International Student Specialist

International Student Specialist 

Reports To:  Associate Registrar  

Job Summary

Hawkeye Community College’s Division of Student Affairs is seeking a full-time International Student Specialist to join the Office of the Registrar's team.

The Division offers a broad range of support services to help students achieve success as a college student and beyond. We work collaboratively with faculty, staff, students and the community to support student engagement, and learning and success at Hawkeye Community College. Our team promotes the continuous improvement of the college experience by helping students to connect, collaborate and commit to engage in activities, programs, and opportunities as they achieve their goals. If you want to make a difference on behalf of students, and directly assist and engage with students from the beginning of their journey to the end, then this will be ideal for you!

As the International Student Specialist, you will work with students in all aspects of their educational journey from the beginning to end.  You not only will build relationships with students but with various departments across campus.  You will serve as a Designated School Official (DSO) for the college and will monitor international students’ admissions, enrollment, registration, retention and completion. Additionally, you will coordinate and lead international student events and programs including the International Student Orientation process.  Furthermore, you will serve as a resource regarding SEVIS requirements and regulations so that international students maintain a valid F-1 status.

Hawkeye Community College is a comprehensive community college focused on meeting the needs of the community by providing quality, affordable learning experiences for a diverse student body through our Adult Learning Center, Business and Community Education Department as well as through more than 50 career and technical programs and liberal arts transfer programs.  Hawkeye Community College’s mission is about empowering students, strengthening businesses and enriching communities with a vision to improve the quality of life in the communities we serve. 

Essential Job Functions  

Important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Maintains international student records in SEVIS and issues I-20’s.
• Maintains working knowledge of DHS documents, legislation, and other immigration matters.
• Advises the college accordingly with regard to F-1 student visa policies and procedures. 
• Assists international students with issues such as acquiring Social Security numbers, setting up banking accounts, obtaining a US driver’s license and other areas, as needed.
• Assists students with filing appropriate DHS documents to include reinstatement, applications for work permits, Curricular Practical Training (CPT), Optional Practical Training (OPT), etc.
• Attends training and other professional development as assigned to stay current with federal F-1 visa regulations to effectively advise students on immigration-related policies and procedures.
• Represents college at regional and national NAFSA and other necessary professional organizations. 
• Develops, implements, and keeps current on new policies for international students, including but not limited to admission policies, English proficiency requirements and health insurance requirements.
• Provides support for international students facing academic and personal challenges and provides appropriate referrals to college and community resources.
• Reviews application for admission and all required supplemental documentation for F-1 students. 
• Monitors and responds to international student communication including email, walk-ins and phone.
• Assists with providing international students with information regarding, but not limited to: Visa interview tips, registration and New Student Orientation, suggested packing list, etc. 
• Develops and organizes welcome orientation for incoming international students.
• Connects with the International Student Organization to establish a collaborative relationship and serve as a source of information and ideas.
• Consults with college faculty, staff, outside departments (such as Admissions, Athletics, Student Services, Student Activities, Student Success, etc.), administrators, and other campus-wide colleagues and partners regarding international students' needs and supports.
• Assists in managing and updating the International Student Community Canvas page departmental website.
• Serves as a member of the International Student Committee and liaises with faculty and staff regarding international student needs and concerns.
• Assists with arrival transportation from airports for new international students 
• Assists with recruitment strategies, planning and conducting outreach activities, and tracking data on international student recruitment efforts via partnership with the Admissions Department. 
• Assists with proctoring placement tests for international students as needed.
• May supervise AmeriCorps members focused on student success of international students.
• Occasional evening or weekend hours required, as needed to meet the needs of international students.
• Provides assistance to the Associate Registrar and performs duties in their absence.
• Provides support to several Registrar office’s tasks, functions and services.
• Provides assistance in monitoring the Guest Student Applications in Recruit and sends them to Colleague accordingly in the absence of the Transcript Specialist.
• Conveys and interprets test scores or prior coursework to determine student eligibility for specific course(s).
• Assists and processes transcript requests, enrollment verifications, address changes, loan deferments, DOT requests, military documentation requests, registration, and other requests in the Transcript Specialist’s absence.
• Assists with registering Guest Students in Colleague.
• Maintains records/files in accordance with FERPA.
• Provides assistance in monitoring the office email, answering incoming phone calls, and also assists with walk-ins.
• Participates in campus committees as assigned.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Unless otherwise approved under Hawkeye’s remote work policy, regular on campus and/or onsite attendance is considered an essential function of the position.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Student Affairs or related field with one (1) year of relevant experience or equivalent combination of education and experience to total five (5) years. 
• Must be a U.S. citizen or have permanent resident status to meet Federal citizen requirements to work as a Designated School Official (DSO) for the Student Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) and related visa work with international students. 
• Must possess a current driver’s license valid in the State of Iowa with a Class D endorsement or obtain the Class D endorsement within thirty (30) days of hire.
• Must have a driving record insurable by the College’s insurer.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain and prepare records and reports.
• Demonstrated commitment to customer service.
• Ability to demonstrate strong interpersonal communication.
• Skilled in Microsoft Office Suite, Google applications, and video conferencing technology.
• Demonstrated ability to execute organization and department policies and procedures.
• Demonstrated ability to handle confidential/sensitive information with discretion.
• Demonstrated ability to work with a culturally diverse student population, faculty, staff, and the general public.
• Demonstrated ability to work a flexible schedule to include evenings and weekends as needed. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with international students.
• Experience working in a post-secondary educational setting.
• Knowledge of college admissions and/or recruitment.
• Experience working Colleague/Ellucian.

Working Conditions

Anticipated schedule is Monday through Friday 8:00 am – 4:30 pm with occasional weekend or evening hours.

Work is performed either in or a combination of an office setting and/or classroom setting using technology.  Requires good hand-eye coordination including visual acuity to use a keyboard and read technical information; arm, hand and finger dexterity, including ability to grasp.   Sit, stand, bend, lift and move frequently during working hours. During course of day, interact with students, faculty and staff in person, by telephone and computers.

Employment Status

Full-time non-exempt position with comprehensive or competitive benefits program including health, dental, vision, life, and LTD insurance, a Section 125 plan for medical and dependent care expenses; holiday, personal, sick, and vacation leave; tuition reimbursement; and a choice of retirement programs—IPERS.

• Salary will commensurate with the candidate’s education and experience.
• The salary range for this position begins at $41,500.

Application Procedure

• Complete an online application at hawkeyecollege.edu/employment
  • Submit/upload a cover letter addressing the following:
    • Describe any experience you have that is related to working with students from other countries and/or cultures different from the U.S. Please indicate if this was in an educational setting.
    • Explain your working knowledge of computer programs/software that you have used including the types of documents you have created. Additionally, include any student information systems and/or CRM (Customer Relations Management) systems knowledge or experience.
    • Describe the way you are able to create professional relationships and provide specific examples of how you have done this.
  • Submit/upload a resume.
  • Submit/upload 3 professional references with a minimum of 1 being from a current/past supervisor.
• Priority screening is set to begin on Monday, June 24, 2024. Completed applications, along with the required materials, received after the priority screening date will be considered at the discretion of the college. 

Hawkeye Community College is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer, committed to equity and diversity in its educational services and employment practices: https://www.hawkeyecollege.edu/about/diversity-inclusion/equal-opportunity. The College does not discriminate on the basis of sex; race; age; color; creed; national origin; religion; disability; sexual orientation; gender identity; genetic information; or actual or potential parental, family, or marital status in its programs, activities, or employment practices. Veteran status is also included to the extent covered by law. Any person alleging a violation of equity regulations shall have the right to file a formal complaint. Inquiries concerning application of this statement should be addressed to: Equity Coordinator and Title IX Coordinator for employees, 319-296-4405; or Title IX Coordinator for students, 319-296-4448; Hawkeye Community College, 1501 East Orange Road, P.O. Box 8015, Waterloo, Iowa 50704-8015; or email equity-titleIX@hawkeyecollege.edu, or the Director of the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, Citigroup Center, 500 W. Madison, Suite 1475, Chicago, IL 60661, phone number 312-730-1560, fax 312-730-1576, email: OCR.Chicago@ed.gov. 

If any applicant is in need of a reasonable accommodation in completing the application process, please notify a member of Human Resource Services.