International Student Advisor

Job Title:

International Student Advisor

Job Summary:

GENERAL SCOPE OF POSITION:
Reporting to the Assistant Director of International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS), the International Student Advisor performs duties in the two primary functional areas of immigration reporting and international student advising. The first functional area involves responsibility for reviewing and processing immigration document requests from international students and exchange visitors and assisting with federally-mandated compliance requirements related to the Student and Exchange Visitor Immigration System (SEVIS). The second functional area includes advising students, faculty and staff on immigration regulations and reporting requirements. This will also include resiliency efforts to retain our international student population.
The International Student Advisor also assists with University retention programs and services through efforts that foster a sense of belonging and community for international students and exchange visitors. ISSS supports approximately 1500 international students and exchange visitors each year.

Full Job Description:

ACCOUNTABILITY:

As part of the larger USF Community, the International Student Advisor collaborates and cooperates with other staff and across divisions and departments to create a supportive University community that encourages and supports student learning and development by:

• Manifesting the mission, vision and values of the University

• Advancing the division’s mission and commitments

• Embracing the strategic priorities of the division and University

• Engaging differences in a manner that allows students with diverse perspectives, experiences and traditions to thrive within the University community

• Providing experiences that challenge students to develop spiritually, intellectually, emotionally, physically, socially, culturally, and morally in order to prepare them to contribute to the University community and to the world

• Drawing out the leadership qualities inherent in every individual, and to providing opportunities for students to apply knowledge and skills

• Creating an environment that supports a socially responsible way of being together in community

• Recognizing and celebrating the achievements and contributions of all students

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Serves as a Designated School Official (DSO) for the university’s F-1 student program and as an Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) for the university’s J-1 exchange visitor program. (Must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident as required by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Department of State).

• Enters and maintains accurate student and exchange visitor data and generates SEVIS events using information systems including, but not limited to, Banner, the Terra Dotta database system and SEVIS batch file processing software, and the SEVIS Real Time Interface (RTI).

• Provides support for the university’s compliance with federal regulations governing students and exchange visitors, including required updates to students’ and exchange visitors’ SEVIS records.

• In collaboration with ISSS staff,  advise students and exchange visitors in a variety of matters including U.S. immigration regulations, cultural adjustment, personal matters, financial concerns, and university procedures. 

• Analyzes and interprets data for the timely and accurate processing of SEVIS events and production of immigration documents for students and exchange visitors

• Collaborates with offices and departments (e.g., Admission, Registrar, International Admission, academic departments, CASA, AEM, etc.) to provide an integrated experience that helps international students and exchange visitors navigate campus processes and the U.S. culture.

• In concert with the other ISSS staff, assist and/or lead the development, delivery and assessment of orientations, programs, and events for international students and exchange visitors, including International Student Orientation, International Education Week, and employment-related / tax workshops. 

• Provides support and advocate for international students by working with student clubs and organizations, and through outreach to determine student needs. 

• In collaboration with the other ISSS staff, assists with retention programs and services through efforts that provide a welcoming and supportive environme