What are the responsibilities and job description for the International Visitor Advisor for the Office of International Affairs position at UTHealth Houston?
We are looking for an International Visitor Advisor in the Office of International Affairs. This role is responsible for assisting all international students, staff, and faculty within our organization in navigating immigration processes. Previous experience as a DSO (Designated School Official) and/or ARO (Alternate Responsible Officer) is preferred; however, it is not required. The ideal candidate will have experience working in the field of international education or immigration experience.
This role involves processing visa sponsorship, which may include submitting applications to USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services), signing legal immigration documents for international visitors, and ensuring compliance with non-immigrant visas sponsored by the institution.
This full-time salaried exempt position will report to our University Center Tower in the medical center at Fannin and Pressler's intersection. The building is on the Metro Rail line and easily accessible by bus. This role will require you to report to work Monday through Friday during normal business hours with a hybrid schedule of up to two remote days a week. Due to the nature of the role, this position could require coming into the office when needed. This position is eligible for full benefits, including healthcare and a retirement program administered by the State of Texas.
U.S. Citizenship or U.S. Lawful Permanent Residence is required for certification as a Designated School Official (DSO) and/or Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) by the federal government
What we do here changes the world. UTHealth Houston is Texas’ resource for healthcare education, innovation, scientific discovery, and excellence in patient care. That’s where you come in.
Once you join us, you won't want to leave. It’s because we reward our team for the excellent service they provide. Our total rewards package includes the benefits you’d expect from a top healthcare organization (benefits, insurance, etc.), plus:
- 100% paid medical premiums for our full-time employees
- Generous time off (holidays, preventative leave days, both vacation and sick time – all of which equates to around 37-38 days per year)
- The longer you stay, the more vacation you’ll accrue!
- Longevity Pay (Monthly payments after two years of service)
- Build your future with our awesome retirement/pension plan!
We take care of our employees! As a world-renowned institution, our employees’ well-being is important to us. We offer work/life services such as...
- Free financial and legal counseling
- Free mental health counseling services
- Gym membership discounts and access to wellness programs
- Other employee discounts include entertainment, car rentals, cell phones, etc.
- Resources for child and elder care
- Plus, many more!
Position Key Accountabilities:
- Responsible for providing Administration, Departments, and non-U.S. citizens with independent high-level professional expertise and guidance on visa options; estimated timelines; obligations of sponsorship; and visa sponsorship for non-U.S. citizens appointed, invited, accepted, and/or visiting the institution.
- Review and sign all legal non-immigrant immigration applications, written communication, and/or documents associated with visas sponsored by the institution.
- Conducts independent reviews of immigration documents and/or passports on all non-U.S. citizens in order to determine eligibility to begin and/or continue appointments with the institution.
- Provides independent high-level professional expertise to non-U.S. citizen faculty, trainees, students, observers, and visitors by preparing, signing, and processing non-immigrant visa applications for all non-immigrant visas (e.g., F, J, E, TN, H, O, etc.).
- Serves as Designated School Official and Alternate Responsible Officer for the F-1 and J-1 UTHealth-approved programs, which include but are not limited to creating records, signing immigration forms, validating & complying with all reporting obligations of all F and J visas within the mandatory reporting obligation periods in the Student Exchange Visitor Information System.
- Reports to appropriate U.S. Government Agency and/or Program Sponsors all reporting obligations within the mandatory reporting obligation periods of visitors accepted, appointed, or employed with our institution but whose visa is sponsored by another organization.
- Provides appropriate visa clearances for employment, training, education, and/or visitors to the institution and advises administrators as well as non-U.S. citizens on their visa options/restrictions.
- Conducts mandatory one-on-one and group visit orientations with all non-immigrant visa holders to ensure non-U.S. Citizen understands his/her regulatory obligation to ensure compliance with visa sponsorship while in the U.S.
- Conducts mandatory educational workshops, cross-cultural activities, Open Forums, and Open Meetings for all non-immigrant visa holders and Department Administrators in accordance with federal regulations.
- Serves as the institutional Training Program Liaison for the J-1 ECFMG Program.
- Serves as the Designated Representative for all government document processing related to H-1, E-3, and TN-sponsored visas.
- Interacts directly and indirectly with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S Department of Labor; & U.S. Department of State authorities in processing all visa applications; reviewing, photocopying, and retaining all immigration documents in accordance with sponsorship or participation in the program; reporting mandatory information for non-U.S. Citizens in accordance with visa status; and, responding promptly to all government audits.
- Interfaces with school administrators, Deans, Chairpersons, as well as other support Departments, including but not limited to Registrar, Bursar, Payroll, Human Resources, Global Program, Graduate Medical Education, Postdoctoral Office, and Employee Relations.
- Required to keep abreast of all visa restrictions and changes in federal, state, local, and international regulations impacting the sponsorship and/or maintenance of immigration status by participating in ongoing mandatory training & signing affidavits of participation and understanding the penalties imposed for failure to comply.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Certification/Skills:
Analytical thinking skills; the ability to build relationships; innovative thinking skills; practice-based learning and improvement skills; basic office and computer skills; and exceptional customer service skills.
Minimum Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences, Humanities, Business Administration, or Education or relevant experience in lieu of education.
Minimum Experience:
Two (2) years of professional work experience in the area of Immigration and/or the Student Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) related to International Student Advising or immigration experience.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Must be either a U.S. Citizen or a U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident. Federal Code of Regulation 8 C.F.R. 214.3 (1)(1).
Physical Requirements:
Exerts up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds frequently and/or a negligible amount constantly to move objects.
Security Sensitive:
This job class may contain positions that are security sensitive and thereby subject to the provisions of Texas Education Code § 51.215
Residency Requirement:
Employees must permanently reside and work in the State of Texas.
