Position Details

Position Information

Budget Title
SENIOR STAFF ASSISTANT

Campus Title
International Student Advisor

School/Division
Academic Affairs, Division of

Department
International Programs

Staff Sub-Type
Staff & Administration

Salary Level
SL3

Salary Range
Low $50’s

Position Effort
Full-Time

If Part-Time, enter FTE:

Is this a temporary position?
No

If Temporary, enter End Date:

Position Summary

This position provides advisement for all international students in
matters related to immigration status, international travel, health
insurance, orientation, student employment, and related student
support services, and assist with cultural programming and
events.

Major Responsibilities

Immigration Support:

• Serve as Designated Service Official (DSO), assisting the director in managing SUNY Cortland’s compliance with federal regulations and policies pertaining to F-1 students.
• Advise students and scholars on immigration policies and procedures, including employment authorization, status maintenance, visa applications, school transfers, and related compliance issues; if necessary, assist students in resolving status problems.

Monitor and manage pre-arrival arrangements for International Students and Scholars:

• Develop pre-orientation materials and pre-arrival webinars to assist students in preparing for their travel to the U.S. and Cortland, providing information on university policies and procedures, academics, student life, SUNY health insurance requirements, and cultural adjustment.
• Manage the university’s incoming student exchange program, reviewing incoming student applications, course registration, responding to student inquiries, and arranging local travel for arriving students.

Support international students and scholars in their cultural, academic, and social adjustment.

• Provide welcome experience and orientation program for all international students and scholars at the beginning of each semester for social, cultural, and academic adjustment.
• Assist students and scholars with social security cards, employment procedures, understanding income tax requirements, visa issues, and DMV requirements through one-on-one advising, workshops, and print- and web-based materials.
• Develop and implement programs in support of students and campus internationalization.
• Monitor student adjustment and early alert academic progress; provide consultation and referral as needed.
• Support international student academic support courses (ESL, international student seminar).
• Develop and implement an assessment tool to evaluate international student and scholar experiences.

Support Exchange Partnerships

• Serve as administrative liaison with partner institutions abroad on exchange and dual degree student processes and procedures, including exchange student application procedures, immigration and visa documents, student inquiries and orientation, transmittal of transcripts, and student inquiries.

Administration

• Assist the director in implementing international initiatives and activities on campus, working with campus constituencies, and creating, evaluating, and maintaining international agreements and partnerships.
• Represent the office on campus committees and at professional meetings (e.g., NAFSA, SUNY CISSS).
• Support other office initiatives, including study abroad program administration.
• Social media management.

Functional and Supervisory Relationships

• Position reports to the director of International Programs.
• Supervises student employees.
• Works collaboratively with all International Programs staff as well as staff and faculty across campus.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Experience working with international or study abroad students.
• Experience working with office technology.
• Experience or evidence of ability to work in a team environment and manage multiple priorities.
• Evidence of communication, public speaking, and organizational skills.

Because this position requires serving as a Designated School Official for SEVIS, the candidate must be either a citizen or a lawful permanent resident of the United States per <a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ice.gov%2Fsevis%2Fschools%2Freg%23214&data=05%7C01%7CMary.Schlarb%40cortland.edu