Job Summary:
The Interim Associate Director, International Student and Scholar Services oversees with minimal direction the Front Desk and Compliance units, ensuring efficient and exceptional service and advising students, faculty, and staff. Provides comprehensive immigration services to international students, including immigration document processing, compliance guidance, and ongoing support. Supports CSUSB’s non-resident faculty with employment visa processes and ensures compliance with immigration regulations. Ensures that both students and faculty have the resources and support necessary for successful integration into the campus community, while maintaining strict adherence to federal, state, California State University, and CSUSB requirements. Serves as the Primary Designated School Official (PDSO) for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Responsible Officer (RO) for the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program administered through the Department of State (DOS), liaises with federal officials, prepares reports in accordance with federal guidelines, and briefs management on issues and concerns.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Provide day-to-day leadership, supervision, and guidance to the front desk team to ensure prompt and accurate responses to inquiries. Manage the team’s workflow within the online ticketing system; analyze front desk and Compliance unit performance metrics; and implement improvements as needed. Oversee daily operations, maintain accurate information in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, and make independent decisions to meet programmatic goals. Recommend modifications to department campus policies when they are not in alignment with federal immigration policies, or when immigration guidelines and procedures change. Develop procedures and advise university leadership on relevant immigration matters. Supervise the Compliance unit, recruit new staff, mentor current staff, encourage professional development, and manage workloads. Plan, implement and evaluate activities to serve international students and scholars needs.
- Coordinate with US Citizenship and Immigration Services, DHS and Department of Labor for processing of H-1B applications. Liaise with Customs and Border Protection, Faculty, and external counsel for processing of non-H-1B applications and petitions. Advice Academic Affairs personnel to provide guidance on and required documentation for immigration requirements for faculty hires requiring employment-based visas and ensure compliance with Collective Bargaining Agreements while hiring non-U.S. citizens. Develop and maintain campus guidelines and processes to comply with relevant labor and immigration laws. Provide guidance on immigration to faculty, Colleges, and other offices and monitor their status. Aid with permanent residence paperwork as requested by faculty and external counsel within the immigration regulations and CSU guidelines. Review and assess forms and letters associated with permanent residence applications with lawyers.
- Be thoroughly familiar with relevant immigration laws and regulations. Direct Alternate Responsible Officers and Designated School Officials to ensure compliance with the relevant federal regulations and best practices. Ensure students’ and faculty (on employment-based visas) files and status are accurate and compliant (within the relevant databases). Submit updates to Forms I-17 and DS-3036, annual reports to DoS, F-1 biennial recertification, and J-1 biennial redesignation.
- Provide solutions to immigration-related challenges. Serve on college and campus committees. Other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications: Required Education and Experience
- Bachelor's degree and/or equivalent training and administrative work experience in the field of immigration.
- Minimum of 4 years’ experience working in immigration, specifically working with SEVIS as DSO/PDSO.
Required Qualifications
- Excellent communication skills
- Experience with software applications such as MS Word, Excel, and Outlook
- Comprehensive and detailed knowledge of immigration and university infrastructure, policy, and procedures
- Demonstrated ability in interpreting and implementing complex immigration regulations
- Extensive knowledge of immigration regulations and procedures for H-1B and permanent residence processes
- Excellent oral and written communication skills, including intercultural communication, to be able to effectively present ideas in written and presentational formats to diverse audiences
- Ability to interpret, foresee, and proactively address potential issues as a result of changing immigration laws
- Ability to analyze, and understand complex problems from a broad perspective, discern underlying principles, and develop strategic solutions
- Excellent organizational and analytical skills
- Apply in-depth knowledge and understanding of immigration regulations and effectively communicate regulatory changes and updates.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s degree
- Six years’ experience working in the area of immigration with progressive responsibility as a DSO/PDSO, ARO/RO
- Experience with the H-1B visa, permanent residence applications, and other employment-related visas and authorizations
- Ability to effectively use applicable immigration information systems and applications in analysis, research, and reporting
- Experience with software applications such as PeopleSoft, Foreign Labor Certification, and relevant immigration platforms
- Experience working in multicultural and multiethnic environment
Compensation and Benefits:
Anticipated Hiring Range: $6,150 - $6,500 per month
The salary offered will take into account internal equity and experience among other factors.
The CSU system provides a comprehensive benefit package that includes medical, dental and vision plans, membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS), sick and vacation time, and 15 paid holidays a year. Eligible employees are also able to participate in the fee waiver education program. A summary of benefit information can be found here.
Position Information:
Work status: Full-time/Exempt/At-will
Academic year schedule: Monday through Friday (8:00 am – 5:00 pm), some evenings/weekends.
Summer schedule: Monday through Thursday (7:00 am - 5:30 pm), some evenings/weekends.
This is a full-time management (MPP) position. MPP employees serve at the pleasure of the campus President. MPPs do not serve a probationary period and never receive permanent status.
This position is a "designated position" in the California State University's Conflict of Interest Code. The scope of responsibilities for this position includes making or participating in decisions that may have a material financial benefit to the incumbent. Therefore, the individual holding this position is required to file an initial Conflict of Interest: Statement of Economic Interests ("Form 700") within thirty (30 days) from the date of hire and on an annual basis. In addition, the individual holding this position must complete the required conflict of interest training within thirty (30) days of their appointment and at least once during each consecutive period of two calendar years following the appointment, subject to the Fair Political Practices Commission regulations.
MPP: First considerations will be given to candidates who apply by Wednesday, March 12, 2025 and will continue until the position is filled; however, the position may close when an adequate number of qualified applications are received.
As of January 1, 2022, the CSU Out-of-State Employment Policy prohibits the hiring of employees to perform CSU-related work outside the state of California.
California State University, San Bernardino in not a sponsoring agency for staff or management positions (i.e. H1-B Visas).
Conditions of Employment
Background Check
Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. CSU will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.
Mandated Reporter
The person holding this position is considered a `mandated reporter' under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.
I-9
CSUSB hires only individuals lawfully authorized to work in the United States. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. See Form I-9 Acceptable Documents at https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents.
Statement of Commitment to Diversity
In our commitment to the furthering of knowledge and fulfilling our educational mission, California State University, San Bernardino seeks a campus climate that welcomes, celebrates, and promotes respect for the entire variety of human experience. We welcome people from all backgrounds, and we seek to include knowledge and values from many cultures in the curriculum and extra-curricular life of the campus community. We will create, promote, and maintain activities and programs that further our understanding of individual and group diversity. We will also develop and communicate policies and promote values that discourage intolerance and discrimination.
California State University, San Bernardino is proud to be an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. We recruit, hire, train, and administer all personnel actions without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, color, caste, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, genetic information, medical condition, disability, marital status, protected military or veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law. This position adheres to CSU policies against Sex Discrimination, Sexual Harassment, and Sexual Violence, including Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, and Stalking. This requires completion of Sexual Violence Prevention Training within 6 months of assuming employment and on a two-year basis thereafter. (Executive Order 1096) For more information about Diversity & Inclusion at CSUSB, please visit https://www.csusb.edu/human-resources/diversity-inclusion
Closing Statement:
Reasonable Accommodation
We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact CSUSB Benefits at benefits@csusb.edu.
Smoking
CSUSB is a smoke and tobacco-free campus. See policy at https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/6591951/latest/.
Clery Act
In compliance with state and federal crime awareness and campus security legislation, including The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act, California Education Code section 67380, and the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA), the Cal State San Bernardino Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available at: https://www.csusb.edu/clery-act