NAFSA: Association of International Educators

Region VI

Job Description

Regulatory Ombudsman

Term: Two years (renewable for a third year)

Number: Two positions

Appointment: By the Regional Chair (in consultation with the current Regulatory Ombudsman and regional team)

Qualifications:

Extensive expertise with immigration regulations in an educational setting, ability to work in a liaison capacity with regional/district/local government agencies, and support of the home institution to carry out the responsibilities of the Regulatory Ombudsman position.

Responsibilities:

1)  Keep abreast of current federal legislative initiatives, regulations and policies of the U.S. government agencies affecting international study, teaching, and research exchange in the U.S., notably Department of Homeland Security, Department of State, Department of Labor, Social Security Administration, and IRS.

2)  Provide case intervention/regulatory problem solving and engage in practice advocacy with government officials to foster an appropriate interpretation of existing regulations and best practices.

3)  Provide case-based technical assistance to international education professionals and to government officials.

4)  Report trends and disseminate information regarding the interpretation of agency practices.

5)  Ensure that sessions potentially involving government representation are provided at regional conferences. This may include generating/soliciting proposals, enacting a review of proposals, recruiting presenters and participating in the presentation as necessary. Additionally, provide recommendations to relevant KC team representatives for sessions with regulatory content that do not require government representation.

6)  Participate in meetings (e.g., meetings at relevant CIS service centers/offices) and conference calls with government officials and/or other Regulatory Ombusdmen.

7)  Participate in Regulatory Ombudsman functions at the national level, as possible.

8)  Utilize regional communication forums (e.g., regional website, newsletter, listserv, regional meetings and conferences) for dissemination of information.

9)  Support and participation in regional training activities to help international education professionals find and use available resources such as the Advisor’s Manual and Companion Web site, NAFSA.news, Practice Advisories, summaries of liaison calls, practice tools, and other resources.

10)  Participate in regional team meetings as a representative for members within the region working with immigration-related issues.

11)  Identify potential members in the Region and encourage membership in NAFSA.

12)  Attend NAFSA’s annual conference and the Regulatory Ombudsman meetings and activities at the conference, if possible.

Time Commitment:

Time commitment averages about one hour per day throughout the year.

Note: All team positions must meet the standard qualifications and requirements articulated in the General Requirements of Team Positions.