Job Details:

Company:
U of MN Job Opening ID 359264 (https://hr.umn.edu/Jobs/Find-Job)

International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) at the University of Minnesota is committed to creating a global learning environment. As a leader in this goal, ISSS provides expert immigration and intercultural support to the international population of the university, including students, faculty, staff, scholars, and their dependents.

This position will be part of the ISSS Scholar Advising team, offering specialized guidance and assistance to over 1,200 international faculty, staff, scholars, and their sponsoring departments across the 5-campus University system. The primary focus will be on employment-based visas (H-1B, TN, E-3, etc.) and employment-based permanent residency, with the possibility of also serving as a J-1 Scholar advisor.

Responsibilities:

Immigration Advising and Counseling (65%)
– Provide expert immigration advice to international clients regarding employment-based non-immigrant visas (H-1B, TN, E-3) and permanent residency.
– Establish and maintain relationships with sponsoring department administrative staff to determine employment solutions and guide them through application processes.
– Interpret complex federal immigration regulations and institutional policies related to employing foreign nationals.
– Utilize counseling and adult learning theories to address career, academic, intercultural, and personal matters with international clients.
– Collaborate with clients and their departments to overcome barriers to success and make referrals to appropriate support services.
– Conduct advising meetings to gather relevant information and develop strategies to meet client’s objectives.
– Stay up-to-date with employment-based visa regulations and offer expertise to colleagues.
– Adhere to professional and ethical standards in counseling and international education.
– Contribute to communications, including newsletters and website content, to share immigration policies and updates.

Data Management and Document Production (20%)
– Prepare USCIS and DOL documents, such as petitions, applications, and files.
– Manage multiple databases, including PeopleSoft, Sunapsis, and FLAG.
– Coordinate with HR and Payroll staff to ensure accurate data input and tracking for foreign national employees.
– Serve as a liaison to U.S. government agencies for troubleshooting purposes.
– Potentially serve as an Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) for the J-1 Exchange Visitor program.

Communications, Outreach, and Programming (10%)
– Organize and participate in social and cultural programs for international faculty, staff, and scholars.
– Lead Scholar Orientation sessions.
– Assist with training and information sessions for international clients and their departments.
– Help update applications, forms, and informational materials.
– Contribute to office-wide events.

Professional Development and Service (5%)
– Stay informed about current trends in international education, counseling, intercultural competency, and immigration advising.
– Engage in professional development activities to better serve the international population.
– Represent and promote ISSS, GPS Alliance, and the university through information sessions and presentations.
– Participate in professional organizations and serve on committees as needed.
– May supervise student employee(s).

Required Qualifications:
– Bachelor’s degree in international education, law, human resources, counseling or a related field, with 4 years of relevant professional experience; or Master’s degree with 2 years of relevant professional experience.
– Strong interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills.
– Exceptional attention to detail and ability to handle a high workload with deadlines.
– Strong problem-solving and critical thinking abilities.
– Proficient in technical skills.
– Ability to work effectively with a diverse team.
– Experience living, studying, or working abroad, or relevant multicultural experience.

Preferred Qualifications:
– At least 2 years of experience as an international advisor/counselor or case manager in higher education or a similar setting.
– Familiarity with non-immigrant student, scholar, and employment-based visas (F-1, J-1, H-1B, E-3, etc.) and/or employment-based permanent residency processes.
– U.S. citizenship or legal permanent residency for ARO duties.
– Experience with Sunapsis and/or PeopleSoft.
– Effective presentation skills.
– Ability to organize and coordinate programs.
– Proficiency in one or more languages in addition to English.

The University of Minnesota’s Twin Cities campus is the flagship institution of the university system. Established in 1851, it is one of the most prestigious public research universities in the nation. The campus houses schools of engineering, medicine, law, veterinary medicine, and agriculture, making it one of only five universities in the nation to have all these schools on one campus