Job Summary:
International Student Services (ISS) seeks a technologically adept individual committed to student data privacy, immigration compliance, and data integrity who thrives in a fast-paced, high-demand environment. This position is highly collaborative and requires strong communication and organizational skills.
The SEVIS Data Management Specialist manages the batch software solution (Terra Dotta) and overall federal compliance reporting between the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) and UW-Madison's PeopleSoft Student Information System (SIS). This includes routine data review, audits, and reporting to mitigate compliance and data integrity risk to the University. The SEVIS Data Management Specialist will serve as a Designated School Official (DSO) and Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) to manage queries, reports, and process F/J student immigration requests such as legal name change and change of status from F/J. This position will be the primary liaison between ISS and Department of Information Technology and the Registrar's Office.
This position reports to the assistant director for compliance and is an essential member of the Compliance Team (6 staff) within the ISS office (21 staff). The Compliance Team is responsible for the accurate and timely processing of immigration document requests for students seeking F-1 or J-1 student immigration status, ensuring data integrity in all systems, and providing technical expertise in Terra Dotta. ISS serves over 7,000 F/J nonimmigrant students and over 1900 alumni on post-completion employment authorization, in addition to the J-1 student intern program. We utilize Terra Dotta ISSS batch software to maintain F/J international student compliance and communications.
Note: We currently use Classic Terra Dotta ISSS. This position will be responsible for the adoption of the new user interface in the next 1-2 years.
This position may be eligible for a one-time relocation allowance.
Responsibilities:
Assists the IT team in the design, development, build, and maintenance of database systems and environments to ensure data security and integrity. Helps develop related policy, procedures, and training.
- 20% Assists in the development of data architectures and database management policies and standards
- 20% Assists in the identification and resolution of data issues and upholds database-use guidelines
- 10% Assists in the installation, configuration, maintenance, backup, restoration, and performance-tuning of databases
- 10% Implements routine security measures to safeguard digital information
- 10% Monitors and analyzes database audit tables and logs and provides routine data warehousing support and data extraction
- 10% Assists in identifying, developing, and facilitating unit staff training opportunities in the effective utilization of databases
- 10% Serves as a subject matter expert and unit liaison to internal and external stakeholder groups and individuals providing organizational information and representing the interests of the unit
- 10% Monitors regulations and activities to ensure institutional compliance with governmental agencies and institutional policies
Tasks:
- Participate in regular ISS staff and advising check-in, International Division, Compliance Team, and Terra Dotta User Group meetings;
- Audit SIS, SEVIS, and Terra Dotta data for consistency, initiate solutions; run regular reports for compliance, service operation updates, and IIE Open Doors;
- Serve as Designated School Official (DSO) and Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO); process immigration document updates and requests for all F/J students, such as legal name change and change of U.S. immigration status;
- Serve as primary contact for Terra Dotta ISSS, DoIT, Registrar, DAPIR, State Archives to maintain institutional compliance with federal, state, system, and campus policy;
- Ensure data integrity, cybersecurity;
- Coordinate SEVIS registration batch reporting process, regular address and status updates, and communication strategies, in compliance with U.S. Department of Homeland Security regulations;
- Coordinate regular SEVIS data scraping and monitoring, including communication to students and initiating data correction requests as needed;
- Monitor database functionality, data feeds, and batch processing; validate data; troubleshoot errors in coordination with the Terra Dotta vendor, DoIT, ISS staff, and Terra Dotta users;
- Serve as the primary coordinator for Terra Dotta ISSS solution and liaison with DoIT to support uninterrupted data flow, secure user permissions, and provide expertise in Terra Dotta at UW-Madison;
- Coordinate ISS staff access permissions to relevant campus IT systems (SIS, Foundation, etc.), including on-/off-boarding processes and trainings; manage shared ISS storage solutions (Box, Google Drive, SharePoint).
- Develop and modify queries, reports, immigration request applications, and Terra Dotta standard operating procedures;
- Manage minimum credit limit adjustments for approved RCLs; coordinate SIS full-time enrollment requirements and service indicators with Registrar and ISS staff, document business processes and exceptions;
- Coordinate hardware for ISS staff and unit operations;
- Assist with communication to staff and university stakeholders regarding technical changes that may impact processing and compliance for international students;
- Assist with the migration of TDS to the new user interface including data cleanup and auditing, updating standard operating procedures, and application configuration.
Institutional Statement on Diversity:
Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.
For more information on diversity and inclusion on campus, please visit: Diversity and Inclusion
Education:
Required
Associate's Degreein computer sciences or data analytics; or associates degree in a related field with deep experiences and demonstrated skills in computer sciences or data analytics.
Qualifications:
Required skills/qualifications
Minimum one year of professional and progressively more responsible experience in the field of higher education
Demonstrated technical experience with data management software in higher education
Demonstrated experience with project management
Demonstrated experience solving complex problems in legal and cross-cultural contexts
Demonstrated commitment to social justice education and inclusive engagement
Demonstrated cross-cultural competency and written/verbal communication skills for diverse and multilingual audiences
Customer service in a fast-paced environment with competing demands
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
Experience with Microsoft Excel
Position requires proof of U.S. citizenship/legal permanent residence to serve as a Designated School Official (DSO) and Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO), per Department of Homeland Security.
Preferred skills/qualifications
Bachelor's degree in computer sciences or data analytics; or bachelor's degree in international relations, student services, or a related field with deep experiences and demonstrated skills in computer sciences or data analytics.
Demonstrated experience with PeopleSoft student information system
Demonstrated experience with Terra Dotta ISSS (Classic and/or ISSS new user experience)
Experience with F/J international student services as Designated School Official (DSO) and Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO)
Experience living, working, or studying abroad
Proficiency in one or more languages in addition to English
Understanding of large research-intensive higher education settings with strong shared-governance traditions
Work Type:
Full Time: 100%
This position may require some work to be performed in-person, onsite, at a designated campus work location. Some work may be performed remotely, at an offsite, non-campus work location.
Appointment Type, Duration:
Ongoing/Renewable
Salary:
Minimum $58,000 ANNUAL (12 months)
Depending on Qualifications
Additional Information:
Diversity, inclusion, and access are primary values for International Student Services and are integral to achieving our strategic goals.
How to Apply:
Please submit a cover letter, CV/resume, and a list of three professional references through the online jobs portal by the assured consideration date.
Contact:
Barbara Kluesner
bakluesner@wisc.edu
608-262-2044
Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information.
Official Title:
Database Administrator I(IT024)
Department(s):
A10-INTL DIVISION/STUDENT SERVICES
Employment Class:
Academic Staff-Renewable
Job Number:
299438-AS
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer.
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence through diversity and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.
If you need to request an accommodation because of a disability, you can find information about how to make a request at the following website: https://employeedisabilities.wisc.edu/disability-accommodation-information-for-applicants/
Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require you and your references to answer questions regarding sexual violence and sexual harassment.
The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).
The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. UW-Madison will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the University of Wisconsin Police Department.
