Iowa State University · 14 hours ago
Senior Immigration Specialist
Ames, IA
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level
5+ years expIowa State University is seeking a Senior Immigration Specialist to help international scholars and employees contribute to a world-class academic community. The role involves managing immigration strategies, advising on complex employment scenarios, and ensuring compliance with U.S. immigration regulations.
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No H1B
U.S. Citizen Only
Responsibilities
Manage and coordinate employment‑based immigration strategy for international faculty, staff, postdocs, and visiting scholars, ensuring compliance with U.S. immigration regulations and university policy
Serve as a senior-level immigration subject matter expert, advising departments and leadership on complex employment scenarios (hiring, compensation, leave, remote work, job changes, and separations)
Independently prepare and file complex nonimmigrant and immigrant petitions (e.g., H‑1B, TN, E‑3, Labor Certifications, and permanent residence cases)
Analyze and respond to government inquiries, requests for evidence, and compliance challenges from DHS, DOL, and DOS
Partner with hiring departments, Talent Acquisition, and HR teams to develop customized, time‑sensitive immigration solutions
Serve as an Alternate Responsible Officer of Iowa State University’s Department of State Exchange Visitor Program for nonstudent J-1 Exchange Visitors in the SEVIS system. Report health, safety, and welfare issues directly to the Department of State as required for J-1 scholars
Advise international employees and scholars on immigration, employment, and cross‑cultural matters, coordinating with campus and external resources as needed
Develop and deliver training for campus stakeholders on immigration regulations, timelines, and systems (e.g., Sunapsis/Cystart)
Contribute to regulatory interpretation, policy development and continuous improvement of immigration practices, serving as a mentor and resource to junior staff
Support onboarding and compliance processes, including check‑ins, scholar orientations, and employment eligibility verification, as needed
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree and 5 years of related experience
Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship
U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status required for access to the SEVIS system
Preferred
Master's degree
Experience as a Principal/Designated School Official (P/DSO) or Alternate/Responsible Officer (A/RO)
Experience using SEVIS, Sunapsis, Workday, or similar case‑management/HR software
Experience filing Labor Certifications, H‑1B petitions, and employment‑based immigrant petitions, and managing related caseloads
Experience interpreting and implementing federal regulations and institutional policies, such as those in human resources and/or related to sponsoring and hosting international employees and scholars
Experience providing guidance or advising to international populations (students, scholars, or employees) in a university or similar organizational setting
Benefits
Comprehensive health and work-life benefits
Medical and dental
Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans
Generous vacation, holiday and sick time and leave plans
Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)
Life insurance and long-term disability
Flexible Spending Accounts
Various voluntary benefits and discounts
Employee Assistance Program
Wellbeing program
Company
Iowa State University
Iowa State University is a public flagship land-grant and space-grant research university located in Ames, Iowa.
5001-10000 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$5.51MKey Investors
U.S. Department of Energy Office of ElectricityUS Department of EnergyUS Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administation
2024-08-28Grant· $1M
2024-03-28Grant
2024-02-26Grant
Leadership Team
Kevin Kimle
Rastetter Chair of Agricultural Entrepreneurship
Recent News
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