Advisor, Center for International Student and Services

Bentley University; Waltham (MA); On-site; USD 54,000 - 87,000; Full time

Job summary

Bentley University in Massachusetts is seeking an International Student & Scholar Advisor to join the Center for International Student & Scholar. The advisor serves as a Designated School Official (DSO) and Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) for the university's 1000+ international students and scholars, guiding visa matters and student services.

You will develop programs for orientation and international education week, coordinate data management, and collaborate with campus partners to

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required with 1–2 years of related experience in international student advising.
• Evidence of U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency to sign immigration documents.
• Experience in a higher education setting or with international students.
• Strong understanding and empathy for the needs of international students.
• Proficiency with planning, organizing, assessing and delivering events for students.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including writing, presentations, and communicating to non-native speakers.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Designated School Official (DSO) and Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) for 1000+ international students, scholars, and dependents; perform SEVIS-related processes.
• Advise students via email, in-person meetings, and advising hours on visa matters in compliance with SEVP; issue Forms I-20 and DS-2019.
• Develop and implement programs for orientation, international education week, and informational sessions; educate and assist the international community.
• Assist with data management and office databases; support international scholar intake and J-1 orientations.
• Collaborate with campus partners; draft mass communications and update office procedures and immigration policy.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Writing ability

Presentation skills

Non-native English communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

Terra Dotta

Job description

Job Description Summary

The International Student & Scholar Advisor is a core member of Bentley’s Center for International Student & Scholar team. The International Student Advisor serves as both a Designated School Official (DSO) and Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) for international students and scholars. The Advisor performs a wide range of duties to meet the needs of graduate and undergraduate international students including advising students on maintaining lawful status, resolving concerns, orientating new students and scholars, initiating and providing programs for international students. The advisor also supports a caseload of international scholars.

Essential Duties

Serves as Designated School Official (DSO) and Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) for a population of 1000+ international students, scholars, and their dependents in the F and J non-immigrant visa classifications; responsible for performing a variety of SEVIS related processes and functions to update and maintain accurate student and scholar records. Advises student case load via email, in-person meetings, and open advising hours regarding visa-related matters in compliance with the Student & Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). Issues Forms I-20 and DS-2019 and updates student and scholar immigration records. Develops and implements programs with and for international students including new student orientation, international education week, informational sessions and presentations on regulatory processes, educate the international community, and aid in campus adjustment Works collaboratively with campus partners to support international students and scholars. Assists with drafting mass communications and website updates to students, including but not limited to general reminders about maintaining status, updates to office procedures and changes to immigration policy. Aids in data management and maintenance of office databases and systems. Assists with international scholar intake through document processing, liaising with academic departments, creation of DS-2019s, and facilitating J-1 visa orientations. Manages confidential student records data in accordance with university, FERPA, USCIS, DHS, and DOS regulations. Supervises and coordinates training for the CISS graduate intern.

Other Duties

Support divisional programming and student support initiatives, including serving as a BentleyPlus Advisor by attending trainings, facilitating advising sessions and sending follow-up communications to advisees. Other duties, as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required with 1 to 2 years of related experience, preferably in an international student advising office.
• Evidence of U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency (required to sign immigration documents and DSO / ARO authorization, a standard job responsibility of this position).
• Experience in a higher education setting or other setting working with international students.
• Strong understanding of and empathy for the unique needs of international students.
• Evidence of quick adaptability to technology and systems.
• Proficiency in planning, organizing, assessing and delivering a wide variety of events for a range of students.
• Ability to research and analyze information, including government documents and regulations, to solve problems.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including strong writing ability, presentation skills, and the ability to communicate effectively to non-native speakers of English.
• Ability to balance competing priorities and meet deadlines in a high-pressure environment.
• Detail oriented, self-directed, and the ability to handle multiple tasks.
• Ability to work occasional nights and weekends as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree or 3-5 years of relevant work experience strongly preferred.
• Strong IT skills.
• Experience using batching software (Terra Dotta preferred) or related international student database management and project management tools strongly recommended.

Work Environment

• Fast-paced office environment with extensive sitting and computer work.
• Ability to maintain a hybrid schedule, including in-person and remote work.
• Occasional evening and weekend hours to support office and greater university programming.

Pay Transparency

At Bentley we offer a “total rewards” package designed to attract, motivate, retain, and reward our employees. This includes competitive compensation, robust benefits, career development and opportunities, generous paid time off, workplace flexibility and a positive, engaging employee experience. In alignment with the Massachusetts Pay Transparency Act and our commitment to equity and transparency, we’re sharing the salary grade range for this role. The grade range is based on market data and the scope of responsibilities. Final pay will depend on your experience, education, and other relevant qualifications. Salary Grade Range: $53,889 - $86,674 per year If you have questions about the salary grade range or need additional information, please contact us at [e-mail] Bentley University requires references checks and may conduct other pre-employment screening.

DIVERSITY STATEMENT

Bentley University strives to create a campus community that welcomes the exchange of ideas, and fosters a culture that values differences and views them as a strength in our community. Bentley University is an Equal Opportunity Employer, building strength through diversity. The University is committed to building a community of talented students, faculty and staff who reflect the diversity of global business. We strongly encourage applications from persons from underrepresented groups, individuals with disabilities, covered veterans and those with diverse experiences and backgrounds. Bentley University seeks to attract talented individuals who are committed to our mission of educating creative, ethical and socially responsible students who will become organizational leaders nationally and internationally. All members of our faculty and administrative staff play a critical role in creating an inspiring, compassionate and diverse community that cultivates the lifelong development of our students. Bentley believes that promoting diversity plays an essential role in its educational mission by fostering greater innovation and creativity, attracting the widest pool of qualified applicants to its work force, and enhancing its communication and relationships with the community. Bentley is proud to be an employer of choice, offering competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits (including tuition remission), generous time off, a welcoming community and a beautiful work environment.

Bentley University does not accept resumes from agencies that have not signed a formal agreement with us.