International Advisor

Department: University Life - Office of International Programs and Services

Classification: Professional Faculty

Job Category: Administrative or Professional Faculty

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type: Hybrid Eligible

Salary: Salary range starting low $60k; commensurate with education and experience

Criminal Background Check: Yes

About the Department:

The Office of International Programs and Services (OIPS) strives to encourage global awareness by promoting the integration of international students, researchers, and faculty into the campus community. The Office provides guidance to students and scholars studying and working at George Mason University in immigration, employment, assisting with adjustment issues, and fostering a cross-cultural understanding through programs highlighting global themes.

About the Position:

The International Advisor provides advising on federal regulations and non-immigrant status in the United States, and assists non-immigrants sponsored by, or attending George Mason University to access resources on or off-campus to help them reach their academic, professional, and personal goals while affiliated with the university. Regulatory advising, certifications, endorsements, and SEVIS actions are undertaken with the goal of ensuring that George Mason University is in full compliance with federal regulations governing non-immigrant students, scholars, and faculty under the university’s sponsorship.

Responsibilities:

• Assists non-immigrant students and/or faculty sponsored, or prospectively sponsored, by George Mason University with compliance to federal regulations, including providing advising services, evaluating non-immigrant eligibility for benefits under the code of federal regulations and endorse documents associated with non-immigrant students, researchers and faculty, and serving as a Designated School Official and/or Alternate Responsible Officer. 
• Interfaces with key stakeholders within and outside the university to support students' maintenance of status and university compliance, including consultation with faculty and administrative staff on issues related to the university’s sponsorship for non-immigrant students, researchers and faculty, and communication with federal agencies such as the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCS), the Department of State, Department of Labor, Customs and Border Patrol (CBP), Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), and others as appropriate and necessary. 
• Provides guidance and referrals on cultural adjustment, academic success, and other issues as requested and required by advisees. 
• Performs functions to ensure university compliance with federal regulations governing non-immigrations sponsored by George Mason University, including students, Exchange Visitors, and employees, to include development and implementation of materials, training, and information sessions such as employment and practical training, travel and re-entry, maintenance of non-immigrant status and other issues of concern to non-immigrants throughout their association with George Mason University, from orientation to post-graduation employment authorization. 
• Participates in initiatives designed to improve departmental effectiveness and occupational growth such as participating in assessment, professional development, and performing additional duties and undertaking specific projects as assigned. 

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in related field or equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Demonstrated experience working with students from diverse backgrounds, reviewing and/or managing data and records, handling projects that require analysis of policies and procedures with attention to detail, and working effectively, independently, and as part of a team;
• Familiarity with cross-cultural communication and adjustment;
• Demonstrated verbal and written cross-cultural communication skills, particularly in explaining abstract concepts to non-native speakers of English;
• Demonstrated interpersonal communication skills with colleagues and supervisors, and effective stewardship of time and resources;
• Demonstrated organizational and problem-solving skills, including the ability to balance multiple priorities and adapt to changing demands;
• Ability to use discretion and maintain confidentiality in accordance with federal law and University policy;
• Ability to research and analyze complex federal regulations and apply them to specific cases involving non-immigrants in a higher education setting;
• Ability to work independently as well as to collaborate successfully in a team setting;
• Demonstrated attributes that provide effective work habits, including timeliness and reliability in meeting deadlines; and
• Must have US Citizenship or Lawful Permanent Residence (required by US Citizenship and Immigration Services as a condition of endorsing documents for non-immigrant students and scholars).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience typically obtained in 1 year as an F-1 Designated School Official or J-1 Responsible Officer or Alternate Responsible Officer, including experience using SEVIS batching software (such as Terra Dotta, Sunapsis, ISSM, etc.); and
• Demonstrated experience creating content to help users understand processes and applications, reviewing/analyzing governmental or similar documents, and working with web tools.

Instructions to Applicants: 

For full consideration, applicants must apply for the International Advisor at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a cover letter and resume.

Posting Open Date:  April 7, 2025

For Full Consideration, Apply by:  April 25, 2025

Open Until Filled:  Yes