Department International Student and Scholar Services

Proposed Minimum Salary $4,083.33 monthly

Job Location College Station, Texas

Job Type Staff

Job Description

Who we are

Texas A&M University International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) supports international students, scholars, and their families as they navigate the U.S. immigration system and life in the U.S. We educate on policies and regulations and provide programs to enhance the Texas A&M international community experience. We are proud of our International Aggies who are changing the world!

What we want

International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) is seeking an Immigration Specialist II to assist with processing and advising for the ISSS office and clientele, primarily for prospective, current, and former international students in specialized groups such as sponsored students, exchange students, and international student athletes. This essential role in ISSS will primarily assist with supporting these specialized groups by ensuring immigration and federal compliance along with processing immigration requests and advising. We are seeking an experienced professional to provide thorough, accurate, and timely customer service related to immigration and other matters. We are looking for an individual who promotes and can demonstrate teamwork and respect for people in the workplace and in all interactions with internal and external clientele. If you can communicate complicated information effectively and diplomatically, you have experience with the U.S. immigration system as it pertains to higher education, and you enjoy a fast-paced and high-volume work environment, we invite you to apply to be considered for this opportunity.
 

What you need to know

Salary: $49,000.00   

Cover Letter/Resume: A cover letter and resume will assist us in our review of your application materials. These can be uploaded on the application under CV/Resume.  

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in applicable field or equivalent combination of education and experience

• At least two years of related experience

Required Licenses and Certifications:

• At least 1 year experience as a PDSO/DSO and/or RO/ARO

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Familiarity with immigration laws pertaining to F-1 students and/or J-1 exchange visitors and managing of SEVIS records

• Good working knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications

• Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others

• Ability to work independently

• Excellent organizational skills

• Excellent customer and interpersonal skills

• Consistent attention to detail and sound judgement

• Ability to comprehend and communicate technical information effectively and diplomatically as well as critical thinking

• Ability to relate well with the student and scholar population

• Strong verbal and written communication skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher

• Experience with advising or supporting international students and/or scholars

• Experience processing high-volume records, requests and tasks

• Experience using computer software programs such as SEVIS, banner, PeopleSoft, ISSM, Terra Dotta, Sunapsis, and/or other immigration, student information or customer relationship management systems

• Skilled in creating, manipulating, and reporting information between computer programs and working with data

• Knowledge of TAMU policies and procedures

• Ability to provide exceptional customer service to many customers at the same time

• Member of NAFSA: Association of International Educators

Responsibilities:

Document Processing & Reporting

• Supports international students of specialized groups through the processing of immigration documents and requests

• Serves as Designated School Official (DSO) with U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) with U.S. Department of State

• Provides support to specific departments that assist international students such as Sponsored Students, Fulbright, Athletics and Education Abroad

• Maintains international student records, handles confidential (FERPA and HIPAA-protected) information, and navigates intricate immigration matters with multiple deadlines involved 

• Produces accurate and efficient document processing within office processing timelines and in compliance with regulations

• Performs data collection, compilation, and statistical review of specialized groups

Customer Service & Communication

• Supports international students and/or scholars, and their dependents via email, phone, online, and in-person

• Provides information and advising to Texas A&M departments and external agencies related to specialized groups

• May assist with urgent cases and student emergencies as needed related to specialized groups Exercises independent judgement to resolve conflicts

• Occasionally handles complex and urgent matters related to students in the specialized groups that have been escalated to them and refers those matters to higher supervisors as needed

• Provides excellent customer service

• Occasionally represents ISSS in some capacity, such as giving presentations, helping with Q&A during events, serving as office liaison to another unit, representing the office on a committee, or travel to meetings, conferences, or campus visits

• Regularly assists with projects designed to support the needs of the office and clientele

• Will serve as a liaison for international students to campus departments, community members, and other organizations

• Travels occasionally off campus to fulfill office business responsibilities

• Collaborates with others to regularly improve, and occasionally create new, programs, projects, website content, and/or other efforts to support clientele

Policies & Procedures

• Reviews and ensures compliance of rules, regulations, procedures, and policies relating to specialized groups at Texas A&M and for international students within ISSS

• Regularly researches and references internal and external policies and procedures when planning and implementing policies and processes, completing reporting responsibilities, and advising clientele Collaborates with office leadership to maintain, communicate changes, and provide training on internal office policies and procedures, particularly with respect to specialized student groups

Training & Professional Development

• Learns, maintains knowledge, and keeps abreast of applicable Federal, State, University, TAMU System, and ISSS regulations, policies, and procedures

• Regularly researches and references internal policies and procedures, the NAFSA Adviser’s Manual, as well as federal government regulations and guidance when processing documents and advising students, and may train others on how to utilize these resources

• Actively participates in internal and external training to advance knowledge

• As needed, provides training on internal office policies and procedures

Why Texas A&M University?

We are a prestigious university with strong traditions, Core Values, and a community of caring and collaboration.  Amenities associated with a major university, such as sporting and cultural events, state-of-the-art recreation facilities, the Bush Library and Museum, and much more await you.  Experience all that a big city has to offer but with a reasonable cost-of-living and no long commutes. 

• Medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, life and AD&D, flexible spending accounts, and long-term disability insurance with Texas A&M contributing to employee health and basic life premiums

• 12-15 days of annual paid holidays

• Up to eight hours of paid sick leave and at least eight hours of paid vacation each month

• Automatically enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas

• Health and Wellness: Free exercise programs and release time

• Professional Development: All employees have access to free LinkedIn Learning training, webinars, and limited financial support to attend conferences, workshops, and more

• Educational release time and tuition assistance for completing a degree while a Texas A&M employee

• Living Well, a program at Texas A&M that has been built by employees, for employees

Our Commitment
Texas A&M University is committed to enriching the learning and working environment by promoting a culture that respects all perspectives, talents & lived experiences. Embracing varying opinions and perspectives strengthens our core values which are: Respect, Excellence, Leadership, Loyalty, Integrity, and Selfless Service.

Instructions to Applicants: Applications received by Texas A&M University must either have all job application data entered or a resume attached. Failure to provide all job application data or a complete resume could result in an invalid submission and a rejected application. We encourage all applicants to upload a resume or use a LinkedIn profile to pre-populate the online application.

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer.