International Student Advisor

MARYVILLE COLLEGE

Staff Position Description

Position Title: International Student Advisor Department: Center for Global Engagement

Title of Immediate Supervisor/Leader to Whom This Position Reports: Director for Global Engagement

• Expected Daily Work Hours: 8:00am – 5:00pm *Expected Weekly Work Schedule: Monday – Friday
• College offices are normally open from 8:00 AM until 5:00PM, Monday through Friday. However, due to the nature of responsibility to the student body, individual offices or departments may have operating hours that extend beyond this period and may include evening or weekend hours. Non-exempt employees will normally work 8 hours per day. Overtime (any hours more than 40 per week) for non-exempt employees is required to be approved, in advance by the department supervisor. Exempt employees will typically work at least 40 hours per week and such additional time as may be reasonably required to fulfill the obligations of their position description. Such additional work may include evenings and weekends and should be described in this document.
  
  

Summary Of This Position

The International Student Advisor supports the Center for Global Engagement in its mission to maintain compliance with visa regulations, provide helpful and adequate advising, programming, and academic services to students, and support long-term strategies for retention of international students. The International Student Advisor contributes meaningfully to the development, coordination, implementation, and evaluation of comprehensive and intentional global engagement programming that builds, strengthens and retains a community of international students and promotes interaction between US and international students. ((such services may include, but are not limited to, orientation, workshops to promote learning/study skills, acculturation, academic and career planning advising, intercultural educational events/activities, host family, mentoring and scholarship programs, etc.)

Minimum Qualifications Required: (please be specific and respond to every question; indicate none if not applicable)

Education Required To Ensure Success In This Position

• Master’s degree in education or other related fields is preferred.
• A bachelor’s degree in education or a related field is required.
  
  

Experience Required To Ensure Success In This Position

• Previous experience in higher education.
• Experience with SEVIS preferred.
• Prior significant intercultural experience or experience traveling, studying or working abroad.
  
  

Special Skills, Knowledge, And Abilities

• Knowledge and ability to quickly learn College-specific programs, offices, and functions.
• Ability to solve practical problems and interpret a variety of instructions in an oral, diagram, written, or schedule form.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, journals, technical procedures, and governmental regulations.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Knowledge in a second language is preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and communicate effectively with people from diverse cultural backgrounds
• Ability to travel domestically; ability to work evenings, weekends and/or holidays; ability to work overtime when needed.
• Demonstrated attention to detail and time management skills.
• Ability to perform basic math and solve standard math problems.
• Must demonstrate competence to work in a team environment to attain departmental goals and deadlines. Experience working collaboratively with others and/or departments
  
  

License, Certification, Or Registration Necessary

• Valid Tennessee Driver’s License or ability to obtain one within 30 days of employment.
• Able to be certified to drive a college 15-passenger vehicle.
• 8 C.F.R. 214.3(1)(i): Must be a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident per USCIS requirements to become a Designated School Official.
  
  

Physical Requirements

• Employees are regularly required to reach with their hands and arms, stand, crouch, and kneel.
• Employees must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10-50 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision and distant vision.
  
  

Environmental Conditions

• The noise level in the work environment is usually low.
• The employee is regularly exposed to outside weather conditions.
• Employees will be stationed to work in an office or administrative work setting.
  
  

Ability To Operate The Following Vehicles Or Equipment

• Basic computer skills required.
• Previous experience with MS Office, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, and other Microsoft programs.
• Capacity and willingness to learn office specific software application and programs.
• Strong proficiency with social media, graphic design, and email marketing tools.
  
  

Primary duties and responsibilities (Typically ~7 primary duties comprised of 80% of the responsibilities):

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Regular and predictable attendance is essential. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Assess the needs of the international student community on campus and works, and develops appropriate service, programs, and interventions, as necessary.
  
  

Immigration

Serves as a DSO (designated school official) and an ARO for SEVIS (Student Exchange and Visitor Information Services) purposes and following appropriate federal requirements as outlined by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Department of State.

Ensures that all international students are in a valid immigration status and are pursuing their academic and professional objectives in compliance with federal immigration regulations.

Maintains contemporary knowledge of immigration laws, regulations, and policies, primarily in the United States.

Advising

Advises on immigration social, personal, cultural, financial, and employment concerns.

Connects international students to the relevant resources needed to assist the student in thriving at Maryville College.

Contributes to the development, coordination, implementation, and evaluation of comprehensive and intentional programming designed to enhance international students’ experiences.

Builds and retains a community of international students on campus.

• Builds strong, supportive relationships between the Center for Global Engagement and international students.
• Assists international students with their adjustment and integration into the Maryville College community.
• Advises on immigration, social, personal, financial, cultural, employment, health and educational concerns.
  
  

• Responsible for on/off campus work authorization, including social security authorization and work-related forms.
  

Global Engagement & International Student Retention

• Builds, strengthens, and retains a community of international students on campus.
  
  

Creates programming that promotes learning about U.S. American and East Tennessee culture.

Supports the integration of international students into the campus and community.

Contributes to the achievement of educational goals of the College related to intercultural understanding/global competency for all Maryville College students. Offer a wide range of social, cultural, and educational events throughout the academic year that provide opportunities for cross-cultural exchange. (Including, but not limited to International Education Month)

Coordinates evening & weekend social, cultural and event programming, promotion, and publicity for international students, including events sponsored by the Global Citizenship Organization (GCO). Acts as a GCO advisor.

Assessment: In addition to above engagement focus, collects, reviews and reports data pertaining to assessment and retention, including Open Doors, programming surveys and overall retention of international students.

Establishes connections and partnerships with the local community, state and federal agencies that provide services to foreign students and works cooperatively with them to develop effective working relationships.

• Communications/Marketing: Leads communication initiatives to current international students and supports communication to prospective students.
• Supports the International Enrollment Counselor as needed.
  
  

Other roles/duties will be assigned as necessary to assist the College in the attainment of the goals set forth and the enhancement of a positive, respectful learning environment for all staff, faculty, and students.

Leadership Requirements

• Does the person in this position directly supervise other staff/team members?
  
  

If yes, how many? ____TBD____

• Does the person in this position directly supervise students?
  
  

If yes, how many? 1-10

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt