Immigration Specialist

Cleveland Clinic•Cleveland, OH

6d•Onsite

About The Position

Cleveland Clinic is hiring an Immigration Specialist at one of three levels: Immigration Specialist I, Immigration Specialist II, or Senior Immigration Specialist, with the level based on educational background and relevant experience. The role manages Visa & Immigration Services programs, systems, procedures, and workflows supporting international caregivers, scholars, trainees, and sponsoring departments. It oversees program implementation, system administration, compliance, documentation, stakeholder communication, case coordination, and process improvement. The Immigration Specialist works with Human Resources, Graduate Medical Education, Cleveland Clinic Research, internal departments, training programs, government agencies, external partners, and system vendors. The role supports J-1 visa sponsorship and Exchange Visitor Programs, H-1B visas, and other visa categories as directed, helping ensure compliant and timely service for international populations. Work is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at CCAC, with occasional travel to Main Campus. The role also supports employment authorization and I-9 compliance, maintains immigration systems and records, provides guidance to international populations and stakeholders, and contributes to policy updates, training, financial administration, and operational improvements. The senior level additionally exercises independent judgment across multiple projects, leads strategic planning and risk management, and serves as a senior escalation resource for complex immigration matters.

Requirements

Immigration Specialist I: Bachelor's degree; or associate degree and two years of experience; or high school diploma/GED and four years of experience. Additional work experience may be substituted for the degree.
Immigration Specialist II: Bachelor's degree; or associate degree and five years of experience; or high school diploma/GED and seven years of experience. Additional work experience may be substituted for the degree.
Senior Immigration Specialist: Bachelor's degree and six years of related experience; or associate degree and eight years of experience in lieu of a bachelor's degree; or high school diploma/GED and ten years of experience in lieu of the degree.
Eligibility to serve as an Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO), including being a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident and an employee or officer of the sponsoring organization.
Knowledge of project management, systems administration, reporting, data analysis, workflow improvement, immigration processes, and federal compliance requirements.
Ability to communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders and handle sensitive information confidentially.
Attention to detail, effective communication, customer service skills, and proficiency with Microsoft Office.
For Immigration Specialist II, ability to use judgment on routine and moderately complex matters, make decisions within established guidelines, and escalate complex, policy-sensitive, or high-risk cases.
For Immigration Specialist II, ability to apply knowledge of compliance, data analysis, process improvement, research, financial coordination, and business planning; strong communication, sound judgment, cross-cultural sensitivity, and ability to work independently on routine and moderately complex matters.
For Senior Immigration Specialist, critical thinking, independent judgment, discretion, attention to detail, and ability to work independently across multiple projects and program areas in a fast-paced, highly regulated environment.
For Senior Immigration Specialist, ability to exercise independent judgment, lead strategic planning and risk management, and serve as a senior escalation resource for complex visa and immigration matters.
For Senior Immigration Specialist, demonstrated leadership, organizational, communication, training, problem-solving, financial management, research, and presentation skills.
For Senior Immigration Specialist, ability to interpret complex information, identify risk, collaborate across departments, and act appropriately in time-sensitive, stressful, or urgent situations.
Ability to perform work in a stationary position for extended periods, operate a computer and other office equipment, communicate and exchange accurate information, and travel throughout the hospital system.
Follow Standard Precautions and use personal protective equipment as required for procedures.
Comply with Cleveland Clinic's influenza prevention program, including annual vaccination or an approved exemption.
Employment offers are followed by testing for controlled substances.

Nice To Haves

Immigration Specialist I: Bachelor's degree, one year of related experience, knowledge of evolving immigration regulations, and experience with Terra Dotta.
Immigration Specialist II: Bachelor's degree and three years of related immigration, international scholar services, or paralegal experience.
Senior Immigration Specialist: Bachelor's degree, six years of related immigration, international scholar services, or paralegal experience, and prior ARO or RO experience.

Responsibilities

Administer assigned Visa & Immigration Services programs, workflows, systems, data, procedures, documentation processes, and case management tools, including Terra Dotta and related tracking platforms.
Maintain immigration systems by supporting user access, e-forms, process maps, workflow updates, reporting, troubleshooting, training materials, and routine improvements.
Support J-1 visa sponsorship and Exchange Visitor Program activities, including applications, case initiation, document coordination, MyIntealth activity, reappointments, transfers, extensions, travel endorsements, dependent requests, waiver checks, DS-2019 processing, and required confirmations.
Serve as an Alternate Responsible Officer and oversee assigned SEVIS activity, including validation, reporting, record updates, expiration tracking, insurance attestations, and related compliance.
Liaise with ECFMG/Intealth, GME programs, Cleveland Clinic Research, program leaders, departments, trainees, caregivers, government agencies, external partners, and institutional counterparts to coordinate cases and resolve issues.
Provide immigration guidance and operational support to international caregivers, scholars, trainees, research fellows, graduates, administrators, program directors, and departments.
Process H-1B petitions for assigned populations, including case initiation, document collection, petition preparation, filing assembly, record retention, and status tracking.
Prepare and coordinate LCAs, posting notices, prevailing wage documentation, public access file materials, USCIS fee chargebacks, and Premium Processing requests when appropriate.
Monitor H-1B requirements, timelines, expiration dates, special requests, temporary placements, and withdrawal needs.
Collaborate with GME and Cleveland Clinic Research on Non-Standard Training programs, sponsorship questions, case issues, tracking, and system updates.
Manage competing case priorities, sponsorship deadlines, compliance requirements, and stakeholder expectations across assigned sites and programs.
Make program-level decisions within established guidelines and escalate complex, unusual, policy-sensitive, or high-risk matters through the appropriate process.
Monitor adherence to HR policies, corporate compliance standards, immigration regulations, and federal requirements, while maintaining accurate documentation.
Support policy and procedure updates, identify process gaps, and recommend improvements to efficiency, standardization, data integrity, and operational consistency.
Verify employment authorization and support I-9 compliance, including eligibility review, orientation processing, Workday record maintenance, expiration reporting, re-verification tracking, and timely updates.
Participate in advising meetings, virtual walk-ins, webinars, stakeholder meetings, written communications, resource development, and urgent case discussions.
Participate in meetings, case reviews, and problem-solving; train and coach peers and team members on complex cases, coverage, stakeholder education, and process improvement.
Provide coverage during high-volume periods and assist with reporting, documentation, compliance, and operational improvement projects.
Participate in budgeting, chargeback coordination, Pcard monitoring, financial reconciliation, and related administrative processes.
Maintain professional relationships with internal and external partners, institutions, government agencies, and other stakeholders.
Maintain current knowledge of immigration regulations, agency guidance, federal policy changes, global events, industry practices, and operational issues affecting visa sponsorship and status maintenance.
Participate in professional development, training, and collaboration to maintain immigration subject-matter expertise.
Perform other duties as assigned.