agencies, including but not limited to U.S. Department of Homeland Security (including SEVP and USCIS), U.S. Department of State, and U.S. Department of Labor.
• Stay up to date on knowledge of federal immigration regulations to lead policy and advise international students and scholars in F-1 and J-1 status on immigration regulations as a Designated School Official (DSO) and Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO).
• Act as a back-up to Director, including facilitating the processing of employment-based applications, attending meetings and other functions as needed.
• May act as liaison with sponsored student organizations such as Kuwait Cultural Office, Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission, Fulbright, IREX, AMIDEAST etc.

Personnel Oversight - 20%

• Lead management of ISSS daily Flagstaff office operations.
• Oversee hiring, training, management and oversight of ISSS front office services.
• Participate in the development, maintenance, and growth of staff expertise in areas impacting international students, scholars and employees.

Strategic Planning and Management - 10%

• Act with ISSS leadership to advance office goals and initiatives.

Other - 5%

• Other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field; and
• 2-4 years management or supervisory experience, including:
  • Hiring, training and providing feedback; and
• 3-5 years of relevant experience, including:
  • At least 2 years experience as a Designated School Official (DSO) and/or Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO); or
• Any combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted for the educational requirement on a year-for-year basis.
• US citizenship or lawful permanent residence status is necessary to qualify as a DSO and ARO.

• Master’s degree in a related field.
• Experience in workflow development and documentation.
• 4 years’ experience as a Designated School Official (DSO) and/or Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO); or understanding, interpreting, and applying federal immigration laws and regulations affecting non-immigrants in F-1 and J-1 student and scholar statuses.
• Experience communicating the needs of the international community with academic and campus support services.
• Experience with issues specific to international student or scholar populations.
• Fluency in at least one foreign language; experience living abroad.

Knowledge

• Strong working knowledge of PeopleSoft and Sunapsis or other similar databases.
• Knowledge of US immigration regulations affecting other non-immigrants in TN, H-1B, O-1 status and non-immigrants seeking US permanent residency.
• Awareness and commitment to NAU’s EEO/Affirmative Action Place and Safe Working and Learning Environment goals.

Skills

• Strong computer and data management skills.
• Excellent cross-cultural oral and written communication skills.
• Knowledge and demonstrated practice of organizational skills.
• Demonstrated skill in organizing work of self and others.
• Skill in program development, execution and assessment.
• Skill in coordinating activities, evaluating data, and establishing priorities.

Abilities

• The ability to work effectively with people from a variety of culturally diverse backgrounds.

Northern Arizona University requires satisfactory results for the following: a criminal background investigation, an employment history verification and a degree verification (in some cases) prior to employment. You may also be required to complete a fingerprint background check. Additionally, as an employer in the state of Arizona, NAU is required to participate in the federal E-Verify program that assists employers with verifying new employees' right to work in the United States. Finally, each year Northern Arizona University releases an Annual Security Report. The report is a result of a federal law known as the Clery Act. The report includes Clery reportable crime statistics for the three most recent completed calendar years and discloses procedures, practices and programs NAU uses to keep students and employees safe including how to report crimes or other emergencies occurring on campus. In addition, the Fire Safety Report is combined with the Annual Security Report for the NAU Flagstaff Mountain Campus as this campus has on-campus student housing. This report discloses fire safety policies and procedures related to on-campus student housing and statistics for fires that occurred in those facilities. If you would like a free paper copy of the report, please contact the NAUPD Records Department at (928) 523-8884 or by visiting the department at 525 E. Pine Knoll Drive in Flagstaff.

Salary range begins at $62,996. Annual salary commensurate with candidate's qualifications and related experience.

This position is exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and therefore will not earn overtime or compensatory time for additional time worked.

This is a Service Professional (SPF) position. NAU offers an excellent benefit package including generous health, dental and vision insurance; participation in the Arizona State Retirement System or the Optional Retirement Program; 22 days of vacation and 10 holidays per year; and tuition reduction for employees and qualified dependents. More information on benefits at NAU is available on the Human Resources benefits website. NAU is a tobacco and smoke-free campus. Service Professionals are hired on a contract basis, renewable each 6 months according to terms of the Conditions of Professional Service. Employees offered a position will be eligible for state health plans (including NAU's BCBS Plan). New employees are eligible for benefits on the first day of the pay period following their enrollment, after their employment date. Employees will have 31 days from their start date to enroll in benefits. If a new employee chooses the ASRS retirement option, participation in the Arizona State Retirement System, and the long-term disability coverage that accompanies it, will begin on the first of the pay period following 6 months after the new employee's start date. New employees who choose to participate in the Optional Retirement Plan (ORP), which is an alternative to the ASRS plan for faculty and other appointed staff, will begin to participate on the first day of the pay period following election. Additionally, the long-term disability plan that accompanies the ORP will begin on the first day of the pay period following election.

Your career at Northern Arizona University includes the opportunity for professional development. New employee on-boarding training includes courses to be completed within the first 30 days.

NAU will not provide any U.S. immigration support or sponsorship for this position.

June 24, 2024 at 11:59 p.m.

To apply for this position, please click on the "Apply" button on this page. You must submit your application by clicking on the "Submit" button by midnight of the application deadline. If you need assistance completing your application there are instructions available on the Human Resources website or in person in the Human Resources Department located in Building 91 on the NAU Campus - on the corner of Beaver and DuPont Streets.
If you are an individual with a disability and need reasonable accommodation to participate in the hiring process, please contact the Disability Resources Office at 928-523-8773, DR@nau.edu, or PO Box 5633, Flagstaff AZ 86011.

Northern Arizona University is a committed Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution. Women, minorities, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. NAU is responsive to the needs of dual career couples.

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NAU is an Employer of National Service. AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other National Service alumni are encouraged to apply.