At the University of California, Berkeley, we are committed to creating a community that fosters equity of experience and opportunity, and ensures that students, faculty, and staff of all backgrounds feel safe, welcome and included. Our culture of openness, freedom and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty and staff.

The University of California, Berkeley, is one of the world's leading institutions of higher education, distinguished by its combination of internationally recognized academic and research excellence; the transformative opportunity it provides to a large and diverse student body; its public mission and commitment to equity and social justice; and its roots in the California experience, animated by such values as innovation, questioning the status quo, and respect for the environment and nature. Since its founding in 1868, Berkeley has fueled a perpetual renaissance, generating unparalleled intellectual, economic and social value in California, the United States and the world.

We are looking for equity-minded applicants who represent the full diversity of California and who demonstrate a sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds present in our community. When you join the team at Berkeley, you can expect to be part of an inclusive, innovative and equity-focused community that approaches higher education as a matter of social justice that requires broad collaboration among faculty, staff, students and community partners. In deciding whether to apply for a position at Berkeley, you are strongly encouraged to consider whether your values align with our Guiding Values and Principles, our Principles of Community, and our Strategic Plan.

At UC Berkeley, we believe that learning is a fundamental part of working, and our goal is for everyone on the Berkeley campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support this by providing all of our staff employees with at least 80 hours (10 days) of paid time per year to engage in professional development activities. To find out more about how you can grow your career at UC Berkeley, visit grow.berkeley.edu.

Departmental Overview

Summer Sessions, Study Abroad, Lifelong Learning & University Extension (SSALLEX) is the extended education division of the University of California, Berkeley and an essential part of the University's mission to extend the research and scholarship of UC Berkeley to a global community. SSALLEX is a vibrant and dynamic organization that enables more than 60,000 visiting, UC and potential Cal students; parents, faculty, academic units, international business partners, and central campus service providers engage in campus activities. The department provides more than 2,000 summer courses, fall freshmen programs, study abroad experiences, global internships, and year-around programs or courses, lectures, special events and interest circles for older adults.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is: 5/12/2023

Responsibilities

As non-immigrants, international students must comply with complex federal and state regulations. These include regulations established by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Department of State (DOS), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), and the Social Security Administration.

The Lead International Student Advisor & SEVIS Coordinator serves as the lead immigration advisor for our population of visiting international students (varies seasonally from 1,500 - 4,000+ students) and is responsible for the coordination of SEVIS-related activities to monitor the visa status for F-1 nonimmigrant student visa holders, J-1 exchange visitors, and their dependents.

International Student Advising (Lead):

• Under direction and guidance of PDSO, serves as Designated School Official (DSO) and an Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) to federal programs governing the support of international students; serves as lead advisor and provides guidance and ongoing training and updates to other DSO/AROs within the unit about changes to relevant federal, state, and local regulations; provides information about all student immigration and visa processes to visiting international students and handles complex cases referred by other advisors; oversees new student visa document production; develops communications to help educate students and departments/programs on international students' federal requirements and benefits eligibility; interprets campus and federal policies and recommends policy changes pertaining to international student compliance to unit PDSO/Director; also advises international visiting students on health insurance options and requirements; serves as lead advisor in crisis situations that pertain to student health or safety; co-manages emergency/after hours cell phone.

SEVIS Coordination & Compliance:

• Serves as lead person in the unit overseeing protocols to ensure that the university meets all reporting requirements and event registration deadlines for SEVIS. Coordinates compliance monitoring, verification and follow-up on student registration/validation, full-time enrollment, and employment benefits; identifies students with SEVIS compliance problems and works with PDSO to recommend interventions; coordinates daily tasks associated with SEVIS management, including, but not limited to: data uploads and downloads, SEVIS document management, daily alerts, etc.; reconciles data discrepancies and corrects data errors in the campus SIS (Campus Solutions), our international student management software (TerraDotta), and the DHS (SEVIS) system.

May supervise International Student Advisor(s) and/or student assistants:

• Serves as supervisor and/or work lead for International Student Advisors; distributes work and ensures tasks are completed in a timely manner. Evaluates processes, recommends and seeks alternate ways to streamline business processes for staff efficiency; implements changes within unit and communicates as needed with internal and external stakeholders; analyzes work flow and recommends to the Director improvements in streamlining tasks.

Student Services Advising:

• Applies professional Student Services concepts in providing a variety of student services to all student populations and affiliated international institutions and organizations served by the division; makes recommendation of processes or policy improvement with a focus to better serve visiting students and the affiliated representatives; creates communication materials, including email updates, notifications, website, FAQs, and other channels; works with the Student Services team in assisting all student service processes during the high-volume period, all-hands-on-deck situations.

Student Outreach & Engagement:

• Conducts, coordinates, or participates in orientations of new visiting students and new affiliated international institutions and organizations; coordinates and implements workshops, events, and resources specifically aimed to support international visiting students in their study abroad experience and to maintain their visa status.

Recruitment and Admissions:

• Advises prospective applicants and international institutions and organizations on necessary academic preparation, application, requirements and other related questions about attending UC Berkeley through the division's visiting student programs.
• Refers students to appropriate campus resources such as University Health Services, Academic departments, Student Conduct, Office of the Registrar, IT, Student Learning Center, etc.

Required Qualifications

• Working knowledge of advising and counseling techniques.
• Solid verbal and written communication skills.
• Interpersonal skills.
• Multicultural competencies; ability to work with diverse populations.
• Knowledge of complex U.S. visa and immigration procedures, compliance issues, and employment eligibility / authorization for international students and scholars.
• Ability in problem identification and reasoning; ability to develop original ideas to solve problems.
• Skills in judgment and decision-making, problem solving, identifying measures of system performance and the actions to improve performance.
• Demonstrated knowledge of international student management software and web-based systems (SEVIS, TerraDotta).
• Ability to multitask; verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to serve as a Designated School Official (DSO) and/or Alternative Responsible Officer (ARO); per U.S. Department of Homeland Security, must be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident.
• Experience working with software applications to create reports and present relevant data to stakeholders.
• Skills in judgment and decision-making, problem solving, identifying measures of system performance and the actions to improve performance.

Education and Training

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of University-specific computer application programs and knowledge of University and departmental principles and procedures involved in risk assessment and evaluating risks as to likelihood and consequences.
• Knowledge of University-specific computer application programs and pertinent databases (Campus Solutions/PeopleSoft, Slate, ZenDesk).
• Master's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.

Salary & Benefits

This is a 100% Career position with full benefits. Salary is commensurate with experience up to $86,200 annually.

This is not a visa opportunity.

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $63,200 - $86,200

How to Apply

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.

Referral Source info

This job is part of the Employee Referral Program. If a UC Berkeley employee is referring you, please ensure you select the Referral Source of "UCB Employee" and then enter the employee's Name and Berkeley email address in the Specific Referral Source field. Please enter only one name and email.

Conviction History Background

This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. For more information about your rights as an applicant, please see the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission poster.

For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy, please see the University of California Discrimination, Harassment, and Affirmative Action in the Workplace policy.