The Office of International Services provides immigration-related services for international visitors, students, faculty, researchers, and staff across all University of Pittsburgh campuses. OIS serves as a welcoming support center while ensuring compliance with federal immigration requirements. Our mission is to provide high-quality, comprehensive immigration services while developing international education professionals and leaders, guided by values of integrity, respect, excellence, leadership, teamwork, resourcefulness, and service.

OIS is seeking an Immigration Specialist to join our Employment Team handling complex scholar and employee immigration casework and advising.

The Immigration Specialist will be responsible for:

Coordinating complex employment-based immigration casework including E, H, J, O, TN, and permanent residence petitions for international scholars, faculty, and staff throughout the UniversityProcesses multi-part federal applications for submission to U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Department of State, and U.S. Department of Labor, including RFE responsesEnsures compliance with immigration regulations by educating faculty and administrators on federal requirements affecting international employees and scholarsServes as Designated School Official and Alternate Responsible Officer with individual federal recognition to access and report to secure Student Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS)Serves as resource for University members regarding complex immigration matters, providing guidance on non-routine visa issues with significant employment implicationsAdvises international scholars and employees on complex immigration regulations and personal, social, academic concerns related to their statusMaintains relationships with government agencies (DHS, DOS, DOL), educational institutions, and community organizations to facilitate visa documentation and employment authorizationRepresents OIS as liaison between office and University schools, departments, divisions, and external stakeholdersMaintains international records in University and federal systems, ensuring accuracy and compliance with federal reporting requirementsCompiles information and prepares reports and analyses for government agencies, establishing progress and providing recommendationsRemains current through professional reading, developing contacts, and attending required training on evolving immigration law and regulations

Qualifications:

A Bachelors Degree with 2-3 years' experience. Preferably in scholar and employee immigration advising and petition preparation, including H-1B applications and RFE responsesKnowledge of permanency processes and nonimmigrant visa processingProficiency with software and online application systemsExcellent communicationSuperior analytical and problem-solving abilitiesOutstanding customer service

A cover letter is required. Applications without cover letters will not be considered.

Facilitates legal immigration applications and processes and serves as liaison between the University and government agencies and as a resource for the University. Ensures accurate document processing and the University's compliance. Performs international credential evaluations for the admissions process.

Facilitates legal immigration applications and processes and serves as liaison between the University and government agencies and as a resource for the University. Ensures accurate document processing and the University's compliance. Performs international credential evaluations for the admissions process.

• Coordinates with faculty, staff, employees, and students throughout the University in facilitating and maintaining lawful immigration status and employment authorization.
• Ensures compliance with immigration/visa rules and regulations by educating faculty and department administrators on the unique limitations of international students.
• Serves as resource for all University members and affiliates regarding visa matters. Answers non-routine and complex immigration/visa related questions and assists in resolving issues.
• Maintains relationships with government agencies, sponsoring organizations, and foreign embassies to facilitate visa documentation and employment authorization for foreign students, scholars, faculty, staff, and employees.
• Remains competent and current through self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, attending professional development courses, and attending training and/or courses as directed.
• Compiles information and prepares various reports and analyses establishing progress, describing adverse trends, and stating recommendations and/or conclusions. Prepares required reports on foreign students and employees for various government agencies.
• Assists in the admissions process by performing international credential evaluation as needed.