VCU combines learning, research, creativity, service, and discovery with a commitment to inclusive excellence. Ranked by U.S. News as one of the 30 “most innovative” public universities in the country, VCU is a premier, urban, public research university home to multiple nationally ranked programs. All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s generous benefits package that includes: competitive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, Virginia Retirement System (VRS), professional development & certifications, tuition waiver, parental leave, caregiving leave and community service leave. Learn more about VCU’s benefits here: https://hr.vcu.edu/careers-at-vcu/why-work-at-vcu/.

Position Summary:

The Immigration Advisor plays a vital and active role in international student recruitment, retention, and success by serving as a Designated School Official (DSO) and providing direct legal and compliance support to students on F-1 visas. Specific duties include guidance and services about:

Applying for an F-1 visa or transferring an F-1 visa, to ensure that accepted international students can matriculate at VCU. Maintaining F-1 status throughout the program of study, ensuring that students who matriculate can remain at VCU and achieve their academic and training goals. Securing authorization for employment, training, or internship during and after their VCU studies, ensuring that students can develop professionally at the start of their careers. Introducing or referring students to campus and community resources for new and continuing students (academic advising, housing, transportation, cultural transition), ensuring that students’ broader needs are met. Participating in scheduled orientation and cultural events, ensuring that students feel welcomed and integrated into the campus and community. The Immigration Advisor also provides critical behind-the-scenes visa compliance data management by regular interface with Sunapsis (as a user and as an administrator) and U.S. government agencies in the immigration space. All duties are performed in the context of accessible and excellent customer service to ensure a superior student experience and compliance with each transaction. 

Required Qualifications: 

A minimum of 2 years of full-time service as a Designated School Official (DSO). U.S. law requires a DSO to be either a U.S. citizen or permanent resident (green card holder).   Familiarity with higher education organization, procedures, practices, and communication techniques. Excellent research and analytic skills. Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, interpret regulations and policies, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to create and use systematic approaches to problem-solving. Superior time management and project management skills with the capability to establish action plans, set clear goals, monitor and communicate progress, and follow through on all initiatives to completion. Ability to plan short- and longer-term goals.  Excellent organizational skills.  Detail-oriented and capable of working independently to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.  Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite; Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Ability to maintain basic data and document management systems for customer service and compliance purposes. Excellent oral and written communication in daily interactions.  Effectively handle confidential and sensitive information with discretion. Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff and student environment or commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU. Preferred Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in related field. User or administrator experience with Sunapsis or similar immigration compliance data management software.  Experience as a Responsible Officer (RO) or Alternate RO for J-1 visa processing.  Proficiency in a foreign language  All applications must be submitted online - https://vcu.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home/requisition/3373?c=vcu.  No applications will be accepted outside of the VCU application system.