Office Support Specialist - International Student and Scholar Services (Hybrid)

Illinois International - University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Illinois is a world leader in research, teaching, and public engagement. We serve the state, the nation, and the world by creating knowledge, preparing students for lives of impact, and addressing critical societal needs through the transfer and application of knowledge. Illinois is the place where we embrace difference. We embrace it because we value it. Illinois is especially interested in candidates who can contribute, through their research, teaching, and/or service, to the diversity and excellence of the Illinois community.

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's Vision 2030 Global Strategy is comprised of five key strategies that will support the university in realizing its vision to be the pre-eminent public research university with a global impact. Illinois International will directly support several activities and initiatives related to the global strategy in the coming years. Learn more about Vision 2030 Global Strategy.

International Student and Scholar Services at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has an opening for an Office Support Specialist.

International Student and Scholar Services is committed to providing culturally sensitive services of the highest quality. We strive to create an environment that is conducive to a successful educational, personal, and professional experience. We serve our international population and campus units through advising, immigration services, programming, advocacy, and outreach. It is our pleasure to serve our 15,000 international students and scholars at the University. Learn more about International Student and Scholar Services. Learn more about Illinois International.

Primary Position Function/Summary:

Provide specialized administrative support under direction of International Student and Scholar Services providing front desk customer service, serving students, faculty, staff, scholars, and departments.

• Welcomes international visitors, students, and staff acting and responding independently based on knowledge of unit activities as appropriate. Maintains and compiles statistics on points of contact for ISSS office leadership. Maintain front desk and lobby area including opening& closing the office. Screen incoming inquiries (phone, in person, and email) by student, scholars, faculty, staff, and visitors with inquiries about student or scholar immigration status, university policies, applications for immigration forms, and general resources to determine appropriate protocol, schedules appointments and redirects as needed for international student and/or scholar advisors within established time frames.
• Distributes incoming electronic requests to advisors within Sunapsis system. Create and review office-generated forms, such as work authorization letters of eligibility and payroll tax letters, handouts. Scan miscellaneous correspondence, including withdrawal/ cancellation forms to appropriate departments.
• Prepare packets for departmental contacts and international faculty, staff, and scholars. Monitor inventory of packets. Maintain office files, including electronic and paper files for students, faculty, staff, scholars, and/or visitors; ensure reception of correct immigration documents. Prepare information/welcome folders for IIP visitors and guests. Prepare documents such as labels, lists, forms, or various certifications.
• Review, sort, and distribute incoming mail for International Student and Scholar Services. Prepare outgoing mail for special handling. (FedEx, UPS, USPS)
• Provide iSTART access and instructions for students, scholars, and new departmental contacts.

Per SUCSS Class Specification

• 
  High school diploma or equivalent.
  

• Any one or combination totaling two (2) years (24 months) from the categories below:
  

• College coursework in any curriculum, as measured by the following conversion table or its proportional equivalent:
  

• 30 semester hours equals one (1) year (12 months)
  

• Associate's Degree (60 semester hours) equals eighteen months (18 months)
  

• 90 semester hours equals two (2) years (24 months)
  

• Bachelor's Degree (120 semester hours) equals three (3) years (36 months)
  

• Work experience performing office/clerical activities, including the use of computer systems.
  

• One (1) year (12 months) of work experience comparable to the second level of this series.
  

• 2 years' experience in an international office.

• Extensive knowledge of federal immigration rules, regulations, policies, and procedures, as well as academic rules and regulations; ability to communicate, interpret, and apply them.
• Extensive knowledge of responsibilities and duties of advising staff.
• Computer and word processing knowledge and skills (Microsoft Office Suite, Sunapsis, Banner).
• Ability to work closely and respectfully with coworkers, students, faculty, and staff.
• Ability to retain confidential information.
• Must always show a high level of professionalism in written and verbal communication.
• Ability to tolerate stress and work under pressure while maintaining a level of efficiency required by the office.
• Meticulous attention to detail.
• Ability to task shift from one task to another with minimum errors.
• Ability to communicate effectively with students, scholars, and faculty from many countries, some of whom English is a second language.

Physical Demands, Work Conditions, and Travel Requirements

• Work Environment--- Work is performed within the office setting, or as required.

CAMPUS AND COMMUNITY:

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is a comprehensive and major public land-grant university (Doctoral/Research University-Extensive) that is ranked among the best in the world. Chartered in 1867, it provides undergraduate and graduate education in more than 150 fields of study, conducts theoretical and applied research, and provides public service to the state and the nation. It employs about 3,000 faculty members who serve over 33,000 undergraduates and 17,000 graduate and professional students. More information about the campus is available at www.illinois.edu. The university is located in the twin cities of Champaign and Urbana (total population 226,000) in east-central Illinois, and is situated about 140 miles south of Chicago, 125 miles west of Indianapolis, and 170 northeast of St. Louis. The University and its surrounding communities offer a cultural and recreational environment ideally suited to the work of a major research institution. For more information about the community, visit: Living in Champaign-Urbana, Visit Champaign County, or Champaign County Chamber of Commerce.

This is a 100% full-time Civil Service 3243 - Office Support Specialist position, appointed on a 12-month service basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible
after the close date. This is a bargained position and as such, the
salary is driven by the collective bargaining agreement. The wage for this
position is $43,730.70.

Sponsorship for work authorization is not available for this position.

Civil Service employees may earn up to 28 days of vacation leave per year, depending on length of service. For more information about campus holidays, vacation leave, and sick leave.

Health insurance is available to employees (with the option to purchase coverage for spouse and dependents), required participation in State Universities Retirement System (SURS), with several options for participation in additional retirement plans. Learn more about employee benefits at the University of Illinois. Newly hired employees are covered by the Medicare portion of Social Security and are subject to this deduction.

The University of Illinois has is strong committed to work-life balance and family-friendly programs for faculty and staff: Work-Life Balance & Family-Friendly Programs and Other Work-Life Programs.

For more information on Civil Service classifications, please visit the SUCSS web site at https://www.sucss.illinois.gov/pages/classspec/default.aspx.

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on 09/29/2026. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. In order to be considered as a transfer candidate, you must apply for this position. Please include application, cover letter, resume, academic credentials, and (3) professional references, including name, email, and phone number. Applicants are encouraged to specifically relate their background and experience to the requirements of the position as outlined above. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. If required by the position, transcripts or other documentation of credentials are to be provided no later than the first day of employment. For further information about this specific position, please contact Illinois International Human Resources at iip-hr@illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign - the state's flagship public university and one of the world's leading research institutions - every staff member helps shape what's next. Founded in 1867, Illinois is home to a vibrant community of 59,000 students from all 50 states and 129 countries, supported by 15 colleges and instructional units, more than 20 research institutes, and one of the most comprehensive student service ecosystems in the nation. Whether you're empowering first-generation students, fueling breakthrough innovation, or strengthening communities across Illinois and beyond, your work here has a far-reaching and deeply meaningful impact. The university offers a highly competitive benefits package designed to support your well-being, growth, and financial security. Join a top 10 public university that has launched over 330 startups and continues to redefine excellence - where the Illinois Value Proposition ensures that your contributions are recognized, your potential is nurtured, and your career can thrive.

Champaign-Urbana

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits. This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodation portal, or by contacting the Office for Access & Equity at 217-333-0885, option #1, or accessibility@illinois.edu.

Requisition ID: 1037864

Job Category: Administrative Support

Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu