The International Center supports all Tufts’ 3000+ international students, scholars, and employees. The International Center provides immigration advising and visa document services aimed at keeping the university and students, scholars, employees, and dependents in compliance with U.S. visa regulation.  The department also provides individual advising and mentorship to meet individuals’ immigration, academic, personal, and other needs while also providing cross-cultural programs and campuses advocacy directed at reinforcing and strengthening Tufts’ commitment to international engagement, global awareness, inclusion, and cross-cultural understanding.

Under supervision and under the DHS/DOS titles of Designated School Official (DSO) and Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO), the International Student and Scholar Advisor is responsible for immigration administration and advising for individual international students and scholars on F-1 and J-1 visas related to visas, visa-related benefits, travel, and maintaining legal status in the United States. Responsible for issuance of immigration documents and, in collaboration with I-Center team, ensuring compliance with government sponsorship and visa regulations.  Aside from core compliance responsibilities, responsible for advising and programming (including orientation program, workshops, and events as assigned) to support cultural adjustment and student and scholar engagement. 

Essential Functions: 

• Responsible for intake and issuance of visa documents (I-20 & DS-2019) for incoming international students? and scholars and for tracking and processing documents for arrival, delays and deferrals in assigned school or area.
• Advises and counsels undergraduate and graduate students in F-1 & J-1 status, providing appropriate immigration advice (travel, work authorization and visa benefits, visa renewal, etc.) throughout the year.
• Advises Tufts international alumni on sponsored visas for post-graduation benefits including Optional Practical Training (OPT), ?STEM ?OPT?, J-1 Academic Training, ??,? and other visa issues, ensuring ?status ??compliance and proper reporting.
• Tracks and updates data in various systems (including DHS Student & Exchange Visitor Information System), to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. Compiles relevant data and statistics for assigned population and provides to reports and insights to senior management.
• Provides expertise, consultation and advice to department staff, faculty, deans, admission offices and academic advisors for assigned population on issues related to academic success and legal status of international students? and scholars.
• Designs and facilitates assigned programs and workshops related to U.S. work options, immigration, intercultural and/or practical skills. Responsible for facilitating semi-annual orientation program and co-creating events to facilitate student and scholar engagement and inclusion. Serves as a liaison to schools and assigned populations for varied intercultural programming offered by the Center and collaborators.
• Responsible for updating communications, reviewing forms, letters, Center handouts and website and making edits to ensure undergraduates and graduates have accurate, timely information.
• Participates in Advisors meetings and, in collaboration with other Center staff, consults with colleagues locally and nationally, and researchers and references laws and manuals on issues related to the legal status of international students, faculty and scholars.

Basic Requirements:

Knowledge and experience as typically acquired by: 

• Master’s Degree in related field (or Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent plus 1-2 years of related experience)
• Proficiency in F-1 and J-1 regulations and generalized understanding of immigration law
• Demonstrated computer skills including proficiency in Microsoft Office,? Zoom,? immigration system applications such as SEVIS, Sunapsis, Terra Dotta ISSM, Scholar Module?, or other batching software
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Experience working effectively with culturally diverse populations
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills 
• Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills 
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and project assignments simultaneously and remain flexible to adapt to changing Center priorities and ever-shifting governmental landscape
• US citizenship or permanent residence as required to serve as F-1 Designated School Official (DSO) and J-1 Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO)

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Prior international living or work experience 
• Prior experience working in higher education settings, especially in as student services or student advising capacity 
• Fluency or working proficiency in non-English language

Working Conditions:

• This is a Hybrid role. 
• Occasional evening and weekend work as needed for programming.
• Travel as needed for professional conferences and trainings.

About Tufts University

This is Tufts. Tufts is a student-centered research university with a constellation of world-class schools encompassing undergraduate, graduate, professional, and lifelong learning programs. Across the university, students satisfy their intellectual curiosity, jump-start rewarding careers, and unlock bright, promising futures. Through rigorous academics, groundbreaking research, and a commitment to civic engagement and leadership, our community of students, faculty, and staff collaborate across four Massachusetts campuses to build a brighter world (Medford/Somerville, Grafton, Boston-Chinatown, and Boston-Fenway). Our employees light the way. Tufts develops innovative solutions for the most complex global challenges of our time through teaching, research, and an unparalleled investment in civic engagement. In administration and operations, in dining centers and in labs, every employee plays a role in our mission for a better, brighter world. At Tufts, the work you do matters. So do you. Enjoy flexible and remote opportunities, innovative benefits, and an inclusive, welcoming, collaborative culture that supports you. Develop your skills. Take classes. Advance your career. ...Do work that makes you proud in a community you love. All while taking great care of yourself and the people who matter most. We’re all in on creating an anti-racist culture of belonging. Across Tufts, we’ve deepened our commitment to making the university a truly inclusive place. Where every member of our community contributes and feels like they belong. Where diverse perspectives are seen as our strength, and great ideas are always heard. In offices, labs, classrooms, and beyond, we’re doing this work together, knowing it is the foundation of our mission to create a brighter world. An innovative university needs resourceful people who make things happen. Here, collaboration isn’t just a buzzword, colleagues actually care, and community means everything. Sound appealing? Come join us. Choose a campus and find the role that fits you. Tufts University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. We are committed to increasing the diversity of our faculty and staff and fostering their success when hired. Members of underrepresented groups are welcome and strongly encouraged to apply. See the University’s Non-Discrimination statement and policy here https://oeo.tufts.edu/policies-procedures/non-discrimination/. If you are an applicant with a disability who is unable to use our online tools to search and apply for jobs, please contact us by calling the Office of Equal Opportunity (OEO) at 617-627-3298 or at oeo@tufts.edu. Applicants can learn more about requesting reasonable accommodations at https://oeo.tufts.edu/

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