Immigration Specialist

Prefer an additional 2 years of experience in Human Resources. Experience in higher education, public government, or related industry is ideal. 1 to 2 years of experience as an immigration specialist, or other related position with a focus on facilitating immigration processes and procedures with in-house and outside immigration professionals; preferably in a university setting or experience working with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services ( USCIS) regulations governing non-immigrant students and or/foreign workers. Professional certifications such as HRCI, SHRM-CP, SHRM- SCP or other relevant industry certifications are desirable, but not required.

This position serves as an employment specialist for all foreign national matters for permanent employees. Provides guidance and consultative support to international faculty, staff, postdoctoral students, sponsoring departments, and external immigration attorneys on compliance issues. Reaches out to appropriate offices, on matters including visa adjustments, state maintenance, authorized travel, employment questions, transfers, changes of status, travel and re-entry into the country. The Talent Solutions Consultant will work with the

Human Resources Specialist will be responsible for applying technical knowledge to identify issues relating to employment law, policies, and procedures as they relate to foreign nationals, and coordinates communication about these issues to sponsoring departments, administration, employees, and others. Advises the sponsoring department on special issues concerning the hiring of foreign nationals as it relates to both non-immigrant and immigrant status. Provides guidance and consultative support to sponsoring departments in the preparation, processing, and maintenance of documents in support of immigration sponsorship requests for H-1B and permanent residence applications.

North Carolina A&T State University is a premiere doctoral research university, rated R2-High Research Activity in the Carnegie Classification of Higher Education Institutions. Located in the historic city of Greensboro in the heart of America's no. 1 state for business, A&T today enrolls 13,800 students in a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs who are supported by more than 2,400 faculty, staff, and temporary employees. The university is the no. 1 producer of Black STEM graduates, and over the past two years, has graduated more African American students in Engineering, Liberal Arts, Journalism/Mass Communication, and Agricultural Science than any university in America.

The Division of Human Resources (DHR) provides comprehensive programs and services to support, attract, and retain high-performing faculty and staff at the University, as well as, to develop an interdisciplinary workforce to effectively serve the University in support of its mission.
The Human Resources at North Carolina A&T is committed to serving as a strategic partner by providing comprehensive service, excellence, engagement, and knowledge to the University community. It is our desire to support a culture of uncompromising expectation that will enable the University to attract, retain, and develop faculty and staff of the future while development culture across the campus community.

HR for Academic Affairs is responsible for the infrastructure and business processes associated with employee recruitment, onboarding, position design and management, compensation alignment, and career progression review of instructional and research faculty. HR for Academic Affairs team members consult with University departments/units concerning talent needs and strategies for staffing and improved organizational effectiveness. In collaboration with the Academic, Budget, and Planning office, this team provides oversight to all faculty HR matters, including permanent faculty and part-time instructors. The mission is to assist in the continuous improvement of HR processes, procedures, and programs to deliver innovative and contemporary solutions consistent with the University's strategic initiatives.

Oversees case management of H-1B, TN, O-1, and E-3 visa holders. Facilitate immigration processing of reports and monitor the approval process within USCIS rules regarding obtaining and maintaining legal and valid immigration status in the United States. Assembles documentation, prepares, and files employment-based nonimmigrant visa petitions. Ensures timely and accurate completion of all paperwork; compiles required legal documentation, advises visa holders. Oversees maintenance of Public Access files and assists with overseeing the university's I-9 compliance; Liaison between university and UNC System Office legal counsel and in obtaining work authorization, permanent residency visa, and/or other immigration requirements.

Coordinate the issuance of immigration petitions to new and existing Foreign National employees. Prepare and maintain Foreign National status reports and metrics. Monitor the status of upcomingexpirations and track when renewals are required. Prepare Labor Condition Applications and H-1B visa applications for submission to U.S.C.I.S. Preparing and submitting employment-based visa (H-1B) applications to the federal government ( USCIS) on behalf of the university; Enters data from the Foreign National Information Form into WINSTAR for permanent employees and students in coordination with the Payroll Office and International Student Services Office.

Communicates verbally and in writing with supervisors, employees, and applicants to explain and interpret foreign national employment policies. Applies knowledge of email protocol and excellent grammatical skills in all communications. Remains abreast of changes in immigration laws, policies, and regulations to ensure university compliance. Provides advice and guidance as well as ongoing education and training to the university administrative community on office processes that are in line with immigration regulations pertaining to work permits, visa renewals and permanent residency sponsorship for foreign nationals. Prepares regular reports and analysis to track immigration metrics and provide insights to HR leadership. Design and deliver several types of presentations on Foreign National policy and procedure. Serve as a point of contact to disseminate guidance to academic departments regarding immigration fees and visa processes for new international faculty. Update databases, generate reports and/or create updates to forms, handouts and website as appropriate.

Responsible for oversight of visa, immigration, and work authorization issues related to the employment of all faculty, researchers and staff in non-immigrant status categories. Consult regularly with Legal, Provost, Academic, Budget, and Planning Office, and academic departments regarding policy and process decisions affecting international employees. Advise in the areas of immigration, tax obligations (in consultation with Controller's Office), employment, government regulations. Persuades managers and candidates of the beneficial outcomes of integrity in employment actions. Conveys sensitive information appropriately and understands others' reactions to messages that are harder to accept when they are not the anticipated outcome. Advises applicants of other openings for which their qualifications would match the requirements. Promotes and markets the attractiveness of working at NCA&T in all communication.

Drafts/edits ad copy for external advertisements, as requested and/or necessary. Posts and monitors the status of vacancy announcements in PeopleAdmin, verifies the budgets assigned to vacancies, and determines appropriate hiring ranges. Reviews, screens and refers applications based upon established State minimum training and education requirements and established preferred qualifications. Reviews selection documentation for compliance with EEO/AA policies and procedures, this includes all selection documentation, telephone reference checks, initial competency assessment, interview questions, and non-selection criteria. Works with hiring officials to resolve non-compliance issues before approval of hiring proposal. Initiates criminal background checks upon receipt of selection documentation and review results. Checks for a successful background check completion. Provides excellent customer service to applicants during all stages of the application and selection process.

You must complete and submit an electronic application for employment to be considered. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing an electronic application. Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach a DD 214 form. Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty with your application during the process of applying to the job posting. Final candidates are subject to criminal and sex offender background checks. North Carolina A&T State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States. North Carolina A&T State University is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. No one who applies or seeks employment will be denied admission to or employment at North Carolina A&T State University on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, disabling condition, veteran status, political affiliation, genetic information or sexual orientation and sexual identity.

Employee Benefits available to NC A & T permanent employees include the following and more: