Assistant Director, Student Services - 136639

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, Student Services in the International Services and Engagement Office (ISEO) is responsible for supervising, coordinating, and implementing the day-to-day activities of the Student Services unit, serving nearly 11,000 international students (graduate, undergraduate, and non-degree) and their dependents at the main campus and Scripps Institution of Oceanography.

The Assistant Director leads a team of advisors in meeting the unit's goals of managing policy interpretation and adherence regarding the US Department of Homeland Security (USDHS), US Department of State (DOS), US Department of Labor (DOL), Social Security Administration, Department of Motor Vehicles, and various foreign government agencies and international organizations. Independently responsible for evaluating the development and implementation of policies and procedures affecting international students at UC San Diego. Supervises, hires, and coaches international student advisors, administrative staff, and student assistants providing services and support for international students within academic departments, graduate and professional schools, or the Undergraduate Colleges, involving a variety of student issues such as academic advising, outreach and recruitment, admissions, departmental requirements, student intervention, career counseling, immigration status, housing, and financial aid. Supervises staff to ensure accountability and stewardship of department resources (operational, financial, and human) in compliance with departmental goals and objectives.

The Assistant Director serves as a subject matter expert to the Senior Director on issues affecting the academic, social, and emotional well-being and success of the international student population. Oversees all aspects of student advising, including analysis and decision-making strategies in furtherance of students' long-term goals. Provides thorough and comprehensive analysis to the Senior Director concerning administrative and operational decisions related to student services issues. Participates with department management in the development and monitoring of policies and procedures for Student Services operations.

Serves as a liaison, providing expert guidance and advice to administrators, faculty, and staff on complex international student issues and makes recommendations for service and programmatic enhancements, requiring analysis and interpretation of policies. The Assistant Director exercises judgment within federal regulatory and campus procedures and policies to determine appropriate action and additionally exercises leadership and discretionary authority to solve managerial and programmatic concerns, utilizing a high degree of independence, ingenuity, and analytical skills to resolve complex problems.

The Assistant Director represents both ISEO and the Student Services unit on various UC-wide and campus-wide committees and workgroups to champion student success and inclusive policies and practices. In addition, the Assistant Director collaborates on Global Initiatives and campus-wide internationalization initiatives and aligns global learning with campus-wide diversity, equity, and inclusion excellence efforts.

• Must be able to work evenings, weekends, alternate work schedule, or hybrid work location as workload requires. Must be able to attend professional conferences. (local, national, international, or virtual).

• Please submit a cover letter along with a resume for a complete application.

• 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.

• Expert and thorough knowledge of federal regulations of U.S. Departments of Homeland Security and State, as they pertain to admission, enrollment, travel, and employment (B-1/2, F-1, J-1, L-2, H-1B, and H-4).

• 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 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.

• 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.

• Skills in project management, social perceptiveness to be aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do. ** Proven ability to work under constant pressure to meet deadlines and respond to urgent requests. Ability to organize workload and set priorities.

• Knowledge of advising and counseling techniques.

• 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.

• Proficiency utilizing computers and standard Microsoft Office programs including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

• Ability in problem identification and reasoning.

• 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. Capacity to explain and interpret complex policies and procedures to diverse audiences.

• Exceptional interpersonal and intercultural skills exercising patience, diplomacy, and flexibility in interacting with students, as well as intercultural visitors, community volunteers, and many others. Expert ability to present self in a professional manner to University and government administrators, co-workers, and other audiences.

• Excellent public speaking skills with ability to communicate effectively to diverse audiences, particularly audiences with limited English skills and of different cultural backgrounds. Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly, and concisely across a spectrum of personalities, cultures, professions, and situations. Proficiency to explain not only technical matters, but also personal concerns such as culture shock, social activities, etc., and practical issues regarding housing and family matters.

• Excellent writing skills and ability to communicate clearly and succinctly by email and written letters. Demonstrated ability to create and revise technical information guides for international visitors and departments regarding governmental regulations.

• 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.

• Excellent analytical skills to analyze policies and procedures and advise students, faculty, administrators and others about requirements.

• Job offer contingent on clear background check; ARO designation requires recurring background checks every four years.

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

• This position is a mandated reporter of known or suspected child abuse or neglect, according to the California law, Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA).

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

UC San Diego is a smoke and tobacco free environment. Please visit smokefree.ucsd.edu for more information.