Details
Posted: 27-Apr-22
Location: Austin, Texas
Type: Full Time
Preferred Education: Masters
Salary: $85,000+
Salary Details:
Depending on qualifications
Internal Number: R_00019571
Hiring Department:
Global Engagement
Position Open To:
All Applicants
Weekly Scheduled Hours:
40
FLSA Status:
Exempt
Earliest Start Date:
Immediately
Position Duration:
Expected to Continue
Location:
UT MAIN CAMPUS
Job Description:
Reporting to the director of International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS), the associate director oversees the university’s compliance with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Department of State, U.S. Department of Labor and other regulatory agencies applicable to enrolling international students and inviting/employing international faculty and scholars at the university. The associate director manages the unit’s immigration operations and implements ISSS strategic goals and initiatives.
Job Details:
General Notes
The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) is one of the largest public universities in the United States and is the flagship of The University of Texas System. UT Austin enrolls more than 51,000 students studying in almost 120 bachelor’s degree programs and more than 220 graduate programs across 18 colleges and schools. UT Austin is steadfastly committed to global engagement and is home to more than 5,600 international students and 1,500 international scholars from more than 130 countries, with more than 530,000 living alumni in 176 counties around the world.
Due to federal database access requirements, only U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents may apply for this position.
Responsibilities
Immigration and Compliance
- Interpret and incorporate regulatory changes into internal policies and procedures. Oversee the documentation of policies and procedures to ensure consistency in advising practices across ISSS teams.
- Ensure proper understanding and application of complex immigration regulations and university policies. Develop and implement ongoing training for staff regarding immigration regulations and best practices.
- Manage protocol for student and scholar recordkeeping ensuring data integrity in administrative databases.
- Analyze data to assess quality and effectiveness of ISSS immigration services and programs. Oversee business processes and technology improvements to enhance operational efficiency and maintain high standards of services.
- Serve as federal Designated School Official (DSO) and Alternative Responsible Officer (ARO) and liaise with government agencies regarding international student and scholar policies and issues.
Leadership and Supervision
- Manage day-to-day operations of and provide strategic oversight for student advising services; faculty and scholar services; and sponsored and exchange programs. Supervise the assistant director of each respective unit.
- Use best practices to train staff in providing the highest level of customer service through topical expertise, cultural sensitivity, and inclusion. Foster career growth of ISSS team members by providing professional development opportunities for staff.
- Represent the director at university meetings and collaborate with campus partners to support and advocate for the needs of international students and scholars.
- Coordinate the support of international students and scholars that experience personal crises situations or where world events have impacted their home countries or regions.
- Work closely with the director in developing and executing the strategic vision for International Student and Scholar Services.
- Manage ISSS operations in the director’s absence.
Communication and Outreach
- Serve as a resource and proactively communicate with academic departments and university units to provide information about federal regulations as they relate to their specific college, school, or unit.
- Oversee the development and implementation of training and informational sessions on issues pertaining to international students and scholars for the university community.
- Ensure that written communication, including but not limited to the ISSS website, presentations, handouts and publications, includes clear and concise information for international students and scholars, departments, and the university community and is consistent with the Texas Global brand.
Support of ISSS and Texas Global functions
- Actively support the critical priorities and functions of ISSS and Texas Global, serve on internal committees, and participate in work groups to support the mission of the organization.
Working Conditions
Work in a shared office environment. Work around standard office conditions. This position is located in Austin, Texas. This position is eligible for a flexible working arrangement, upon management approval.
Your skills will make a difference. You’ll be working for a university that is internationally recognized for our academic programs and research. Your work will make a difference in the lives of faculty and staff, thereby enhancing the student experience. If you’re the type of person that wants to know your work has meaning and impact, you’ll like working in our department and for UT Austin.
UT Austin provides an outstanding benefits package including but not limited to:
- Competitive health benefits (employee premiums covered at 100%, family premiums at 50%)
- Voluntary Vision, Dental, Life, and Disability insurance options
- Generous paid vacation, sick time, and holidays
- Teachers Retirement System of Texas, a defined benefit retirement plan, with 7.75% employer matching funds
- Additional Voluntary Retirement Programs: Tax Sheltered Annuity 403(b) and a Deferred Compensation program 457(b)
- Flexible spending account options for medical and childcare expenses
- Robust free training access through LinkedIn Learning plus professional conference opportunities
- Tuition assistance
- Expansive employee discount program including athletic tickets
- Free access to UT Austin's libraries and museums with staff ID card
- Free rides on all UT Shuttle and Austin CapMetro buses with staff ID card
Required Materials
- Resume/CV
- 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor
- Letter of interest
Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded. Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.
Important for Current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.
Employment Eligibility:
Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.
Retirement Plan Eligibility:
The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.
Background Checks:
A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.
Equal Opportunity Employer:
The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.
Pay Transparency:
The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.
Employment Eligibility Verification:
If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.
E-Verify:
The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:
Compliance:
Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031.
The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the 2021 report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe, Suite UTA 2.206, Austin, TX 78701.
Required Qualifications
Master’s degree in international education, higher education administration, or related field. Six years of experience working with immigration regulations in a university setting including experience as Designated School Official and/or Alternate Responsible Officer. Demonstrated experience in supervising professional staff. Ability to lead and take initiative considering unit’s strategic plan and priorities. Ability to multi-task and problem solve in a fast-paced environment. Ability to work collaboratively and productively in a professional setting. Strong skills in intercultural communication, professional communication, and public speaking. Excellent written communication skills with a strong attention to detail. Equivalent combination or substitution of relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate. Due to federal database access requirements, only U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents may apply for this position.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience filing USCIS forms I-140, I-129, and other employment-based petitions. Proficiency in a foreign language. Experience working, living, and/or studying abroad. Experience with and proficiency in using Sunapsis.
