International Student Advisor

Phase2 Technology; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 47,000 - 57,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive benefits package

Paid time off and holidays

Tuition assistance

Job summary

The University of Texas at Austin seeks an International Student Advisor to provide immigration advising and holistic support to international students, guiding them through federal regulations and campus life. This role reports to the Global Engagement team and emphasizes collaboration and high-quality service.

Working at UT Austin, you’ll join a department that assists thousands of students and scholars, with a strong focus on compliance, outreach, and student success in a vibrant university

Qualifications

• 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.

Responsibilities

• Serve as an advisor for the University's international student population with an emphasis on those in F-1 and J-1 immigration status.
• Provide pre-arrival and arrival immigration guidance to prospective and admitted students.
• 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 inbox, collaborating with assistant advisors and document and compliance specialists to ensure timely responses.

Skills

Intercultural communication

Public speaking

Teamwork

Multitasking

Computer proficiency

Customer service

Immigration advising

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Job Posting Title: International Student Advisor

Hiring Department: Global Engagement

Position Open To: All Applicants

Weekly Scheduled Hours: 40

FLSA Status: Exempt from FLSA

Earliest Start Date: Immediately

Position Duration: Expected to Continue

Location: UT MAIN CAMPUS

Job Details

General Notes

The University's 19 colleges and schools enroll over 53,000 students and rank among the top 10 public universities in the U.S. Texas Global is the university's global engagement arm and a recognized leader in international education, based on the success of the programs we deliver and the number of individuals we support. We serve more than 9,000 international students and scholars, as well as more than 4,600 students on education abroad programs annually.

Texas Global advances UT Austin's academic mission by leading, supporting, and coordinating the university's international engagement efforts, fostering strategic partnerships on campus and abroad, welcoming a cadre of impressive international students and scholars to campus, and creating opportunities for students and faculty to engage with peers and institutions around the world. Texas Global is comprised of nine units, home to over 140 staff members, and continued growth of the organization is expected.

Your skills will make a difference. You'll be working for a university that is internationally recognized for our academic programs and research. Your work will make a difference in the lives of faculty and staff, thereby enhancing the student experience. If you're the type of person that wants to know your work has meaning and impact, you'll like working in our department and for UT Austin.

UT Austin provides an outstanding benefits package including but not limited to:

• Competitive health benefits (employee premiums covered at 100%, family premiums at 50%)
• Voluntary Vision, Dental, Life, and Disability insurance options
• Generous paid vacation, sick time, and holidays
• Teachers Retirement System of Texas, a defined benefit retirement plan, with employer matching funds
• Additional Voluntary Retirement Programs: Tax Sheltered Annuity 403(b) and a Deferred Compensation program 457(b)
• Flexible spending account options for medical and childcare expenses
• Robust free training access through LinkedIn Learning plus professional conference opportunities
• Tuition assistance
• Expansive employee discount program including athletic tickets
• Free access to UT Austin's libraries and museums with staff ID card
• Free rides on all UT Shuttle and Austin CapMetro buses with staff ID card

Purpose

You'll serve as a vital resource for international students, providing expert immigration advising and holistic support that enables their success at the University. As a trusted advisor, you'll guide students through complex federal regulations while supporting their integration into university life and the broader community. This position works collaboratively within the advising team and reports to the advising team lead in student advising services.

Responsibilities

Student Advising and Support

• Serve as an advisor for the University's international student population with an emphasis on those in F-1 and J-1 immigration status
• Provide pre-arrival and arrival immigration guidance to prospective and admitted students
• 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 inbox, collaborating with assistant advisors and document and compliance specialists to ensure timely responses

Immigration Compliance

• 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 regarding immigration benefits for students
• Contribute actively to building team expertise in immigration regulations and compliance best practices

Communication and Outreach

• Partner with academic departments to enhance support for international students across colleges and schools
• Serve as liaison to University offices, advocating effectively for international student needs
• 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 international students with the University community

Team and Institutional Support

• 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
• Support and attend programs that foster a sense of belonging among international students and scholars and to the greater University community.

Required Qualifications

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.

Important Note

Due to federal database access requirements, only U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents may apply for this position.

Preferred Qualifications

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.

Salary Range

$52,000 + depending on qualifications

Working Conditions

Work in a shared office environment. Work around standard office conditions. This position is located in Austin, Texas.

Required Materials

• Resume/CV
• 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor
• Letter of interest

Employment Eligibility

Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

Retirement Plan Eligibility

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

Background Checks

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer,complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

Pay Transparency

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information.

Employment Eligibility Verification

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

E-Verify

The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university's company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:

• E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (English) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

Compliance

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031.

The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.