Director, Immigration Services

Chartered by the state of Georgia in 1785, the University of Georgia is the birthplace of public higher education in America and is the state's flagship university (https://www.uga.edu/). The proof is in our more than 240 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University's main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,100 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University's enrollment exceeds 41,000 students including over 31,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 19 schools and colleges, including our newly established School of Medicine.

The Office of Global Engagement ( OGE) at the University of Georgia is dedicated to expanding the global reach of our institution's instructional, research, and service missions, facilitating the university's thoughtful and effective participation and leadership in the interconnected world of the twenty-first century. OGE is comprised of three units: Immigration Services, International Initiatives, and Global Education-the latter including UGA's residential centers in Oxford, England and Cortona, Italy-with all areas supported by dedicated Finance and Operations staff. OGE's comprehensive structure enables it to advance strategic institutional goals aimed at raising the global profile of the University of Georgia. OGE's primary tenets include providing transformative academic experiences abroad for UGA students, sponsoring international students and scholars on campus, and promoting finding solutions to complex global challenges through strategic international partnerships and international research collaborations.

Regular working hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Occasionally, emergencies may arise outside of these hours, including evenings, weekends, or holidays, which will need to be addressed.

You must be prepared to pass a background check prior to beginning employment.

The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR ( hrweb@uga.edu).

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning, as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

The person in this position directs the University of Georgia's International Student and Scholar Immigration Services (IS) office, ensuring the implementation of policies and procedures related to immigration and ongoing development of internal systems and practices to ensure regulatory compliance. This position requires substantial experience in the field of Immigration Services. It is expected that the person holding this position will be knowledgeable about the full spectrum of current federal and state regulations on immigration as related to higher education. The Director will serve as the Responsible Officer (RO) for the University's Exchange Visitor Program and as the Primary Designated School Official ( PDSO), and will be able to meet federal requirements for these roles. The Director will have proven management and leadership experience and documented experience using technology to operate an international student/scholar office. Additionally, the Director will have experience in policy implementation and creation.

This position reports to the Associate Provost for Global Engagement and is responsible for leading a staff of six professional immigration advisors and two support employees. The Director will effectively interact with faculty, department heads, university administrators, staff and students in addressing the needs of the international population at UGA. To meet these ends, the Director will develop training materials and conduct workshops for the benefit of the international population at UGA and the university staff who assist with the documentation, procedures and maintenance of students, scholars, faculty and staff.

Proven and progressive technological experience in an international office, including experience with the Sunapsis case management system, SEVIS, and with other data management systems. Excellent written and verbal skills

Sit for long periods of time at a computer, and driving.

Be advised a credit check will be required for all positions with financial responsibilities. For additional information about the credit check criteria, visit the UGA Credit Background Check website.

Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including, a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of Georgia; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials (including reference checks) as they relate to the job-based requirements of the position applied for; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. You may also be subject to a pre-employment drug test for positions with high-risk responsibilities, if applicable. Please visit the UGA Background Check website.

Serve as the university's resource on immigration policies and laws governed by Homeland Security, US Citizenship and Immigration Services, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Customs and Border Protection, Student and Exchange Visitor Program, US Dept. of State, US Social Security Administration, US Dept. of Labor and Georgia Dept. of Labor, Bureau of Foreign Assets Control.

Providing direction, supervision, and leadership for the Immigration Services Team comprised of units dedicated to F-1 students, J-1 exchange visitors, H-1B Faculty and Staff, and Permanent Residency.

Oversee the processing of permanent residency applications for employees eligible for employment based petitions sponsored byUGA. These include Outstanding Professor/Researchers, Teaching Faculty, Research Scientists and Associates, and professional staff. This includes working with highly confidential and sensitive information to provide employment based advising involving multiple federal agencies.

Coordinate training and workshops for the benefit of the international populations at UGA and the University staff who assist with the documentation for students, scholars, faculty and staff. Assess new areas of training and recommend new programs to meet these needs.

Prepare reports on trends in international education in order to assist the institution in meeting the goals set forth in the UGA Strategic Plan. Assemble and file the Student and Scholar Open Doors Reports to IIE. Collect data on the demographics of the international population of UGA, field of study, use of services by departments financial contributions, etc.

Assist the Associate Provost for OGE with budgetary recommendations, projections, and recommended allocations of these fees to meet the equipment, staff and training needs for Immigration Services.

Advocate on behalf of international education and support the Institution's goal for internationalizing the campus. Serve on institutional and professional committees as appropriate. Other duties as assigned.