Assist Dir, Employment-based Immigration / Internl Students & Scholars Off Asst Dir

Working/Functional Title

Assist Dir, Employment-based Immigration

Position Summary

The Assistant Director, Employment-based Immigration Advising will oversee employment-based immigration support for MSU; advise university departments and individual employees on employment related immigration issues; consult with outside counsel; stay abreast of current issues related to employment-based immigration; provide education and training to the MSU community as appropriate; supervise the International Employee Advisor. The Assistant Director will serve on the office leadership team; advise the Director; provide leadership within the office; and act on behalf of the director when needed.

All OISS staff are expected to work onsite a minimum of 60% of the time, with additional time onsite during peak periods.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

Prepare and file employment-based immigration petitions

• Responsible for reviewing, preparing and interpreting immigration documents, letters, and regulations for the hiring of international faculty and staff. Prepare for filing H-1B, E-3 and TN employment-based visa categories (prepares prevailing wages, LCAs, I-129s), assists with PR processing
• Serve as the lead collaborator with campus stakeholders including general counsel and human resources.
• Ensure institutional compliance with employment based immigration regulations
• Maintain strong working relationships with US government agencies including USCIS, USDOL, USCBP and USDOS for purposes of filing petitions and obtaining up to date information
• Recommends and coordinates referrals to designated outside immigration counsel for cases

Maintain employment-based records

• Maintains employment-based immigration files for the university and Department of Homeland Security audit files
• Runs reports on employment immigration status to alert departments of expiration dates
• Identify needs and implement any regulatory or system changes for the non-immigrant employment programs
• Complete Form I9 for employees in H1B and other immigration statuses

Advise and train employees and departments on employment-based immigration issues

• Interprets Federal regulations, updates materials and procedure manuals and answers questions from staff and public to provide information on policies and procedures
• Develops and prepares materials, programs, and presentations to employees, and departmental administrators with immigration matters
• Instructs and advises academic departments and employees on appropriate visas, forms, and procedures to hire temporary or permanent foreign faculty, researchers and students

Administration and supervision

• Assist the Director with development and oversight of employment-based immigration support for the university
• Serve on the OISS leadership team
• Represent OISS at various meetings and functions, as needed
• Supervise and train the International Employee Advisor
• Serves a back up Designated School Official (DSO) and Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO)

Minimum Requirements

• Knowledge normally acquired by completing one or two years of post-bachelor degree work, such as a Master's in Social Science, Communication, Education and Guidance Counseling with relevant course work in English, a foreign language, and/or international studies
• Five to eight years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in immigration laws and regulations regarding preparing H-1B, E-3 and TN cases, academic counseling, administration and proficiency in a second language; or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• The incumbent must be a Legal Permanent Resident or US Citizen to serve as a Designated School Official in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS)

 

Desired Qualifications

• A master’s degree from an accredited institution with significant international experience that may include studying, living or working abroad; interacting with international students and scholars; and experience speaking a second language
• Significant experience preparing H-1B, E-3 and TN cases; working knowledge of PERM filings, experience advising on F and J regulations
• Training and case management experience
• Two or more years of experience advising international students/scholars in an academic setting
• Excellent written and oral communication skills; supervisory experience
• Demonstrated experience as part of a team and service-oriented work environment

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, relig