International Services Specialist

About Rice

Boasting a 300-acre tree-lined campus in Houston, Texas, Rice University is ranked among the nation's top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has a 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio and a residential college system, which supports students intellectually, emotionally, and culturally through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lecture series, courses, and student government. Developing close-knit, diverse college communities is a strong campus tradition, which is why Rice is highly ranked for best quality of life and best value among private universities.

Rice is also a wonderful place to work. Rice faculty, staff, and students share values that are essential to our success as a healthy community. Those values guide our decisions and behaviors and shape Rice's culture. They come through in how we treat each other and the welcome we extend to our visitors. These values can be recalled simply by our name --- RICE --- which stands for Responsibility, Integrity, Community, and Excellence.

Under general direction, the International Services Specialist I provides advice and information to international students, sponsored students, and scholars on immigration-related matters. The International Services Specialist I serves as a representative of the University to the Department of Homeland Security, Department of State, and the Student and Exchange Visitor Program. This position requires attention to detail, strong communication skills, and knowledge of immigration regulations and Rice/OISS office procedures and policies to best support the international population we serve.

The ideal candidate has excellent time-management and organizational skills, is proactive and service-oriented, and has a passion for working with foreign nationals.

This position is offered as a hybrid role, combining both in-office and remote work to provide flexibility and support collaboration, with a two-day work-from-home schedule after the six-month probationary period. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change.

This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position, and the hiring range is $50,000 - $52,000 annually, depending on experience and qualifications. Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime.

• Bachelor's degree
• One plus (1 ) years of related professional experience in a university setting or office environment with international experience
• Must hold U.S. citizenship or U.S. permanent residency to meet federal regulatory requirements for status as an ARO/DSO

• Must be able to communicate fluently in English, both verbally and in writing
• Must have strong reading comprehension skills
• Must be well organized and able to multitask in a fast-paced, high-volume, ever-changing work environment
• Proven ability to research solutions and demonstrate resourcefulness
• Ability to handle detailed information and convey accurate information

• Foreign language, intercultural studies, business, or another related field of study, or a master's degree
• Experience handling confidential data and information
• Fluency in a second language
• Ability to work well with individuals who have limited English-language skills
• Experience working in a university setting
• Ability to give presentations to small and large groups
• Knowledge of F-1 and J-1 visas and SEVIS immigration regulations
• Writing/editing, event planning, and networking experience
• Advising skills in person, on the phone, and over Zoom
• Ability to maintain a website and social media accounts
• Ability to support and promote diversity in a university setting
• Strong interpersonal and cross-cultural skills
• Ability to think critically and analytically
• Previous SEVIS/Ellucian experience

• Provides immigration advice to international students and scholars on their visa status and immigration processes, particularly related to practical training authorization and compliance (CPT, OPT, STEM OPT, Academic Training -- J program)
• Advises international students and scholars on university policies and procedures, cultural adjustment, academic matters, and other concerns
• Identifies programmatic needs and assists in the development and delivery of training, workshops, programs, and activities to promote the adjustment of international students to life at the university and in the United States
• Processes immigration documents
• Performs all other duties as assigned

• Works on special compliance projects
• Provides backup for front-line operations, managing inquiries and referring students and scholars to appropriate campus and community resources as needed

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Mission and Values | Rice University

Rice University is committed to ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity and welcoming the fullness of diversity into our candidate pools. Rice considers qualified applicants…