CREES

ABOUT SAN FRANCISCO ART INSTITUTE:

Founded in 1871, the San Francisco Art Institute is one of the country's oldest and most prestigious schools of contemporary art in higher education. For over 135 years, SFAI has been known for producing generations of students, artists, scholars, and creative leaders who have profoundly shaped the cultural life of the United States and abroad. Located near San Francisco's North Beach and Russian Hill neighborhoods, SFAI is fully accredited and offers an undergraduate BFA and a graduate MFA degree, BA and MA degrees, a Post Baccalaureate certificate, community education programs, and a range of public programs, as well.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

Reporting to the Associate Vice President of Student Affairs & Dean of Students, the Assistant Director of Student Life International Student Affairs serves as San Francisco Art Institute's primary alternate Designated School Official, and may eventually become SFAI's Primary Designated School Official (PDSO). The individual in this position is responsible for counseling international students and for general immigration advising and SEVIS records maintenance, OPT applications and follow up, and basic updates and reporting to help ensure institutional and individual student compliance with Federal regulations. This includes coordination of student matters involving BCIS (Bureau of Immigration Services), SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System), and USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services). Specific responsibilities are noted below.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

International Student Affairs

1.Manage administrative processes related to immigration and international student status, including but not limited to: SEVIS registration, Optional Practical Training, severe economic hardship, etc.

2.Plan, coordinate, and manage international student orientation each semester, and conduct orientations for study abroad class trips sponsored by SFAI.

3.Serve as advisor to all international students, including exchange and mobility students. Also serve as liaison with IIE, and other agencies as appropriate, regarding J1 visitors.

4.Collaborate with ESL course instructor and academic advisor to monitor international students' academic success, and intervene as necessary; follow up on first semester student performance, and follow up with students on academic probation.

5.Assist with the coordination of the Fulbright review process, international exchange and study abroad opportunities, and provide support for faculty-led international travel.

6.Maintain up-to-date and accurate information on Federal Immigration regulations and current events affecting international travel and study abroad.

7.Represent Student Affairs and SFAI at key events, as needed, including, but not limited to: student and alumni events, community outreach efforts and recruitment events.

Student Life

1.Help coordinate the co-curricular efforts of the Office of Student Affairs by partnering with Director of Student Life to plan, coordinate, and oversee Orientation each fall and spring.

2.Assist in the planning, implementation and assessment of major campus events, including commencement, the annual winter art sale, and the year-end exhibitions.

3.Represent Student Affairs and SFAI at key events, as needed, including, but not limited to: student and alumni events, community outreach efforts and recruitment events.

4.As Assistant Director of Student Life, participate in on-call rotation for crisis response and emergency management.

5.Design and manage the International Student Ambassador program.

6.Advise International Student Groups and other student groups as assigned.

7.Maintain familiarity with Student Affairs best practices as they apply to programming for international student life.

8.All other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

1.Must have US citizenship or permanent residence, as required by federal regulations for use of SEVIS database.

2.Bachelor's degree required. Master's degree in Student Affairs, International Studies, or related field with substantial direct experience strongly preferred.

3.Experience working with international students, immigration, foreign student advising and/or data management.

4.Familiarity with BCIS regulations governing F-1 and J-1 status.

5.Experience with SEVIS systems, Datatel and data management according to USCIS guidelines.

6.Superb organizational and computer skills.

7.Excellent written and oral communication skills.

8.Ability to work independently and as an effective team member.

9.Experience with artists and/or art environments preferred.

10.Employment is contingent upon a satisfactory background check. Candidates for hire will be required to sign a waiver authorizing the background check.

11.Computer proficiency, including MS Word, Excel, databases, the Internet and web based applications.

Review of applications will begin immediately. For priority consideration, application materials should be submitted by June 26, 2009.