Assistant International Faculty and Scholar Advisor

Assistant International Faculty and Scholar Advisor

The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) is one of the largest public universities in the United States and is the flagship of The University of Texas System. UT Austin enrolls more than 52,000 students studying in almost 120 bachelor's degree programs and more than 220 graduate programs across 18 colleges and schools. UT Austin is steadfastly committed to global engagement and is home to more than 5,600 international students and 1,500 international scholars from more than 130 countries, with more than 530,000 living alumni in 176 counties around the world.

Texas Global advances UT Austin's academic mission by leading, supporting, and coordinating the university's international engagement efforts, fostering strategic partnerships on campus and abroad, welcoming a cadre of impressive international students and scholars to campus, and creating opportunities for students and faculty to engage with peers and institutions around the world. Texas Global is comprised of nine units, home to over 140 staff members, and continued growth of the organization is expected.

The assistant international faculty and scholar advisor serves as a vital resource for international faculty, scholars, and researchers navigating immigration processes at The University of Texas at Austin. This role on the International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) team combines expertise in immigration regulations with a commitment to service excellence for our international academic community. The assistant international faculty and scholar advisor supports campus partners and visiting scholars by providing expert guidance on J-1 Exchange Visitor matters and ensuring institutional compliance with federal regulations. This position reports to the assistant director for faculty and scholar services.

Responsibilities

Communication and Outreach

• Manage and monitor the general inbox with professionalism, attention to detail, and timely follow-through, serving as the primary point of contact for inquiries from international faculty, scholars, and sponsoring departments.
• Provide clear, accurate information on complex immigration processes to diverse audiences, including faculty, researchers, and departmental partners
• Assist with orientations, workshops, and programming that translate complex immigration regulations into accessible information throughout the academic year
• Help maintain website information regarding programs, services, and related resources for international faculty and scholars
• Identify and recommend updates to web content related to international faculty and scholar processes

Immigration Compliance

• Serve as an Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) for the J?1 Exchange Visitor Program and provide general guidance on federal compliance and reporting requirements
• Prepare, issue, and distribute DS-2019 forms and process immigration requests with precision and meticulous attention to regulatory requirements
• Review immigration documentation submitted by prospective scholars and sponsoring departments for completeness and regulatory compliance
• Maintain and update records in the Student and Exchange Visitor System (SEVIS) in accordance with U.S. Department of State regulations and reporting deadlines
• Stay current with evolving immigration policies and contribute to the team's collective expertise
• Collaborate with ISSS leadership, as needed, to interpret and apply complex immigration regulations, exercising sound judgment within your scope of authority

Scholar-Centered Service

• Work as a highly functioning, collaborative member of the scholar advising team to support the needs of UT Austin's international faculty and scholar community
• Coordinate with front desk personnel to ensure seamless service delivery and appropriate response prioritization
• Identify opportunities for process improvement that benefit both scholars and the institution
• Transform routine administrative interactions into opportunities to build rapport with faculty, scholars, and campus partners

Team and Institutional Support

• Champion ISSS and Texas Global priorities through active participation in programs and community-building events
• Contribute to innovation through collaborative participation in staff meetings and working groups focused on enhancing service delivery
• Foster a sense of belonging by supporting and staffing programs that connect international students and scholars with each other and the greater University community

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree and one year of related international or higher education experience. Demonstrated analytical skills and ability to interpret and apply complex regulations. Exceptional customer service orientation with a commitment to serving international faculty, staff, and campus partners. Superior written communication skills with meticulous attention to detail. Professional demeanor and diplomatic approach to cross-cultural communication. Strong intercultural competence and sensitivity to diverse community needs. Proven public speaking abilities and experience delivering presentations to diverse audiences. Self-motivated work style with ability to function effectively both independently and collaboratively. Exceptional organizational skills and ability to manage competing priorities. Resilience and adaptability in a dynamic, high-volume environment. Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate. Note: Due to federal database requirements, only U.S. citizens and permanent residents may apply for this position.

Preferred Qualifications

Direct experience advising international faculty and scholars on J-1 Exchange Visitor regulations in a university or higher education setting. Familiarity with SEVIS and U.S. Department of State Exchange Visitor Program requirements. Experience working with diverse international populations. Understanding of international faculty and scholar adjustment challenges. Experience living or studying abroad.

Salary Range

$49,000+ depending on qualifications

Working Conditions

Work in a shared office environment. Work around standard office conditions. This position is located in Austin, Texas.

Required Materials

• Resume/CV
• 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor
• Letter of interest