What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior International Student Advisor position at Berklee College of Music?
Job Description:
Berklee’s international students comprise approximately 35% of our student body—among the highest percentages of any college or university in the nation. The Office of International Student Services (ISS) is seeking an enthusiastic International Student Advisor (ISA) to serve as a vital resource and Designated School Official (DSO) for a caseload of approximately 600 global artists. In this role, you will balance federal compliance with empathetic support, helping international creatives navigate immigration systems, cross-cultural differences, and life in the U.S. At Berklee, your work directly supports the next generation of creative leaders.
Key Responsibilities
Immigration Advising & Compliance:
Required Qualifications:
Please visit the Total Rewards page to learn more about our benefits.
This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” employment relationship.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Equal Employment Opportunity at Berklee:
We support an inclusive workplace where everyone excels based on personal merit, qualifications, experience, ability, and job performance. Berklee affirms that inequality is detrimental to our faculty, staff, students, and the communities we serve. Our goal is to make lasting change through our actions. Berklee is committed to providing fair and equitable consideration of all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, ancestry, age, national origin, place of birth, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, genetic information, or status as a member of the armed forces or veteran of the armed forces, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law.
As part of this commitment, Berklee will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact the Human Resources Team at hroperations@Berklee.edu or call 617-747-2375.
*Currently enrolled Berklee students are not permitted to apply for staff or faculty positions.*
Employee Type:
Staff
Berklee’s international students comprise approximately 35% of our student body—among the highest percentages of any college or university in the nation. The Office of International Student Services (ISS) is seeking an enthusiastic International Student Advisor (ISA) to serve as a vital resource and Designated School Official (DSO) for a caseload of approximately 600 global artists. In this role, you will balance federal compliance with empathetic support, helping international creatives navigate immigration systems, cross-cultural differences, and life in the U.S. At Berklee, your work directly supports the next generation of creative leaders.
Key Responsibilities
Immigration Advising & Compliance:
- DSO Representation: Research, interpret, and apply federal F-1 regulations to the specific, individual situations of international students.
- SEVIS Tracking: Maintain compliant reporting to federal agencies via SEVIS and ISSM as required by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Keep data pristine within student information systems (Colleague and PowerCampus).
- F-1 Benefits: Counsel students on maintaining lawful status, part-time enrollment permissions, practical training (OPT/CPT), program extensions, and campus employment. Issue Form I-20s and support USCIS applications like change of status or reinstatement.
- Holistic Support: Advise on non-immigration matters including cultural adjustment, campus resources, financial logistics, and career development. Serve as a campus-wide resource for faculty and staff on intercultural topics.
- Orientation: Assist in planning and delivering international student orientation each semester, focusing on cross-cultural transition and academic expectations.
- Administration: Help maintain web-based policy manuals, manage compliance communications, and recruit, hire, train, and supervise ISS student employees.
- Professional Development: Participate in NAFSA and regional professional networks to track global and national regulatory shifts.
Required Qualifications:
- Citizenship Requirement: Must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. legal permanent resident as mandated by federal regulations for all DSOs.
- Education & Experience: Bachelor's degree and professional or paraprofessional experience in International Education or Student Affairs working directly with diverse international student populations. 3 years experience in advising and/or student development.
- Core Skills: Exceptional intercultural competency, high emotional intelligence, acute attention to detail, and the ability to facilitate large group discussions for non-native English speakers. Flexibility to work occasional evenings and weekends is required.
- Master’s degree in student affairs, counseling, or international relations.
- Bilingual proficiency and personal experience living, studying, or working abroad.
- Familiarity with SEVIS batch systems, ISSM, Colleague, or PowerCampus.
- Global Community: Work in a historic Boston neighborhood surrounded by inspiring global artistic talent.
- Cultural Access: Enjoy nightly, unrivaled access to world-class campus music, theater, and dance performances.
- Total Rewards: Outstanding health and dental packages, a 403(b) retirement system with matching contributions, generous PTO, tuition assistance, and a paid winter break to rest and recharge.
Please visit the Total Rewards page to learn more about our benefits.
This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” employment relationship.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Equal Employment Opportunity at Berklee:
We support an inclusive workplace where everyone excels based on personal merit, qualifications, experience, ability, and job performance. Berklee affirms that inequality is detrimental to our faculty, staff, students, and the communities we serve. Our goal is to make lasting change through our actions. Berklee is committed to providing fair and equitable consideration of all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, ancestry, age, national origin, place of birth, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, genetic information, or status as a member of the armed forces or veteran of the armed forces, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law.
As part of this commitment, Berklee will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact the Human Resources Team at hroperations@Berklee.edu or call 617-747-2375.
*Currently enrolled Berklee students are not permitted to apply for staff or faculty positions.*
Employee Type:
Staff
Salary : $68,000 - $70,000