Edtech.com's Summary

Texas A&M University is hiring an Immigration Specialist I for its International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) office in College Station, Texas. The specialist processes immigration documents and advises prospective, current, and former F-1 and J-1 students and scholars and their families, serving as a Designated School Official with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and an Alternate Responsible Officer with the Department of State. It is a face-to-face, high-volume role that also involves acting as a liaison to campus departments and outside agencies on immigration matters.

Highlights

Process immigration documents and requests for international students and scholars within office timelines and federal regulations, and maintain their records, including FERPA- and HIPAA-protected information.
Serve as Designated School Official (DSO) with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) with the U.S. Department of State.
Advise students, scholars, and their dependents by email, phone, front counter, virtual drop-in, and appointments, escalating complex matters to the appropriate staff member or supervisor.
Provide immigration information and advising to Texas A&M departments and external agencies, with limited assistance during student and scholar emergencies.
Keep current on federal, state, university, and ISSS regulations, using resources such as the NAFSA Adviser’s Manual to interpret complex immigration rules.
Represent ISSS through presentations, event Q&A, committee work, and occasional travel to meetings, conferences, or other campuses.
Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience, plus one year of immigration services or related experience.
Preferred experience in higher education and advising international students, with software such as SEVIS, Banner, PeopleSoft, Terra Dotta, or Sunapsis.
U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency, as federal regulations require for DSO and ARO certification, and willingness to work some evenings, weekends, and holidays.
Proposed minimum salary of $3,791.67 per month for a full-time, on-site position.

Immigration Specialist I Full Description

Job Title

Immigration Specialist I

Agency

Texas A&M University

Department

International Student and Scholar Services

Proposed Minimum Salary

$3,791.67 monthly

Job Location

College Station, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

What We Want

International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) is seeking an Immigration Specialist I to provide immigration services to ISSS clientele, including prospective, current, and former F-1 and J-1 international stakeholders, along with their family members, A&M faculty and staff, as well as community members and government representatives. This essential role in the ISSS office will primarily support our international population by processing requests and advising. We are seeking an experienced professional to provide thorough, accurate, and timely service related to immigration and other matters. We are looking for an individual who demonstrates teamwork and respect for people in all interactions with internal and external clientele. We invite you to apply for this opportunity if you can communicate complicated information effectively, if you are willing to learn about the U.S. immigration system and how it pertains to higher education, and if you enjoy a fast-paced and high-volume work environment.

What You Need to Know

Salary: Compensation will be commensurate to the selected hire’s experience.

Cover Letter/Resume: A cover letter and resume are strongly encouraged. You may upload them on the application under the CV/Resume section.

Other Requirements and Factors:

Must be able to work from the office and provide face-to-face customer service with ISSS clientele.
Must be able to lift, move, or carry individual documents and paper boxes as part of the records retention process.
U.S. Citizenship or U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident as required by federal regulations for certification as a Designated School Official (DSO) and Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO).
Must be willing to work some evenings, weekends, and holidays.
Must be willing to work on and off campus.
Required to handle protected health information (PHI) as defined by HIPAA regulations in accordance with Texas A&M System policy.
Required to complete HIPAA training as a condition of employment, within a reasonable timeframe after the individual’s hire date, and on an as-needed basis thereafter.
Travel may be required.

Essential Duties/Tasks

Document Processing

Supports international students and scholars through the processing of immigration documents and requests.
Serves as Designated School Official (DSO) with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) with the U.S. Department of State.
Maintains international student and scholar records, handles confidential (FERPA and HIPAA-protected) information, and navigates intricate immigration matters with multiple deadlines involved.
Produces accurate and efficient document processing within office processing timelines and in compliance with regulations.

Advising and Customer Service

Supports prospective, current, and former international students, scholars, and their dependents through the delivery of immigration advising.
Advises accurately and efficiently via email, phone, front counter, virtual-drop-in advising, and appointments.
Provides limited assistance with student and scholar emergencies as needed.
Triages and escalates complex matters to the appropriate staff member and/or supervisor as needed.
Provides information and advising to Texas A&M departments and external agencies related to immigration matters.
Exercises independent judgement to resolve problems regarding international student and scholar records.
Communicates verbally and in writing.

Training and Professional Development

Learns, maintains knowledge, and keeps abreast of applicable Federal, State, University, and ISSS regulations, policies, and procedures.
Actively participates in internal and external training to advance knowledge, particularly with respect to immigration document processing and advising for international students and scholars.
Assists with the review, revision, and interpretation of complex rules, regulations, procedures, and policies relating to immigration.
Researches and references internal policies and procedures, the NAFSA Adviser’s Manual, as well as federal government regulations and guidance when processing documents and advising students and scholars.

Office Representation and Travel

Represents ISSS as needed in some capacity, such as by giving presentations, helping with Q&A during events, serving as office liaison to other units, representing the office on committees, or by traveling to meetings, conferences, or other campuses.
Assists as needed with projects designed to support the needs of the office and/or international students and scholars.
Serves as a liaison for international students and scholars to campus departments, community members, and other organizations.
Travels occasionally off campus to fulfill office business responsibilities.

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in applicable field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
One year of Immigration Services or related experience.

Preferred Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree or higher.
Experience working at an institution of higher education.
Experience with advising or supporting international students.
Experience working with people from different backgrounds.
Experience processing high-volume records, requests, and tasks.
Experience using computer software programs, such as SEVIS, Banner, PeopleSoft, ISSM, Terra Dotta, Sunapsis, and/or other immigration, student information, or customer relationship management systems.
Active member of NAFSA: Association of International Educators, and/or other international or academic organizations.
Principal Designated School Official (PDSO), Designated School Official (DSO), Responsible Officer (RO), and/or Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO).
Knowledge of TAMU policies and procedures.
Ability to provide exceptional customer service to many customers at the same time.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Basic familiarity with immigration laws.
Ability to multi-task and work cooperatively with others.
Ability to work independently.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Excellent organizational skills.
Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills.
Detail-oriented.
Ability to comprehend and communicate technical information effectively and diplomatically.
Ability to relate well with the student population.

Who We Are

International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) supports international students, scholars, and their families as they navigate the U.S. immigration system and life in the U.S. We educate on policies and regulations and provide programs to enhance the Texas A&M international community experience. We welcome our international students, scholars, and their dependents to the Aggie community. We strive to build and nurture a culture where we choose to embrace, encourage, and celebrate different viewpoints, perspectives, cultures, and backgrounds. We are proud of our International Aggies who are changing the world!

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