The International Student Services Specialist serves as a frontline staff member, providing support to the Office of International Student Services as a Designated School Official (DSO). This position is the first point of contact for visiting students and families, as well as enrolled Pepperdine international students, from assisting with the check-in process to identifying resources to best assist students with their questions or needs. Additionally, this position serves as the Executive Assistant to the Director. This position is charged to represent the OISS and University mission to students and the community as a University ambassador.

Duties

• Professionalizes the front office experience for prospective and enrolled students to embody the OISS office values (warm, helpful, consistent). Facilitates check-in process and appropriate responses to visitors and current student walk-ins, phone calls and office emails that are elevated for a staff level response. Manages Level 3 interns serving in the front desk experience. 
• Advise and help connect students with University services and resources as needed, including immigration-related questions and next steps. Serves as a Designated School Official (DSO), assisting students as needed with obtaining and successfully maintaining their F-1 visa status during their enrolled, CPT, and OPT status with the University. Cascades cases to more senior DSOs or the PDSO as appropriate.
• Proactively complete administrative duties on behalf of the unit including serving as the initial office contact across campus, manage the budget requisition process, plan and manage office changes, order office supplies, etc. Assistant to the Executive Director with calendar and in the management of office level goals, initiatives, and resources. 
• Assist with the standardization and centralization of student data, required documents, and interdepartmental policies in accordance with government, institutional, and OISS policies. 
• Performs other duties as assigned. 
• Uphold University mission through work performed. 

The above information has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.

Skills and Qualifications

Required: Earned Bachelor's degree at time of application, Experience living/working/studying abroad; Familiarity with F1 immigration issues; Demonstrated experience supporting or working with international students; Experience in the counseling of students in a higher education institution or in a high school environment; Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and be able to serve as a DHS Designated School Official (DSO) with ability to pass required background check Warm and helpful demeanor, including excellent interpersonal skills, written and verbal communication skills; strong intercultural competency skills; ability to deal with a variety of public contacts in an efficient and courteous manner; ability to effectively collaborate with others; demonstrates sound judgment with decisions Microsoft Office Suite, Google Drive, PC, multi-lined phone.

Preferred: Degree in International Studies, Business, or Languages; Master's degree; Experience working in a university international office on relevant job duties such as SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) international student/scholar advising, international recruiting, and/or international student services; Experience with PeopleSoft or other student information system; Significant international study experience and/or working with international populations; Knowledge of U.S. immigration as pertains to ISSS work and SEVIS; Fluency in another language; International study experience in high school or college Knowledge or experience with Salesforce/TargetX, NOLIJ, PeopleSoft, and Synapsis. Scanner/copier, social media platforms.

Qualified individuals should be able to articulate a strong commitment to diversity, and have the ability to work effectively with individuals from different backgrounds.

Offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a criminal, education, and employment screening. Qualified individuals with criminal histories will be considered for employment in compliance with applicable laws.

This is a Regular, Nonexempt, 40 hour per week position.

Expected Pay Range: $23.36 - $25.96 per hour 

The above pay range reflects what Pepperdine University reasonably expects to pay for this position at time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on relevant factors such as work experience, market conditions, education/training, and skill level. In addition to base pay, Pepperdine offers a robust and highly competitive benefits package.

Pepperdine is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of any status or condition protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.