International Student Advisor (International Services Advisor)

The Vice President for International Affairs and the teams of staff in OVPIA's offices are the stewards of international activity across all campuses of Indiana University (IU). We provide strategic leadership and advocacy for all international programs and projects and coordinate the resources necessary to sustain their growth. Our goal is to enable as many students, faculty, and staff as possible to pursue international and intercultural knowledge and experiences and to become engaged global citizens.

Learn how OVPIA provides leadership and support for IU's international efforts.

Within IU Global, the Office of International Services (OIS) is dedicated to helping international students and scholars achieve their goals. Our staff recruit, admit, and enroll international students from all over the world. We provide social and cultural programming and visa- and immigration-related advising among other assistance to all international students and scholars. Join our nationally recognized team and help us serve the amazing and broad-ranging international population at IU.

Job Summary

As a Designated School Official (DSO) authorized by the Department of Homeland Security, interprets U.S. immigration laws, regulations, policies, and procedures as they apply to international students, scholars, and/or staff. Advises and counsels students on maintaining their status in the United States (U.S.) and at the university while ensuring institutional compliance with federal monitoring and reporting requirements. Provides operational and team support to the International Student and Scholar Advising unit.

Department-Specific Responsibilities

• Supports advising operations through monitoring and resolving Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) alerts and e-forms within the sunapsis system, ensuring timely and accurate federal reporting.
• Provides operational and cross-functional support to the advising team, including scheduling coordination, backup coverage, and onboarding/training assistance for new team members.
• Contributes to process consistency and knowledge sharing by developing and maintaining documentation and supporting defined knowledge areas (e.g., health insurance, taxes, Social Security).
• Assists with usability testing and improvement of e-forms and system processes, helping enhance efficiency and compliance workflows.
• Supports workload distribution and case management within a high-volume advising environment, ensuring timely service delivery and adherence to compliance requirements.
• Completes assigned projects and administrative tasks that support advising operations and student service delivery.
• Provides direct cross-functional support for the International Student Services (ISS) Student Representative (SR) team in collaboration with the Internaional Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) leadership. This includes, but is not limited to, weekly schedule creation, support and training for new team members, back-up coverage and knowledge base specialization (i.e. health insurance, taxes, Social Security, etc.).

General Responsibilities

• Assists with SEVIS alerts and processes assigned e-forms and alerts within sunapsis. Supports the International Student and Scholar advising team with limited process and procedure documentation.
• Develops and maintains personal knowledge of U.S. immigration regulations as they relate to international students, scholars and/or staff and their dependents, in the limited capacity necessary to fulfill these duties. Be thoroughly familiar with the information necessary to fulfill recurring DSO duties, while exercising professional judgment to determine whether individual student issues need to be elevated to a senior advisor.
• Monitors international student records in IU systems and the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) via IU's sunapsis application to ensure accurate and timely reporting of international student immigration data to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Assists with system alerts as assigned. Processes assigned alerts within sunapsis.
• Provides select administrative support for the advising teams, including but not limited to, administrative support for the advising team, assigned projects, usability testing of e-forms, and other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Combinations of related education and experience may be considered. Education beyond the minimum required may be substituted for work experience. Work experience beyond the minimum required may be substituted for education.

EDUCATION

Required

• Bachelor's degree (preferably in international affairs, higher education administration, public administration, or a related field).

WORK EXPERIENCE

Preferred

• Experience advising international students or working in an international services, higher education, or compliance-focused environment.

SKILLS

Required

• Proficient communication skills.
• Maintains a high degree of professionalism.
• Demonstrates time management and priority setting skills.
• Demonstrates a high commitment to quality.
• Possesses flexibility to work in a fast paced, dynamic environment.
• Seeks to acquire knowledge in area of specialty.

Preferred

• Experience interpreting and applying policies, regulations, or complex procedural guidelines.
• Experience working with SEVIS, sunapsis, or similar case management or regulatory systems.
• Experience supporting high-volume, detail-oriented work in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrates ability to interpret and apply complex regulations or policies in a customer-facing environment.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to assess risk and determine appropriate actions.
• Experience balancing competing priorities while maintaining accuracy and compliance.
• Ability to collaborate effectively in a team-based environment and contribute to operational workflows.
• Experience supporting process improvements, documentation, or workflow coordination.
• Intercultural competence and experience working with international populations.

Working Conditions / Demands

This role requires the ability to effectively communicate and to operate a computer and other standard office productivity equipment. The position involves sedentary work as well as periods of time moving around an office environment and the campus. The person in this role must be able to perform the essential functions with or without an accommodation.

The individual in this role must serve as a Designated School Official (DSO) authorized by the Department of State (DOS). All Alternate Responsible Officers (AROs) must meet the requirements as stipulated by DOS to serve in this capacity, including but not limited to either holding US citizenship or lawful permanent residence.

Work Location

Bloomington, Indiana

Ferguson International Center

Advertised Salary

$43,888 - $44,750 annually based on candidate experience, skills, and qualifications

Benefits Overview

For full-time staff employees, Indiana University offers a wide array of benefits including:

• Comprehensive medical and dental insurance
• Health savings account with generous IU contributions
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• Basic group life insurance paid by IU
• Voluntary supplemental life, long-term disability, critical illness, and supplemental accidental death & dismemberment insurance
• Base retirement plan with generous IU contributions, subject to vesting
• Voluntary supplemental retirement plan options
• Tuition subsidy for employees and family members taking IU courses
• 10 paid holidays plus a paid winter break each year
• Generous paid time off plans
• Paid leave for new parents and IU-sponsored volunteer events
• Employee assistance program (EAP)

Learn more about our benefits by reviewing the IU Benefit Programs Brochure.

Job Classification

Career Level: Core

FLSA: Exempt

Job Function: Legal, Safety, & Protection

Job Family: Legal Compliance

Click here to learn more about Indiana University's Job Framework.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Indiana University is an equal opportunity employer and provider of ADA services and prohibits discrimination in hiring. See Indiana University Notice of Non-Discrimination here which includes contact information.

Contact Us

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Telephone: 812-856-1234