Immigration Compliance Specialist (Hybrid) - Office for International Students & Scholars

Washington University in St. Louis • Yosemite Valley, CA

1d • $58,400 - $99,700 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Immigration Compliance Specialist provides high level administrative and operational leadership for front line immigration compliance within OISS for both students and scholars. The role designs and optimizes workflows to ensure accurate, efficient and compliant immigration processing across university systems; oversees collection, management and integrity of key immigration and admissions data; helps deliver general tax education for the foreign national population; collaborates with HR and Payroll on foreign national compliance; and administers data governance and quality assurance for the Foreign National Information System (FNIS).

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree
• Working With Visa And Immigration Regulations (5 Years)
• Per U.S. federal regulations, must be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident and provide proof of status.
• Designated School Official (DSO) and Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) within six months of start date. OISS will provide training.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in developing training and conducting webinars.
• Experience in setting up data systems and reporting is helpful.
• Comprehensive knowledge of F, J, H, TN and other visa categories, as well as familiarity with FNIS, Payroll, HR and related compliance processes.
• Ability to analyze proposed regulations and develop corresponding workflows.
• Strong understanding of data systems, including how various platforms integrate and exchange information.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities, organize tasks effectively, and ensure accurate, timely completion of assignments while remaining flexible to evolving office needs.
• Exceptional communication and customer service skills, with a demonstrated commitment to responsiveness and professional engagement.
• Master's degree in a related field preferred.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and manage comprehensive immigration compliance activities by designing, implementing and continuously refining policies, procedures and training programs aligned with federal immigration regulations.
• Work closely with the OISS leadership team to monitor regulatory developments, assess institutional impact, and update processes; accordingly, serve as a primary subject matter expert for complex and time‑sensitive immigration inquiries originating from front‑line OISS staff and campus stakeholders.
• Conduct compliance audits and maintain checklists.
• Support and deliver targeted training on FNIS data entry, international admissions, and document requests for J-1, H-1B, TN and other visa categories.
• Lead training sessions and webinars across the Danforth and Medical School campuses.
• Serve as liaison with WU-IT on development, implementation and maintenance of projects pertaining to the departmental information systems, online data collection systems and datalinks with other University systems to ensure immigration compliance and data integrity.
• Develop processes of ongoing reporting of immigration data, as well as reporting periodic events.
• Serve as Designated School Official (DSO) and Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), with responsibility for monitoring and ensuring adherence to federal reporting requirements; review, authorize and execute SEVIS and related immigration reporting and data entry, ensuring accuracy, timeliness and consistency with institutional policy and federal regulations.
• Design, implement and support business processes for efficient processing and compliance of immigration and foreign national payroll processing.
• Manage and coordinate income tax related resources and guidance for the University’s foreign national population, in collaboration with Payroll, HR and external vendors.; develop and disseminate clear guidance, training and communications on U.S. tax obligations for nonresident students and scholars; and ensure that tax related guidance from OISS supports overall immigration compliance.
• Recruit, train, and supervise office support staff involved in front line operations, including reception and triage, immigration compliance support, updating visa information and data collection and reporting.
• Establish performance expectations, provide ongoing coaching and evaluation, and ensure alignment of staff activities with OISS and institutional compliance priorities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Up to 22 days of vacation, 10 recognized holidays, and sick time.
• Competitive health insurance packages with priority appointments and lower copays/coinsurance.
• Free Metro transit U-Pass for eligible employees.
• Defined contribution (403(b)) Retirement Savings Plan, which combines employee contributions and university contributions starting at 7%.
• Wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs and courses, employee assistance program (EAP), financial resources, access to dietitians, and more!
• 4 weeks of caregiver leave to bond with your new child.
• Family care resources are also available for your continued childcare needs.
• Adult care resources.
• Covers the cost of tuition for you and your family, including dependent undergraduate-level college tuition up to 100% at WashU and 40% elsewhere after seven years with us.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level