International Student Adv I

USF World is led by a VP and is comprised of units across Tampa St. Petersburg and Sarasota devoted to promoting ed abroad; supporting intl students and scholars the management of intl partnerships intl travel risk and security services management of the Peace Corps Prep and support for a dedicated recruiter tracking and documenting intl research collaborations and the global footprint of faculty students and staff collection of data related to international activities at the University intl alumni development and outreach and the marketing and communication of USF Worldprograms and initiatives. Comprising a total of over 70 staff and a budget of approximately $4.5 M clients are USF faculty developing intl academic experiences curriculum and research collaborations administrators promoting the global priorities of USF staff responsible for supporting intl activities across campuses colleges and other units current and prospective students coming to USF from other countries and U.S. students seeking global experiences as well as university partners from abroad and foreign dignitaries. Community partners include local state national and intl leaders of government and public and private organizations including other institutions of higher ed military business and industry.

This position provides immigration advising for international students (prospective incoming and current) accepted into academic programs at the university; serves as a SEVIS Designated School Official (DSO) to assist with the creation and update of immigration documents; and assists with international student onboarding. The position is part of a team dedicated to providing international students scholars and staff with the best possible service information and programming.

Serve as a Designated School Official (DSO) in the Student Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) operated by the Department of Homeland Security. Evaluates records of newly admitted international students to determine immigration status and conducts timely and accurate review of financial and immigration-related documents. Creates and issues immigration documents (I-20) for newly admitted international students via the universitys case management software and SEVIS RTI. Advises incoming international students on immigration regulations pertaining to steps necessary to obtain an I-20 and to apply for a visa stamp at a US Embassy. Informs students about immigration benefits maintaining immigration status and complying with immigration regulations as a student. Collaborates with various departments/offices for student yield retention and onboarding. Responsible for updates to SEVIS including but not limited to changes to funding program date changes changes of level transferring in/out and travel signatures.

Assists with the mandatory reporting of international student data for F-1 visa holders via batch interface and real-time SEVIS. This includes but is not limited to updates and changes to students records due to semester reports enrollment reports record updates/corrections and initial verification (check in) of immigration documents of all new students.

Participates in planning and implementing check-in (orientation) sessions for incoming students conducts workshops/session on immigration culture or other adjustment topics and assist with all office programming and events. Essential personnel in the event of crisis.

Maintain knowledge of U.S. immigration policies USCIS regulations and SEVIS procedures by attending professional development workshops and conferences reading government publications and staying current on immigration topics.

Special Skills/Training: Knowledge or use of university student database such as Banner PeopleSoft or other similar system used for academic records. Knowledge or use of software for batching to SEVIS; such as SUNAPSIS.

Minimum Qualifications: This position requires a Bachelors degree in an appropriate area of specialization with a minimum of one to three years experience in advising F-1 international students on immigration matters. Work experience may not be substituted for the Bachelors degree requirement for this position. United States citizenship or lawful permanent resident required by DHS for access to SEVIS system.

Preferred Qualifications: Experience as a Designated School Official (DSO) in SEVIS. Completion of NAFSA Professional F-1 Advising for Beginners Exposure to international education as demonstrated by living in a different country working or studying in a different country or working with an international student population. Experience with software for batching to SEVIS such as SUNAPSIS and experience with university student database such as OASIS Banner.

Degree Equivalency Clause: Four years of direct experience for a bachelors degree.
Senate Bill 1310- The Florida Senate ( is conditional upon meeting all employment eligibility requirements in the U.S.
SB 1310: Substitution of Work Experience for Postsecondary Education Requirements
A public employer may include a postsecondary degree as a baseline requirement only as an alternative to the number of years of direct experience required not to exceed:
(a) Two years of direct experience for an associate degree;
(b) Four years of direct experience for a bachelors degree;
(c) Six years of direct experience for a masters degree;
(d) Seven years of direct experience for a professional degree; or
(e) Nine years of direct experience for a doctoral degree
Related work experience may not substitute for any required licensure certification or registration required for the position of employment as established by the public employer and indicated in the advertised description of the position of employment.
Minimum Qualifications that require a high school diploma are exempt from SB 1310.