Please make sure to read the job posting in its entirety as it reflects both the University roles and responsibilities, followed by the specific description.

Department
58661 CSL-International Affairs

About the Unit
The Office of International Affairs (OIA) is responsible for navigating immigration regulations and procedures; ensuring institutional compliance and oversight of visas; advising students, faculty, staff, other academic appointees (OAAs), postdocs, dependent families and hiring units; and developing and delivering trainings, workshops, and collaborative programming related to regulatory updates, pre-arrival/arrival resources, orientations and related legal matters.

Job Family

Legal & Regulatory Affairs
Responsible for providing advice and services to University officials on legal issues associated with the University’s activities, including transactional and intellectual property matters, policy formulation and compliance, employment and student issues, and pre-litigation dispute resolution. Represents the University’s interests in administrative and judicial proceedings. Holds primary institutional responsibility for establishing and maintaining relationships with regulatory and other governmental entities, and establishing and maintaining related compliance policies and protocols.

Career Track and Job Level

International Affairs
Oversees and administers all aspects of immigration-related services including advisement, processing, documentation, and record-keeping for students, employees and visitors. Provides visa support services and directly engages with governmental agencies on immigration-related issues.
P3: Requires in-depth knowledge and experience. Uses best practices and knowledge of internal or external University issues to improve products or services. Solves complex problems; takes a new perspective using existing solutions. Works independently, receives minimal  guidance. Acts as a resource for colleagues with less experience.

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

Responsibilities
The job uses best practices and knowledge regarding immigration-related programs and/or services including advisement, processing, documentation, and record-keeping for students, employees and visitors. Provides a deep working knowledge on visa support services and directly engages with governmental agencies to negotiate complex immigration-related issues.

1) Leads teams on regular reviews. Assigns a lead for each review session and guides the lead in preparation for the presentation of findings and recommendations., 2) Uses specialized depth and breadth of knowledge in immigration issues to conduct regular policy reviews and advise students, non-students, employees, and faculty on related immigration statuses., 3) Works independently to analyze programming data and make recommendations to the Associate Director regarding improved marketing for existing events and development of future programming., 4) Performs other related work as needed.
Per U.S. immigration regulations, must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident.

Unit-specific Responsibilities    

The following responsibilities represent 60% of the work performed.     

1) Advise and counsel a population of approximately 700-800 international students, their dependents, and their sponsoring academic units regarding U.S. immigration regulations and procedures, cultural adjustment, and sources of support available in the University and beyond.

2) Provide guidance on general topics related to living and studying in the U.S. and at the University. This includes, but is not limited to, holding office appointments for international students, responding promptly to written and phone queries, and providing the appropriate and relevant SEVIS reporting, follow-up documents and other actions required.

The following responsibilities represent 15% of the work performed.

3) Actively participate in the development, maintenance, and growth of staff expertise in the laws and regulations governing international students and in promulgating UChicago policies and procedures that ensure ongoing compliance. 

4) Develop and conduct training and workshops designed to educate international students and the UChicago community on the laws, regulations, policies, and procedures governing international students.

The following responsibilities represent 20% of the work performed.

5) Assist and participate in the development, maintenance, and training of the Office’s internal information system (Terra Dotta). 

6) Ensure timely/daily reporting of reportable information, manage quarterly verification, and execute reporting, queries, reminders to ensure greater regulatory compliance.

The following responsibilities represent 5% of the work performed.

7) Other duties as assigned.

Unit-preferred Competencies

1) Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

2) Ability to interact with individuals from many different countries and with a wide range of English skills and foreign accents.

3) Demonstrated aptitude for using electronic systems and programs.

4) Great attention to detail.

5) Demonstrated ability to work independently and creatively.

6) Ability to multi-task and to work in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

7) Strong interpersonal and organizational skills, self-motivated energetic approach to work, and customer-friendly attitude.

Education, Experience, and Certifications
Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience

1) Minimum 2 years work experience in student- or employment-based immigration.

2) Prior immigration experience working specifically with student-based immigration (F-1 or J-1).

Technical Knowledge or Skills

1) Proficient with Microsoft Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Word.

2) Experience with database software.

Physical Demands

1) Ability to see, including color, depth perception, or clarity.

2) Ability to hear, including making fine discrimination in sound.

3) Ability to sit for 4 hours or more.

4) Use computers extensively for 4 hours or more.

5) Travel to various off-campus and on-campus locations.

6) Effective audio-visual discrimination and perceptions.

7) Use standard office equipment.

Required Documents

1) Cover letter

2) Resume

3) List of three references

NOTE:  When applying all required documents MUST be uploaded under the Resume/CV section of the application.