#136848 Asst Director, International Experience/Engagement

DESCRIPTION

Global Initiatives supports UC San Diego’s mission of providing transformative experiences in a globally-connected world by bridging educational opportunities with the vast global research network of our campus. Whether supporting international students, faculty and scholars to achieve academic and personal success, or creating and connecting students to high-impact opportunities abroad, Global Initiatives achieves UC San Diego’s culture of collaboration and vision to prepare the next generation of global leaders.

The Assistant Director, International Experience and Engagement in the International Services and Engagement Office (ISEO) is responsible for supervising, coordinating, and implementing the day-to-day operations of the Experience & Engagement unit, which serves nearly 14,000 international students (graduate, undergraduate, and non-degree), scholars, and their dependents at the main campus and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, and the School of Medicine.The Assistant Director leads a team of advisors in meeting the unit’s goals of enhancing the international student and scholar experience, increasing meaningful and life-long engagement, facilitating mutual intercultural exchange, and cultivating an inclusive and welcoming campus community. The Assistant Director supervises and hires advisors, administrative staff, and student assistants and effectively coaches their team to perform at their best while ensuring accountability and stewardship of department resources (operational, financial/budget, and staffing) in compliance with departmental goals and objectives.

The Assistant Director develops and cultivates strategic collaborative partnerships with campus units, academic departments, Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs (GEPA), International House, campus community centers, the Colleges, and the local community. They identify campus and community opportunities for increased interactions between international students and scholars and their U.S. counterparts to foster the mutual development of international knowledge, skills, and sensitivities. This includes managing outreach efforts to the campus and local community to engage prospective, current, and graduated students, as well as scholars, and encouraging participation in campus events, community service initiatives, and other campus involvement opportunities. The Assistant Director conducts assessments and evaluations of the effectiveness and efficiency of programs and outreach efforts to inform the development and improvement of engagement events and experiences.

The Assistant Director manages and directs the work of the Pre-Arrival Unit, which serves prospective and newly admitted students and manages policy interpretation and adherence regarding U.S. Department of Homeland Security (USDHS), U.S. Department of State (USDOS), U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL), Social Security Administration, and Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).They also participate with department management in the development and implementation of policies and procedures affecting international students and scholars at UC San Diego.

The Assistant Director serves as a liaison, providing expert guidance and advice to administrators, faculty, and staff on complex international student and scholar issues, and makes recommendations for service and programmatic enhancements, which require analysis and resolution of problems. The Assistant Director interprets policies and demonstrates solid subject matter knowledge, exercises judgment within federal regulations and campus procedures and policies to determine appropriate actions, and additionally exercises leadership and discretionary authority to solve managerial and programmatic concerns, utilizing a high degree of independence, ingenuity, and analytical skill to resolve complex problems.

• This position will have a hybrid work arrangement. Must be able to work evenings, weekends, or an alternate work schedule as workload requires. Must also be able to attend professional conferences.

QUALIFICATIONS

• BA/BS degree and five (5) years of experience in an academic international student or scholar services office; or equivalent combination of education and work experience.

• Thorough knowledge of federal regulations of U.S. Departments of Homeland Security, State, and Labor as they pertain to the common nonimmigrant classifications commonly found in academia (B-1/2, F-1, J-1, L-2, H-1B, H-4, and TN) and visa application processes.

• Expert knowledge of complex and evolving regulations of the US Department of Homeland Security ("DHS"), US Department of State ("DOS"), Social Security Administration ("SSA"), the California Department of Motor Vehicles ("DMV"), and other agencies. Strong experience with immigration-based software applications (ISSM or equivalent) and SEVIS.

• Demonstrated ability to supervise professional staff, fostering innovation, service, and accountability. Excellent ability to delegate and assign tasks, monitor production and quality of work, set clear and reasonable performance standards, and develop staff to their highest potential.

• Demonstrated experience and skill to routinely monitor production and quality of work being produced by staff and set performance standards, observing behavior, providing objective feedback, counseling, and implementing corrective action as needed to mediate disputes or otherwise help to resolve conflicts and to provide effective leadership/coaching/mentoring. Skills in monitoring / assessing people, processes or services, to make improvements.

• Proven experience with comprehensive program and/or event planning for the most complex events, including conception, design, development, coordination, implementation and post-event evaluation. Advanced knowledge and experience of national practices and trends in student experience, engagement, leadership, and development. Ability to translate student development, leadership theory, and research into practice.

• Knowledge of advising and counseling techniques. Superior skills in listening and advising diverse students using independent and mature judgement and expertise in establishing networks for effective liaison and referral. Excellent ability to deal effectively with people in crisis in a professional and concerned manner

• Proficiency utilizing computers and standard Microsoft Office programs including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Knowledge of common University-specific computer application programs and knowledge of University and departmental principles and procedures involved in risk assessment and evaluating risks as to likelihood and consequences.

• Skills in project management, social perceptiveness to be aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do. Strong ability to employ project management skills to organize, manage, and lead teams to successful completion of unit specific goals and projects. Ability to work under constant pressure to meet deadlines and respond to urgent requests.

• Ability in problem identification and reasoning. Excellent analytical skills to analyze policies and procedures, and advise administrators, faculty, staff, and students about requirements. Demonstrated ability to clearly articulate and represent detailed information, and one’s position, plan of action, evaluation, or interpretation.

• Ability to develop original ideas to solve problems using persuasion and leadership. Strong ability to analyze a situation, develop options, make recommendations, meaningfully listen to clients being served and their concerns, and implement solutions. Experience in motivating and leading staff with proficiency to instruct, train and direct the work of others through clear instructions and guidelines; analyzing work flow and capabilities and aptitude in determining optimal staff configurations to meet operational and service needs adjusting direction appropriately as required.

• Strong communication and intercultural skills to communicate and influence others, both verbally and in writing. Excellent knowledge, skills, and sensitivities in working with culturally diverse constituents and communities. Exceptional interpersonal skills especially in exercising patience, diplomacy, and flexibility in all interactions. Multicultural competencies: ability to work with diverse populations.

• Strong ability to multi-task with demanding timeframes. Strong ability to work independently, establish and revise priorities to shifting deadlines, and prioritize and organize workload to meet multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment where information must be assembled quickly and accurately involving excellent concentration skills.

• Strong ability to use qualitative and quantitative methods of analysis and evaluate reports to improve quality assurance and quality control in unit’s output. Demonstrated ability to develop complex statistical analysis, forecasts, benchmarking, and trend analysis.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

• U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Department of State regulations require U.S. citizenship or U.S. permanent resident status as a condition of employment for this position.

• Job offer is contingent upon a clear background check. ARO designation requires recurring background checks every four years.

• This position has been designated as a "mandated reporter" under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA), which requires professionals to report known or suspected instances of child abuse or neglect to law enforcement.

If employed by the University of California, you will be required to comply with our Policy on Vaccination Programs, which may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

To foster the best possible working and learning environment, UC San Diego strives to cultivate a rich and diverse environment, inclusive and supportive of all students, faculty, staff and visitors. For more information, please visit UC San Diego Principles of Community.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

For the University of California’s Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination

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