International Admissions Officer

Job Summary:

BCIT International is seeking a temporary, full-time International Admissions Officer to coordinate the full range of activities involved with international admissions. The successful candidate will be responsible for handling prospective international student inquiries, advising on transferability of courses, assisting in the preparation of successful applications, and final acceptance.

Key Responsibilities:

• Assist international students with admission procedures, pre-entry test registrations, completion of documentation requirements, application/transcript assessments, and referring of unusual course credit assessments to appropriate admission officers or program heads for further assessment.
• Recommend study pathways and options based on international student's educational background and work experience, provide information on BCIT programs and courses, including availability entrance requirements and application processes.
• Review international documents for high school entrance or post-secondary equivalents and assess based on past practices, research, and training; update the assessment database as required.
• Respond to international students and provide a safe and confidential environment with support and follow-up, both in person and online, to troubleshoot problems with student applications, registration, or start-up issues, and/or referral to other services and programs.
• Assess and make selection decisions and determine when files have reached the decision stage regarding acceptance; and, when required, forward applicant information to program areas where selection is done by program area.
• Ensure all applications and other documents pertaining to international student's acceptance to BCIT are assessed and processed within established deadlines.
• Pre-assess and follow-up on all incomplete applications; make decisions on whether to inform students to apply or cross-recruit to alternative program.
• Inform students of transferability of courses into BCIT programs; determine and enter transfer credits for accepted advanced placement and readmits applicants.
• Issue and sign letters of acceptance and other confirmation communications used to support study permit applications.
• Produce and send correspondence to applicants regarding entrance requirement deficiencies, fee payment requirements, registration information, and all status changes to their applications when required.
• Refer international students to CIC for information on study visas, work permits, and other pertinent information.
• Ensure that accepted applicants have fulfilled financial obligations to the institute by required deadlines; follow up with applicants as necessary.
• Inform and problem-solve with applicants by phone, email, and in-person, regarding program, fees, and prerequisite deficiencies and upgrading information.
• Maintain communications with the Registration department to confirm accuracy of student information, register students into courses and programs, receive payments, and resolve fee issues.
• Use and update the institute's student information system consistent with the rules and regulations set out by the Registrar's Office; keep up-to-date with new practices; attend admissions meetings and liaise with Admissions as required.
• Maintain international student information database and communicate with prospects as necessary.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge in the field of international education, cultural diversity, and immigration regulations through online research and workshop attendance. Collaborate with the international team, and provide feedback to internal staff, faculty, and administrators regarding international student or client needs.
• Promote BCIT programs and opportunities to recruit international students and provide input to the development of marketing materials.
• Liaise, collaborate, and follow-up with various internal departments and outside agencies on an on-going basis regarding international student application and acceptance matters.
• Participate in student orientation sessions, BCIT events, and education fairs and staff events/meetings. Ensure that all leads from prospective student inquiries obtained from events are handled in a timely manner.
• Liaise with the ISEP staff to ensure all ISEP+ eligible applications are processed and assessed in a timely manner.
• Register full-time and modified program students into courses associated with their program when required. Refer applicant and department/program area appeals/waiver requests to the Supervisor for recommendation to the Registrar.
• Maintain electronic and hard copy applicant files by ensuring that all pertinent documentation, information, and correspondence is received, and that it is updated and processed on a continual basis.
• Maintain waitlists and space reservation files when required. Follow up with applicants to assist with completion of their application, or design a path to acceptance to BCIT in the future. Withdraw accepted applicants who have not paid their fees and/or met conditions of provisional acceptance, and backfilling vacated seats with qualified applicants when required.
• Process applicant start date deferral requests, program cancellations, and adjust waitlists as changes occur.
• Correspond with students who have failed and have had their program status affected with respect to continuing their studies.
• Monitor enrolment activity to ensure that programs are filled to capacity by required deadlines.
• Prepare a variety of reports related to student demographics, contact information, part-time registration, and other statistical data; compile general student information for reporting purposes.
• Represent International Admissions at a variety of meetings; participate in working groups and project teams to improve services to international students.
• Maintain currency with CIC practices and attend CIC information sessions.
• Complete a variety of assigned projects delegated by management or from working group assignments.
• Provide coverage for other support staff in the department during peak times and vacation/illness coverage.
• Participate with International Student Centre's day-to-day activities during peak times and vacation/illness coverage.
• Participate in Records Custodian training and remain current with record-keeping practices, policies, and procedures (both BCIT and FOIPOP).
• Undertake related duties as assigned, consistent with the job grade of this position.

Qualifications:

The qualifications section for this position was developed using the approved job evaluation plan, agreed to between the BCGEU and BCIT. The qualifications represent the minimum qualifications required in the future (i.e., to be reflected in job postings) and do not reflect the incumbent's existing qualifications.

Education:

• Grade 12 plus completion of one year of post-secondary education including courses in business administration, management, computer systems, or completion of a relevant, one-year certificate program from a community college.

Experience:

• Two years general experience plus two years' practical, current experience in a post-secondary admissions environment.

Software/Computer Application(s) and Expertise:

• Knowledge and demonstrated experience with an on-line student records system, such as Banner.
• Microsoft Office, including Word and Excel, at the intermediate level.

Communication/Interpersonal Skills:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills; demonstrated leadership ability and the ability to work independently and in a team environment.
• Proven experience working effectively with diverse groups and stakeholders.
• Experience working within a culturally diverse environment.
• Strong ability to deal with various levels of staff, faculty, and administration in a professional manner.
• Exceptional customer service skills are required.

Administrative Skills (e.g., prioritizing, minute taking, wp speed, etc.):

• Must have a strong aptitude for planning, organization, attention to detail, and prioritizing tasks in order to meet deadlines in an efficient and timely manner.
• Accurate keyboarding skills of 50 wpm are required.

Other Skills:

• Must be adaptable to rapid changes in institute and department initiatives and in technology related to a Registrar's Office.
• Must have good judgment skills and demonstrated initiative.
• Strong ability to trouble-shoot, problem-solve, and use critical-thinking skills in a complex, fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment.

Benefits:

BCIT offers a competitive pay, minimum of fifteen days of vacation, competitive employer-paid extended health and dental plan, including access to a Health Care Spending Account of up to $325 if eligible, defined benefit pension plan with employer contributions, flexible hybrid work arrangements available, professional development funds and resources, access to most BCIT Flexible Learning courses free of charge, wellness and Employee Assistance programs, complimentary membership with free access to the Fitness Centre, Gymnasium, and more.

BCIT is committed to the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion and to promoting opportunities in hiring for systemically oppressed groups who have been excluded from full participation at BCIT and the larger community. This includes Indigenous Peoples, women, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, and those who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority.

Persons with disabilities who require accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact RecruitmentAssistant@bcit.ca. Please note that all applications must be submitted via the careers page portal. Email applications will not be accepted.

The British Columbia Institute of Technology acknowledges that our campuses are located on the unceded traditional territories of the Coast Salish Nations of xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səl̓ilwətaɁɬ (Tsleil-Waututh).