Designated School Official

Computer Systems Institute•Skokie, IL

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

This is a Hybrid position with some days required to work on site. The Designated School Official (DSO) will be responsible for maintaining and updating SEVIS records for international students, ensuring compliance with federal regulations. This includes verifying full-time enrollment, updating address and contact information, tracking CSI programs, employment status, school transfers, leaves of absence, program extensions, and program completions. The DSO will register students' records in SEVIS at the beginning of each academic quarter, ensuring timely and accurate updates, and review students’ files. They will issue and sign Form I-20 for F-1 students and dependents, ensuring that all information is accurate, up-to-date, and compliant with federal regulations. The DSO will provide guidance on maintaining students’ visa status and employment regulations for CPT and OPT, traveling, and re-entering the US processes. They will assist students in applying for work authorization, including issuing Curricular Practical Training (CPT) authorization in SEVIS and supporting Optional Practical Training (OPT) applications. The DSO will advise students on a wide range of issues related to their F-1 status, such as obtaining new visas, work permits, reinstatements, changes of status, medical leaves, employment, and reduced course load authorizations. They will also provide guidance on personal, financial, enrollment, and travel matters. The DSO will report changes to SEVIS such as student transfers, changes in the student’s program, and failure to comply with F1 requirements. They will analyze and resolve complex immigration issues to support students' statuses while studying in the United States and contact the SEVIS Help Desk for corrections/questions. The DSO will function as a liaison with external agencies, including the Social Security Administration, Department of Motor Vehicle, and transfer institutions. They will collaborate with internal departments, such as Admissions, Registrar, Business Office, Student Affairs, and Academics, to provide holistic support for international students. The DSO will participate in new student orientations and conduct immigration-related workshops for students. They must possess and maintain an understanding of changes in immigration laws and policies and participate in professional development opportunities.

Requirements

Proficiency in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel and in the use of Zoom technology is required.
Ability to communicate effectively within a diverse population of students, faculty and staff.
Successful applicants must possess organizational skills and have the ability multi task and prioritize tasks assigned.
MUST BE A CITIZEN OR A LAWFUL PERMANENT RESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in related field is preferred.
At least 1 year of DSO experience is preferred.
Bilingual in English and other languages is preferred.

Responsibilities

Maintain and update SEVIS records for international students, ensuring compliance with federal regulations.
Verify full-time enrollment, update address and contact information, track CSI programs, employment status, school transfers, leaves of absence, program extensions, and program completions.
Register students' records in SEVIS at the beginning of each academic quarter, ensuring timely and accurate updates.
Review students’ files.
Issue and sign Form I-20 for F-1 students and dependents, ensuring that all information is accurate, up-to-date, and compliant with federal regulations.
Provide guidance on maintaining students’ visa status and employment regulations for CPT and OPT, traveling, and re-entering the US processes.
Assist students in applying for work authorization, including issuing Curricular Practical Training (CPT) authorization in SEVIS and supporting Optional Practical Training (OPT) applications.
Advise students on a wide range of issues related to their F-1 status, such as obtaining new visas, work permits, reinstatements, changes of status, medical leaves, employment, and reduced course load authorizations.
Provide guidance on personal, financial, enrollment, and travel matters.
Report changes to SEVIS such as student transfers, changes in the student’s program, and failure to comply with F1 requirements.
Analyze and resolve complex immigration issues to support students' statuses while studying in the United States.
Contact the SEVIS Help Desk for corrections/questions.
Function as liaison with external agencies, including the Social Security Administration, Department of Motor Vehicle, and transfer institutions.
Collaborate with internal departments, such as Admissions, Registrar, Business Office, Student Affairs, and Academics, to provide holistic support for international students.
Participate in new student orientations, and conduct immigration-related workshops for students.
Possess and maintain an understanding of changes in immigration laws and policies.
Participate in professional development opportunities.