International Scholar Advisor

UNC-Chapel Hill•Chapel Hill, NC

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

International Student and Scholar Services ( ISSS ) serves as the principal administrative, advising and programming office for approximately 4,300 international students, faculty and scholars at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ( UNC -CH), a top ranking Global Public Research University. The International Scholar Advisor supports the recruitment and retention of top global faculty and researchers. This position offers the opportunity to build on existing skills as ongoing training and professional development opportunities will be provided. Essential duties include: 1. With a focus on excellent customer service, assists in obtaining appropriate immigration status, provides education about maintaining status, and provides general support for acclimation to a new community. 2. Serves as Alternate Responsible Officer of the University Exchange Visitor Program (J-1) and as a Designated School Official for F-1 Students. 3. Serves as liaison to multiple University units and to various agencies of the federal government. 4. Prepares employment-based immigrant and nonimmigrant petitions and related advising. 5. Advises and provides information to UNC -Chapel Hill international faculty and scholars, appointing unit staff, and faculty on government regulations and University policies affecting international faculty and scholars and their dependents. 6. Ensures compliance with federal labor and immigration laws and regulations. 7. Monitors regulatory updates, assists in the development and maintenance of online campus procedural materials and assists in making necessary changes to processes, forms, and information for distribution. 8. Provides trainings (workshops, information sessions, and orientation presentations) for campus departments involved in international faculty and scholar hosting. 9. Makes appropriate referrals for international faculty and scholars related to personal matters. 10. May perform other duties as assigned. This position may be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement, consistent with UNC -Chapel Hill’s Flexible Work Policy. Final arrangements will be determined in partnership with the hiring manager and are subject to change based on departmental needs and university guidelines.

Requirements

Interest in U.S. immigration law.
Demonstrated cross-cultural communication skills and sensitivity.
Ability to work as a team member in a group environment in an office dedicated to high quality services for international students and scholars.
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
Skills with database tools and technology.
Position requires accuracy and attention to detail.
Candidate must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident to serve as Alternate Responsible Officer and Designated School Official in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System ( SEVIS ), as required by federal regulation.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in an area related to international education.
A year or more of experience as an Alternate Responsible Officer and Designated School Official in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System ( SEVIS ).
Knowledge of federal regulations regarding nonimmigrant classifications for international scholars, including H-1B, O, TN, E-3 and J-1 Exchange Visitors.
Experience preparing and filing employment-based immigration cases.
Experience working in college or university setting.
Cross cultural experience gained by living and/or working outside the United States.

Responsibilities

Assists in obtaining appropriate immigration status, provides education about maintaining status, and provides general support for acclimation to a new community.
Serves as Alternate Responsible Officer of the University Exchange Visitor Program (J-1) and as a Designated School Official for F-1 Students.
Serves as liaison to multiple University units and to various agencies of the federal government.
Prepares employment-based immigrant and nonimmigrant petitions and related advising.
Advises and provides information to UNC -Chapel Hill international faculty and scholars, appointing unit staff, and faculty on government regulations and University policies affecting international faculty and scholars and their dependents.
Ensures compliance with federal labor and immigration laws and regulations.
Monitors regulatory updates, assists in the development and maintenance of online campus procedural materials and assists in making necessary changes to processes, forms, and information for distribution.
Provides trainings (workshops, information sessions, and orientation presentations) for campus departments involved in international faculty and scholar hosting.
Makes appropriate referrals for international faculty and scholars related to personal matters.
May perform other duties as assigned.