Career Center

East Carolina University 

International Student and Scholar Program Coordinator
Vacancy #: 500272
Recruitment Range:  Commensurate with Qualifications
Closing Date:  Open Until Filled

Organizational Unit Overview

The Office of Global Affairs in the Division of Academic Affairs was established to coordinate all student community, faculty, and curricula-related international activities. A comprehensive office of Global Affairs is necessary to secure East Carolina University’s position as a contemporary university addressing the concerns of a globally interdependent society. East Carolina’s commitment to promoting student success, public service and regional transformation through global awareness is expressed in the ECU Strategic Plan. To ensure a focused and effective program this comprehensive office draws together elements of international study, virtual exchange, intensive English training, and international student and scholar services. Only with the closely coordinated and highly visible Office of Global Affairs will East Carolina University be in the position to advance and enhance its international presence through academia, exchange, and economic development.

Job Duties

The International Student and Scholar Program Coordinator (ISSPC) administers all aspects of East Carolina University’s US Exchange Visitor Program, serving as the primary OGA expert in department, university, and federal policies and regulations regarding international (J-1) visiting students and scholars. The ISSPC works directly with the Director of International Enrollment and Engagement to determine policy, procedures, and best practices for the university’s visiting student and scholars programs in accordance with federal regulations. The ISSPC communicates with academic and administrative departments to collect, review and process all documentation required to host international visiting students and scholars. The ISSPC promotes the program to academic units, prepares invitation letters, issues proper immigration documents, keeps visitor records, and prepares reports to maintain compliance with federal regulations. The ISSPC provides visiting students and scholars with a comprehensive orientation and coordinates with university and OGA staff to provide appropriate cultural opportunities, as required by federal immigration regulations.

10% – This position reports to the Director of International Enrollment and Engagement and is responsible for keeping both ECU campuses, including the Brody School of Medicine, in full compliance with all laws and regulations surrounding the Program. The person in this position must always be knowledgeable and current with all Federal and State regulations and procedures regarding international scholars and students in J-1 status through the US Department of State’s Exchange Visitor Program. As “Responsible Officer”, the person is this position must maintain positive professional relationships with US Department of State personnel.

20% – This position assesses the applications of all exchange students and international visiting scholars to determine whether the university can sponsor their visitor visas based on various Federal criteria. If the criteria are met, this position works within the Department of Homeland Security’s Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) to issue proper immigration documents for all exchange students and visiting scholars.

This position also reviews exchange student applications and determines whether they are eligible for admission. This process involves evaluating transcripts, understanding course pre-requisites, and liaising with academic advisors when academic credentials are unclear.

20% – The position also serves as advisor and advocate for J-1 visiting scholars and students on both East Carolina University campuses, building an early rapport with students and scholars and making them aware of requirements, obligations, and documentation required both before and after leaving their own country and coming to East Carolina University. This position works closely with international scholars and students to make them feel at ease and keep them informed of any and all changes that may influence their visit to the US, the goal being to facilitate smooth transitions for international exchange students and scholars into the US and to ECU campus life, and also to prepare them for departure at their Program End Dates.

10% – This position works closely with ECU deans, department chairs, and administrators to ensure an understanding of the J-1 process and compliance with the terms of the J-1 visa status. This position stays abreast of arrival and departure dates of each East Carolina University J-1 student and scholar, ensuring that their J-1 Program Start dates are met and, for scholars, that ECU departments are reminded of Program End dates in sufficient time to allow them to extend or end their contracts.

5% – This position works, as appropriate, with the Director of Immigration in the Office of University Counsel to help ensure a smooth transition of some scholars or students into H-1b status.

10% – The ISSPC works with other OGA staff members to provide incoming students and scholars with a comprehensive orientation as well as other opportunities to adjust to ECU and US culture and life. The ISSPC serves as a resource for international students, scholars, and faculty to ensure their well-being and success while at ECU. This position also develops and manages OGA programs and events for students, campus, and the local community. Position is responsible for event management from idea conception, preparations, and day-of logistics. The position will work closely with the OGA Business Officer for materials and budget management. The position will work closely with the Director for International Enrollment and Engagement on promoting events to relevant populations through various communication methods.

5% – This position prepares physical and electronic materials, including brochures and web development, to promote and market the U.S. Exchange Visitor Program to ECU academic departments. In addition, this position conducts an annual information session to explain the process of inviting visiting scholars and to interested faculty and administrators.

10% – This position works directly with the Director of International Enrollment and Engagement to develop university policy, procedures, and processes regarding visiting students and scholars that is consistent with federal immigration regulation. This position is considered to be the university’s expert in the visiting student and scholar program and is responsible for implementing all university policies, procedures and processes associated with the program.

10% – This position communicates directly with campus units to collect, review and process all required documentation needed to invite international students and scholars to ECU. This position is responsible for preparing all international visiting student and scholar invitation letters, maintaining their visitor records, and submitting reports to the US Department of State concerning ECU’s Exchange Visitors, including both visiting scholars and J-1 exchange students.

Position is contingent upon available funding.

Minimum Education/Experience

• Must be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident per federal regulations
• Bachelor’s degree and 2 years of relevant experience
• Proven ability to work sensitively with people from different cultural backgrounds
• Understanding of current J-1 immigration regulations
• Excellent intercultural communication and collaboration skills
• Excellent oral and written communication skills

Preferred Experience, Skills, Training/Education

• Experience advising J-1 visiting students and scholars
• Experience with the SEVIS database according to USCIS guidelines
• Experience with populations whose first language is not English

Special Instructions to Applicant

East Carolina University requires applicants to submit a candidate profile online in order to be considered for the position. Candidates must also submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae/resume, and a list of three references, including contact information, online.

2-3 original letters of reference are required for employment. Please be aware that if selected as a candidate of choice, an automatic e-mail will be sent to the individuals entered in the References section of the PeopleAdmin applicant tracking system.

Applicant must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

Additional Instructions to Applicant

In order to be considered for this position, applicants must complete a candidate profile online via the PeopleAdmin system and submit any requested documents. Additionally, applicants that possess the preferred education and experience must also possess the minimum education/experience, if applicable.

Applications will be considered until position is filled. Please submit an online ECU application for vacancy #500272 to ECU Human Resources at http://jobs.ecu.edu.

Eligibility for Employment

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. ECU participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

ECU is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer committed to fostering a diverse, equitable and family-friendly environment in which all faculty and staff can excel and achieve work/life balance.  We encourage qualified applicants from women, minorities, veterans, individuals with a disability, and historically underrepresented groups. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race/ethnicity, color, genetic information, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, political affiliation, or veteran status. 

Visit this job posting https://ecu.peopleadmin.com/postings/51092