JOB GOAL:

To advance the college’s mission, vision, principles, values and strategic initiatives through continuous improvement decisions.

GENERAL JOB SUMMARY:
The Associate Director will lead international student services at Kirkwood to provide a welcoming and supportive environment for international students, from their first inquiry to alumni. Under the general direction of the Dean of Global Learning, the Associate Director collaborates with academic and administrative units across the college to develop services and programs that support the enrollment and retention of international students at Kirkwood, including both F-1 and J-1 students. The Associate Director serves as lead to a team of advisors and staff in Global Learning on best practices and professional competencies related to international education.

The Associate Director serves as the Principal Designated School Official (PDSO) serving as the liaison and source of information for international students throughout their stay on matters of legal status related to their visa, personal and academic progress, and cultural adjustment. The Associate Director keeps current with federal regulations and policies to ensure accurate and high quality immigration services. The position requires advanced analytical skills and knowledge of complex immigration regulations, laws and processes, and campus policies to develop, recommend and implement procedures to ensure campus compliance with immigration laws and regulations. This position ensures that programming and services are readily available to meet the unique needs of international students and that consistent communication is provided to students about their international student status.

UNIVERSAL CORE COMPETENCIES:

• Advocate for Continual Improvement- empowering each other to identify opportunities for excellence.
• Collaborate with Mutual Accountability- working together with a willingness to take ownership and account for our actions.
• Champion Service- anticipating needs and create a welcoming, diverse, and inclusive environment.
• Perseverance- commitment to excellence even in the face of adversity or delay in achieving success.
• Lead- regardless of title, through positive influence.

DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Serve as Principal Designated School Official (PDSO) for Kirkwood’s Student Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) designation. This includes maintaining professional knowledge regarding updates on all SEVIS rules and regulations impacting F-1 and J-1 student visa designations in order to provide the most up-to-date advice to Kirkwood’s international students.
• Collaborate extensively with academic and administrative units across the college to develop services and programs that support the enrollment and retention of international students at Kirkwood, including both F-1 and J-1 students
• Serve as Campus Liaison with critical governmental offices including Department of Homeland Security, US Department of State, DMV, Social Security Office, etc.
• Lead and manage international recruiting and admission plan in conjunction with the International Admissions Advisor including correspondence with prospective students, agents and organizations, and all elements of New International Student Orientation.
• Lead and manage personal, cultural, and academic international student advising with attention to problem solving and resolving student issues including housing, transportation, insurance, health, banking, shopping, driver’s license, SSN, postal information and other cultural matters.
• Lead and manage international student retention efforts, including global engagement programming that meets the needs of both immigrant and non-immigrant students to create a climate of inclusivity, including International Education Week, Global Student Leaders, Culture Conversations, Mentor Families, Global Spotlight, Collaborative Dialogues and other programs that inspire inclusive excellence.
• Seek out and apply for grants and funding opportunities to attract more students to Kirkwood particularly sponsored students, scholarship opportunities, etc.
• Manage budgets related to international student services
• Provide leadership to the Global Learning team when the Dean or Associate Dean are not available. Be able to serve as primary back-up for the department as needed.

PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS:

• Be able and willing to represent Kirkwood in the most positive manner with prospective, former and current students, clients, organizations and the community we serve.
• Assume responsibility; deal effectively with problems, and exercise independent judgment when making decisions.
• Establish and maintain a good working relationship with students, colleague staff, administrators and general public.
• Possess strong human relations skills. Ability to interact with diverse personalities, cultures and academic backgrounds.
• Be a creative, energetic and self-motivated individual with excellent organization skills. Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Welcome, value, and nurture people of all backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences, as well as support and promote an environment that accepts differences.

The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the essential job duties/responsibilities and performance expectations of the job, which should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES WITH/WITHOUT REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION:

Position involves working in an office setting. Occasional (10-33%) standing, pushing, pulling and grasping. Frequent (34-66%) reaching and viewing a computer and other types of close visual work. Constant (67-100%) sitting, walking, repetitive motion, talking and hearing.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree in a relevant field
• 3 years of experience with federal regulations pertaining to Department of Homeland Security and SEVIS
• Leadership experience in the field of International Education
• 2 years of supervisory experience

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS, LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, OR REGISTRATIONS :

• 
  Experience studying or living abroad.

• Experience serving as Principal Designated School Official (PDSO) or Designated School Official (DSO).

• Language proficiency or familiarity in languages other than English

EEO AA/STATEMENT:
Kirkwood Community College shall not engage in nor allow unlawful discrimination against any employee or applicant for employment. This includes all employment practices, hiring practices, and unwelcome harassment of applicants or employees based on race, color, national origin, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, genetic information or actual or potential parental, family, marital status or veteran status. If you have questions or complaints related to compliance with the policy please contact the Vice President of Human Resources at Kirkwood Community College, 313 Kirkwood Hall, 6301 Kirkwood Blvd., SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404, Telephone: 319-398-5572, Email: equity@Kirkwood.edu or the director of the Office for Civil Rights U.S. Department of Education, John C. Kluczynski Federal Building, 230 S. Dearborn Street, 37th Floor, Chicago, IL 60604-7204, Telephone: (312) 730-1560 Facsimile: (312) 730-1576, TDD (800) 877-8339 Email: OCR.Chicago@ed.gov.