Reporting to the Executive Director of Global Mobility, the Associate Director will be responsible for managing the immigration services for international students and scholars within the division. Working in collaboration with the Executive Director, the Associate Director will develop and implement policies and procedures pertaining to immigration services on campus. This includes overseeing the daily operations of the unit and ensuring that the staff have the necessary resources to carry out their duties effectively. The Associate Director will also identify opportunities for collaboration and synergy within the team and with other Global Engagement units.

Staying up-to-date with federal regulations and policies is crucial in order to provide accurate and high-quality immigration services. The Associate Director will possess advanced analytical skills and deep knowledge of complex immigration regulations, laws, and processes, as well as campus policies. This knowledge will be utilized to develop, recommend, and implement procedures that ensure compliance with immigration laws and regulations on campus. The position also entails independent judgment in analyzing and interpreting federal immigration regulations and policies in various individual cases.

Working closely with academic and administrative units across the university, the incumbent will assist in the development of services and programs that support the enrollment and retention of international undergraduate and graduate students and scholars at UCSC. This will involve researching, analyzing, and finding solutions to a wide range of immigration-related issues and processes, including F-1 and J-1 Student visa categories, employment-based immigration (H-1B, TN, E3, LPR, etc.), and J-1 Exchange Visitor categories within an academic setting. The Associate Director will also stay informed about trends in international education within higher education and ensure that services and programs remain up-to-date, while continuously seeking innovative strategies for improvement.

In addition to managing immigration services, the Associate Director will function as the lead advisor for international employees, faculty, and administrative staff regarding immigration-related matters. This involves providing guidance on immigration status options, assisting with the maintenance of legal US immigration status, and helping to resolve individual employee’s immigration-related problems. The Associate Director will also collaborate with the Global Programming unit to develop and implement programs that enrich the experience of the scholar population