The Placement Exchange Job Board

Responsible for providing immigration advising for international students, preparing immigration documents and working closely with students and campus stakeholders from admission through post graduation. Will contribute to the oversight of the processes associated with the Sunapsis (iHome) system used for immigration case management. Will be expected to work collaboratively within the Office of International Students and Scholars to assist with the delivery programming throughout the year. Will serve as a Designated School Official (DSO) and Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO). The Lehigh community takes seriously our commitment to antiracism and The Principles of our Equitable Community.

1. Advising and immigration compliance(60%)
*Advise a specific population of Lehigh’s international students, University staff and faculty on immigration rules and regulations; advising may take place in person, virtually or via e-mail/phone
*Advise international students on personal, academic, career, social and cultural matters impacting their overall well-being, with a specific eye on how a student’s international student status impacts these things
*Advise academic departments and other campus stakeholders on immigration regulations as they pertain to international students; work closely with academic departments to resolve student issues/concerns with regard to students’ immigration status
*Research, interpret and apply regulations pertaining to international students in F-1 and J-1 nonimmigrant status
*Serve as a Designated School Official (DSO) and Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) to ensure compliance with immigration regulations
*Prepare and issue immigration documents for international students; this position will issue the majority of “initial attendance” immigration documents during the busiest times in the admissions season
*Assists students with the process of applying for immigration benefits, including CPT, OPT, STEM OPT, Academic Training, economic hardship employment authorization; provide basic information about immigration benefits that Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) does not provide direct assistance with (such as changes or adjustment of status) and continue to provide advising support for the duration of the student status (beyond graduation)
*Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with campus stakeholders to better serve students throughout their time at Lehigh and beyond
*The International Student Advisor is expected to remain current on the ever-changing immigration rules and regulations by engaging with resources available to international students advisors (NAFSA, state and local resources, etc) and participate in regular professional development

2. SEVIS Compliance and iHome oversight (20%)
*Work with the OISS iHome Team (OISS Director, Associate Director, and the OIA Systems Specialist) to collaboratively maintain the iHome (Sunapsis) system; meet with this Team regularly to discuss business processes and recommend changes/enhancements as appropriate; this includes:  the development of e-forms, checklists, database queries, communications to students and scholars and other iHome functionalities not currently in use
*Contribute to procedures documents for use and maintenance of iHome and other OISS procedures and processes
*Oversee weekly batching of data from Sunapsis to SEVIS
*Routinely perform iHome system audits and monitor and process system alerts to ensure accuracy and consistencies with data feeding into SEVIS
*Monitor student-specific alerts regularly, assign alerts to appropriate OISS staff for follow-up and update entire OISS team about alerts-related concerns
*Work with OISS iHome Team to develop, provide training on and create/maintain help documents on system functionality for OISS staff and University-wide users

3. Programming (20%)
*In coordination with OISS staff (specifically, the Assistant Director for International Student Engagement, Director and Associate Director), assist with and participate in programming throughout the year, including, but not limited to, International Orientation, International Education Week (in late Fall) and the International Bazaar (in late Spring)
* Provide oversight for the campus-wide International Friendship Mentorship Program that encourages Lehigh faculty and staff to serve as a mentor to a new international student; the International Student Advisor will work with the OISS Director and Assistant Director for International Student Engagement to revitalize this program that became dormant due to the COVID-19 pandemic
*In collaboration with OISS staff and other relevant campus stakeholders, coordinate and deliver workshops pertaining to employment opportunities for international students, career related sessions, as well as intercultural training for the University-wide community
*Other duties as assigned by the Director or Associate Director in the absence of the Director

Position Number:  S74440

Grade: 8-40; $45,490 - $54,600

This is an approximate range and is subject to change based on experience, skills and qualifications.

Special Considerations

Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing an accommodation for any part of the interview or hiring process may contact Kelly Woodbridge, Lehigh's Accommodations Specialist at kmp415@lehigh.edu

The duties of this position may allow the employee to work partially remote as deemed appropriate by their supervisor 

This position works with minors

This position requires occasional lifting up to 25 pounds

Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree in International Relations, International Studies, Communication, Counseling, Business, Data Analytics, a related field or the equivalent combination of education and experience; Master's Degree preferred

One to three years relevant work experience in a higher education environment with international student/scholar population 

US Citizenship or Lawful Permanent Residency required by federal regulation in order to serve as a DSO/ARO

Working knowledge of the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), Banner and Sunapsis is desired

Flexible and responsive, with the ability to juggle competing responsibilities in a fast-paced environment

Solid computer skills with experience using word processing, spreadsheet and database software

Successful completion of standard background checks including but not limited to: social security verification, education verification, national criminal background checks, motor vehicle checks, PATCH, FBI fingerprinting, Child Abuse Clearance and credit history based upon the requirements of the position

All Lehigh faculty and staff are required to be fully vaccinated and receive a booster shot six months after their second vaccine; unless they receive an approved medical or religious exemption from the requirement.

Only complete applications will be considered therefore please complete the application in its entirety.  Once the posting is removed from the website applications may no longer be allowed to be completed.

About Lehigh University

Lehigh is a premier residential research university, ranked in the top tier of national research universities each year. We are a coeducational, nondenominational, private university that offers a distinct academic environment of undergraduate and graduate students from across the globe.

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