Cornell University embraces diversity and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We strongly encourage individuals from underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.

What is Cornell University and what is the Office of Global Learning?

Cornell University, unique among peers, is the federal land-grant institution of New York State, a private endowed university, and a member of the Ivy League. The Office of Global Learning (OGL) is part of the Office of the Vice Provost for International Affairs (OVPIA). As such, we share the mission of developing and supporting global learning activities across the Cornell University community—in Ithaca, New York City, and the world. As a comprehensive international education unit, our office helps Cornellians from around the world grow as global learners. Our team coordinates education abroad experiences for Cornell students, advises international students and scholars on federal immigration and labor regulations, supports the engagement and success of international students and scholars into the Cornell community, and promotes cross-cultural competency on campus and beyond. 

What you will do:

The Immigration Specialist provides counsel, advisement, and appropriate referrals related to complex immigration statuses for international faculty, staff, family members, and university hiring departments. Reporting to the Senior Immigration Advisor, they manage lengthy, multi-step casework and assess the relevance of new case work within existing policy framework and convey complex policy guidance to hiring units. They will serve as a federally approved Designated School Official and Alternate Responsible Officer for Cornell University's F, student and J exchange visitor programs. They will prepare and submit complex immigration petitions to federal agencies, DHS & DOL, including H-1B, E-3, O-1, TN, and permanent residence applications, and respond to USCIS requests for evidence. They will also aid the student immigration team with routine F-1 and J-1 student casework.

This position is performed on campus with core business hours between 8:30AM-4:30PM. 

What we need:

We need an organized and attentive team-player who makes clients feel welcome, understood, and that their needs are being met. Additionally, you will have: 

Bachelor’s degree and 2 years of relevant experience in international student or scholar services, human resources or administrative services, immigration practice or a closely related field—or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Excellent writing and interpersonal communication skills.

Demonstrated service orientation.

Demonstrated aptitude in working with desktop computer software packages such as spreadsheets, word processing, and database applications

Strong attention to detail and accuracy in preparing official documents.

Ability to remain calm in the face of a heavy workload.

Demonstrated ability to work with a diverse population.

If you have all those things, great! We have a few more things that we would prefer you to have, but it’s ok if you don’t:

Masters in a related field.

Ability to comprehend government regulatory language helpful.

International student or scholar services experience strongly preferred.

Familiarity with Cornell University desirable.

Experience working with a diverse international population strongly preferred.

Success Factors

Excellent interpersonal, oral communication, and customer service are essential, as you’ll be interacting across various levels of our organization (e.g., students, faculty, staff, internal and external stakeholders).

Service orientation, with a positive and professional image are vital.

Highly organized with the aptitude to track and follow-up with timely communication.

You’ll have a lot of opportunities to learn and grow as a professional, so being self-motivated and an interest in self-development will help you thrive in the role.

Rewards and Benefits

We hope you appreciate great benefits. Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, sustainability, and diversity initiatives.

Our benefits program includes comprehensive health care options, access to wellness programs, employee discounts with local and national retail brands, and generous retirement contributions.

Our leave provisions include three weeks of vacation and 13 holidays: e.g., an end-of-year winter break, from December 25th through January 1st.

Cornell's impressive educational benefits include a tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program, Tuition Aid for external education, and Cornell Children's Tuition Assistance program.

Important Notes about Applying:

Please submit both a cover letter and a résumé to be considered for this position.

There is no visa sponsorship available for this position.

As part of the university's comprehensive vaccination program, all Cornell employees are required to have and provide proof of an FDA-or WHO-authorized or approved COVID-19 primary vaccination or have obtained a university-approved disability/medical or religious exemption, regardless of their role and work location.