Job Description

Compensation

$39,778.00 Annual

Job Description Summary

The application deadline for this position is 11:59PM on January 8, 2025.

International Student Services (ISS) provides a wide range of specialized support for international students at Santa Fe College. The ISS Admissions Specialist assists in the design, development, and implementation of programs that increase international student enrollment and encourage student success. The Admissions Specialist is responsible for recruiting international students; providing immigration and academic advising support to F-1 students through the admissions process and throughout their enrollment; organizing International Student Orientation; advising college administrators, faculty, and staff on F-1 student issues; serving as a Designated School Official (DSO); providing direction, information, personal attention, care, and support to students in the development of their academic and career goals; and maintaining and updating international student records. Additionally, the Admissions Specialist is expected to problem solve a variety of complex immigration issues and interact with various internal and external constituents, including government agencies, international high schools, representatives from the business community, and SF departments.

Job Description

Responsibilities and Duties Include:

• Provides guidance on all aspects of the admissions process for prospective international students and their families/sponsors (including requirements for admission, timelines, and visa options), supports them in their admission to their chosen programs of study, and enables their lawful entry to the U.S.

• Participates in local and international recruitment opportunities as a representative of the college and of International Student Services.

• Reviews and manages documents submitted for admission, makes admissions decisions, issues immigration documents, directs applicants to transcript translation services, and maintains necessary records and databases.

• Serves as a Designated School Official (DSO) in maintaining the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) and all related certification requirements; establishes, updates, and tracks F-1 students' SEVIS files on a semesterly basis.

• Organizes SEVIS data processing under the guidelines provided by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and maintain data and quality control management.

• Advises students with immigration petitions and applications to include processing for new F-1 visas, work permits, reinstatements, reduced course load authorizations, change of status, medical leave, and economic hardship employment authorization.

• Liaises with transfer institutions and refers students to appropriate college, community, and university contacts to assist with the transfer process.

• Supports international students who are experiencing cross-cultural, family, personal or economic crisis, which may impact academic performance; helps them access appropriate college and community services/resources.

• Collaborates with staff in the International Center to design, develop, and implement programs that support the unique needs of F-1 international students, including new International Student Orientation.

• Prepares and conducts assessments for programs and initiatives of responsibility to include developing and implementing retention strategies.

• Responds to student inquiries and requests for information via phone, email, Zoom, social media, and other appropriate communication platforms.

• Works in partnership with SF departments and with those in the greater community to benefit SF's international students and to support the college's international education agenda.

• Maintains relationships with applicable professional organizations and attends trainings provided by these organizations to keep abreast of changes in federal rules and regulations.

• Complies with all published College Rules, procedures, guidelines, and laws/regulations governing public employees, including but not limited to those related to document retention and destruction, FERPA, and confidentiality.

• Strictly honors the privacy, security, and confidentiality of student records and other sensitive information according to appropriate state, federal, and college regulations, policies, and procedures.

• Provides service excellence through courteous, informed, accessible, and professional engagement.

• Performs other duties as assigned. 

Reports to: Coordinator, International Student Services (ISS)

QUALIFICATIONS

Required: An associate's degree with two (2) years of experience in academic advisement, international student services, student affairs, counseling, mentoring, recruitment, or a related field, and/or a combination of related education and experience equal to four (4) years.

Additional Requirements: A criminal background check will be conducted. As per U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, candidates must be a citizen or lawful resident of the United States to serve as a DSO.

Preferred: A bachelor's degree with prior experience as a DSO; working knowledge of SEVIS procedures and the legal requirements of international students and of the institutions hosting them. Multiple language competencies.

General Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to work successfully in a multi-cultural environment.

• Adaptability to Change – able to be flexible and supportive, able to positively and proactively assimilate change in rapid growth environment.

• Communication – able to effectively communicate in a professional, diplomatic, empathetic, and tactful manner using preferred method and level as applicable to the job.

• Critical Thinking & Judgement - able to make well-reasoned, sensible, and timely decisions based on careful, objective review and informed analysis of available information, considerations, and other factors.

• Customer Service – ability to respond promptly and courteously to all questions from students and faculty, demonstrating patience and persistence when helping students with little or no computer skills.

• Ethics – able to demonstrate integrity, professionalism, civility, and a high degree of ethics in all job-related actions.

• Organization & Time Management – able to plan, schedule, and organize tasks related to the job to achieve goals within or ahead of established time frames.

• Problem Solving – proven skills in identifying issues, determining their cause, developing creative solutions, and following through with implementing resolutions.

• Relationship Management – able to personally provide high level of interactive service to others, building relationships and addressing identified needs.

• Results Orientation – proven ability to set and exceed established targets.

• Detail Oriented - Proven accuracy and attention to detail.

• Multi-task - Ability to expeditiously organize, coordinate, manage, prioritize, and perform multiple tasks simultaneously to swiftly assess a situation, determine a logical course of action, and apply the appropriate response.

Application Process:  All applicants must submit a completed online SF application, a letter of intent, an up-to-date resume/curriculum vitae, and unofficial academic transcripts (if applicable) to be considered for this position. Unofficial transcripts are only accepted for review purposes, official transcripts are required prior to any offer of employment being made.

If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be canceled, suspended or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement.

Santa Fe College (SF) is committed to maintaining a work and educational environment that embraces diversity and where no member of the college community is excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or subject to discrimination in any college program or activity based on: their race, ethnicity, national origin, color, religion, age, disability, sex, pregnancy status, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, genetic information, political opinions or affiliations, or veteran status. This commitment applies to employees, volunteers, students, and, to the extent possible, to third parties, applicants for admission, applicants for employment, and the general public. sfcollege.edu/eaeo
 
Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies or concerns about discrimination or harassment, including concerns about sexual harassment or sexual violence under Title IX, should be directed to: equity.officer@sfcollege.edu

Santa Fe College reserves the right to extend deadlines and/or not to offer advertised positions. Preference will be given to eligible veterans and spouses of veterans.

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