International Student Advisor
International Student Advisor
General Description:
Provide academic and international advising to current, returning, and prospective F1 students in a variety of forums that include both virtual and in person communications. Advisors will have a caseload of assigned F1 students and may be asked to serve on one or more campuses to best support student needs.
Duties and Tasks:
Manage a caseload of international students to support the achievement of the students’ goals including, but not limited to, ensuring proper program placement, successful enrollment, course completion, retention, graduation, transfer and OPT/CPT employment opportunities.
Serve as a Designated School Official (DSO) and includes providing guidance to F1 students on USCIS/SEVIS regulations, matters related to living and studying in northern Virginia and the United States and processing related immigration documents to ensure student maintains valid F1 status. Conduct assessments of students’ needs to make referrals to supports and services.
Facilitate programs and workshops to support academic planning and international advising.
Responsible for students on multiple campuses and may be asked to serve on more than one campus as needed.
KSA's/Required Qualifications
Knowledge:
- Strong knowledge of the U.S. visa system and how it relates to US higher education.
- Knowledge of F1 and SEVIS regulations.
- Knowledge of academic planning, course scheduling, transfer, career and student development advising.
- Knowledge of college readiness research, persistence/retention and completion research and best practices for traditional and non-traditional students.
- Knowledge of trends in higher education, with a particular emphasis on community college and international education issues.
Skills:
- Skill in providing academic, career, and/or personal advising to adolescents and adults.
- Strong written communication skills, including the development of emails, letters, memos, virtual chats and presentations.
- Skill in oral communication, including large and small group presentations, via phone and zoom.
- Skill in case management, including tracking of student caseload and the collection and reporting of data.
- Skill in computer usage, including Microsoft Office, e-mail, PeopleSoft Student Information System, Adobe Acrobat Reader, and researching information online.
Abilities:
- Ability to advise students on F1 visa regulations and academic requirements for an Associate’s degree.
- Ability to plan and coordinate a variety of programs and projects.
- Ability to understand and interpret federal government regulations, campus and program policies.
- Ability to maintain a professional demeanor respectful of diversity and multiculturalism.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality.
- Ability to maintain a professional approach to working with students, families, faculty, and staff.
- Ability to respond creatively and flexibly to changing needs and conditions.
- Ability to work occasionally at and travel regularly to various NOVA campuses.
- Ability to collaborate effectively with college personnel, including administrators, counselors, and staff.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with a diverse student population.
- Ability to work occasional evening and weekend hours.
Minimum Qualifications:
- A Bachelor’s degree; OR an equivalent combination of applicable experience and/or training.
- Some experience serving as an International Student Advisor/Designated School Official.
- Some experience working with MS Office Suite, Zoom and student databases.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s degree; OR an equivalent combination of applicable experience and/or training.
- Significant experience as an International Student Advisor/Designated School Official.
- Experience in a community college setting.
- Experience living and/or studying outside the U.S.
- Foreign language skills.
Special Instructions to Applicants
In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their Certificate of Disability (COD) provided by a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor within the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS). Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS to get their Certificate of Disability. If you need to get a Certificate of Disability, use this link: https://www.vadars.org/drs/cpid/PWContact.aspx, or call DARS at 800- 552-5019.
Link to posting: https://jobs.vccs.edu/postings/57833
Additional Information
Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) is the largest public institution of higher education in the Commonwealth of Virginia and one of the largest community colleges in the nation. NOVA enrolls nearly 75,000 students on its six campuses in Alexandria, Annandale, Sterling, Manassas, Springfield, and Woodbridge, as well as through NOVA Online and high school dual enrollment programs. The College offers more than 100 affordable associate degree and certificate programs to help our students reach their academic and professional goals in some of the most in-demand careers.
At NOVA, we are deeply committed to fostering an inclusive community for all students, faculty, and staff, and our diverse workforce is representative of this commitment. To this end, we encourage all applicants seeking to add value through their diverse backgrounds, experiences, and interests to consider employment opportunities with NOVA. To learn more about NOVA’s commitment to inclusive excellence, please visit our website.NOVA offers eligible employees a benefits package that includes a comprehensive health and dental insurance program, generous paid leave, deferred compensation plans, paid parental leave, state employee discounts, and a solid and secure retirement program.
We strive to ensure our employees have the tools and development opportunities to support and promote NOVA’s mission.
For more information about NOVA and its programs and services, please visit our website at www.nvcc.edu.
The security of our students, faculty, and staff is very important at NOVA. Please take a moment to review NOVA’s Annual Security Reports.
The selected candidate’s offer is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background investigation, which may include: fingerprint checks, local agency checks, employment verification, verification of education, credit checks (relevant to employment). Additionally, selected candidates may be required to complete the Commonwealth’s Statement of Economic Interest. For more information, please follow this link: http://ethics.dls.virginia.gov/
The Virginia Community College System, an EEO employer, welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds and recognizes the benefits of a diverse workforce. Therefore, the VCCS is committed to providing a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. Employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications. We prohibit discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, mental or physical disabilities, political affiliation, veteran status, gender identity, or other non-merit factors.
The VCCS is an EOE and Affirmative Action Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Acts (ADA and ADAAA), VCCS will provide, if requested, reasonable accommodation to applicants in need of access to the application, interviewing and selection processes.
VCCS uses E-Verify to check employee eligibility to work in the United States. You will be required to complete an I-9 form and provide documentation of your identity for employment purposes.