International Student Advisor, Sponsored and General Advising

University of Texas at Austin•UT MAIN CAMPUS, UT

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) is a large public university committed to global engagement, hosting over 5,600 international students and 1,500 international scholars. Texas Global supports this mission by leading and coordinating international engagement efforts. The International Student Advisor, Sponsored and General Advising role is crucial for providing expert immigration advising and holistic support to international students, enabling their success. This position will primarily advise sponsored students, helping them navigate federal regulations and sponsor compliance, while also supporting the general international student population. The role involves collaborating within the advising team and reporting to the advising team lead.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree and three years of professional experience in international student advising or immigration casework.
Demonstrated ability to implement creative solutions and take initiative while working as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.
Strong skills in professional and intercultural communication and public speaking.
Proven capability to multitask and keep projects well-organized and on deadline.
Strong computer and technological proficiency.
Commitment to high-quality and efficient customer service.
Equivalent combination or substitution of relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.
Due to federal database access requirements, only U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents may apply for this position.

Nice To Haves

Significant experience advising students on F-1 and J-1 immigration regulations in a university context.
Experience as a Designated School Official (DSO and Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO).
Experience working with Sunapsis database.
Experience advising sponsored students within a university context, including familiarity with sponsor relationships and coordination.

Responsibilities

Serve as the dedicated advisor for sponsored students, providing specialized guidance on sponsor compliance requirements, funding conditions, third-party billing, and home institution expectations alongside standard immigration advising.
Provide pre-arrival and arrival immigration guidance to prospective and admitted students across sponsored and general international student populations.
Advise students on work authorizations, immigration document extensions, status maintenance, visa applications, and international travel.
Navigate complex cases involving U.S. Department of Homeland Security and State Department regulations.
Empower student success through comprehensive counseling on university life, community integration, and the American educational experience.
Assist students with practical matters, including finances, transportation, employment, and campus adjustment.
Support high-volume email inquiries through the general team inboxes, collaborating with assistant advisors to ensure timely responses.
Serve as a DHS Designated School Official (DSO) and Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO).
Maintain accurate records in SEVIS and university student information systems, ensuring strict compliance with federal regulations.
Process immigration applications and documentation with precision and efficiency.
Communicate directly with federal agencies and sponsors regarding immigration benefits for students.
Contribute actively to building team expertise in immigration regulations and compliance best practices.
Partner with academic departments and sponsors in consultation with ISSS leadership to enhance support for international students.
Serve as liaison to University offices, advocating effectively for sponsored and general international student populations.
Contribute compelling content for student communications, including emails, webpages, and presentations, while maintaining Texas Global branding standards.
Participate in delivering workshops, orientation sessions, and programming activities that connect the sponsored and general international student populations with the University community.
Champion ISSS and Texas Global priorities through active participation in programs and community-building events.
Contribute to innovation through collaborative participation in staff meetings and working groups focused on enhancing service delivery.
Foster a sense of belonging by supporting and staffing programs that connect international students and scholars with each other and the greater University community.