International Counselor

This International Counselor is a member of the International Student and Scholar Services Counseling and Advising team and provides expert advice, counseling, documents, and support to international students with regard to governmental laws and immigration, counseling and crisis management, and programming.

Responsibilities:
Advising and Documents (80 - 90%):
-Serve as a Designated School Official (DSO) for the University of Minnesota's F-1 visa program. As needed, serve as an Alternate Responsible Officer for the J-1 visa program. These are government mandated and approved roles representing UMN.
-Provide expert advice to international students on F-1 visas in the area of immigration regulations and documentation, consular processing, social security, and other statutory and regulatory rules to ensure compliance and avoid serious consequences for the individual.
-Utilize the Sunapsis system to produce I-20s and perform other SEVIS processes which help ensure that F-1 students maintain their immigration status.
-Provide resources related to financial, health insurance, housing and employment issues.
-Stay current on immigration regulations through government and professional association resources and updates.
-Maintain a high level of working knowledge and understanding regarding University policies, resources and student services.
-Offer new, creative approaches and practices to accomplish advising goals and improve procedures and systems.

Counseling, Crisis Management, Triage, and Consultation (5-10%)
-Counsel international students and their families on intercultural, adjustment, personal, family, academic and work difficulties. Partner with clients to address barriers to meeting their academic and career goals. Apply counseling, student development, intercultural communication and career development theories in counseling work with international clients. Coach students on making academic and immigration-related choices that promote timely and realistic degree progress while also meeting their unique needs.
-Provide crisis management to students. Assess the severity of the client's situation, consult with the ISSS crisis team and relevant University offices to determine if collaboration and/or referral is needed. Provide ongoing support and consultation to the client through the duration of the crisis.
-Provide consultation to University counseling, disability, police and other services on cross-cultural issues in mental health. Provide one-to-one consultation and training to offices and departments about the mental health needs of international students.
-Interpret and uphold the integrity of the University's academic and curricular policies and communicate these broadly to students.
-Use expert judgment and problem solving skills with individual students.

Committees, Liaison, and/or Projects, and other duties as assigned (5-10%):
-Serve as ISSS liaison to two or more UMN colleges or campus offices.
-Serve on ISSS, GPS and campus committees.
-Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:
-U.S. Citizen or Legal Permanent Resident - due to U.S. government requirements for DSO's and SEVIS access.
-BA/BS degree + at least 4 years of relevant experience or a master's degree + at least two years of relevant experience. Degrees are preferably in counseling, social work, intercultural communication, international education, or related fields.
-One year or more of full-time or equivalent F-1 visa advising on regulations and immigration matters.
-Strong interpersonal/intercultural communication skills.
-Effective written and oral communication skills.
-Ability to work and communicate effectively with a diverse team of people.
-Excellent problem solving and critical thinking skills.
-Work, study, travel abroad or relevant domestic multicultural experience.

Preferred Qualifications:
-Experience with Sunapsis and PeopleSoft.
-Two years or more of full-time or equivalent F-1 visa advising on regulations and immigration matters.
-One or more years of personal and academic counseling and/or crisis counseling/management experience.
-Knowledge of basic J and/or H visa requirements.
-Demonstrated ability to organize and coordinate programs.

International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) is dedicated to serving the University of Minnesota's international community.

Its primary mission is to assist international students and scholars in successfully accomplishing the goals that brought them to the University. ISSS supports the University's internationalization efforts by helping departments bring new foreign nationals into the community; by providing intercultural training for students, staff, and faculty; and by offering events that build links between the U.S. and international communities on campus. The office helps new international students transition to the University of Minnesota through Global Gopher Experiences, a series of virtual and in-person events, and convenes the International Student Advisory Board to ensure international student voices are represented on campus.

Pay Range: $55,281 - $60,243 annually, depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the
time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures
that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while
maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and
equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates
will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by Forbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employer for Women (2023), and Best Employer by State (2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-life flexibility.