International Student & Scholar Advisor

Northeastern University; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 49,000 - 67,000; Full time

Job summary

Northeastern University seeks an International Student & Scholar Advisor (ISSA) to guide F-1 and J-1 students and scholars through immigration processes across campuses. The ISSA serves as a Designated School Official (DSO) and Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO), providing compliant advising and coordinating with multiple departments.

Reporting to OGS leadership, the ISSA helps maintain SEVIS records, supports regulatory training, and enhances services for international students and scholars,

Qualifications

• U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency is required for all DSO/ARO roles.
• Bachelor's degree or higher.
• One to three years of DSO/ARO experience with SEVIS.
• Experience working with international students and scholars across their lifecycle.
• Ability to multitask and manage a high-volume caseload.
• Strong interpersonal, written and verbal communication; intercultural competence.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and web-based applications.

Responsibilities

• Advise F-1 and J-1 students and scholars to maintain status and employment eligibility.
• Create, update, and maintain SEVIS records and reportable events.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of federal regulations, SEVIS procedures, and OGS policies.
• Provide guidance to departments on regulatory requirements and OGS procedures.
• Advise on logistical matters (SSN, driver’s license, state IDs).
• Coordinate with DHS, SEVP, DOS, CBP, USCIS regarding student requests and travel.
• Design and deliver regulatory training for students and staff.
• Collaborate with campus advisors to support international student advising.

Skills

DSO/ARO experience

SEVIS knowledge

Intercultural communication

Multitasking / organizational skills

Privacy and confidentiality

Microsoft Office

Independent work style

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Sunapsis

SEVIS reporting systems

Job description

Job Summary: Northeastern University provides immigration advising and support to over 24,000 F-1 and J-1 nonimmigrant international students, scholars, and alumni from 149 countries, making it one of the most globally diverse institutions in the United States. The Office of Global Services (OGS) plays a critical role in supporting this population through immigration advising, compliance, and student-centered services across the university's campuses.

About The Opportunity

Job Summary: Northeastern University provides immigration advising and support to over 24,000 F-1 and J-1 nonimmigrant international students, scholars, and alumni from 149 countries, making it one of the most globally diverse institutions in the United States. The Office of Global Services (OGS) plays a critical role in supporting this population through immigration advising, compliance, and student-centered services across the university's campuses.

Reporting to an Associate Director, Director, or Senior Director within OGS, the International Student & Scholar Advisor (ISSA) serves as a Designated School Official (DSO) and an Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO), providing comprehensive nonimmigrant advising to F-1 and J-1 international students and scholars, and their dependents, at Northeastern University. This role delivers accurate and timely information to a diverse range of students and scholars and facilitates support through internal and external departments and staff.

The ISSA uses the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) to perform functions required by federal regulations, including but not limited to creating Forms I-20/DS-2019, authorizing employment, reporting on student and scholar maintenance of status, and processing changes to student and scholar information.

As a member of the OGS team, this ISSA provides support both to their assigned campus location and to other U.S. campuses. In partnership with OGS leadership, the ISSA supports the development of international student and scholar services at the assigned campus location, including advising, orientations, information sessions, and support services grounded in NAFSA best practices, in service of the goal to retain and engage international students in the university community and to create an environment that contributes to student success.

The ISSA communicates and coordinates with departments and campus partners at other Northeastern campus locations on cross-campus coordination and general inquiries.

Key Responsibilities

• Advise, counsel, and assist F-1 students, J-1 students, and J-1 scholars to ensure maintenance of nonimmigrant status, employment authorization, and successful acculturation, academic, social, and personal adjustment.
• Create, update, and maintain student and scholar records in SEVIS, including reportable events, as required by federal regulations.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of federal regulations, SEVIS procedures, Northeastern academic policies, and OGS policies and procedures to provide timely and comprehensive advising.
• Provide guidance to Northeastern academic departments and key contacts on regulatory requirements, institutional policies, and OGS policies and procedures.
• Advise students on logistical matters, including obtaining a Social Security number and applying for a U.S. driver's license or state ID.
• Liaise with relevant government agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), the Department of State (DOS), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), regarding student requests, data corrections, and travel.
• Design and/or deliver regulatory training for students, scholars, and colleagues.
• Communicate with academic and co-op/career advisors to support comprehensive international student advising.
• Collaborate with the OGS student support and programming team on orientation and other programming, including the initial review of F and J regulations with new students.
• Contribute to developing, designing, and implementing programs and systems that support and enrich the international student and scholar experience at Northeastern.
• Provide on-ground advising support and represent OGS at a U.S. Global Network campus, including attending campus-wide meetings and assisting with on-campus events.
• Support initiatives tied to the overall health of the campus landscape, spearheaded by campus leadership or in partnership with campus staff.
• Provide awareness and context to campus stakeholders regarding the international student lifecycle.
• Serve within the DSO on-call rotation, providing after-hours support for time-sensitive compliance matters on a scheduled basis.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Occasional evening and weekend work may be required, including for on-call coverage, orientations, and campus events.

Minimum Qualifications

• U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency is required for all DSO/ARO-designated roles, per federal regulations.
• Bachelor's degree.
• One to three years of formal experience as a DSO/ARO working directly with SEVIS to process documentation, maintain records, and comply with regulatory reporting requirements.
• Professional experience working with international student and/or scholar populations across the international student experience (pre-arrival, enrollment, post-completion employment).
• Ability and willingness to multitask and develop systems of organization for managing a high-volume caseload.
• High level of interpersonal and communication skills (verbal and written), with demonstrated intercultural competence.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment as a contributing member of a high-functioning team.
• Knowledge of privacy laws and the ability to exercise discretion and confidentiality when advising students and scholars.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) and other web-based applications.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with international student/scholar case management systems (e.g., Sunapsis).
• Prior study, work, or living experience outside of the U.S.
• Knowledge of a second or third language.
• Prior experience with academic advising.

Position Type

Student Services

Additional Information

Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education and skills when extending an offer.

Northeastern has a comprehensive benefits package for benefit eligible employees. This includes medical, vision, dental, paid time off, tuition assistance, wellness & life, retirement- as well as commuting & transportation. Visit https://hr.northeastern.edu/benefits/ for more information.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Compensation Grade/Pay Type

106S

Expected Hiring Range

$48,610.00 - $66,838.75

With the pay range(s) shown above, the starting salary will depend on several factors, which may include your education, experience, location, knowledge and expertise, and skills as well as a pay comparison to similarly-situated employees already in the role. Salary ranges are reviewed regularly and are subject to change.