Visa Program Specialist

Division: Visa

Job Status: Regular

FLSA Status: Nonexempt

Reports To: Sr. Pod Leader

Grade/Level: 24

Amount of Travel Required: Overnight travel (5%)

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

POSITION SUMMARY

Under direct supervision, assist members in obtaining guest workers to fill seasonal employment needs. This includes filing, processing, and tracking complex guest worker applications; and communicating with employers, recruiters, federal and state government entities, and foreign consulates.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Excellent contract project management skills including ability to carefully develop and track deadlines, deliverables, obligations, and resource allocation.

• Respond to grower/employer questions regarding the H-2A and H-2B processes and regulations.
• Coordinate with various state and federal agencies to ensure workers arrive on time.
• Process, file, and track multiple H-2A and H-2B applications with the various required state and federal agencies.
• Create and retain files for each employer contract and billing information using multiple databases.
• Communicate effectively with employers, foreign consulates, state and federal agencies, foreign worker agents, and transportation providers.
• Assist in building membership and educating employers about wafla services for members.
• Support and promote wafla’s vision of a legal and stable workforce for farmers throughout the community.
• Reliable attendance is important in meeting the needs of growers/employers.
• Assist in organizing special events for members.
• When possible, assist with document translations.
• Occasional translation support.
• Other duties as assigned.

SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with frequent interruptions.
• Ability to maintain current filing system in an organized manner.
• Ability to perform duties independently.
• Ability to work autonomously or in a team setting.
  
• Ability to travel by plane or automobile with overnight stays approximately 5% of time.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

Required:

• Possess excellent cultural sensitivity skills.
• Commitment to excellence in customer service.
• Willingness to learn and accept feedback for continuous growth.
• Highly organized with excellent time management and communication skills.
• Excellent attention to detail in written correspondence.
• Strong knowledge of computer business applications including Word, Excel, Gmail, PowerPoint.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Valid Washington Driver’s License.
• Valid Passport, or ability to obtain passport.
• Knowledge of the Agricultural Industry and Immigration related matters.

Preferred:

• Experience working with federal/state agencies and programs.
• Bachelor’s Degree
• Bi-lingual Spanish. Ability to communicate effectively in the Spanish language (prefer dialect of Mexico/Mexican culture).

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Typical temperature-controlled office environment.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

N/A

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Sitting for extended periods, bending, walking, reaching, standing, and grasping.  Speaking and listening while using the telephone.  Grasping of paper files, carrying, hand movement, constant typing, using a mouse, and viewing information on a computer screen. Ability to travel by plane or automobile with overnight stays.  Ability to operate a motor vehicle safely.  Ability to occasionally lift and carry office products and supplies, up to 20 pounds.

This job description is intended to provide guidelines for job expectations and the employee’s ability to perform the position described.  It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills and abilities.  This document does not represent a contract of employment, and the company reserves the right to change this job description and/or assign tasks for the employee to perform, as the company may deem appropriate.

Salary : $21 - $32