Assistant Director of International Student Services & Principal Designated School Official (PDSO)

STDT SVC SUPV 1 (004578)

UCPath Position ID: TBD_189868

Position Description History/Status

Approved Date:

11/17/2025 2:41:12 PM

Date Last Edited:

11/17/2025 2:41:10 PM

Last Action Effective Date:

Organization Details

Business Unit (Location):

LACMP

Organization Code:

8400O

Organization:

CONTINUING EDUCATION

Division Code:

8420D

Division:

DEAN, UCLA EXTENSION

Department:

578000 - UNEX: INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS

Position Details

UCPath Position Number:

TBD_189868

Position Description ID

245499

UC Payroll Title:

STDT SVC SUPV 1 (004578)

Personnel Program

Professional and Support Staff (PSS)

Salary Grade:

Grade 20

Job Code FLSA:

Exempt

Union Code (Collective Bargaining Unit):

99: Non-Represented (PPSM)

Employee Relations Code:

C: Supervisor - Not Confidential

Employee Class (Appt Type):

2 - Staff: Career

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE)

1

SUPERVISION

UCPath Reports to Position Number:

40860701

Reports to Payroll Title:

ACAD PRG MGR 1

UCPath Department Head Position Number:

40049951

Department Head Payroll Title:

DEAN UNIV EXT

GENERAL SUPERVISION - Indicates that the incumbent develops procedures for performance of variety of duties; or performs complex duties within established policy guidelines.

004574

STDT SVC ADVISOR 2

4.0

POSITION SUMMARY

Under the general direction of the Assistant Dean of International Programs, the Assistant Director of International Student Services & Principal Designated School Official (PDSO) supports student success at UCLA Extension by overseeing enrollment, academic, and retention advising for international students. The Assistant Director, will assist in operationalizing the mission of implementing operations of the International Student Services (ISS) unit. These include, but are not limited to, group advising, 1:1 advising, advising assessment, and student programming. Additionally, the role will serve as the PDSO and the Responsible Office (RO) for UCLA Extension, which is authorized by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to certify entrance eligibility by issuing the Certificate of Eligibility for Non-immigrant Student Status (Form I-20 or DS-2019) to prospective students and dependents seeking F-1, B-1, B-2, J-1, H-1, H-4, M-1 or M-2 and dependent visas. 

This role will serve as the main point of contact for SEVP to ensure immigration compliance (updating and renewing UCLA Extension's Form I-17 - Petition for Approval of School for Attendance by Nonimmigrant Student Form); filing the institution's official re-certification package; and oversight of continued compliance. In doing so, the incumbent will align international-student advising workflows and operations within the larger International Programs team, working collaboratively internally, with UNEX Student Services, and with UCLA Extension stakeholders.

Lastly, this position will also have a dotted reporting line to the Director of Academic Advising & Student Success.

Excelling in quality, innovation, and impact, UCLA Extension (UNEX) is one of the top providers of continuing and professional education in the United States, offering programs and classes to more than 50,000 students per year through approximately 4,500 classes and certificate programs to meet the professional development, continuing education, and personal enrichment needs of the full spectrum of traditional, nontraditional, domestic, international, professional, and continuing education students throughout and beyond Los Angeles.

Staff Supervision & Performance Management

1. Supervise a team of International Student Advisors, who serve as Designated School Officials (DSOs) who provide general advising support to prospective and current international students at UCLA Extension.

2. Manage the day-to-day operations of F-1 advising, guiding advisors, including DSOs, on continuing student advising. 

3. Monitor and manage work and caseloads, ensuring an active and continued advisor presence online and in person.

4. Assign and monitor tasks assigned to student advisors, including DSOs, and review progress and accuracy of staff work.

5. Promote teamwork and collaboration among direct reports, and review and approve work informed by institutional needs.

6. Resolve team issues and conflicts, and escalate them to leadership as needed.

7. When appropriate, recommend corrective action and separation in consultation with the supervisor.

8. Monitor and evaluate daily operations of the student advising staff, from the assignment of responsibilities to KPI setting, and overall team performance - providing counseling and evaluation when appropriate or needed.

9. Guide and direct student advisors on complex procedural and operational issues for both domestic and international students. Handle highly complex operational or administrative issues raised by subordinates.

10. Conduct team meetings and 1:1s to provide consultation, monitor progress, and guide student advisors in their daily duties.

11. Conduct regularly scheduled individual staff performance evaluations in line with CHR policies and procedures.

12. Hire and train new employees in line with the departmental and institutional requirements, in consultation with the Assistant Dean.

13. Facilitate the communication and appropriate escalation of advisor needs, opportunities for service improvement, and professional development through training.

14. Enable the advisors to solve student challenges and provide key resources and referrals when needed.

50%

International Student Advising & Programming

1. Create and implement scalable international student success programs and events, collaborating with other units and departments across UNEX and with external partners.

2. Monitor the performance and make sustainable improvements in student programming year-on-year.

3. Attend student-centered events requiring the presence of International Student Services (ISS) staff. E.g. information sessions, open houses, community-building events, etc.

4. Build student relationships and document critical information in CRM to support follow-up on individual student cases.

5. Maintain a presence in international student advising, and as needed, stepping in to support complex cases that cannot be resolved by an advisor.

6. Advise international students in various visa categories and documentation needs, including OPT, STEM OPT, authorization, reporting, and form I-983 management.

7. Apply effective written and verbal communication skills when working with students, alumni, and visitors, as well as campus and UNEX staff and administration.

8. Lead and foster the development of a collaborative academic advisor community - facilitating the sharing of best practices and information as a center of excellence at UNEX.

9. Propose and communicate changes in institutional policy and procedure, laws, and regulations to academic units, student service staff, and students as needed.

10. Under the supervision of the Assistant Dean, support programs, and surveys & data collection processes that support institutional events like graduation.

11. Ensure incoming student queries are handled efficiently, and student data is utilized effectively to increase enrollment into UNEX courses and certificates.

12. Develop, manage, and maintain standardized informational materials, to be used by International Student Advisors.

25%

Workflow Development & Process Documentation

1. Assess, create, maintain, and evaluate workflows related to tracking student success.

2. Monitor student-customer relations and recommend strategy and workflow improvements.

3. Monitor, evaluate, and introduce efficiencies in student-facing communication channels and technology to continuously improve student interactions within the UNEX system.

4. Support student self-service when interacting with the UNEX system, author and approve self-service articles using data from student-staff interactions through multiple modalities.

5. Support the Assistant Dean in the development and implementation of public-facing communication materials (like website and marketing materials).

6. Improve student success outcomes by partnering with key UNEX departments like Marketing, IT, International Programs, and academic departments.

7. Closely collaborate with members of the ISS team to identify and evaluate international student and advising needs and co-develop/co-implement continuous improvements in the international student advising processes.

8. In collaboration with members of the ISS team, to develop and implement technical solutions, and service level agreements (SLAs) for student advising, documentation, and communication.

9. Identify, plan, co-design, and co-implement training needs and professional development strategies for student advisors to support them in excellent student service delivery.

10. Co-develop, deliver, evaluate, and update training materials for student advisors, and ensure that all training and written communication on immigration processes and procedures are consistent and up to date.

11. Ensure internal policies and procedures are consistent with current immigration regulations, as well as the university and state requirements, driving systems and operations changes to remain in compliance with policy and regulation changes.

12. Serve as a liaison for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).

13. Manage substantial reporting requirements involving recertification and redesignation of the F-1 visa program, including updating the I-17 form, and updating all applicable DHS and institutional systems. 

14. Represent ISS in meetings/events involving internal and external stakeholders as needed.

15. Represent UNEX and ISS in external events like conferences and professional organizations, supporting their mission and vision.

25%

•

Performs other duties as assigned.

•

Complies with all policies and standards.

•

Complies with the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Principles of Community.

•

This position description is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties or skills required for the job and is subject to review and change at any time, with or without notice, in accordance with the needs of the organization.

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's Degree

in education, psychology/human development, counseling, business, or a related field and/or equivalent training and experience.

Required

And

Master's Degree

in education, counseling, business, or related field.

Preferred

3 - 5 years

Minimum of progressively responsible professional experience in

enrollment advising, academic advising, and customer service to international and / or diverse student populations.

Required

Demonstrated experience and skill in counseling and advising students regarding academic coursework, professional development, and student life as it relates to academic achievement. 

Required

Demonstrated excellence in serving students with diverse backgrounds and experiences. 

Required

Commitment to collaborating and partnering with UNEX stakeholders to ensure shared success in student service. 

Required

Ability to function independently with minimal supervision, yet be collaborative, team-oriented, and responsive to the requests/needs of all center personnel. 

Required

Knowledge and experience in supervising a team and having supervisory responsibilities such as recruitment/hiring staff, onboarding, setting goals and performance standards, performance management and coaching, assigning tasks, projects, and work schedules, and conducting disciplinary action as needed. 

Required

Skilled in public speaking, interpersonal, and intercultural communication; Excellent writing and verbal communication skills. Demonstrating comfort with using multiple forms of communication in the course of executing day-to-day duties. 

Required

Ability to analyze data, work requirements, and institutional policies, and explain them to students, advising staff, and other stakeholders as needed. 

Required

Attention to detail in designing, writing, and implementing procedures, and workflows, with the goal of putting the 'student first' and 'student-advisor relationship' in each framework. 

Required

Ability to honor confidentiality and handle confidential/sensitive matters with discretion and tact. 

Required

Knowledge of immigration procedures and policies for international students requiring I-20s to obtain an F-1 visa status to study at UNEX, CPT during their course of study, and OPT upon completion; Knowledge of Certificate of Eligibility for Non-immigrant Student Status (Form I-20 or DS-2019) and F-1, B-1, B-2, J-1, H-1, H-4, M-1 or M-2 and dependent visas.

Required

Strong understanding of, and strict adherence to student rights laws like FERPA, Title IX, Clery Act (among others), institutional (UC, UCLA, UNEX) policies, and state laws as applicable. 

Preferred

Experience in data-driven customer service, and the ability to use technology to scale student service. 

Preferred

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS AND/OR CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Background Check: Continued employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background investigation.

Live Scan Background Check: A Live Scan background check must be completed prior to the start of employment.

Age Requirement: Candidate(s) must be 18 years or older to be eligible to be hired.

LOCATION AND PHYSICAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, MENTAL (PEM) REQUIREMENTS

Environment and Work Location Information

Environment Type:

Non-Clinical Setting

Location Setting:

Non-University Setting(s)

Location:

1145 Gayley Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90024

Standing/Walking

X

Sitting

X

X

Bending/Stooping

X

Squatting/Kneeling

X

Climbing

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull 0-25 lbs

X

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull 26-50 lbs

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull over 50 lbs

X

Physical requirements other

X

Chemicals, dust, gases, or fumes

X

Loud noise levels

X

Marked changes in humidity or temperature

X

Microwave/Radiation

X

Operating motor vehicles and/or equipment

X

Exposures other

X

Sustained attention and concentration

X

X

Complex problem solving/reasoning

X

X

Ability to organize & prioritize

X

X

Communication skills

X

X

Numerical skills

X

X

Mental demands other

X

X

Classification 3:  Position in which exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues is not part of the position description. The normal routine task involves no exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues and the employee can decline to perform tasks which involve a perceived risk without retribution.