Senior Immigration Specialist

Iowa State University•Ames, IA

About The Position

Are you looking for a position where your work helps international scholars and employees contribute to a world‑class academic community? Are you also seeking a role that offers strong work–life balance and a supportive team environment? If so, the Scholar and Employment Unit within the International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) is seeking applicants for a Senior Immigration Specialist! This position will be classified as an International Students and Scholars Advisor III.

Requirements

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.
Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.
U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status required for access to the SEVIS system.

Nice To Haves

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.

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.