International Student Advisor

About the Role

The International Student Advisor serves as a federally appointed Designated School Official (DSO) for the F-1 Student Program and Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) for the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program. The position provides guidance to international students on maintaining their nonimmigrant status and institutional processes within the scope of the DSO and ARO roles as authorized by federal regulations. This role promotes student success while ensuring full compliance with federal immigration regulations, institutional policies, and accreditation standards.

Responsibilities

• Regulatory Advising
  • Serve and maintain qualifications as a DHS Designated School Official (DSO) and DOS Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) for SEVP sponsorship.
  • Know and understand the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) governing F-1 and J-1 students to serve as a collaborative partner to the DSO/ARO team.
  • Advise prospective, newly admitted, continuing, and graduating international students on F-1 and J-1 immigration regulations and maintenance of lawful status.
  • Counsel and assist international students on university life and U.S. study experience, including finances, transportation, employment, campus adjustment, and immigration status maintenance.
  • Explain immigration and academic requirements related to enrollment, travel, employment, extensions, transfers, leave of absence, reduced course loads, program completion, and other student immigration matters.
  • Counsel students on maintaining compliance with federal immigration regulations and university policies, clarifying their responsibilities, rights, and benefits under their visa classifications.
  • Refer students to qualified immigration attorneys or government agencies when requests extend beyond the scope of institutional immigration advising.
• Regulatory Compliance
  • Maintain compliance with F-1 regulations (8 CFR214.2(f)), J-1 Exchange Visitor Program regulations (22 CFR Part 62), SEVP policy guidance, Department of State Exchange Visitor Program guidance, relevant immigration policies, employment law, and state/local laws.
  • Assist with routine audits of student records in Sunapsis and SEVIS.
  • Support maintenance of enrollment, registration, and end-of-program compliance.
  • Ensure timely federal reporting requirements are met.
  • Actively participate in department training to develop expertise in federal regulations, program rules, and policies governing F-1 and J-1 students.
  • Serve as a campus expert on F-1 and J-1 regulations, immigration policies, and processes.
  • Demonstrate proper understanding and application of immigration regulations and university policies, exercising discretion within assigned duties.
• Communications, Outreach, and Programming
  • Assist with marketing, communications, outreach, and programming initiatives.
  • Serve as a resource to campus departments supporting international students in their degree programs.
  • Coordinate, schedule, and facilitate programming, orientations, workshops, and info-sessions to increase campus-wide understanding of F-1 and J-1 programs.
  • Manage focus groups and surveys for student experience feedback.
  • Collaborate with partnering departments on joint programming, including semesterly check-ins, new student orientations, and special-topic sessions.
  • Serve as a liaison to university offices to support international student needs.
  • Contribute written content for student communication via emails, webpages, social media, and other channels.
  • Maintain the department calendar of programming and events, planned a year in advance.
  • Develop and manage programming for F-1 and J-1 students and their dependents (F-2 and J-2).
  • Work alongside leadership to maintain website content and revisions.
  • Maintain working knowledge of the university’s branding and communication standards.
• Support of International Student Services and BYU–Hawaii
  • Integrate the university’s mission and vision into all ISS priorities and workflow processes.
  • Actively support BYUH as an SEVP sponsor by demonstrating high performance in ISS.
  • Regularly attend and contribute to ISS programs and events for international students and the campus community.
  • Attend staff meetings and training while managing assigned stewardship and supporting fellow advisors.
  • Provide excellent customer service to international students and the campus community.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in international studies, political science, counseling, education, or a related field, plus three (3) years of relevant professional work experience in student services or related education/experience.
• Experience leading or directing the work of others.
• A Master’s degree in a related field may substitute for one (1) year of professional work experience.
• Any combination of relevant education and professional experience may be substituted for the educational requirement on a year-for-year basis.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident to serve as a DSO/ARO for SEVIS.
• Experience with common office software programs (e.g., Microsoft Office, databases).
• Demonstrated ability to manage challenging or stressful circumstances, solve complex problems, and meet deadlines when handling multiple cases.
• High level of attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
• Strong interpersonal, cross-cultural, written, and verbal communication skills; ability to establish professional relationships with international populations and campus offices, and to speak in front of large groups.
• Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills; ability to interact warmly and supportively, creating a climate of trust and mutual respect.
• Ability to work as part of a team and independently.
• Demonstrated cultural sensitivity.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in international studies, college student personnel, or a related field.
• Experience working with marketing, communications, outreach, and programming.
• Experience as a DSO/ARO.
• Experience in a university international student-service office.
• Experience working and/or living abroad.
• Experience with Sunapsis case management system.
• Knowledge or proficiency in a foreign language.
• Knowledge of Federal regulations governing F-1, F-2, J-1, and J-2 status.
• Understanding of how immigration and academics intersect.

Benefits

• 401(k) matching
• Tuition benefits for employee and qualified dependents
• Medical and dental coverage
• Short- and long-term disability benefits
• Paid parental and maternity leave
• Relocation package

Pay

Approximate starting salary: $67,000 – $75,000. The salary offered may vary based on education and experience as it relates to the job description.

As an educational institution affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, BYU–Hawaii prefers to hire qualified members of the Church in good standing. Applicants who are members must hold and be worthy to hold a current temple recommend and receive clearance from the Church’s Ecclesiastical Clearance Office to be eligible for employment.