The International Education Advisor (Program Specialist 3) provides coaching, guidance, and support to international students at Pierce College. The Advisor supports students from onboarding through their educational journey to completion and the university transfer process. This role is pivotal in promoting international student success by ensuring each student reaches key benchmarks throughout their academic program and engaging with faculty as mentors/advisors. The incumbent also advises Pierce College students on study abroad opportunities offered through the College and the Washington Community College Consortium for Study Abroad (WCCCSA).
The Advisor reports to the Manager of International Student Services and works closely with other staff in the International Education (IE) Team and the Intensive English Program (IEP) faculty. Regular and consistent attendance is vital to this role.
The International Education Advisor (Program Specialist 3) will be responsible for the following, but not limited to:
Assessment and Coaching
- Advises students in planning a program of study that achieves their education and employment goals and complies with F-1 student visa regulations.
- Assesses initial strengths and challenges in international students' academic, career, and personal pathways by identifying factors that enhance or prevent academic progress and examines alternatives based on changing goals, academic progress, and individual situations; and interprets analytics to guide and empower students to establish realistic academic and career goals.
- Coordinates, plans, designs, and leads sessions during quarterly New International Student Orientation.
- Refers students to faculty mentors/advisors and other campus and community resources for exploring careers, pathways, and basic health-related needs.
- Communicates with student advisees systematically, frequently, and intentionally through multiple methods, including e-mail, telephone, Microsoft Teams, and other college-supported technologies.
- Facilitates enrollment and registration processes; guides course offerings, prerequisite requirements, degree and transfer requirements, and college policies.
- Reviews and screens data for completeness and accuracy with special emphasis on registration. Researches and resolves student problems in conformance with rules and regulations.
- Responds to inquiries from students, faculty, and staff regarding services, college policies, and departmental procedures.
- Serves as Designated School Official (DSO) and advises students on compliance with F-1 visa regulations.
Retention Management
- Monitors students' academic progress by analyzing progress reports, determining eligibility and satisfactory progress toward degrees, identifying current and potential needs or problem areas, and helping students access college resources to increase self-sufficiency.
- Provides information, analyzes data, and generates written reports, as requested.
- Collaborates with the Intensive English Program Manager and the Manager of International Student Services to design focused interventions and implement the program.
- Collaborates with college personnel to identify creative solutions to enhance student's overall educational experience and ensure a seamless transition to faculty for academic mentoring through degree completion.
- Promotes student engagement through college life and campus involvement.
- Assists with student activities and event planning and occasionally accompanies students on school-related trips.
Study Abroad and Advising
- Advises students on study abroad opportunities offered by Pierce College and the Washington Community College Consortium for Study Abroad (WCCCSA), including funding, financial aid policies, and study abroad scholarships.
- Plans and organizes study abroad outreach and recruitment events and materials.
- Creates regularly disseminated digital communications through email, website, campus TVs, and social media platforms. Assists with the development of events for study abroad participants.
- Coordinates short-term study abroad programs offered by Pierce College District.
- Provides operational, logistical, and budgetary support for study abroad programs.
- Organizes and implements pre-departure orientations, course registration, and other study-abroad logistics.
- Reviews applications and student records, communicates with students about missing documents, and organizes application reviews.
- Serves as the Pierce College representative to the Washington Community College Consortium for Study Abroad (WCCCSA).
- Participates in committees and task forces to ensure collaboration on reducing barriers and advancing equitable access, opportunity, and success.
- Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Education Required- Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university OR equivalent education and/or experience.
Experience Required
- One (1) year of experience working in an educational environment providing direct student support (such as academic advising, financial aid, TRIO, multicultural services, or Workforce Education) OR one (1) year of experience in an agency or school setting managing a client caseload.
Special Requirements- The successful candidate must consent to and pass a criminal background check
after a conditional offer of employment.
Required Competencies
Job Management
Manages time and priorities to ensure tasks are completed promptly and effectively. Demonstrates responsible personal and professional conduct contributing to the overall mission and goals. Accepts personal responsibility for the quality and timeliness of work and earns trust, respect, and confidence from the College community.
Establishing Rapport
Interacts effectively with others to establish and maintain smooth working relationships. Strives to anticipate, identify, understand, and be responsive to students' needs and expectations. Maintains an open, approachable manner and treats others fairly and respectfully.
Effective Communication
Strong written and oral communication skills with the ability to clearly and effectively communicate with individuals and groups within and outside the College.
Problem-Solving
Demonstrated ability to assist individuals in problem-solving, identifying needs, and exploring options.
Culturally Responsive Engagement
Effective at developing and using constructive communication skills to interact respectfully with others. Utilizes appropriate methods for interacting sensitively, effectively, and professionally with persons from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, educational, racial, ethnic, and professional backgrounds and persons of all ages and lifestyle preferences.
Adaptability
Adapts to changing business needs, conditions, and work responsibilities and can handle high workloads, competing demands, vague assignments, interruptions, and distractions with poise and ease.
ONLINE APPLICATIONS ONLY: https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/piercedist/transferjobs
FOR QUESTIONS, EMAIL: jobs@pierce.ctc.edu