UT Austin

Senior International Faculty and Scholar Advisor

UT MAIN CAMPUS Full time

Job Posting Title:

Senior International Faculty and Scholar Advisor

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Hiring Department:

Global Engagement

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Position Open To:

All Applicants

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Weekly Scheduled Hours:

40

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FLSA Status:

Exempt

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Earliest Start Date:

Immediately

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Position Duration:

Expected to Continue

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Location:

UT MAIN CAMPUS

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Job Details:

General Notes

The University’s 19 colleges and schools enroll over 53,000 students and rank among the top 10 public universities in the U.S. Texas Global is the university's global engagement arm and a recognized leader in international education, based on the success of the programs we deliver and the number of individuals we support. We serve more than 9,000 international students and scholars, as well as more than 4,600 students on education abroad programs annually.

Texas Global  advances UT Austin’s academic mission by leading, supporting, and coordinating the university’s international engagement efforts, fostering strategic partnerships on campus and abroad, welcoming a cadre of impressive international students and scholars to campus, and creating opportunities for students and faculty to engage with peers and institutions around the world. Texas Global is comprised of nine units, home to over 140 staff members, and continued growth of the organization is expected.

Your skills will make a difference. You’ll be working for a university that is internationally recognized for our academic programs and research. Your work will make a difference in the lives of faculty and staff, thereby enhancing the student experience. If you’re the type of person that wants to know your work has meaning and impact, you’ll like working in our department and for UT Austin.

UT Austin provides an outstanding benefits package including but not limited to:

  • Competitive health benefits (employee premiums covered at 100%, family premiums at 50%)

  • Voluntary Vision, Dental, Life, and Disability insurance options

  • Generous paid vacation, sick time, and holidays

  • Teachers Retirement System of Texas, a defined benefit retirement plan, with employer matching funds

  • Additional Voluntary Retirement Programs: Tax Sheltered Annuity 403(b) and a Deferred Compensation program 457(b)

  • Flexible spending account options for medical and childcare expenses

  • Robust free training access through LinkedIn Learning plus professional conference opportunities

  • Tuition assistance

  • Expansive employee discount program including athletic tickets

  • Free access to UT Austin's libraries and museums with staff ID card

  • Free rides on all UT Shuttle and Austin CapMetro buses with staff ID card

Purpose

The Senior International Faculty and Scholar Advisor plays a critical role in The University of Texas at Austin's ability to recruit and retain world-class international talent. Reporting to the Assistant Director of Faculty and Scholar Services, this position provides expert guidance on complex U.S. immigration regulations and manages employment-based visa processes, including I-140, I-129, and PERM applications. The advisor partners strategically with academic departments to develop immigration solutions while ensuring institutional compliance with federal requirements.

Responsibilities

Immigration Casework and Compliance

  • Prepare and submit employment-based immigration petitions (e.g., I-140, I-129) that enable the University to secure and retain top international talent through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
  • File Labor Condition Applications (LCAs), Prevailing Wage Determinations, and PERM applications with the U.S. Department of Labor, ensuring accuracy and regulatory compliance.
  • Collaborate with University departments to obtain necessary documents, draft supporting documentation, and review letters for petition filings.
  • Utilize immigration case management systems, SEVIS, USCIS and DOL online portals, and University databases to process petitions efficiently, maintain comprehensive records, and track case progress.
  • Communicate proactively with federal agencies to ensure timely responses and full compliance with all requests, requirements, and regulations.
  • Serve as Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) for the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program, ensuring seamless program compliance and supporting scholars through expert SEVIS management and DS-2019 issuance as needed.
  • Stay current on regulatory changes, interpret complex immigration policies, and align unit practices with evolving federal and institutional standards.
  • Maintain accurate, detailed case files and databases to ensure compliance with federal immigration and labor regulations and University policies.
  • Identify and implement process improvements that increase efficiency, reduce processing times, and strengthen compliance oversight.

Advising

  • Partner with academic departments to develop holistic immigration strategies for international faculty and scholars—from initial recruitment through ongoing employment.
  • Serve as the primary immigration expert for international faculty, researchers, and visiting scholars, providing guidance on visa options, status maintenance, travel, and employment authorization.
  • Deliver comprehensive orientations, workshops, and one-on-one consultations that equip scholars with the knowledge and confidence to navigate their immigration journey.
  • Translate complex immigration regulations into clear, empathetic guidance and practical solutions that align with federal requirements and University policies.
  • Collaborate with academic units, Human Resources, and other stakeholders to ensure seamless onboarding and sustained support for international talent retention.

Communication and Outreach

  • Serve as a strategic partner to academic departments, building trusted relationships that support the successful recruitment and retention of international scholars.
  • Design and deliver dynamic training sessions, orientations, and events that empower international scholars and the departments that support them.
  • Transform complex immigration regulations into clear, accessible content across websites, presentations, and publications while upholding Texas Global branding standards.
  • Advocate for the needs of international scholars across campus, serving as their voice in university-wide conversations and decision-making.

Team and Institutional Support

  • Champion ISSS and Texas Global priorities by leading strategic initiatives that strengthen the international community and advance the University's global mission.
  • Provide leadership continuity by serving as backup to the Assistant Director during absences, ensuring uninterrupted service delivery.
  • Drive innovation through active collaboration in staff meetings and working groups focused on enhancing service delivery and operational effectiveness.
  • Foster a welcoming environment by supporting and staffing programs that connect international scholars with each other and the broader University community.

Required Qualifications

  • Due to federal database access requirements, only U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents are eligible for this position.
  • Bachelor's degree and at least five years of professional experience in immigration casework or a related field.
  • Demonstrated experience filing H-1B, TN, E-3, or O-1 petitions with a strong track record of successful outcomes.
  • Familiarity with employer-sponsored EB-1/EB-2 I-140 petitions, including Outstanding Professor/Researcher and PERM (Basic and Special Handling).
  • Working knowledge of J-1 regulations for Research Scholar, Professor, Short-Term Scholar, Student Intern, and Specialist categories.
  • Exceptional organizational skills with proven ability to manage competing deadlines while maintaining accuracy in a high-volume, fast-paced environment.
  • Excellent written communication skills with meticulous attention to detail and ability to explain complex concepts clearly.
  • Strong problem-solving abilities, resourcefulness, and initiative in navigating ambiguous or challenging situations.
  • Professional demeanor with exceptional interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills that build trust across audiences.
  • Demonstrated experience in public speaking and delivering engaging presentations to varied audiences.
  • Ability to work both independently and collaboratively, adapting seamlessly between individual casework and team projects.
  • Commitment to delivering high-quality, efficient, customer-focused service that exceeds expectations.
  • Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Extensive experience advising international faculty and scholars in a university or research institution setting.
  • Advanced knowledge of employment-based immigration strategies and petition preparation, including Outstanding Professor/Researcher and PERM (Basic and Special Handling).

Salary Range

$62,000

Working Conditions

Work in a shared office environment. Work around standard office conditions. This position is located in Austin, Texas.

Required Materials

  • Resume/CV

  • 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor
  • Letter of interest

Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded.  Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.

Important for Current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.

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Employment Eligibility:

Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

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Retirement Plan Eligibility:

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

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Background Checks:

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

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Equal Opportunity Employer:

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

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Pay Transparency:

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

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Employment Eligibility Verification:

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form.  You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States.  Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment.  Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

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E-Verify:

The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:

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Compliance:

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031.

The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.