About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

Job Summary

The International Student and Scholar Advisor provides advanced immigration advice and support to international students, scholars and employees who are under UMass Amherst immigration sponsorship and provides critical support to the overall mission of the International Programs Office.

Essential Functions

• Advises UMass Amherst international students, international scholars and employees on policies and procedures related to non-immigrant visa sponsorship. Advises UMass international community on other immigration issues including travel advice, visa status of family members, bars to repeat participation, program transfers, extensions, and terminations. Processes and maintains appropriate documentation for obtaining J-1, F-1, and H-1B visa status for international students and scholars and their dependents, as needed. Ensures adherence to UMass Amherst campus, UMass system compliance and Federal immigration guidelines for the sponsorship of non-immigrant visas. Researches, interprets and applies Federal and UMass institutional regulations and policies related to international student, scholar and employee immigration sponsorship.
• Serves as liaison with government agencies such as U.S. Department of State, U.S. Department of Labor and U.S. Department of Homeland Security (including Citizenship & Immigration Services, Customs & Border Protection and Immigration & Customs Enforcement), to facilitate initial immigration sponsorship and maintenance of status for all international students, scholars and employees under UMass Amherst immigration sponsorship. Liaises and performs communication outreach to other state and Federal agencies including but not limited to the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles and the Social Security Administration.
• Provides support to the Director and other IPO staff members in the development of internal policies, procedures and business practices related to the UMass Amherst international population and Sunapsis database system functionalities. Creates, revises and reviews written IPO communications including informational handouts and letters, web pages and social media postings.
• Updates and monitors multiple integrated online systems including Sunapsis, PeopleSoft (SPIRE) and SEVIS RTI to ensure immigration status compliance.
• Oversees, participates, and presents applicable orientation and cultural activities for international students and scholar clientele employees and visitors to satisfy the U.S. Department of State J-1 Exchange Visitor requirements. Coordinates and presents informational seminars and other outreach to campus stakeholders, including hiring and hosting departments, concerning current immigration topics and onboarding procedures.
• Attends and participates in professional development activities and meetings of peer international education associations and organizations. Maintains skills, knowledge and best practices of regulatory immigration compliance in order to remain current in the law and regulations impacting international students, scholars, and employees.

Other Functions

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Bachelor’s Degree and more than two (2) years' experience working in an educational setting as an advisor or program administrator.
  • *U.S. federal regulations pertaining to SEVIS require that an Alternate Responsible Officer (J-1) and Designated School Official (F-1) must be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.
• Demonstrated interest in immigration policy and/or working with a highly diverse international clientele.
• Ability to multitask, meet urgent deadlines, and adapt to changing demands and priorities.
• Excellent customer service skills interpersonal and written communication skills.
• Excellent organizational, record-keeping, analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to work independently as well as contribute and collaborate effectively as a member of a team.
• Ability to work efficiently with computer and data systems.

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Prior direct experience working in academic immigration related positions.
• Strong knowledge of regulations and processes pertaining to student and scholar immigration (F-1 and J-1 visa categories) and employment-based immigration classifications.
• Master’s Degree.
• Knowledge of foreign languages.
• Knowledge and familiarity of internal UMass systems and programs, institutional policies and procedures; UMass authorization as an institutional Alternate Responsible Officer and Designated School Official with the Department of Homeland Security.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

Typical office environment.

Additional Details

More information about international programs at UMass Amherst can be found at https://www.umass.edu/international-programs

Work Schedule

• Monday - Friday, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
• Required to work some weekends, and nights as needed.
• This position has the opportunity for a hybrid work schedule, which is defined by the University as an arrangement where an employee’s work is regularly performed at a location other than the campus workspace for a portion of the week. As this position falls within the Professional Staff Union, it is subject to the terms and conditions of the Professional Staff Union collective bargaining agreement.

Salary Information

Level 26

PSU Hiring Ranges

Special Instructions to Applicants

Along with the application, please submit a resume, and cover letter. References will be checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references.

Applications will be reviewed on a continuous basis until the position is filled. Early submissions are encouraged.

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, caste, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, political belief or affiliation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related condition(s), veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, natural and protective hairstyle and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University.  To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans.  It is the policy of UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.