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Job Summary

The SEVIS Coordinator & International Student Advisor (DSO/ARO) serves as a Designated School Official (DSO) for the F-1 Student Program and an Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) for the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program. This position promotes student success while ensuring full compliance with federal immigration regulations, institutional policies, and accreditation standards. The incumbent advises F-1 and J-1 students on maintaining their nonimmigrant status and the benefits and responsibilities associated with their visa classifications; administers SEVIS records; processes immigration-related requests within the scope of the DSO/ARO role; and works closely with the PDSO, RO, and team of advisors (also, DSOs and AROs) to ensure institutional compliance with U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Department of State (DOS), and Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) requirements.

Primary Responsibilities

Regulatory Advising

• Serve and maintain qualifications as a DHS Designated School Official (DSO) and DOS Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) for BYUH as a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) sponsor.
• Know and understand the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) that govern F-1 and J-1 students and their programs to serve as a high-functioning and collaborative partner to the team of DSOs and AROs.
• Advise prospective, newly admitted, continuing, and graduating international students regarding F-1 and J-1 immigration regulations and maintenance of lawful status.
• Counsel and assist international students on matters related to university life and the U.S. study experience, including finances, transportation, employment, campus adjustment, and immigration status maintenance.
• Explain immigration and academic requirements related to enrollment, travel, employment, extensions, transfers, leave of absence, reduced course loads, program completion, and other student immigration matters.
• Counsel students on maintaining compliance with federal immigration regulations and university policies so that they clearly understand their responsibilities, rights, and benefits under their visa classifications.
• Refer students to qualified immigration attorneys or government agencies when requests extend beyond the scope of institutional immigration advising.

Regulatory Compliance

• Maintain compliance with F-1 regulations (8 CFR 214.2(f)), J-1 Exchange Visitor Program regulations (22 CFR Part 62), SEVP policy guidance, Department of State Exchange Visitor Program guidance, relevant immigration policies, employment law, as well as state and local laws.
• Conduct routine audits of student records in Sunapsis and SEVIS.
• Monitor enrollment, registration, and end of program compliance.
• Ensure timely federal reporting requirements are met.
• Actively participate in department training and study to develop subject matter expertise in federal regulations, program policies, and applicable state and local laws governing F-1 and J-1 students.
• Serve alongside fellow advisors as campus experts on F-1 and J-1 regulations, as well as relevant immigration policies and processes.
• Demonstrate proper understanding and application of immigration regulations and university policies, taking appropriate initiative and exercising discretion within the scope of assigned duties.

SEVIS and Sunapsis Administration

• Assist leadership to maintain and update records in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) and all department systems to ensure federal compliance for the University and student population.
• Assist leadership to manage accurate data and reports supporting the department workflow processes; administration of the F-1 and J-1 programs, respectively; and compliance review and audits.
• Maintain accurate student records in SEVIS and Sunapsis.
• Create and issue initial I-20s and DS-2019s and all other actions regarding SEVIS records.
• Process SEVIS actions including F-1 registration and J-1 validation; program extensions; shortening programs; terminating SEVIS records; entering timely employment authorizations for J-1 students; entering CPT and AT authorizations; DSO OPT recommendations; OPT and STEM OPT reporting; transfers; etc.

Support of International Student Servies and BYU-Hawaii

• Integrate the university's mission and vision in all ISS priorities and workflow processes.
• Actively support BYUH as an SEVP sponsor by demonstrating and executing high performance at ISS.
• Regularly attend and contribute to ISS programs and events held for international students and campus community.
• Attend staff meetings and training while managing an assigned stewardship and supporting those managed by fellow advisors in the department. internal work groups to support the organization's mission.
• Provide excellent customer service to international students and campus community.

Minimum Qualification & Education Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in international studies, political science, counseling, education or a related field and three (3) years of relevant professional work experience in student services or related education/experience. Experience leading or directing the work of others. A Master's degree in a related field may substitute for one (1) year of professional work experience. Any combination of relevant education and professional experience may be substituted for the educational requirement on a yearforyear basis.
• A Designated School Official (DSO) and Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) for SEVIS must be either a citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States.
• Experience with common office software programs (e.g., Microsoft Office, databases).
• Demonstrated strong abilities and skills in managing challenging or stressful circumstances, solving complex problems, and meeting deadlines when handling multiple cases.
• Demonstrated high level of attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
• Demonstrated strong interpersonal, cross-cultural, written and verbal communication skills, ability to establish professional relationships with international population and campus offices, and to speak in front of large groups.
• Demonstrated excellent customer service skills and interpersonal skills; ability to interact with others in a warm, friendly and supportive manner, creating a climate of trust, consideration, and mutual respect.
• Demonstrated ability to work as a team, as well as working independently.
• Demonstrated cultural sensitivity.

Preferred Qualificaitons

• Master's degree in international studies, college student personnel, or a related field.
• Experience working with data, stats, and database systems.
• Experience as a DSO/ARO.
• Experience in a university international student-service office.
• Experience working and/or living abroad.
• Experience working on SUNAPSIS case management system.
• Knowledge or proficiency of a foreign language.
• Knowledge of Federal regulations governing F-1, F-2, J-1, and J-2 status.
• Understanding of how immigration and academics intersect.

Benefits

• 401(k) matching
• Tuition benefits for employee and qualified dependents
• Medical and Dental
• Short- and Long-term disability benefits
• Paid parental and maternity leave
• Relocation Package

Approximate starting salary: $67,000 - $75,000. The salary offered could be above or below range based on education and experience as it relates to the job description.

As an educational institution affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, BYU-Hawaii prefers to hire qualified members of the Church in good standing, as authorized under 41 C.F.R. 60-1.5(a)(6). To be eligible for employment, applicantswho are members of the Church must hold and be worthy to hold a current temple recommend and receive a clearance from the Church's Ecclesiastical Clearance Office. Job applicants must be able to meet these conditions to advance through the hiring process successfully. An expired temple recommend will prevent consideration for hire.