Principal Designated School Official (PDSO)

Job Description

Job DescriptionSalary: $34.00 - $38.00 per hour

About the University of West Los Angeles (UWLA)

UWLA is a mission-driven institution committed to access, equity, and compliance-focused student success. As a SEVP-certified institution authorized to enroll F-1 students, UWLA upholds the highest standards of federal regulatory compliance, academic integrity, and student-centered service.

We are seeking a highly experienced Principal Designated School Official (PDSO) with a strong background in SEVIS management, federal reporting, and day-to-day international student advising within higher education. This role is central to maintaining institutional compliance under 8 CFR 214.2(f), 214.3, and 214.4, and ensuring outstanding service to our international student population.

Position Summary

The PDSO serves as the primary compliance officer for all F-1 regulatory matters and oversees UWLAs international student lifecycle within SEVIS. This is a leadership role requiring seasoned, hands-on experience as a DSO/PDSO, strong regulatory knowledge, exceptional organizational skills, and the ability to collaborate across academic and administrative units.

Key Responsibilities

SEVIS & Federal Compliance:

- Serve as the primary liaison with SEVP, DHS, ICE, and related federal agencies.

- Maintain full compliance with all federal regulations under 8 CFR 214.2(f), 214.3, 214.4.

- Oversee SEVIS record creation, maintenance, updates, and timely reporting.

- Monitor regulatory changes and ensure UWLA policy compliance aligns with SEVP guidance.

- Prepare for and lead SEVP site visits and recertification processes.

International Student Advising:

- Provide expert advising to students on maintaining F-1 status, employment options, travel, academic progress, and regulatory responsibilities.

- Oversee CPT/OPT pipelines, employer verification, audits, and documentation review.

- Conduct orientations and workshops for international students.

Institutional Leadership:

- Train, supervise, and support DSOs.

- Develop institutional SOPs for F-1 compliance, CPT/OPT processing, and student services.

- Collaborate with Admissions, Registrar, Finance, Academic Affairs, and other units.

Operations & Reporting:

- Lead UWLAs SEVIS Recertification and updates to the I-17.

- Maintain compliance logs, case notes, and communication records.

- Develop metrics for enrollment, compliance trends, and processing efficiency.

Required Qualifications

- Minimum 35 years of direct experience as a DSO or PDSO.

- Comprehensive knowledge of federal F-1 student regulations.

- Must be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.

- Bachelors degree required; Masters preferred.

- Strong communication and organizational skills.

Preferred Qualifications

- Experience in legal, regulatory, or compliance roles.

- Familiarity with SIS systems and SEVIS batch reporting.

- Experience creating policies and institutional SOPs.

- Experience with diverse multicultural student populations.

Compensation & Benefits

- Competitive salary based on experience.

- Full benefits package.

- Professional development opportunities.

- Tuition remission available.