Job Description

USF World is led by a VP and is comprised of units across Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Sarasota devoted to promoting ed abroad, supporting intl students and scholars, the management of intl partnerships, intl travel risk and security services, management of the Peace Corps Prep and support for a dedicated recruiter, tracking and documenting intl research collaborations and the global footprint of faculty, students and staff, collection of data related to international activities at the University, intl alumni development and outreach, and the marketing and communication of USF World programs and initiatives. Comprising a total of over 70 staff and a budget of approximately $4.5 M, clients are USF faculty developing intl academic experiences, curriculum, and research collaborations, administrators promoting the global priorities of USF, staff responsible for supporting intl activities across campuses, colleges, and other units, current and prospective students coming to USF from other countries and U.S. students seeking global experiences as well as university partners from abroad and foreign dignitaries. Community partners include local, state, national, and intl leaders of government and public and private organizations, including other institutions of higher ed, military, business, and industry.

Reporting to the Assistant Vice President for Immigration Compliance in the Office of International Services (OIS), the Senior Associate Director is a leading member of a team that works to achieve the university's global mission. The Senior Associate Director assists with the management, supervision, and training of all international student and scholar advisors (DSOs/AROs) to ensure consistent, success-based service is provided to all students and scholars; supervises the senior international advisors (International Student Advisor III) responsible for practical training and leads the Alternative Responsible Officers ( J Visa Team) responsible for visiting scholars, exchange students, and Fulbright Exchange Visitors under the University's J-1 Exchange Visitor Program; assists with scholar success activities; supports immigration compliance and services for employment based non-immigrant and immigrant visa sponsorship; and provides OIS leadership in the absence of the AVP.

Responsibilities

Assists with management, supervision, and training of all international student and scholar advisors (DSOs/AROs) at USF to ensure consistent, success-based service is provided. Contributes to a work environment that encourages knowledge of, respect for, and development of skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds. Participates in the strategic planning process for the development and implementation of short and long-range goals, objectives, policies, and operating procedures for OIS. Assists the AVP in preparing annual reports, program redesignation for the J-1 Program, program recertification for the F-1 Program, and general compliance with the Student Exchange Visitor Program, Exchange Visitor Program, Department of Homeland Security, Department of State, and Department of Labor rules and regulations. Represents the office on various university committees, and to internal and external constituencies. Contributes to the overall success of OIS by performing all other duties and responsibilities as assigned including providing leadership in the absence of the AVP.

Supervises the advising team that handles the training, processing, and monitoring of F-1 students in curricular and optional practical training and the advising team that handles the processing, on-boarding, and monitoring of J-1 Exchange Visitors (Visiting Scholars, Exchange Students, and Fulbright). Responsible for maintaining quality of, and continuing improvement in, services, as well as for maintaining and improving information to students and scholars on federal rules and regulations. Ensures effective and efficient workflow and adherence to quality standards. This includes the timely and accurate production and updating of I-20's for students and DS-2019's for exchange visitors and prompt handling of daily tasks associated with SEVIS including, but not limited to daily alerts, eforms, and mandatory reporting. Oversees team communication with government agencies. Serves as a Designated School Official (DSO) for the F-1 Program and an Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) for the J-1 Program. Work closely with the lead for Scholar Success.

Assists the AVP with the review and evaluation of departmental requests for non-immigrant work visas (i.e., H-1B, TN, O-1) and for employment-based immigrant visa (permanent residence) sponsorship. This includes providing guidance on selecting the appropriate category for sponsorship, permanent residency, and hosting visitors and working with contracted immigration counsel on the preparation and submission of forms and documents required for filing employment-based petitions; and provides USF Human Resources with guidance on immigration status of employees and students during the hiring process. Assists with quarterly audits to ensure processes and procedures follow all applicable state and federal regulations.

Maintains up-to-date knowledge of regulatory and programmatic resources pertaining to the areas of responsibility; develops and delivers relevant trainings, workshops, and information sessions. Regularly presents best practices at state, regional, and national conferences and meetings. In conjunction with the AVP evaluates current and new laws and regulations governing international students, scholars, and employees and develop policies and procedures relevant to USF international students, scholars, and employees.

Performs other duties as assigned.