International Student Support Specialist

About the company

This position is part of the Defense Security Cooperation University (DSCU). The incumbent serves as as the International Student Support Specialist and provides expert advice, guidance, and recommendations for courses of action to leadership, staff, and faculty for accomplishing annual and long-range objectives for the administration and management of the international students' program, inclusive of mobile and resident education and training programs and related alumni outreach activities.

Your tasks

As a International Student Support Specialist at the GS-0301-9/11/12 some of your typical work assignments may include: Analyzes administrative requirements for international student participation in organizational programs to develop, plan, and establish program milestones. Plans and conducts studies and projects to measure program effectiveness and determine the degree to which overall program objectives are achieved. Advises and collaborates with management and staff regarding related international student support and administration, training modifications, and program management issues and concerns. Collects metrics-based analysis of current and proposed program efforts to ensure compliance with management objectives, assigned resources/funding, and other policy and legal requirements. Serves as an expert to leadership, staff, and faculty for effectively dealing with international students regarding the observance and preparation for a wide range of language, cultural, and religious differences, as well as disciplinary problems and other sensitive areas associated with international student program administration. Plans and coordinates Field Study Program (FSP) activities, including details such as transportation, lodging and meals, scheduling escort personnel, disbursement of funds and maintenance of required documentation. Assists with developing forecasts and budget plans, validating spending priorities, and preparing International Students Program spending plan to the Financial Office for funding. Manages the entire arrival, residence, and departure processes to include completion of passports, visas, and applicable security and/or other vetting requirements, verification of funding for training, travel order preparation and voucher processing assisting with securing lodging, transportation, medical support, and other requirements for daily living.

Requirements

To qualify for an International Student Support Specialist, your resume and supporting documentation must support:

• A. Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience that equipped you with the particular competencies to successfully perform the duties of the position and is directly in or related to this position. To qualify at the GS-12 level, applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level or equivalent under other pay systems in the Federal service, military or private sector. To qualify at the GS-11 level, applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level or equivalent under other pay systems in the Federal service, military or private sector. To qualify at the GS-09 level, applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level or equivalent under other pay systems in the Federal service, military or private sector. Applicants must meet eligibility requirements including time-in-grade (General Schedule (GS) positions only), time-after-competitive appointment, minimum qualifications, and any other regulatory requirements by the cut-off/closing date of the announcement. Creditable specialized experience includes:
• GS-12: Administering an education or training program for international students assisting with program budget formulation and execution analyzing data to determine issues or problems and providing input on resolutions coordinating support services and orientation programs for international students.
• GS-11: Administering and coordinating functions for international education and training programs applying international training policies and procedures coordinating student nominations, selection, travel, orientation, academic support, lodging, activities, and in/out-processing analyzing data and developing schedules, reports, and performance measures supporting program budgets, expenditures and travel claims.
• GS-09: assisting with the administration and coordination of education or training programs for international military, government, or civilian participants supporting student in/out-processing, orientation, travel, lodging, transportation, and academic records applying established policies and procedures; and maintaining program files, student records, schedules, correspondence, reports, and financial documentation.
• B. Education Substitution: Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. Education must be from a college or university accredited by an organization approved by the U.S. Department of Education. See http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/Search.aspx. If using education to meet basic qualifications, YOU MUST SUBMIT A TRANSCRIPT as supplemental documentation. To qualify based on education in lieu of specialized experience, you must possess:
• GS-11: Ph.D., equivalent doctoral degree, or three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a doctorate in a directly related field.
• GS-09: master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D
• C. Combination: Combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements for grade levels GS-09 and GS-11, and may be computed by first determining the applicant's total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level; then determining the applicant's education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level; and then adding the two percentages. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for that grade level. Only graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be used to qualify applicants for positions at grade GS-09 and GS-11 Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
• Additional Information: Incumbent must attain DoD Security Cooperation Workforce (SCW) Certification and complete related continuous learning requirements in accordance with the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) 2017, Title 10 United States Code, Section 384, and Security Cooperation Certification Program 2.0 requirements. Requirements for Proficiency Level 2 - At least 1 year of successful SC work experience with a performance appraisal rating of 3 or better. Incumbent must complete DoD SCW Practitioner level certification requirements within two years of entering the SC position. In addition, 60 hours of continuing education (CUE) every two years.

GS-12 only: Substitution of education may not be used in lieu of specialized experience for this grade level. ARE YOU USING YOUR EDUCATION TO QUALIFY? You MUST provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims. All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement.

• GRADUATE EDUCATION: One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours that your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study.
• Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis.
• If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study.
• Foreign education may be qualifying if a private organization specializing in interpreting foreign education programs has deemed the foreign education equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program or a U.S. accredited college or university has given full credit for the foreign courses.
• Unofficial transcripts from U.S. Department of Education accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions listing your name, the name of the school, the date and degree awarded, and the list of classes and credits earned are acceptable for the application process.
• If selected, official transcripts are required before a firm job offer is made.
• A photocopy of your degree/diploma is not acceptable.
• When relying on foreign education, submit transcripts and a copy of the equivalency evaluation results letter with a course-by-course listing.
• Documents must be in English or include an English translation.
• The hiring employer for this position does not evaluate degrees from foreign colleges or universities.
• For further information, visit: Foreign Education