Senior International Student and Scholar Advisor

The Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy; Somerville (MA); On-site; USD 67,000 - 101,000; Full time

Job summary

The Senior International Student and Scholar Advisor at Tufts University’s International Center oversees immigration administration and advising for F-1 and J-1 visa holders, issuing I-20 and DS-2019 documents and ensuring visa compliance for students, scholars, and dependents. You’ll support travel, status, and related benefits while collaborating with the I-Center team.

Under DHS/DOS authority, this role develops orientation programs and workshops to assist cultural adjustment and engagement.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in related field OR Bachelor's degree or equivalent plus 2-4 years of related experience in international student and scholar advising or immigration law.
• Experience as a Designated School Official and/or Alternate Responsible Officer in higher education or similar organization.
• Proficiency in F-1 and J-1 regulations and immigration law concepts.
• Strong communication skills and experience working with diverse populations.
• Detail-oriented with ability to manage multiple tasks and adapt to changing priorities.

Responsibilities

• Intake and issuance of visa documents (I-20 & DS-2019) and tracking arrival, delays, and deferrals.
• Advises students/scholars on travel, work authorization, benefits, and visa renewals.
• Supports OPT, STEM OPT, and related visa processes and reporting.
• Maintains data in regulatory systems and generates reports for leadership.
• Designs and facilitates programs/workshops for orientation, immigration, and intercultural engagement.
• Collaborates with staff to ensure policy consistency and provides guidance on complex cases.

Skills

DSO experience

ARO experience

Immigration regs knowledge

Verbal and written comms

Attention to detail

Cross-cultural experience

Education

Master's degree or Bachelor's + 2-4 years exp

International student/advisor experience

Tools

SEVIS

Terra Dotta

Sunapsis

ISSM

Scholar Module

Microsoft Office / Zoom

Job description

Overview

The International Center supports all Tufts’ 3000+ international students, scholars, and employees. The International Center provides immigration advising and visa document services aimed at keeping the university and students, scholars, employees, and dependents in compliance with U.S. visa regulation. The department also provides individual advising and mentorship to meet individuals’ immigration, academic, personal, and other needs while also providing cross-cultural programs and campuses advocacy directed at reinforcing and strengthening Tufts’ commitment to international engagement, global awareness, inclusion, and cross-cultural understanding.

What You'll Do

Under supervision and under the DHS/DOS titles of Designated School Official (DSO) and Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO), the Senior International Student and Scholar Advisor is responsible for immigration administration and advising for international students and scholars on F-1 and J-1 visas related to visas, visa-related benefits, travel, and maintaining legal status in the United States. Responsible for issuance of immigration documents and, in collaboration with I-Center team, ensuring compliance with government sponsorship and visa regulations. Aside from core compliance responsibilities, the Senior International Student and Scholar Advisor is also responsible for advising and programming (including orientation program, workshops, and events as assigned) to support cultural adjustment and student and scholar engagement. In addition to core advisor responsibilities, Senior Advisors assist with systems, data management, and reporting as needed by the I-Center, provide insights to inform policy creation, and possess intermediate to advanced knowledge of immigration regulation in order to troubleshoot complex cases and serve as a reliable resource for entry-level International Student and Scholar Advisors.

• Responsible for intake and issuance of visa documents (I-20 & DS-2019) for incoming international students and scholars and for tracking and processing documents for arrival, delays and deferrals in assigned school or area


• Advises and counsels undergraduate and graduate students in F-1 & J-1 status, providing advanced immigration advice (travel, work authorization and visa benefits, visa renewal, etc.) throughout the year


• Advises Tufts international alumni on sponsored visas for post-graduation benefits including Optional Practical Training (OPT), STEM OPT, J-1 Academic Training, , and other visa issues, ensuring status compliance and proper reporting


• Tracks and updates data in various systems (including DHS Student & Exchange Visitor Information System), to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. Compiles relevant data and statistics for assigned population and provides reports and insights to senior management


• Provides expertise, consultation and advice to department staff, faculty, deans, admission offices and academic advisors for assigned population on issues related to academic success and legal status of international students and scholars


• Designs and facilitates assigned programs and workshops related to U.S. work options, immigration, intercultural and/or practical skills. Responsible for facilitating semi-annual orientation program and co-creating events to facilitate student and scholar engagement and inclusion. Serves as a liaison to schools and assigned populations for varied intercultural programming offered by the Center and collaborators


• Provides support to entry-level International Student & Scholar Advisors through leading Advisors meetings to discuss case-specific issues and ensure policy consistency and serving as resource for troubleshooting and complex cases


• In collaboration with Assistant Directors, assist in systems maintenance, data clean-up and reporting. This includes overseeing bi-annual immigration registration process for international students and scholars through SIS, Terra Dotta, and SEVIS, and monitoring alerts related to F-1 registrations, J-1 validations, terminations, and practical training reporting requirements. This also includes supporting entry-level staff onboarding and training on reporting and functionality of systems


• Create and disseminate immigration newsletter and facilitate website updates in collaboration with International Center Team


• Facilitate work authorization related and J-1 scholar workshops

What We're Looking For

Knowledge and experience typically acquired by:

Basic Requirements:

• Master's degree in related field OR Bachelor's degree or equivalent plus 2-4 years of related experience in international student and scholar advising or immigration law


• Prior experience as a Designated School Official and/or Alternate Responsible Officer in higher education or similar educational organization


• Intermediate to advanced proficiency in F-1 and J-1 regulations and generalized understanding of immigration law


• Demonstrated computer skills including proficiency in Microsoft Office, Zoom, immigration system applications such as SEVIS, Terra Dotta, Sunapsis, ISSM, Scholar Module, or other batching software


• Excellent verbal and written communication skills


• Experience working effectively with culturally diverse populations


• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills


• Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills


• Ability to manage multiple tasks and project assignments simultaneously and remain flexible to adapt to changing Center priorities and ever-shifting governmental landscape


• US citizenship or permanent residence as required to serve as F-1 Designated School Official (DSO) and J-1 Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior international living or work experience


• Fluency or working proficiency in non-English language

Pay Range

Minimum $67,200.00, Midpoint $83,900.00, Maximum $100,700.00

Salary is based on related experience, expertise, and internal equity; generally, new hires can expect pay between the minimum and midpoint of the range.