Posted: Nov 9, 2026
APPLY

Residence Specialist

Full-time
Application Deadline: Nov 22, 2026
Education

Job Summary:

The Residence Specialist will join a dynamic and supportive team within the Office of the Registrar, working collaboratively with team members to provide exceptional service to students and families. In this role, the successful candidate will develop expertise in interpreting and applying complex laws, policies, and regulations governing residency for tuition purposes under Wisconsin's Residency for Tuition Law.

The Residence Specialist is responsible for reviewing residency claims, determining tuition residency status, and advising students and families on the requirements for establishing and maintaining resident tuition classification. The position serves as a key resource throughout the residency determination process, providing guidance to students and campus partners while ensuring consistent and equitable application of state law. The Residence Specialist also supports the lead Residence Specialist in coordinating appeals reviewed by the Nonresident Tuition Appeals Committee.

While prior experience with a Student Information System (SIS) or residency-specific software is not required, the ideal candidate will be comfortable working with databases and other technology, possess strong analytical and problem-solving skills, and demonstrate a commitment to continuous process improvement. This position reports to the Assistant University Registrar for Enrollment & Residency in the Office of the Registrar.

The Office of the Registrar, a part of the Division of Enrollment Management, collaborates and engages with the campus community to ensure we effectively and efficiently meet the needs of faculty, staff, and students by continuously supporting the teaching and learning mission of the University of Wisconsin–Madison and embracing the Wisconsin Idea.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Reviewing and determining residency status for tuition purposes in accordance with Wisconsin's Residency for Tuition Law.
  • Educating and advising students, families, faculty, staff, attorneys, and members of the public on residency requirements, policies, and the application of state law.
  • Providing administrative and operational support for the Nonresident Tuition Appeals Committee, including the coordination of residency appeal processes.
  • Maintaining and enhancing communications, business processes, and administrative systems to improve service delivery, efficiency, and the overall student experience.

Compensation:

Minimum annual salary for this position is $70,000. Actual salary will depend on the selected candidate's qualifications at time of hire.

This position is eligible for a comprehensive benefits package, including generous paid time off, competitively priced health/dental/vision/life insurance, tax-advantaged savings accounts, and participation in the nationally recognized Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) pension fund. Review the benefits summary for more information.

Required Qualifications:

  • Two or more years working experience in higher education
  • Strong attention to detail and demonstrated skills in accuracy, organization, critical thinking, and analysis
  • Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply complex laws, regulations, policies, and procedures to individual circumstances and cases
  • Ability to effectively manage competing priorities, meet established deadlines, and maintain accuracy in a high-volume work environment
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex information clearly and effectively to diverse audiences
  • Demonstrated ability to navigate sensitive and challenging conversations with individuals using professionalism and sound judgment
  • Demonstrated ability to appropriately handle confidential and sensitive information with discretion and in accordance with applicable policies and requirements
  • Strong technological aptitude and a data-informed approach to work, with the ability and willingness to learn and effectively use new software, systems, and technology

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience working with student information systems and other technology or systems used to collect, evaluate, and analyze residency requirements
  • Knowledge of and experience interpreting and applying laws, regulations, policies, and procedures related to residency determination in a higher education setting, preferably at a large, complex institution, or comparable experience applying complex regulatory requirements to individual cases
  • Demonstrated experience in administrative process design and improvement

How to Apply:

To learn more and apply for this position, visit https://jobs.wisc.edu/jobs/residence-specialist-madison-wisconsin-united-states.