Immigration Support Services - Director of International & Immigration Services

Sacred Heart University•Fairfield, CT

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of International and Immigration Services serves as the Principal Designated School Official (PDSO) for the F-1 program and the Responsible Officer (RO) for the J-1 program in SEVIS for Sacred Heart University programs, and as PDSO for Notre Dame Prep High School, part of Sacred Heart University. The role requires U.S. citizenship or permanent residency and operates under the direction of the Executive Director of Graduate & International Student Life. The Director ensures institutional compliance with SEVP requirements, maintains expertise in F-1 and J-1 regulations, manages SEVIS data and records, and advises students and university stakeholders on immigration matters. The role leads immigration advising and student support throughout students’ academic programs and post-completion employment, develops resources and programming that promote international student success, and supervises staff providing international student services and immigration advising. This is an in-person position. Some evening and weekend hours may be required, particularly during semester orientation weeks and at the start of the academic year. Employment offers are contingent on satisfactory completion of a background check.

Requirements

Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
Knowledge of SEVIS and F-1 and J-1 visa regulations.
A minimum of 5–7 years of working experience as a PDSO or DSO and RO/ARO.
Superior communication skills to educate students, university faculty, and administrators on non-immigrant regulations and institutional policies.
Ability to understand and explain complex government regulations and institutional policies to non-native speakers of English.
Ability to maintain detailed immigration records, perform intricate immigration processing, and ensure institutional compliance with student immigration regulations.
Patience, professionalism, and a high level of sensitivity when advising students.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree, or commensurate experience.

Responsibilities

Serve as PDSO for the F-1 program and RO for the J-1 program in SEVIS for Sacred Heart University programs, and as PDSO for Notre Dame Prep High School.
Maintain expertise in F-1 and J-1 visa regulations and ensure institutional compliance with SEVP regulations.
Maintain the I-17 and DS-3036 forms accurately and on time, and file recertifications and program changes and updates.
Monitor immigration regulations, policy changes, and federal guidance, translating requirements into institutional procedures and communications.
Lead communications with SEVP support and the designated SEVP representative on behalf of the institution.
Organize SEVIS data processing under DHS guidelines and maintain data quality control.
Provide institutional guidance on F-1 and J-1 regulations concerning admissions, enrollment, employment, program changes, transfers, and student status, including enrolled, OPT, and STEM OPT populations.
Lead immigration advising throughout students’ academic programs and post-completion employment.
Provide timely guidance on visas, status maintenance, employment authorization, travel, program changes, transfers, and other immigration matters.
Develop programs, communications, and resources that promote international student transition, belonging, engagement, and success.
Provide accurate immigration information, monitor and track student immigration status, and maintain appropriate records.
Establish, update, and track SEVIS records on a semester, trimester, or module basis.
Prepare or coordinate F-1 documents for undergraduate and graduate programs and ensure compliance with federal policies and regulations.
Liaise with deans, department heads, faculty, and administrators, and provide advanced immigration-related advice and assistance.
Maintain knowledge of academic programs and departmental policies and procedures to apply immigration regulations appropriately.
Advise students on immigration petitions and applications, including new F-1 visas, employment authorizations, reinstatement, reduced course load authorizations, change of status, and medical leave.
Ensure students maintain OPT and STEM OPT employment authorizations and understand reporting requirements.
Coordinate with outside organizations providing services such as tax filing, banking, and mobile services; guide students to appropriate community services and local resources.
Assist the Executive Director with delivering quality experiences and programming for enrolled international students.
Supervise and support staff responsible for international student services, immigration advising, and related programs.
Train and provide professional development to staff on immigration regulations, SEVIS requirements, advising practices, and emerging issues.
Establish procedures, service standards, and workflows for consistent and effective student support.
Supervise and train all DSOs and AROs.
Support staff professional development planning and maintain relationships with professional organizations to stay informed about federal rules and regulations.
Attend regional or national workshops and conferences to stay current on immigration policies.
Perform other duties as assigned.