International Student Advisor

Job Description

We are seeking an International Student Advisor (ISA) to join the Cranwell International Center (CIC) team in Blacksburg, VA. This role plays a vital part in supporting the education, development, and overall success of our international student community.

The ISA provides comprehensive advising on immigration, employment, and academic matters, ensuring compliance with university policies and federal regulations. The goal is to help students maintain their legal non-immigrant status, support retention, and facilitate progress toward graduation.

As a Designated School Official (DSO), the ISA processes and signs immigration documents for F-1 visa holders, including, but not limited to, employment authorizations, transfers, and program extensions. The position manages SEVIS records, oversees immigration data, and ensures compliance with Department of Homeland Security (DHS) guidelines.

If you are detail-oriented, student-centered, and passionate about supporting international students and fostering global engagement, we encourage you to apply.

Here is what you need to know about the role

1. You will join the Cranwell International Center (CIC), a department dedicated to supporting and advocating for international students. The center works to enhance its experience, recognize its contributions to the Virginia Tech community, and advance the university’s goals for global engagement and connection.

2. You will report to the Assistant Director for International Student Services. This position is a regular, Calendar Year (CY), 100% Administrative Professional appointment.

3. Beyond immigration advising, you’ll provide guidance on academic and personal matters that may affect students’ immigration status, connecting them with appropriate university resources when needed. You will also act as a liaison between the Cranwell International Center and other university offices, fostering cross-functional collaboration to enhance services and support for international students.

4. You will have the chance to grow and take advantage of a development plan with opportunities to advance within the Department and the Division.

5. You will be offered a salary in the range of $52,000 - $54,000 plus a comprehensive benefits package that includes health insurance, paid leave, retirement, tuition assistance, VT discounts, and so much more!

• Required Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise discretion and independent judgment in complex decision-making situations
• Proven experience completing detailed tasks in fast-paced environments where accuracy and sound judgment are essential
• Ability to research, interpret, and apply federal immigration laws to individual cases
• Experience working with diverse populations in intercultural contexts
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Demonstrated aptitude for learning, interpreting, and communicating technical information, regulations, and procedures
• Experience navigating complex organizational processes and procedures
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team
• Capacity to perform well under pressure and manage competing priorities
• Eligibility for certification by DHS as a Designated School Official (DSO); must be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree and/or equivalent related experience.
• Demonstrated ability to plan and deliver professional presentations.
• Active involvement with NAFSA: Association of International Educators or other higher education associations.
• Prior experience working with international student populations in a higher education setting.
• Previous designation as a Designated School Official (DSO).
• Demonstrated proficiency using the US Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).
• Experience as an Alternate Responsible Officer.
• Experience with Banner or other Student Information Systems.
• Experience with Sunapsis or other student immigration management software.

Pay Band

N/A

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Regular

Salary Information

$52,000 - $54,000

Hours per week

40

Review Date: 3/23/2026

Additional Information

• The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or a U.S. lawful permanent resident due to US Department of Homeland Security regulations regarding certification as a Designated School Official (DSO)

About Virginia Tech

• Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers.
• A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community [https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.inclusive.vt.edu%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cmichelleh%40vt.edu%7Ce4a9fd37a7d74803b26208ddcf953bad%7C6095688410ad40fa863d4f32c1e3a37a%7C0%7C0%7C638894962046860349%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=wQ1HOnFsi5ngKmzTL4JRIjYf706XwTNtW9kGsLsF4WM%3D&reserved=0] dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity.
• The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges [https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fvt.edu%2Facademics%2Fdepts-colleges.html&data=05%7C02%7Cmichelleh%40vt.edu%7Ce4a9fd37a7d74803b26208ddcf953bad%7C6095688410ad40fa863d4f32c1e3a37a%7C0%7C0%7C638894962046881337%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=jlfDj7LQa7G8KTln1Q92BQEF4NP3Gr42nHN8QQukmK8%3D&reserved=0], a school of medicine [https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.vtc.vt.edu%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cmichelleh%40vt.edu%7Ce4a9fd37a7d74803b26208ddcf953bad%7C6095688410ad40fa863d4f32c1e3a37a%7C0%7C0%7C638894962046890565%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=f%2BMFpImZSc1ZuEyirAGW%2FDDUXlc2c%2BPYwbZyPPyJ0cI%3D&reserved=0], a veterinary medicine [https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.vetmed.vt.edu%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cmichelleh%40vt.edu%7Ce4a9fd37a7d74803b26208ddcf953bad%7C6095688410ad40fa863d4f32c1e3a37a%7C0%7C0%7C638894962046900077%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=s9ZPCCxkHLk%2FKgqCsm2Y19aVTYDNGKFPhnv%2BFpxhKfk%3D&reserved=0] college, Graduate School [https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fgraduateschool.vt.edu%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cmichelleh%40vt.edu%7Ce4a9fd37a7d74803b26208ddcf953bad%7C6095688410ad40fa863d4f32c1e3a37a%7C0%7C0%7C638894962046909209%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=%2FJgnIvpAA761Zd9IcQP35ZvpGqFmzB8jzQTwetE5bCE%3D&reserved=0], and Honors College [https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fhonorscollege.vt.edu%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cmichelleh%40vt.edu%7Ce4a9fd37a7d74803b26208ddcf953bad%7C6095688410ad40fa863d4f32c1e3a37a%7C0%7C0%7C638894962046918275%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=KBGkgI%2B3TbYbyXDubTdHlfEooVszsPbbNAmRJoCvXCo%3D&reserved=0].
• The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices [https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fext.vt.edu%2Foffices.html&data=05%7C02%7Cmichelleh%40vt.edu%7Ce4a9fd37a7d74803b26208ddcf953bad%7C6095688410ad40fa863d4f32c1e3a37a%7C0%7C0%7C638894962046927168%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=IlhGnUe%2FUYW0iK7cFI8tlSKtp46Sq4j8urZoe1HX1SQ%3D&reserved=0] and research institutes [https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.research.vt.edu%2Finstitutes.html&data=05%7C02%7Cmichelleh%40vt.edu%7Ce4a9fd37a7d74803b26208ddcf953bad%7C6095688410ad40fa863d4f32c1e3a37a%7C0%7C0%7C638894962046936080%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=gIa9ThZ3mxMhSRFZX17n5UuAxcyu%2FunnXTT%2B5Od868c%3D&reserved=0].
• A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

About Student Affairs

Student Affairs at Virginia Tech fosters a community where each student creates a customized experience to meet their goals. Building on our motto of Ut Prosim (that I may serve), Virginia Tech is dedicated to serving in the spirit of community, diversity, and excellence [https://www.inclusive.vt.edu/]. We seek candidates who adopt and practice our Principles of Community [https://www.inclusive.vt.edu/Programs/vtpoc0.html], which are fundamental to our ongoing efforts to increase access and inclusion and to create a community that nurtures learning and growth. We are actively seeking people to join our community and help us prepare leaders for the world. Our people in Student Affairs are committed to student well-being and assuring that all students Experience VT [https://experience.vt.edu/] by demonstrating, supporting, and operationalizing our Aspirations for Student Learning [https://experience.vt.edu/content/dam/experience_vt_edu/ExperienceVT-ASL.pdf]. If you are someone dedicated to ensuring student success, then we want you to consider being a part of our team!

About Cranwell International Center (CIC) [__URL_TOKEN_12__]

The Cranwell International Center provides a wide range of programs and services for international students, promotes the development of global and intercultural competence in all students, and positions the university as more globally oriented and internationally connected.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance [https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fgovernance.vt.edu%2F&data=05%7C02%7Clauras69%40vt.edu%7C1ad9c5a039ed4b4e916f08dcaa61f7c2%7C6095688410ad40fa863d4f32c1e3a37a%7C0%7C0%7C638572584948742749%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=vjSZbpDStMgs1gv8ke%2BJNiGEpUQWJjgKnzWAbbaT%2FP8%3D&reserved=0]. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.

Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.

For inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies, contact the Office for Civil Rights Compliance and Prevention Education at 540-231-2010 or Virginia Tech, 220 Gilbert Street, Suite 5200, Blacksburg, VA 24061.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Tanna Henry at tanna6314@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.