International Scholar Advisor

UNC-Chapel Hill•Chapel Hill, NC

About The Position

International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) is 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-Chapel Hill). The International Scholar Advisor supports the recruitment and retention of global faculty and researchers by advising on immigration status and related matters, providing education and support, and helping international scholars acclimate to the community. Ongoing training and professional development opportunities will be provided. The position serves as an Alternate Responsible Officer for the University Exchange Visitor Program (J-1) and as a Designated School Official for F-1 students. It advises international faculty and scholars, appointing unit staff, and faculty on government regulations and University policies; prepares employment-based immigration petitions; supports compliance with federal labor and immigration requirements; and provides training, resources, and referrals. The position may be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement under UNC-Chapel Hill’s Flexible Work Policy. Final arrangements are made with the hiring manager and may 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 an office group environment dedicated to high-quality service for international students and scholars.
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
Skills with database tools and technology.
Accuracy and attention to detail.
Must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident to serve as an Alternate Responsible Officer and Designated School Official in 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 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 on immigration cases in a college or university setting.
Cross-cultural experience gained by living and/or working outside the United States.

Responsibilities

Provide customer-focused assistance with obtaining appropriate immigration status, education on maintaining status, and general support for acclimating to a new community.
Serve as Alternate Responsible Officer for the University Exchange Visitor Program (J-1) and as a Designated School Official for F-1 students.
Serve as a liaison to University units and federal government agencies.
Prepare employment-based immigrant and nonimmigrant petitions and provide related advising.
Advise international faculty and scholars, appointing unit staff, and faculty on government regulations and University policies affecting international faculty, scholars, and their dependents.
Ensure compliance with federal labor and immigration laws and regulations.
Monitor regulatory updates and assist in developing and maintaining online campus procedural materials and updating processes, forms, and distributed information.
Provide workshops, information sessions, and orientation presentations for campus departments involved in hosting international faculty and scholars.
Make appropriate referrals for international faculty and scholars concerning personal matters.
Perform other duties as assigned.