International Student Advisor

About the Role

Join a dynamic team supporting over 4,000 international students, scholars, and their dependents at the University. In this role, you will play a key part in ensuring compliance with immigration regulations that impact student enrollment and scholar hosting. Your work will include creating and processing immigration documents, handling daily and semesterly reporting, and managing applications for immigration status-related benefits. You’ll also help manage the International Student and Scholar Portal. Beyond compliance, you’ll have the opportunity to educate and guide our international community, helping students and scholars understand their immigration responsibilities and thrive during their time at the University. This is a chance to make a meaningful impact while working in a collaborative, student-focused environment.

Responsibilities

• Serves as a Designated School Official / International Student Advisor.
• Advises students on a drop-in basis, by scheduled appointment, over the phone, video chat, and through email on immigration and visa-related matters, connecting them with university resources, and supporting their adjustment to new cultural and social environments.
• Process immigration-related benefit applications including CPT, OPT, STEM Extensions, OPT & STEM Extension Employment reporting, program extensions, dependent requests, transfer outs, and travel signatures.
• Remain informed on changing immigration regulations and actively contribute to the documentation of the office’s policies and procedures, assist in the updating of content as it relates to immigration information for the office website.
• Assist in immigration record updating, address reporting, SEVIS registration, program information updates, batch processing, and data gathering projects.
• Conduct informational seminars on such topics as CPT and OPT.
• Manage the International Student and Scholar Portal (Tera-Dotta).
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education or experience in a related field such as Law, Cross-Cultural Counseling, Higher Education, International Relations, Humanities, Social Work, or Information Technology required. Master’s degree preferred.
• 3+ years’ experience working in an office with an international education exchange focus is required.
• 3+ years’ experience working with U.S. immigration regulations is essential.
• Must hold U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent resident status to meet federal regulatory requirements for status as a Designated School Official and Alternate Responsible Officer as required by the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of State.
• Strong computer skills are required, including MS-Word, Excel, Access, Outlook, and other web-based applications.
• Significant technology expertise is required; experience with SEVIS, PeopleSoft, Oracle systems, and international education office software programs preferred.

Skills and Knowledge

• Knowledge of F and J immigration regulations required; other immigration knowledge helpful.
• Demonstrated analytical skills to interpret regulations and apply them to university student and scholar situations.
• Solid skills in database applications and experience with data-based applications and management is preferred.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in the English language preferred.
• Cross-cultural educational background, second language fluency, or living/working abroad experience is preferred.
• Participation in NAFSA: Association of International Educators is preferred.

About Syracuse University

Syracuse University is a private, international research university with distinctive academics, diversely unique offerings, and an undeniable spirit. Located in the geographic heart of New York State, with a global footprint and over 150 years of history, Syracuse University offers a quintessential college experience. The scope of Syracuse University includes more than 200 majors, 100 minors, and 200 advanced degree programs across 13 schools and colleges; over 15,000 undergraduates and over 6,000 graduate students; and a student population from all 50 U.S. states and 123 countries.

About the Syracuse Area

Syracuse is a medium-sized city situated in the geographic center of New York State, approximately 250 miles northwest of New York City. The metro-area population totals approximately 500,000. The area offers a low cost of living and provides many social, cultural, and recreational options, including parks, museums, festivals, professional regional theater, and premier shopping venues. Syracuse and Central New York present a wide range of seasonal recreation and attractions, from water skiing and snow skiing to hiking in the Adirondacks, touring historic sites, visiting wineries along the Finger Lakes, and biking on trails along the Erie Canal.