International Students

OISSS Student Staff

The Office of International Student and Scholar Services (OISSS) is looking for a motivated Student Staff to work in the Karl Miller Center (KMC) front office, supporting key immigration and student life objectives, and thoughtfully engaging with international students, scholars, and other community members who may visit the office. Training for this role will begin in September.

Applications are open until August 11, 2026 at 11:59PM

We are looking for candidates who:

  • have experience living, studying, or interacting cross-culturally,
  • are enthusiastic in providing and improving services towards international students and scholars and, 
  • possess a spirit of hospitality, collaboration, creativity, and curiosity

Student Staff are trained to understand university-level protocols and complex immigration regulations pertaining to international students, scholars, and faculty. Student Staff are expected to engage in projects as well as to provide general reception. 

The rate of pay for this position will be $16.80 per hour.

Responsibilities and Duties

  1. Provide reception to people visiting the OISSS and Education Abroad offices.
  2. Respond to queries regarding immigration and student life-related matters through a variety of mediums (in-person, zoom, email, and phone).
  3. Connect guests with the appropriate PSU resources to meet their needs, including making referrals to resources outside of our department.
  4. Interact thoughtfully with a diverse set of individuals, including many who do not speak English as their first language.
  5. Become proficient in the use of various university and office databases (Banner and Sunapsis).
  6. Help with routine data entry. 
  7. OISSS Student Staff will also be asked to take on projects which may require: 
  • Developing proficiency in graphic design (Canva), audio and video editing, curriculum development (Homebase), public speaking, cross-cultural communication, and content creation (Emma, Instagram)
  • Supporting our office social media accounts (Instagram, LinkedIn)
  • Planning, setting up, and leading small group activities, events, workshops, and orientations
  • Actively communicating and interacting with other campus resources and departments

Qualifications

Applicants for this job must be current PSU students. The Office of Human Resources requires undergraduate student employees to be enrolled for at least 6 credits each term; graduate student employees must register for at least 5 credits each term. Prior experience working in an office is preferred, though not required. Given the populations we serve, multilingual students are particularly encouraged to apply. 

Expectations

The OISSS team has the following expectations of our Student Staff:

  • You will work 10-20 hours per week, be on time for your shifts, and work with your supervisor to cover any shifts that will be missed due to illness or other conflicts
  • You will work in person. This is not a remote role.
  • You will be available to work for at least one academic year, including the Summer Term.
  • You will provide friendly, efficient, and effective customer service to all who visit our office
  • You will be comfortable communicating by phone, email, in person, and on Zoom - especially with individuals for whom English is not the primary language
  • You will be detail-oriented and meticulous, completing tasks in a thoughtful and timely manner.
  • You will maintain strict confidentiality with regards to student records and private matters which may be encountered in this line of student services.
  • You will adhere to all PSU policies including policies on FERPA, Prohibited Discrimination and Harassment, Professional Standards of Conduct, and Mandatory Child Abuse Reporting.
  • You will be committed to learning, growth, and professional development.

OISSS Student Staff can expect the following:

  • An environment that acknowledges, encourages, and celebrates diversity
  • Scheduling that takes into account the fact that you are a student first and an employee second
  • Robust training that prepares you for a high degree of responsibility in your work. Training will include:
    • Introduction to the various policies and procedures carried out in OISSS.
    • Introduction to F-1 and J-1 immigration rules and how they apply to students and scholars at Portland State University
    • Introduction to the Banner and Sunapsis information systems
    • Introduction to the work of other vital PSU resources (Admissions, Student Financial Services, Human Resources, SHAC, Cultural Resource Centers, Student Legal Services, Disability Resource Center, etc.)
  • A professional experience that will provide a strong foundation for your working life after graduation
  • Full integration into our Student and Scholar services team

Application process

Please submit your resume and a cover letter to intl-services@pdx.edu with “Student Staff Position” in the subject line. Submissions through the Handshake portal will not be accepted. Please write your cover letter in your own words, do not rely on AI to write it for you. 

You must submit your complete application by August 11, 11:59pm to be considered.

Portland State University is an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity institution and welcomes applications from diverse candidates and candidates who support diversity.