International Student Advisor

Berklee College of Music•Boston, MA

4d•$63,000 - $67,000•Onsite

About The Position

Berklee's international students comprise approximately 35% of our student body—among the highest percentages of any college or university in the nation. The Office of International Student Services (ISS) is seeking an enthusiastic International Student Advisor (ISA) to serve as a vital resource and Designated School Official (DSO) for a caseload of approximately 600 global artists. In this role, you will balance federal compliance with empathetic support, helping international creatives navigate immigration systems, cross-cultural differences, and life in the U.S. At Berklee, your work directly supports the next generation of creative leaders.

Requirements

Must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. legal permanent resident as mandated by federal regulations for all DSOs.
Bachelor's degree and professional or paraprofessional experience in International Education or Student Affairs working directly with diverse international student populations.
Exceptional intercultural competency, high emotional intelligence, acute attention to detail, and the ability to facilitate large group discussions for non-native English speakers.
Flexibility to work occasional evenings and weekends is required.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in student affairs, counseling, or international relations.
Bilingual proficiency and personal experience living, studying, or working abroad.
Familiarity with SEVIS batch systems, ISSM, Colleague, or PowerCampus.

Responsibilities

Research, interpret, and apply federal F-1 regulations to the specific, individual situations of international students.
Maintain compliant reporting to federal agencies via SEVIS and ISSM as required by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Keep data pristine within student information systems (Colleague and PowerCampus).
Counsel students on maintaining lawful status, part-time enrollment permissions, practical training (OPT/CPT), program extensions, and campus employment.
Issue Form I-20s and support USCIS applications like change of status or reinstatement.
Advise on non-immigration matters including cultural adjustment, campus resources, financial logistics, and career development.
Serve as a campus-wide resource for faculty and staff on intercultural topics.
Assist in planning and delivering international student orientation each semester, focusing on cross-cultural transition and academic expectations.
Help maintain web-based policy manuals, manage compliance communications, and recruit, hire, train, and supervise ISS student employees.
Participate in NAFSA and regional professional networks to track global and national regulatory shifts.