JOB DESCRIPTION SUMMARY

The Office of International Student Life (ISL) coordinates services and support for WPI’s 1,400+ international undergraduate and graduate students and their dependents. ISL staff assist with issues related to employment, immigration, taxation, and personal and cultural adjustment, as well as serve as a source of general information about living at WPI and in Worcester, Massachusetts, and the United States. As WPI’s representative for immigration concerns, ISL helps students obtain and maintain legal nonimmigrant status in the United States.

The Assistant Director of ISL works as part of a team to provide international student services including student immigration advising, institutional compliance requirements for DHS/SEVIS and the Department of State, as well as other support for the WPI international community. They serve as liaison to various stakeholder departments at WPI and to various agencies of the federal government as a Designated School Official (DSO) and Alternative Responsible Officer (ARO.) They ensure that all activities and decisions are conducted in accordance with federal regulations and University policy. Applicants must have U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status to serve in the roles of DSO and ARO, per Department of Homeland Security and Department of State regulations.

WPI is passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. We are looking for candidates who can support our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Responsibilities:

• Manage international students’ data, ensuring that information in Workday and ISSM are updated in a timely manner.
• Responsible for monitoring SEVIS alerts and taking corrective action or reporting issues to the director.
• Serve as the primary advisor for WPI’s graduate international student population.
• Conduct the mandated SEVIS registration at the start of each semester.
• Prepare initial I-20 Forms/DS-2019 Forms for incoming international students.
• Plan and implement international graduate student orientation activities and aid in undergraduate orientation as needed
• Provide immigration advice to international F-1 students, such as travel signatures, issuing of updated and new I-20 forms, Curricular Practical Training (CPT), Optional Practical Training (OPT), OPT STEM extensions, reduced course load forms, etc.
• Advise and counsel international students on a wide range of issues including, but not limited to, cross-cultural, financial, and personal matters. Facilitate referrals to other offices or service agencies when appropriate.
• Work with other offices such as the Graduate and Undergraduate Admissions; Graduate Studies; Academic Advising; Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Multicultural Education; Student Activities; Health Services; Student Development and Counseling; Center for Wellness; and the Career Development Center on personal, cultural, and professional programming.
• Provide basic non-resident alien tax filing assistance to international students.
• Create queries/reports to identify and notify students automatically using ISSM and SEVIS and create targeted mailings using ISSM and SEVIS reports as needed.
• Work with Information Technology and the Student Affairs Information Analyst to monitor and update technology as needed.
• Complete annual surveys, such as those for IIE Open Doors.
• Conduct evaluation/assessment of programs and services offered by the International House.
• Help provide front office coverage when needed. In the absence of the Director, provide leadership and supervision for the office.
• In the absence of the Director, attend CARE team meetings.
• Participate in Dean of Students Department and Division of Student Affairs activities. Serve on division or campus wide committees as appropriate. Serve as a member of the Administrator-On-Call group as coordinated through the Dean of Students Office.
• Remain abreast of international student issues and concerns and changing government regulations
• Perform other duties as necessary.

Qualifications and Desired Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in international relations/international education or related area required.
• Master’s degree in international relations/international education or related area highly preferred.
• Knowledge of F-1 immigration regulations and a knowledge of SEVIS highly desirable.
• Knowledge of J-1 immigration regulations desirable.
• Proficiency in a foreign language and previous international experience highly preferred.
• Knowledge of current research and issues in international education highly desirable.
• Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace, and a strong commitment to DEI required.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in the development of collaborative programming at an institution of higher education highly desirable.
• Prior knowledge of Workday, ISSM, Slate, and/or Salesforce desirable.

Please include a cover letter and resume to be considered for this position.

WPI requires employees to be fully-vaccinated (including a booster shot) for COVID-19. For additional information on WPI’s response to COVID-19, refer to https://www.wpi.edu/we-are-wpi