ISSS Assistant Director of IT Operations - University of Pennsylvania

University Overview


The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.




Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.




The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.








Posted Job Title

ISSS Assistant Director of IT Operations





Job Profile Title

Business Systems Analyst Senior





Job Description Summary

Reporting to the Director of Advising, Compliance, IT and Operations of the International Student and Scholar Services, the Assistant Director will supervise a Data Analyst (IT staff). The position will be responsible for the IT and operational support for the office. This position will maintain iPenn, ISSS website, slack and other IT systems utilized at ISSS, which include Sunapsis releases, ColdFusion security updates for iPenn, integrations with CyberSource and eShipGlobal, and coordination with ISC and outside vendors, such as Indianna University or WRIS, for iPenn system administration. This position will lead technology-based projects to continually streamline and modernize the ISSS experience for clients and staff, including iPenn and related systems. This position will liaise with other central Penn units that handle international student/scholar/faculty processes, including student records/NGSS project and HR records/HCM project. As liaison, this position is responsible to increase shared understanding with these units, clarify responsibilities, reduce redundancy of processes, and increase mutual responsiveness to clients. With support from the other IT staff, this position will ensure optimal data integrity and utilization of data to support ISSS operations and Penn Global’s strategic vision. This position will oversee the use of data automation and data analysis techniques to address regulatory requirements of SEVIS. This position is responsible for identification and implementation of technical solutions to address issues that are discovered through data analysis. The position will be in charge of providing upper tier technical support for issues that are escalated from the first tier support staff. Technical support may be required by international students, scholars, faculty, administrators, and staff in person, by phone, and via email or Zoom. As iPenn application administrator, this position will work with ISC Information Security office to monitor and enhance information security in iPenn. This position will oversee customization of system features, such as website enhancement, batch email templates, e-form templates, standardized reports, and questionnaires, to support ISSS office and Penn community needs. This position will be part of the ISSS leadership team to provide leadership and consultation to the Penn community for immigration and integration matters and work with the university wide community to disseminate information related to immigration regulation changes.





Job Description


Job Responsibilities



+ Lead technology-based projects to continually streamline and modernize the ISSS experience for clients and staff, including iPenn and related systems. Supervise a full-time staff.


+ Ensure optimal data integrity and utilization of data to support ISSS operations and Penn Global’s strategic vision. Oversee the use of data automation and data analysis techniques to address regulatory requirements of SEVIS. The Assistant Director is responsible for identification and implementation of technical solutions to address issues that are discovered through data analysis.


+ Maintain iPenn and other ISSS IT systems, including Sunapsis releases, ColdFusion security updates for iPenn, Drupal security updates for Wiki, integrations with CyberSource and eShipGlobal, and coordination with ISC and outside vendors for IT maintenance.


+ This position will be part of the ISSS leadership team to provide leadership and consultation to the Penn community. Advise international students, scholars, faculty, administrators for immigration and integration matters as needed.


+ Oversee customization of system features, such as website enhancement, batch email templates, e-form templates, standardized reports, and questionnaires, to support ISSS office and Penn community needs.


+ Liaise with other central Penn units that handle international student/scholar/faculty processes, including student records/NGSS project and HR records/HCM project. As liaison, this position is responsible to increase shared understanding with these units, clarify responsibilities, reduce redundancy of processes, and increase mutual responsiveness to clients.


+ The position will be in charge of providing upper tier technical support for issues that are escalated from the first tier support staff. Technical support may be required by international students, scholars, faculty, administrators, and staff in person, by phone, and via email.


+ As iPenn application administrator, work with ISC Information Security office to monitor and enhance information security in iPenn. Standard security scans should be conducted regularly, and results reviewed by both ISSS and ISC staff to identify, assess and address potential issues.





Qualifications



+ REQUIRED: Bachelor's degree in a technical or business-related discipline and a minimum of three years related experience; demonstrated experience in developing software customization using ColdFusion or a comparable language such as Python, C++, or Java; proficiency with databases and relational database design; advanced technical skills with SQL and Excel; excellent organizational, analytical, critical thinking and problem solving skills; excellent oral and written communication skills; the ability to learn and work independently in a collaborative environment, apply new technologies and business rules efficiently and promptly, and possess problem solving skills in proposing technical solutions to reduce data/system redundancy and ensure data integrity. Prior supervisory experience is a plus. U.S. Citizenship or legal permanent residency status as required by federal regulations.


+ DESIRED: Experience with database management and ColdFusion strongly desired; hands on experience with windows server administration and ColdFusion security strongly desired. Demonstrated experience with maintaining complex dataset and customer records. Demonstrated knowledge with SEVIS in F and J or employment-based petition requirements; DSO/ARO, SEVIS and Sunapsis system experience; and cross-cultural or multi-cultural experience.



Application Requirement



+ A Cover Letter and Resume/CV are required to be considered for this position. Please upload your Cover Letter where it asks you to upload your Resume/CV; multiple documents are allowed.







Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania





Department / School

Penn Global





Pay Range

$74,476.00 - $85,000.00 Annual Rate

Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, as well as internal and market factors and grade profile.










Affirmative Action Statement Penn adheres to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.




Special Requirements Background check required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.




University Benefits

+ Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts : Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.

+ Tuition : Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits . You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.

+ Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.

+ Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.

+ Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.

+ Wellness and Work-life Resources : Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.

+ Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.

+ University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.

+ Discounts and Special Services : From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.

+ Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.

+ Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.

+ Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.




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To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay



The University of Pennsylvania's special character is reflected in the diversity of the Penn community. We seek talented faculty and staff who will constitute a vibrant community that draws on the strength that comes with a substantive institutional commitment to diversity along dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, veteran status, interests, perspectives, and socioeconomic status. Grounded in equal opportunity, nondiscrimination, and affirmative action, Penn's robust commitment to diversity is fundamental to the University's mission of advancing knowledge, educating leaders for all sectors of society, and public service. The University of Pennsylvania prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.