International Student Advisor

NAFSA: Association of International Educators; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 47,000 - 57,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Vision/Dental/Life/Disability

Paid time off

Retirement plan

Tax-advantaged accounts

LinkedIn Learning

Tuition assistance

Employee discounts

Library access

UT Shuttle rides

Job summary

The University of Texas at Austin is seeking an International Student Advisor to provide expert immigration advising and holistic support to international students, ensuring compliance with federal regulations while aiding integration on campus. This role reports to the Global Engagement team and collaborates across departments to enhance student success.

The successful candidate will manage DHS and DOS processes as a DHS-DSO/ARO, advise on work authorizations and visa applications, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 3 years of professional experience in international student advising or immigration casework.
• Strong communication and intercultural skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced university environment.
• Familiarity with DHS/DSO responsibilities is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Advise international students on immigration status, work authorizations, and travel.
• Provide pre-arrival and arrival guidance for prospective and admitted students.
• Maintain accurate SEVIS records and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Collaborate with academic departments to support international student success.
• Assist with high-volume inquiries and provide timely responses.

Skills

Intercultural communication

Public speaking

Customer service

Multitasking

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

International Student Advisor

Employer The University of Texas at Austin

Location Austin, Texas

Salary $52,000+

Closing date Oct 24, 2026

Specialty Immigration Position Type Adviser / Advisor

Hours Full-time

Employment Type Permanent

Organization Type College / University

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

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

Company

The University of Texas at Austin is one of the largest public universities in the United States. Founded in 1883, the university has grown from a single building, eight teachers, two departments and 221 students to a 350-acre main campus with 21,000 faculty and staff, 16 colleges and schools and over 52,000 students. The university’s reach goes far beyond the borders of the main campus with satellite campuses and research centers across Texas, including the J.J. Pickle Research Campus, the Marine Science Institute, the McDonald Observatory, the Montopolis Research Center and the Brackenridge tract. With an enrollment of 11,000 students and more than 3,500 master’s and doctor’s degrees awarded annually, the graduate school is a national leader in graduate degrees awarded and one of the largest graduate schools in the nation. More than 8,700 bachelor’s degrees are awarded annually in more than 170 fields of study and 100 majors. The university has one of the most diverse student populations in the country and is a national leader in the number of undergraduate degrees awarded to minority students.