Immigration and Graduation Success Advisor

About Us

Since 1936 Columbia College has offered quality educational programs, including a University Transfer Program fully integrated into the BC Transfer System, an Associate Degree Program certified by the Ministry of Advanced Education, a University Preparatory Program, and a High School Program certified by the Ministry of Education. Thousands of Canadian and international students have progressed through Columbia College's programs to Canadian universities or successful careers.

The Opportunity

**Immigration and Graduation Success Advisor (RCIC or RISIA)**

Columbia College is seeking an **Immigration and Graduation Success Advisor** to join and collaborate with our Student Services department.

This is a fantastic career opportunity for a knowledgeable immigration specialist passionate about working with an international student body and contributing to diverse student services projects.

**SUMMARY**:
The Immigration and Graduation Success Advisor position's primary purpose is to analyze international students' needs and design research-informed tools, workshops, and documentation to enable successful student integration, retention and transition to life beyond graduation. The Advisor will also work on developing and implementing immigration-related policies, procedures, and services. This role works collaboratively with the Student Services department.

Key Responsibilities

The Advisor will be responsible for the following and other related duties assigned to support Columbia College students.

**Immigration Advising**:

- Provides guidance and acts as a resource person to international students about federal and provincial immigration policies and procedures.
- Assists students with resolving problems related to their immigration documents to the extent permitted by the level of certification obtained.
- Refers students to other professionals and ensures follow-up with immigration authorities, as needed.
- Advocate for international students in dealing with emerging issues.
- Keeps abreast of changes in immigration regulations and applies excellent knowledge of Canadian immigration law, regulations and policies as they pertain to International students
- Maintains confidential advising records/databases and provides statistical reports on service delivery as required.
- Keeps updated on best practices related to international student advising, immigration advising, and retention.
- Applies excellent knowledge of Canadian immigration law, regulations, and policies pertaining to international students.
- Monitors global events that may have an impact on Columbia College international students.
Develops, organizes and implements events on Immigration related topics.
- Updates all procedures/guidelines related to immigration for international students, including the following tasks:

- Study Permits (including secondary to post-secondary transition), Temporary Resident Visas, eTAs, Spousal Work Permits, Post-Graduation Work Permit, etc. (during orientation and at mid-semester. Two to three times per semester)
Follows up with students who are nearing the end of their status to remind them of their responsibilities
- Produces pamphlets and instruction guides for students on all related fields.
- Updates all online information ensuring accuracy, compliance, and usefulness for students.

**Medical Insurance**:

- Ensures that Medical Insurance documents are entered correctly in CAMS, and that expired entries are removed regularly.
- Correlates data on file with enrollments, ensuring that students have the correct policy required.
- Troubleshoots any enrollment issues with the insurance provider and system manager as and when they arise.

**Graduating Student Success Program**:

- Develops a series of events, workshops and information dissemination opportunities to prepare students for their transition to life after Columbia College
- Collaborates with Student Services team members and other departments to ensure that the needs of graduating students are met.
- Measures the success of the program and continuously strives for improvement.

**Convocation**:

- Assists the Student Services Manager with the planning and execution of the annual convocation ceremony and other related events.
- Bachelor's Degree in Education or related field.
- Must meet the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada requirements for certification as an Immigration Representative and active member with the Immigration Consultants of Canada **Regulatory Council as a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) or Regulated International Student Immigration Advisor (RISIA);**
- One to three years of related experience in areas such as in international education programming and student advising or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience;
- Excellent program administration and event coordination skills;
- Excellent interpersonal, organizational, analytical, problem-solving, communication, interview,