International Student & Scholar Advisor; Hybrid; Provost Office

International Student And Scholar Advisor

The International Student and Scholar Advisor supports the academic and research mission of WashU by advising and providing services to international students, scholars, and their dependents on immigration compliance. The advisor ensures institutional compliance with federal immigration regulations, promotes successful integration into the University and collaborates with campus partners. This role requires adaptability, meticulous attention to detail, a highly collaborative working style, sound professional judgment, and the ability to prioritize and manage a high volume, fast paced workload.

Primary

Duties & Responsibilities:

Immigration Advising and Compliance

• Provides individualized advising to international students, scholars, and dependents on a full range of immigration matters, including maintenance of status, enrollment and employment requirements, extensions, travel and reentry, program changes, and dependent issues.
• Interprets and applies regulations and guidance from the Departments of Homeland Security, State, and Labor, including SEVP, USCIS, DOS, and DOL policies, to complex academic and employment situations.
• Serves as a Designated School Official (DSO) and Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO); updates and maintains SEVIS records accurately and in a timely manner, ensuring institutional compliance and readiness for audits and site visits.

Immigration Document Preparation and Case Management

• Prepares and processes immigration requests and associated documentation for university sponsored F‑1, J‑1, H‑1B statuses, etc., including initial sponsor ships, extensions, transfers, and changes of status.
• Determines appropriate visa classifications and benefit eligibility (e.g., CPT, OPT, STEM OPT, Academic Training, J extensions) based on individual circumstances, legal requirements, and institutional policies.
• Reviews, verifies, and evaluates supporting documentation; exercises sound professional judgment in identifying deficiencies, requesting additional evidence, and ensuring the integrity of institutional records.
• Maintains accurate, complete, and well‑organized electronic and/or paper files to support federal regulations, institutional reporting and compliance audits.
• Follows established office protocols for responding to inquiries, including using approved email templates and guidance to ensure clear, consistent communication and adherence to OISS and institutional policies.
• Adheres to office expectations and timelines for responding to email inquiries and immigration related requests, prioritizing cases based on regulatory deadlines and institutional needs.
• Recognizes that certain peak periods in the academic and immigration cycles may require limited evening and/or weekend work.

Student, Scholar Support and Referral

• Contributes to and participates in the ongoing development and delivery of OISS resources including, but not limited to, online courses, in-person orientations, webinars on a range of topics including immigration regulations, employment authorization, travel guidance specific to visa type, and other topics specific to international students and scholars.
• Consults with OISS senior advisors and/or associate directors on complex issues affecting international students and scholars, including enrollment, leaves, academic standing, and employment.

Professional Development and Continuous Improvement

• Stays current with changes in immigration regulations and best practices by participating in professional organizations (e.g., NAFSA), trainings, and conferences.
• Contributes to initiatives, process improvements, and policy development to increase efficiency, accuracy, and quality of service.

Performs other duties as assigned in support of OISS and university goals. Works on special projects as assigned.

Working Conditions:

• Normal office environment.
• Typically sitting at a desk or table.
• Repetitive wrist, hand or finger movement.
• Ability to move to on and off-campus locations.

Equipment

• Office equipment.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to…