International Student Advisor

Brigham Young University – Hawaii

4d•$67,000 - $75,000•Onsite

About The Position

The International Student Advisor serves as a federally appointed Designated School Official (DSO) for the F-1 Student Program and Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) for the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program. The position provides guidance to international students on maintaining their nonimmigrant status and institutional processes within the scope of the DSO and ARO roles as authorized by federal regulations. Responsibilities include administering SEVIS functions, monitoring student compliance with immigration requirements, educating students on their responsibilities, coordinating with campus partners, and supporting institutional compliance with U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Department of State (DOS) regulations. This position promotes student success while ensuring full compliance with federal immigration regulations, institutional policies, and accreditation standards.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in international studies, political science, counseling, education or a related field and three (3) years of relevant professional work experience in student services or related education/experience.
Experience leading or directing the work of others.
A Designated School Official (DSO) and Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) for SEVIS must be either a citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States.
Experience with common office software programs (e.g., Microsoft Office, databases).
Demonstrated strong abilities and skills in managing challenging or stressful circumstances, solving complex problems, and meeting deadlines when handling multiple cases.
Demonstrated high level of attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
Demonstrated strong interpersonal, cross-cultural, written and verbal communication skills, ability to establish professional relationships with international population and campus offices, and to speak in front of large groups.
Demonstrated excellent customer service skills and interpersonal skills; ability to interact with others in a warm, friendly and supportive manner, creating a climate of trust, consideration, and mutual respect.
Demonstrated ability to work as a team, as well as working independently.
Demonstrated cultural sensitivity.

Nice To Haves

A Master’s degree in a related field may substitute for one (1) year of professional work experience.
Any combination of relevant education and professional experience may be substituted for the educational requirement on a year‐for‐year basis.
Master’s degree in international studies, college student personnel, or a related field.
Experience working with marketing, communications, outreach, and programming.
Experience as a DSO/ARO.
Experience in a university international student-service office.
Experience working and/or living abroad.
Experience working on SUNAPSIS case management system.
Knowledge or proficiency of a foreign language.
Knowledge of Federal regulations governing F-1, F-2, J-1, and J-2 status.
Understanding of how immigration and academics intersect.

Responsibilities

Serve and maintain qualifications as a DHS Designated School Official (DSO) and DOS Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) for BYUH as a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) sponsor.
Know and understand the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) that govern F-1 and J-1 students and their programs to serve as a high-functioning and collaborative partner to the team of DSOs and AROs.
Advise prospective, newly admitted, continuing, and graduating international students regarding F-1 and J-1 immigration regulations and maintenance of lawful status.
Counsel and assist international students on matters related to university life and the U.S. study experience, including finances, transportation, employment, campus adjustment, and immigration status maintenance.
Explain immigration and academic requirements related to enrollment, travel, employment, extensions, transfers, leave of absence, reduced course loads, program completion, and other student immigration matters.
Counsel students on maintaining compliance with federal immigration regulations and university policies so that they clearly understand their responsibilities, rights, and benefits under their visa classifications.
Refer students to qualified immigration attorneys or government agencies when requests extend beyond the scope of institutional immigration advising.
Maintain compliance with F-1 regulations (8 CFR §214.2(f)), J-1 Exchange Visitor Program regulations (22 CFR Part 62), SEVP policy guidance, Department of State Exchange Visitor Program guidance, relevant immigration policies, employment law, as well as state and local laws.
Assist with routine audits of student records in Sunapsis and SEVIS.
Assist with maintenance of enrollment, registration, and end of program compliance.
Assist with timely federal reporting requirements are met.
Actively participate in department training and study to develop subject matter expertise in federal regulations governing F-1 and J-1 students.
Serve alongside fellow advisors as campus experts on F-1 and J-1 regulations, as well as relevant immigration policies and processes.
Demonstrate proper understanding and application of immigration regulations and university policies, taking appropriate initiative and exercising discretion within the scope of assigned duties.
Assist with the marketing, communications, outreach, and programming initiatives of the department.
Serve as a resource to campus departments to support international students admitted and enrolled in their degree programs.
Coordinate, schedule, and facilitate programming, orientations, campus outreach events, workshops, and info-sessions to increase campus-wide understanding about the F-1 and J-1 programs.
Manage focus groups and surveys for student experience feedback.
Collaborate with partnering departments on joint programming events, including semesterly check-ins, new student orientations, special-topic sessions, and dependent-specific activities.
Serve as liaison to university offices and departments to support the needs of international students.
Contribute written content for regular student communication, including emails, webpages, social media, and other channels.
Manage the student team.
Maintain the department calendar of programming and events, planned out a year in advance.
Develop and manage programming for F-1 and J-1 students and their dependents (F-2 and J-2).
Work alongside leadership to maintain website content and revisions.
Maintain working knowledge of the university's branding and communication standards.
Integrate the university’s mission and vision in all ISS priorities and workflow processes.
Actively support BYUH as an SEVP sponsor by demonstrating and executing high performance at ISS.
Regularly attend and contribute to ISS programs and events held for international students and campus community.
Attend staff meetings and training while managing an assigned stewardship and supporting those managed by fellow advisors in the department.
Provide excellent customer service to international students and campus community.