International Student Program Technician

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION

Under general supervision from assigned supervisory or management staff, performs a variety of administrative, programmatic, and routine technical duties in support of the International Student Program at an assigned College including duties related to the recruitment and admission of international students; processes, reviews, and approves international student admissions applications; maintains and updates student records and reports; provides information and assistance to international students; provides staff assistance to College administrators regarding laws, policies, and procedures related to international students; and investigates and resolves a variety of problems related to assigned services and operations.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Perform a variety of responsible programmatic, administrative, and routine technical duties in support of the International Student Program at an assigned College. Serve as liaison between the International Student Program Office and staff, current and prospective students, outside agencies, and the general public; answer questions, clarify information, respond to requests, and interpret and explain District, College, and program area policies and procedures as well as immigration laws, rules, and regulations. Serve as a Designated School Official; provide information to prospective and continuing students on admissions and interpret federal regulations relative to visas; receive, review accuracy of, evaluate, validate, approve, and process international student admissions applications; determine eligibility for acceptance; maintain related records. Coordinate services and activities with the College counseling office; set up appointments for all new international students for matriculation and orientation. Monitor and evaluate international students’ progress, grade point average, and enrollment; coordinate with students whose GPA and enrollment are not according to policy; provide information to international students who are falling out of status on options available to correct status; discuss violation and provide information for reinstatement; take necessary action and assume responsibility for complete follow-through for reinstatement; place international office student holds as necessary. Maintain the immigration compliance processes and procedures related to foreign students and their stay in the United States; maintain information and records related to travel authorization, extension authorizations, transfer of schools authorization, employment authorization, termination of visa, Federal adjudication process, enforcement issues, and related matters. Investigate and resolve a variety of problems related to international students including students eligibility to enter or stay in the program, visa and immigration status problems, and students personal fund requirements; prepare recommendations and correspondence to the United States Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security, embassies, consulate, and other colleges regarding students’ status based on counselor academic recommendations and other factors; ensure appropriate College certification with Department of Homeland Security according to programs offered at the College. Assist in ensuring College compliance with federal regulations relative to international students holding F‑1 visas; attend and participate in conferences, training sessions, workshops, and professional group meetings; maintain awareness of new laws, policies, or directives relative to international students; participate in the implementation of necessary changes in International Student Office procedures to ensure compliance with new laws; ensure and maintain confidentiality of student financial and personal records; participate in the implementation of new or changed policies and criteria to ensure compliance; conduct international student immigration and College compliance orientations. Maintain cooperative working relationships with other agencies and law enforcement entities including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, customs enforcement agencies, federal immigration adjudication officers, United States embassies, Department of Homeland Security, Bureau of Citizenship & Immigration Services, and the State Department; communicate using phone, internet, and Student Exchange and Visitor Information System (SEVIS). Participate in program audits, visitations, and reviews; meet the Department of Homeland Security representatives to complete on‑site reviews; provide requested information and respond to questions. Perform outreach and recruiting activities with educational language institutions, colleges, universities, community organizations, overseas foreign embassies, and overseas colleges and universities. Collect, compile, verify, summarize, record and evaluate a variety of data and information related to assigned program and services; prepare and distribute narrative and statistical data; provide recommendations and alternatives; complete reports including training to participate in the preparation of annual administrative reports on the operations of International Student Program; develop forms and reports and recommend changes as necessary. Coordinate with insurance companies to review and ensure international students are provided with health insurance coverage; ensure all international students receive proper insurance and are continually covered with health and accident insurance; approve insurance refunds; work with insurance companies to resolve problems. Enter and maintain a variety of data and information into various systems including SEVIS; oversee and participate in the establishment and maintenance of a variety of complex, interrelated filing systems; establish and maintain files for information, records, and reports; update webpage information related to events and immigration information for international students. Train and provide work direction to assigned student workers, clerical assistants, and other staff as assigned. Operate office equipment including computer equipment; utilize various computer applications and software packages; maintain and generate reports from a database or network system.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of functions, programs, and operations of the International Student Office. Knowledge of pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations including immigration rules, regulations, procedures, policies, and codes related to foreign entry student visas. Knowledge of district policy regarding admissions and records, evaluations, residency, transference of credit units, grievances, and general education requirements. Knowledge of diverse academic, socio‑economic, cultural, disability, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students. Knowledge of English proficiency testing requirements and application procedures. Knowledge of office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases. Knowledge of work organization and basic office management principles and practices. Knowledge of principles, practices, and procedures of fiscal, statistical, and administrative research and report preparation. Knowledge of principles, practices, and procedures of business letter writing. Knowledge of principles and procedures used in complex, inter‑related record keeping. Knowledge of principles and practices used to establish and maintain files and information retrieval systems. Knowledge of principles and techniques used in public relations including methods and techniques of proper receptionist and telephone etiquette. Knowledge of interpersonal skills using tact, patience, and courtesy. Knowledge of English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary. Knowledge that a designated second language is desirable. Ability to perform a variety of administrative, programmatic, and routine technical duties in support of the International Student Program at an assigned College involving the use of independent judgment and personal initiative. Ability to understand the organization and operation of the International Student Program Office as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities. Ability to understand, interpret, and apply administrative and office policies and procedures as well as pertinent laws, regulations, and ordinances. Ability to maintain current knowledge of program rules, regulations, requirements, and restrictions. Ability to evaluate student transcripts and other admissions documents according to established procedures. Ability to provide information and assistance to international students on a variety of topics; advise students in compliance with federal regulations. Ability to analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals. Ability to exercise good judgment and discretion in analyzing and resolving confidential, difficult, and sensitive situations. Ability to use sound judgment in recognizing scope of authority. Ability to respond to requests and inquiries from students, staff, foreign governments, or the public; effectively present information in person or on the telephone. Ability to compile and interpret data and information. Ability to prepare a variety of clear and concise administrative and financial reports. Ability to implement and maintain filing and record‑keeping systems. Ability to independently compose and prepare correspondence and memoranda. Ability to plan and organize work to meet schedules and changing deadlines. Ability to operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications. Ability to adapt to changing technologies and learn functionality of new equipment and systems. Ability to type or enter data at a speed necessary for successful job performance. Ability to use correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary. Ability to work under steady pressure with frequent interruptions and a high degree of public contact by phone or in person. Ability to work independently and effectively in the absence of supervision. Ability to work with and exhibit sensitivity to and understanding of the varied racial, ethnic, cultural, sexual orientation, academic, socio‑economic, and disabled populations of community college students. Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. Ability to report to work on a regular and consistent basis, as scheduled, to assigned job.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE GUIDELINES

Education: Completion of the twelfth grade supplemented by college‑level coursework or specialized training in business administration, secretarial science, or a related field. Experience: Two years of increasingly responsible secretarial and clerical experience preferably in an administrative office of a public agency or in an educational environment. Experience interpreting and ensuring program compliance with rules and regulations, preferably in an educational environment, is highly desirable. License or Certificate: Ability to obtain certification from the Department of Homeland Security, Bureau of Citizenship & Immigration Services to serve as the Designated School Official.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed primarily in a standard office setting. Duties are typically performed at a desk or computer terminal; subject to noise from office equipment operation; frequent interruptions and contact in person and on the telephone with students, academic and classified staff, and others. Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in an office setting; to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; to occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist; to lift, carry, push, and/or pull light to moderate amounts of weight; to operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including use of a computer keyboard; and to verbally communicate to exchange information. Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction. Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.

OTHER INFORMATION

Range: 125 of the CSEA Salary Schedule. Work schedule: Monday - Friday (8:00 AM - 5:00 PM); schedule and shift are subject to change in accordance with the department's needs. Hours per week: 40. Months per year: 12. #J-18808-Ljbffr The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.