International Student Program Technician

Job Details

Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

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.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

Perform a variety of responsible programmatic, administrative, and routine technical duties in support of the International Student Program at an assigned College. Serve as a 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 State Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security, embassies, consulate, and other colleges regarding students’ status based on counselors 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 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. Perform related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.

Knowledge of:

Functions, programs, and operations of the International Student Office. Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations including immigration rules, regulations, procedures, policies, and codes related to foreign entry student visas. District policy regarding admissions and records, evaluations, residency, transference of credit units, grievances, and general education requirements. Diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students. English proficiency testing requirements and application procedures. Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases. Work organization and basic office management principles and practices. Principles, practices and procedures of fiscal, statistical, and administrative research and report preparation. Principles, practices, and procedures of business letter writing. Principles and procedures used in complex, inter-related record keeping. Principles and practices used to establish and maintain files and information retrieval systems. Principles and techniques used in public relations including methods and techniques of proper receptionist and telephone etiquette. Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy. English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary. 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. Understand the organization and operation of the International Student Program Office as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities. Understand, interpret, and apply administrative and office policies and procedures as well as pertinent laws, regulations, and ordinances. Maintain current knowledge of program rules, regulations, requirements, and restrictions. Evaluate student transcripts and other admissions documents according to established procedures. Provide information and assistance to international students on a variety of topics; advise students in compliance with federal regulations. Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals. Exercise good judgment and discretion in analyzing and resolving confidential, difficult, and sensitive situations. Use sound judgment in recognizing scope of authority. Respond to requests and inquiries from students, staff, foreign governments, or the public; effectively present information in person or on the telephone to students, staff, or the public. Compile and interpret data and information. Prepare a variety of clear and concise administrative and financial reports. Implement and maintain filing and record-keeping systems. Independently compose and prepare correspondence and memoranda. Plan and organize work to meet schedules and changing deadlines. Work within the policies, functions, and requirements of area of assignment. Operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications. Adapt to changing technologies and learn functionality of new equipment and systems. Type or enter data at a speed necessary for successful job performance. Use correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary. Work under steady pressure with frequent interruptions and a high degree of public contact by phone or in person. Work independently and effectively in the absence of supervision. 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. Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. Report to work on a regular and consistent basis, as scheduled, to assigned job.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE GUIDELINES

Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education/Training: Equivalent to the 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

The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

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. At least minimal environmental controls are in place to assure health and comfort.

Physical: 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.

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.

Applications missing the required documents will not be considered.

Hours per Week: 40

Months per Year: 12