Assistant Director, International Student & Scholar Services

Position Overview: Description Summary

Reporting to the Assistant Provost for Academic Operations & Student Success, the Assistant Director, International Student & Scholar Services provides strategic leadership, immigration advising, compliance oversight, and holistic support for SFBU's international students and scholars. The position serves as SFBU's Principal Designated School Official (PDSO) and Responsible Officer (RO), leading institutional compliance for the F-1 and J-1 programs and ensuring a welcoming, compliant, and student-centered experience from inquiry and arrival through graduation and post-completion transitions.

This role balances regulatory expertise, student advocacy, operational excellence, and cross-cultural sensitivity. The Assistant Director interprets complex immigration regulations, develops scalable processes, supervises and trains designated staff, and partners across the university to advance international student success, retention, belonging, and compliance.

This is an Exempt, full-time, 12-month, in person position located in Fremont, California. The appointment is renewable contingent upon satisfactory performance.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Immigration Advising and Student Support

• Serve as SFBU's PDSO and primary point of contact for Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification, compliance, and school-record matters.
• Serve as RO for SFBU's J-1 Exchange Visitor Program, including sponsor compliance, SEVIS reporting, record maintenance, and required program updates.
• Advise F-1 and J-1 students and scholars on maintaining lawful status, including enrollment requirements, travel and re-entry, program extensions, transfers, reduced course loads, leaves of absence, reinstatement, changes of status, and employment-related matters.
• Provide advising through scheduled appointments, walk-in hours, virtual meetings, email, workshops, and proactive outreach.
• Support students experiencing academic, behavioral, health, welfare, financial, or cultural adjustment concerns by coordinating with appropriate campus partners.
• Coordinate airport transportation and arrival logistics for new international students in partnership with appropriate operational units.
• Collaborate with the international team and campus partners on International Education Week and other global engagement initiatives.
• Identify and implement opportunities to strengthen international students' belonging, retention, and success.
• Develop workshops and programs on maintaining status, employment authorization, Optional Practical Training (OPT), Curricular Practical Training (CPT), taxes, cultural adjustment, career preparation, health insurance, and post-graduation transitions.

SEVIS Compliance and Immigration Documentation

• Maintain accurate and timely Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) records for F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors.
• Issue, update, and authorize immigration documents, including Forms I-20 and DS-2019, in accordance with federal regulations and institutional policy.
• Monitor enrollment, academic status, address updates, program changes, employment authorizations, practical training, travel signatures, transfers, and program extensions to ensure timely federal reporting.
• Complete SEVIS registration each term and report required changes within federally mandated timelines.
• Manage and process student requests through relevant university systems.
• Support transfer-out processes for students moving between U.S. institutions.
• Ensure immigration documentation, reporting, updates, and authorizations are accurate and completed within applicable deadlines.

PDSO Leadership and Institutional Compliance

• Lead institutional compliance efforts related to F-1 and J-1 students and scholars.
• Serve as the university's lead immigration compliance expert and provide guidance on complex F-1 and J-1 matters.
• Supervise, train, and manage the performance of Designated School Officials (DSOs) and other staff involved in international student services and immigration processes.
• Monitor federal regulations, SEVP broadcast messages, policy guidance, and professional best practices; update university procedures and communications accordingly.
• File and attest to Form I-17 petition updates in SEVIS within required timelines and ensure that school information remains current and accurate.
• Lead SEVP recertification planning, preparation, submission, and follow-up in coordination with institutional stakeholders.
• Conduct periodic internal compliance reviews and address identified risks.
• Establish and maintain institutional policies, procedures, and resources for F-1 and J-1 international students and scholars.
• Maintain current regulatory content on department portals, websites, Salesforce configurations, and internal training materials.

Campus Partnerships and Training

• Serve as a key resource for faculty, staff, departments, and university leadership regarding international student compliance, support needs, and institutional responsibilities.
• Educate campus partners on federal regulations, institutional policies, international student processes, and culturally responsive student support.
• Oversee SEVIS user access, annual verification, and backup coverage for DSOs.
• Collaborate with Admissions, the Registrar, Academic Advising, Residence Life, Career Services, Student Health, Counseling, Finance, Academic Programs, and other campus partners to support international students effectively.

Operations, Systems, and Process Management

• Develop, document, assess, and improve efficient, accurate, and student-centered international student service processes.
• Assist with Salesforce configuration, workflow development, data integrity, and student communication campaigns.
• Manage a high volume of student requests while maintaining accuracy, timeliness, service quality, and regulatory compliance.
• Maintain organized records, reports, communications, and compliance documentation.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
• At least three years of professional experience advising international students in a university setting, including prior experience serving as a DSO.
• Working knowledge of federal regulations governing F-1 and J-1 students and scholars.
• Experience using SEVIS and managing international student records.
• U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent resident status, as required for DSO, PDSO, and RO eligibility.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in higher education, international education, student affairs, intercultural communication, counseling, educational leadership, public administration, or a related field.
• Three or more years of experience serving as a DSO; prior PDSO experience strongly preferred.
• Experience serving as an RO or Alternate Responsible Officer for a J-1 Exchange Visitor Program.
• Experience supervising, training, or evaluating staff responsible for international student services or immigration processes.
• Experience using Salesforce or comparable student relationship management or international student management software.
• Familiarity with SEVP certification, institutional updates, recertification, audits, J-1 redesignation, and related compliance processes.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong knowledge of F-1 and J-1 immigration regulations and the ability to apply them accurately to complex student and scholar situations.
• Skill in interpreting and explaining federal regulations and institutional policies in clear, accessible language and in training others on those requirements.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, verbal, and cross-cultural communication skills.
• Strong student-centered advising skills and the ability to balance compassion, compliance, and institutional risk management.
• Strong organizational, planning, time-management, and project-management skills.
• Demonstrated attention to detail and ability to maintain highly accurate records, reports, and immigration documentation.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills.
• Ability to manage confidential and sensitive information with discretion.
• Ability to work independently and collaborate effectively across departments.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, deadlines, and high-volume student requests.
• Ability to use databases, student information systems, communication platforms, and related technology to improve service delivery.
• Ability to develop scalable processes, workflows, training materials, and student-facing resources.
• Commitment to continuous learning and to remaining current on regulatory changes, compliance expectations, and best practices in international education.
• Demonstrated strong commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice, including experience serving students from diverse cultural, linguistic, religious, and educational backgrounds.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

• Duties are typically performed in an office environment and may involve extended periods of sitting, standing, and computer use.
• The position may require occasional bending and lifting or carrying items weighing up to 20 pounds.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Salary Range: $105,000 to $130,000 annually, depending on experience. This is a 12-month contract, renewable contingent upon performance review.

Application Process

For full consideration, please submit the following materials. Applications received after that date may be reviewed until the position is filled.

• A letter of interest describing your relevant experience, leadership approach, and demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice, as well as your alignment with SFBU's mission and core values.
• A current curriculum vitae or résumé.
• Names and contact information for three professional references.

This position description is not intended to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned, at any time, with or without notice.