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How much do pdso jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average hourly pay for pdso in the United States is $19.41, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.87 and $20.91 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Pdso?

A PDSO (Principal Designated School Official) is responsible for overseeing a school's compliance with the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) in the United States. They manage student records in the SEVIS system, ensure visa compliance, and assist international students with maintaining their legal status. PDSOs also train and supervise Designated School Officials (DSOs) and serve as the primary point of contact between the school and U.S. government agencies.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Pdso?

To thrive as a PDSO (Primary Designated School Official), you need deep knowledge of student immigration regulations, strong administrative skills, and typically a bachelor's degree in a relevant field. Familiarity with the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) and completion of Department of Homeland Security training are essential. Excellent interpersonal skills, cultural sensitivity, and attention to detail help PDSOs excel when advising international students and ensuring compliance. These qualifications are vital to support students' legal statuses and maintain institutional compliance with federal requirements.

What are the most common challenges faced by a Pdso in their day-to-day responsibilities?

PDSOs often face challenges in staying current with frequently changing immigration policies and ensuring institutional compliance with SEVP regulations. Balancing a high caseload of student requests, timely SEVIS reporting, and communicating complex legal information in a clear way can be demanding. Additionally, PDSOs serve as a vital support contact for international students, so managing a diverse range of cultural and personal concerns requires strong organizational and people skills. Despite these challenges, the role is rewarding, as PDSOs play an essential part in helping international students succeed academically and personally.

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Pdso jobs near you
Infographic showing various Pdso job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, and 15% Part Time. Highlights an 96% Physical, and 4% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $40,366 per year, or $19.4 per hour.

International Student & Scholar Services Manager / Principal Designated School Official (PDSO)

Concordia University Wisconsin/Ann Arbor

Mequon, WI • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 26 days ago

Job description

Concordia University is a Lutheran higher education community committed to helping students develop in mind, body and spirit for service to Christ in the Church and in the world.
Position Summary
The International Student & Scholar Services Manager provides strategic leadership, immigration advising, compliance oversight, and holistic student support for international students and scholars at Concordia University Wisconsin/Ann Arbor. This position serves as the lead professional for international student services and is responsible for ensuring a welcoming, compliant, and student-centered experience from arrival through graduation and post-completion transitions.
Serving as a Designated School Official (DSO), and preferably as Principal Designated School Official (PDSO) and Responsible Officer (RO), the International Student Services Manager oversees F-1 and J-1 immigration advising, SEVIS reporting, institutional compliance, orientation, employment authorization processes, and campus-wide education related to international student regulations and support.
This role requires a thoughtful balance of regulatory expertise, student advocacy, operational excellence, and cross-cultural sensitivity. The successful candidate will be a collaborative problem-solver who can interpret complex immigration regulations, build scalable processes, support students from diverse cultural backgrounds, and partner across the university to promote international student success, retention, and compliance. This position reports to the AVP for International Affairs.
Job Duties & Responsibilities
Immigration Advising and Student Support
  • Serve as a primary advisor and advocate for international students and scholars regarding immigration requirements, cultural adjustment, academic transition, campus resources, and life in the United States.
  • Advise F-1 and J-1 students and scholars on maintaining lawful status, including enrollment requirements, travel and re-entry, program extensions, transfers, reduced course loads, leaves of absence, reinstatement, change of status, and employment-related matters.
  • Provide advising through scheduled appointments, walk-in hours, Zoom meetings, email communication, workshops, and proactive student outreach.
  • Support students experiencing academic, behavioral, health, welfare, financial, or cultural adjustment concerns by coordinating with appropriate campus partners.
  • Support airport transportation and arrival logistics for new international students as needed.
  • Collaborate with the international team and campus partners to support International Education Week and other global engagement initiatives.
  • Identify opportunities to strengthen belonging, retention, and student success among international students.
  • Develop workshops and programs on topics such as maintaining status, employment authorization, OPT/CPT, taxes, cultural adjustment, career preparation, health insurance, and life after graduation.

SEVIS Compliance and Immigration Documentation
  • Serve as a Designated School Official and, as applicable, Primary Designated School Official for CUWAA.
  • Maintain accurate and timely SEVIS records for F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors.
  • Issue, update, and authorize immigration documents, including Forms I-20 and DS-2019, in accordance with federal regulations and institutional policy.
  • Monitor student enrollment, academic status, address updates, program changes, employment authorizations, practical training, travel signatures, transfers, and program extensions to ensure timely federal reporting.
  • Complete SEVIS registration each term and report required changes within federally mandated timelines.
  • Manage and process student requests through Terra Dotta and related university systems.
  • Support transfer-out processes for students moving between U.S. institutions.
  • Maintain strong documentation practices and accurate student records in alignment with institutional, SEVP, DHS, and DOS requirements.

PDSO/RO Leadership and Institutional Compliance
  • Lead institutional compliance efforts related to F-1 and J-1 students and scholars.
  • Serve as the institution's lead immigration compliance expert, providing guidance on nuanced or complex F-1 and J-1 cases.
  • Supervise, train, and support DSOs, student workers, and other staff involved in international student services and immigration processes.
  • Monitor federal regulations, SEVP broadcast messages, policy guidance, and best practices; update university processes and communications accordingly.
  • Coordinate required SEVIS-related institutional updates, recertification materials, annual reports, redesignation materials, and other federal documentation.
  • Represent CUWAA during site visits, audits, recertification reviews, and other compliance-related engagements.
  • Conduct periodic internal compliance reviews to identify and address potential risks before they become violations.
  • Establish and maintain institutional policies, procedures, and resources for F-1 and J-1 international students and scholars.
  • Maintain updated regulatory content on department portals, websites, Terra Dotta configurations, and internal training materials.

Campus Partnerships and Training
  • Serve as a key resource for faculty, staff, departments, and university leadership regarding international student compliance, support needs, and institutional responsibilities.
  • Educate campus partners on federal regulations, institutional policies, international student processes, and culturally responsive student support.
  • Provide training to new staff, DSOs, student workers, and departments involved in international student processes.
  • Collaborate with offices such as Admissions, Registrar, Academic Advising, Residence Life, Career Services, Student Health, Counseling, Athletics, Finance, and Academic Programs to support international students effectively.

Operations, Systems, and Process Management
  • Develop, document, and improve processes that support efficient, accurate, and student-centered international student services.
  • Assist with Terra Dotta configuration, workflow development, data integrity, and student communication campaigns.
  • Manage high-volume student requests while maintaining accuracy, timeliness, and regulatory compliance.
  • Assist with international student health insurance enrollment and communications with insurance providers.
  • Recruit, train, and supervise student workers.
  • Maintain organized records, reports, communications, and compliance documentation.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities
  • Strong working knowledge of F-1 and J-1 immigration regulations and the ability to apply regulations accurately to complex student and scholar situations.
  • Ability to interpret, explain, and train others on federal regulations and institutional policies in clear, accessible language.
  • Excellent interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills.
  • Demonstrated commitment to serving students from diverse cultural, linguistic, religious, and educational backgrounds.
  • Strong student-centered advising skills, including the ability to balance compassion, compliance, and institutional risk management.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Strong organizational, planning, time management, and project management skills.
  • Demonstrated attention to detail and ability to maintain a high level of accuracy in records, reporting, and immigration documentation.
  • Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills.
  • Ability to manage confidential and sensitive information with discretion.
  • Ability to work independently while also collaborating effectively with colleagues across departments.
  • Ability to manage competing priorities, deadlines, and high-volume student requests.
  • Comfort using technology, databases, student information systems, and communication platforms to improve service delivery.
  • Ability to develop scalable processes, workflows, training materials, and student-facing resources.
  • Commitment to continuous learning and staying current on regulatory changes, compliance expectations, and best practices in international education.
  • Supportive of the mission and values of Concordia University Wisconsin/Ann Arbor and the

Education & Experience
Required
  • Bachelor's degree in any field.
  • Minimum of three years of professional experience advising international university students, preferably at a four-year institution.
  • Knowledge of federal regulations governing F-1 and J-1 students and scholars.
  • Experience with SEVIS and international student records management.
  • Must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident, as required for DSO/PDSO/RO eligibility.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.

Preferred
  • Master's degree in higher education, international education, student affairs, intercultural communication, counseling, educational leadership, public administration, or a related field.
  • Three or more years of experience serving as a DSO; prior PDSO experience strongly preferred.
  • Experience serving as a Responsible Officer or Alternate Responsible Officer for a J-1 Exchange Visitor Program.
  • Experience using Terra Dotta or similar international student management software.
  • Familiarity with SEVP certification, institutional updates, recertification, audits, and J-1 redesignation processes.
  • Experience working in a faith-based, mission-driven, or private higher education environment.

Compensation & Benefits
This is a full-time, salary (exempt) staff position. Pay may be determined by education and/or experience. Concordia University benefit options include, but are not limited to the following:
  • Health, Dental and Vision Insurance
  • Personal Spending Account, Flexible Spending Account, and/or Health Savings Account
  • Disability and Survivor Plan
  • Retirement Pension Plan
  • Retirement 403(b) Savings Plan
  • Basic Life and Supplemental Life Insurance
  • Accidental Death and Dismemberment Coverage
  • Critical Illness and Accident Insurance
  • Tuition waiver benefits (available for employees and their qualified dependents)

Application Instructions
To receive full consideration, all applicants are must complete and submit an online employment application through the Concordia University Employment page:
Click on the job you are interested in applying to, enter your contact information in the Apply Now section, and then click the Apply For This Position button to begin the application process.
Equal Opportunity Employer
It is the policy of CU to provide equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.
The University will not discriminate against or harass any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, pregnancy, national origin (including ancestry), citizenship status, physical or mental disability, age, marital status, gender, veteran or military status, predisposing genetic characteristics, domestic violence victim status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
However, CU is an institution of the LCMS and, to the extent allowed by law, CU reserves the right to give preference in employment based on religion. In addition, preference in holding certain employment positions is given to ordained or rostered ministers of the LCMS. Based on a religious tenet, CU recognizes only male, LCMS ordained Ministers of the Gospel, but recognizes both male and female LCMS Rostered Ministers of the Gospel.
The Human Resources Department has been appointed to manage the equal employment opportunity program, including all equal employment opportunity activities, as required by federal, state and local agencies. If any employee or applicant for employment believes this policy has been violated, he/she must contact the Director of Human Resources.
Concordia University is a HLC accredited, co-educational, liberal arts school offering more than 72 undergraduate majors, over 35 master's degree programs, and 5 doctoral programs. There are also a variety of accelerated evening and e-learning programs.

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