- CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
- CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
- If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants.
Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.
POSITION SPECIFICS
Penn State Global has an opening for an International Immigration Specialist (International Faculty Adviser). This position works on a team of up to five other advisers and one administrative assistant and is organized within International Student & Scholar Advising (ISSA). The ISSA unit is responsible for overseeing the immigration compliance advisement and support for roughly 10,000 international students, scholars, and faculty across the University.
Reporting to the Assistant Director of International Faculty Advising, this position assists and advises university international staff, faculty, and scholars on United States immigration compliance and regulation regarding their employment at The Pennsylvania State University. The focus of the International Faculty Adviser (IFA) is to provide direct guidance and service to international faculty and staff by providing advisement and support on appropriate employment visa status processes. Additionally, the IFA engages in administrative compliance activities in support of U.S. Government and federal labor laws. This position models excellence in client support by providing high levels of customer services to international employees and scholars.
The role provides assistance and guidance to university administrators, hiring authorities, and international faculty/researchers and their dependents regarding U.S. immigration related issues, regulations, and form completion as it pertains to their employment at the University.
Duties include:
- Process petitions to U.S. government entities for the employment sponsorship and work authorization of international faculty members in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws, government regulations and University policies
- Interpret regulations and provide guidance to department and college HR representatives on immigration and visa regulations, including advising options on appropriate visa recommendation, petition filing strategies, and estimated timelines
- Liaise with University human resources and departmental staff and international faculty to gather information and advise on other immigration related matters
- Participate in the development, implementation, and maintenance of international case management software policies, forms, and process changes within the International Faculty Advising area
- Serve as point-of-contact for employment-based immigration questions for assigned colleges
- Ensure University sponsored employment visa, policies and practices are compliant with federal and state laws, regulation, and policies
- Practice compliance consistently and equally while advising international faculty and filing each case
- Develop and/or provide training for departmental staff, faculty, and foreign national faculty in assigned colleges
- Stay abreast of current developments and trends in the international faculty advising field and employment-based immigration
- Communicate government, regulatory, and other relevant updates to assigned colleges regularly
- Maintain internal record-keeping system to track history of individual cases
- Maintain records of cases for audit purposes
The successful candidate must possess exemplary interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate successfully with staff, faculty, university leadership and international faculty and scholars within Penn State Global and across the University. The ability to successfully work as a member of a collaborative team is crucial. Other essential qualities include strong organizational skills, critical thinking/problem solving, attention to detail, and the ability to adapt swiftly to changes in systems and procedures.
A degree in fields such as higher education administration, international students, international education, or public policy is preferred. This position is filled at the Advanced Professional level.
Penn State Global is supportive of flexible work arrangements when aligned with the ability to meet the needs of the unit and the essential duties of the position. This position may be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement, combining in-person and remote work. Questions related to flexible work should be directed to the hiring manager during the interview process.
Application Instructions:
A complete application for this position will include a resume and cover letter.
MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS
Bachelor's Degree 3+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted Required Certifications: None
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.Penn State does not sponsor or take over sponsorship of a staff employment Visa. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.
SALARY & BENEFITS
The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $59,580.00 - $86,400.00.
Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure
Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.
CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS
Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.
EEO IS THE LAW
Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.
Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university’s teaching, research, and service mission.
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Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree (or equivalent combination of education and experience)
- 3+ years of relevant experience
- Authorization to work in the U.S. (employer will not sponsor staff employment visas)
- Successful completion of background check(s)
- Exemplary interpersonal and communication skills
- Strong organizational skills, critical thinking/problem solving, attention to detail, and adaptability
- Preferred degree in higher education administration, international students, international education, or public policy
Penn State University Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Penn State University and has not been reviewed or approved by Penn State University.
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Retirement Support — Employer contributions to SERS and the TIAA Alternate Plan are described as significant, with supplemental retirement options available. Feedback suggests these choices and contributions create strong long‑term value.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Full‑time employees accrue over 24 sick and vacation days annually, with additional university holidays and a winter break. Feedback suggests this depth of leave supports work–life balance.
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Inclusive Benefits Coverage — A 75% tuition discount extends to employees, spouses, and dependent children up to age 26 across resident instruction, World Campus, and Penn College courses. Feedback suggests this broad eligibility meaningfully enhances total rewards, especially for families.
Penn State University Insights
What We Do
There’s a reason Penn State consistently ranks among the top one percent of the world’s universities. Across 24 campuses, our nearly 88,000 students and 17,000 faculty and staff know the real measure of success goes beyond the classroom—it’s the positive impact made on communities across the world. From access to state-of-the-art resources to interdisciplinary pursuits in collaborative atmospheres, a Penn State degree is more than an education. The experiences and knowledge gained here will form the foundation for the lives our students build. Their contributions to the world begin with a Penn State degree. We Are Penn State.
