Immigration Advisor

Position Purpose

Member of the team responsible for providing international student and scholar immigration services, including immigration advising and processing of immigration sponsorship documents, serving as a Designated School Official (DSO) and Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO), and helping to ensure compliance with federal regulations and institutional policies.

Description

The Office of Visa and Immigration Services (OVIS) at Dartmouth College is seeking a full-time Immigration Advisor. Reporting to the Director, the Immigration Advisor will assist international students and scholars with immigration-related issues, provide SEVIS coordination support to the office, and help to ensure compliance with federal regulations.

Required Qualifications - Education and Yrs Exp

Bachelors plus 1-2 year(s) of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience

Required Qualifications - Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

• Must be U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident to serve as DSO/ARO as required by federal law
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and 1-2 years of experience in higher education advising F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors
• Familiarity with U.S. immigration regulations
• Familiarity with SEVIS and Banner, as well as Sunapsis or other database management systems and reporting tools
• Highly detail-oriented with strong organizational and administrative skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications
• Excellent oral, written and cross-cultural communication skills and sensitivity
• Commitment to diversity
• Time management – ability to juggle multiple deadlines and prioritize
• Experience in handling confidential information

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a relevant field

Key Accountabilities

Serves as a Department of Homeland Security Designated School Official (DSO) and Department of State Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) responsible for immigration advising and reporting. (25%)

Interprets and monitors federal immigration regulations, advising international students and scholars on matters related to maintenance of status, extension of program, change of status, international travel, employment, and dependent family member status. (25%)

Works with Office of Visa and Immigration Services (OVIS) staff to update and create online advising materials for international population, and training materials for professional schools and departments. (15%)

Participates in and provides support for international student and scholar registration, check-in, orientation, employment requests and other processes, particularly during peak times. (10%)

Prepares and formally submits correspondence, reports, and other required immigration documentation for international students and scholars, including Form I-20, Form DS-2019, as well as regular records maintenance in Banner/Data Warehouse, Sunapsis, and SEVIS. (15%)

Regularly runs and audits reports of student and scholar data in Banner/Data Warehouse, Sunapsis and SEVIS to validate data accuracy and ensure compliance with Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) and other government reporting requirements. (5%)

Keeps Director and other OVIS staff apprised of SEVIS updates to student employment to ensure compliance with federal regulations. (5%)