Student Services Specialist (International Student Services Coordinator)

University-of-Hawaii-System; Hilo (HI); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Hawai'i at Hilo is seeking a Student Services Specialist (International Student Services Coordinator) to ensure regulatory compliance for international students and to support student success through advising, records management, and program coordination.

The role involves managing SEVIS data, ensuring policy updates are reflected across campus, assisting with orientation and CPT/OPT processes, and coordinating benefits and health insurance for international students.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree and four years of related experience in international student services.
• Strong understanding of federal compliance for international students.
• Knowledge of U.S. laws, rules, regulations related to international education.
• Ability to solve complex problems creatively and timely.
• Strong written and verbal communication; report preparation.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Proficiency with word processing and database software.
• U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residence for DSO role.
• Attention to detail and prioritization of tasks.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Primary Designated School Official for the F-1 visa program.
• Review visa documents for SEVIS compliance and accuracy.
• Coordinate preparation of SEVIS records for initial activation and reporting each semester.
• Monitor changes to student records to ensure data consistency across databases.
• Certify student visa status for travel and employment.
• Keep current on policies and SEVIS updates and inform campus offices.
• Ensure ISS website materials are accurate and current.
• Assist with orientation, visa clearance, programs and events.
• Assist international students with on-campus employment requirements.
• Assist with CPT/OPT applications and record keeping.
• Work with Advising Center and other departments to guide students.
• Manage the required health insurance plan for international students.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Policy compliance

SEVIS knowledge

Data auditing

Communication

Problem solving

Team collaboration

Attention to detail

Computer literacy

Education

Bachelor's degree + 4 years experience in international student services

Tools

Banner/Ellucian

STAR

SEVIS databases

Google Docs

Job description

Student Services Specialist (International Student Services Coordinator) (0097740) | University of Hawai'i

Full-Time Permanent

Job Number: 2026-02003

Description

Title: Student Services Specialist (International Student Services Coordinator) (UPDATED 09/18/26)

Position Number: 0097740

Hiring Unit: Student Affairs, Office of the Vice Chancellor

Location: UH at Hilo

Date Posted: September 17, 2026

Closing Date: October 2, 2026

Band: B

Salary: Salary schedules and placement information:

Full Time/Part Time: Full-Time

Temporary/Permanent: Permanent

Month: 11-month

Position Overview

The University of Hawaii at Hilo (UH Hilo) is a public liberal arts and sciences university on the Island of Hawaii, recognized for its integration of cultural immersion and place-based research that leverages the island's extraordinary geological, biological, and cultural diversity. A comprehensive, regional campus within the ten-campus University of Hawaii system, UH Hilo offers high-quality undergraduate and select postgraduate education, with distinctive strengths in areas such as marine science, geology, astronomy, and Hawaiian language revitalization, while advancing research, scholarship, and creative activity that support community needs, environmental stewardship, Indigenous knowledge systems, and workforce development priorities for the State of Hawaii.

The UH Hilo Division of Student Affairs serves as the primary resource for student support, engagement, and development outside of the classroom. The division provides essential programs and services that foster student success, personal growth, and a supportive campus environment, including enrollment management services, career advancement, mental health counseling services, campus recreation and wellness, housing and residential life, student engagement, and basic needs support.

The International Support Services Coordinator has the responsibility for meeting University federal compliance with regard to international students. ISS strives to support international student success through the following endeavors: advising students on immigration regulations that affect their status in the U.S.; managing compliance for federal reporting requirements for students in the country on student visas; providing programs that help promote cross-cultural adjustment; serving as a resource to the campus and international student communities; and advocating for international students and international education.

Duties and Responsibilities (* Denotes Essential Functions)

• *Serve as a Primary Designated School Official for the F-1 student visa program.
• *Review visa documents for completeness and accuracy and ensure compliance with SEVIS regulations and University policy.
• *Coordinate preparation of SEVIS student records for initial activation and SEVIS-status reporting at the beginning of each semester within SEVIS reporting deadlines and identify students with loss of SEVIS status.
• *Monitor changes to student records via regular data audits to identify discrepancies, and to ensure data is updated and consistent across multiple databases.
• *Certify student visa status for travel and employment purposes.
• *Keep abreast of current University policies and procedures and U.S. immigration laws, regulations, and procedures affecting SEVIS and provide information on SEVIS and visa regulation changes and updates to appropriate offices on campus.
• *Ensure that all regulatory and procedural communication materials on the ISS website remain consistent and current.
• *Assist in the organization of and preparation for new student orientation, visa clearance, programs and events.
• *Assist international students in completing requirements for on-campus student employment.
• *Assist international students with required tax forms.
• *Assist international students in Optional and Curricular Practical Training applications and record keeping.
• *Work with the Advising Center and other departments to provide guidance for international students.
• *Manage the required health insurance plan for international students.
• *Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

• 1. Possession of a baccalaureate degree in any field and four (4) years of progressively responsible professional experience with responsibilities for helping international students navigate through the process of studying in the U.S. and /or related functions; or equivalent combination of education and/or professional work experience which provides the required education, knowledge, skills and abilities as indicated.
• 2. Considerable working knowledge of principles, practices and techniques in the area of federal compliance with regard to international students as demonstrated by the broad knowledge of the full range of pertinent standard and evolving concepts, principles and methodologies.
• 3. Considerable working knowledge and understanding of applicable federal and state laws, rules, regulations and theories and systems associated with international students and international education.
• 4. Demonstrated ability to resolve wide ranging complex problems through the use of creative reasoning and logic to accurately determine the cause of the problems and the resolution of the problems in an effective, innovative and timely manner.
• 5. Demonstrated ability to interpret and present information and ideas clearly and accurately in writing, verbally and by preparation of reports and other materials.
• 6. Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external organizations, groups, team leaders and members, and individuals.
• 7. Demonstrated ability to operate a personal computer, apply word processing software, and utilize database programs.
• 8. If applicable, for supervisory work, demonstrated ability to lead subordinates, manage work priorities and projects, and manage employee relations.
• 9. U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residence (required by federal regulations for certification as a Designated School Official)
• 10. Attention to detail and ability to prioritize, organize and handle a variety of tasks.

Desirable Qualifications

• 1. Experience serving as a Designated School Official (DSO) and/or Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) in an academic or university environment.
• 2. Experience in creating programing for students at a community college or university level
• 3. Experience with Banner, Ellucian, STAR, and/or Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) databases.
• 4. (SEVIS) databases.
• 5. Experience with Google docs, multimedia platforms, website management, and publishing Software.
• 6. Experience living and working outside of the United States
• 7. Fluency in another language
• 8. Knowledge of relevant University of Hawaii at Hilo policies and procedures.

Inquiries: Donnette “Lei Kapono, [e-mail]

The University of Hawai'i is an Equal Opportunity Institution and is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in employment, including on the basis of veteran and disability status. For more information, visit: https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/policies/

Employment is contingent on satisfying employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986; reference checks of previous employers; and for certain positions, criminal history record checks.

In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, annual campus crime statistics for the University of Hawai'i may be viewed at: https://www.hawaii.edu/titleix/help/campus-security/ , or a paper copy may be obtained upon request from the respective UH Campus Security or Administrative Services Office.

In accordance with Article 10 of the unit 08 collective bargaining agreement, bargaining unit members receive priority consideration for APT job vacancies. As a result, external or non BU 08 applicants may not be considered for some APT vacancies. BU 08 members with re-employment rights or priority status are responsible for informing the hiring unit of their status.

Accommodation Request: The University of Hawai'i complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the EEO coordinator directly. Determination on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. For further information, please refer to the following link: https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/accommodation-request/

Equal Opportunity Employer / Veterans / Disabled