Senior Immigration Assistant

Job Summary
Department Summary

The International Center (IC) provides a variety of services to assist international students, scholars, faculty and staff at the University of Michigan, as well as U-M students seeking opportunities to study, work, volunteer, or travel outside the United States. The International Center’s International Student and Scholar Services team serves as a key resource to the U-M community by advising international students and scholars on compliance with U.S. immigration laws as well as on adjustment to U.S. culture and society. The team also recommends and approves immigration benefits, processes immigration paperwork, and conducts workshops and orientation sessions for international students and scholars. For more information about the International Center and its services, see http://internationalcenter.umich.edu/

Job Summary

The International Center’s Senior Immigration Assistant coordinates the process of issuing Form DS-2019 including: performing an initial review of document requests submitted by U-M department administrators via the Shared Services Center (SSC) or the Medical School Immigration Compliance Unit (MS-ICU), following up as needed to resolve errors or obtain missing information, reviewing M-Pathways (U-M administrative computing system) data entered by the SSC or the MS-ICU, tracking the submission and completion of requests within the office, providing technical and process support to users, assembling completed forms and preparing them for delivery or pick up, notifying clients of completion of the process, and preparing documents for imaging. The position requires acute attention to detail, a commitment to excellent customer service, and excellent oral and written communication skills.

Responsibilities*
IMMIGRATION DOCUMENT PROCESSING AND DATA MAINTENANCE (75%)

• Coordinate immigration document preparation (Form DS-2019).
• Serve as primary contact for J-1 process inquiries at the International Center.
• Perform initial review of document requests submitted by U-M department administrators via the SSC or the MS-ICU. Follow up as needed to resolve errors or obtain missing information.
• Review M-Pathways data entered by the SSC or the MS-ICU.
• Provide customer support to department administrators requesting Form DS-2019 for visiting scholars to U-M .
• Research and resolve problem cases.
• Keep track of J-1 visiting scholars’ records in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) database, and communicate with departments as necessary to ensure that J-1 visiting scholars follow the required arrival and reporting procedures.
• Enter data in M-Pathways or in SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) as needed.
• Assist with reconciliation of M-Pathways and SEVIS data.
• Prepare documents for digital imaging for compliance with federal record keeping requirements.
• Use the U-M MCommunity Sponsor System to generate usernames (uniqnames) for visiting scholars.
• Work as a member of the International Student and Scholar Services Team and collaborate with IC staff on cases and processes.

PROGRAMMING, COMMUNICATIONS, AND TRAINING (20%)

• Orient new scholars by presenting information to them about the University, Ann Arbor, and the United States, and providing them with basic immigration and insurance information.
• Participate in annual international student/scholar orientation including planning and presenting some workshops.
• Plan and implement occasional programs for J-1 scholars and their dependents.

• Write a monthly newsletter to department administrators providing updates, tips, and other information.
• Conduct annual survey of cross-cultural programs and activities provided by host departments and analyze results.
• Ensure that the check-in presentation and the pre- and post-arrival training modules for J-1 scholars are accurate and updated.
• Provide training workshops to department users to prepare them for hosting a J-1 exchange visitor.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES (5%)

• Undertake projects aimed at improving scholar and department services.
• Provide administrative and office support to International Center staff.
• Provide front desk coverage on occasion.
• Participate in International Center and Student Life meetings, committees and work groups.
• Additional responsibilities that may be assigned from time to time.

Required Qualifications*

• Bachelor’s degree.
• U.S. citizen or permanent resident (U.S. government requirement for access to SEVIS)
• Public speaking and workshop facilitation skills.

Desired Qualifications*

• Experience working with or advising international scholars, or overseas living, travel, study, or work experience.
• M-Pathways experience (particularly with Campus Community and SEVIS modules) with demonstrated ability to locate and interpret information in the M-Pathways system.
• Some understanding of J immigration regulations and documents.
• Reasonable knowledge of University policies, rules and administrative procedures.

Additional Information
Position Criteria:

Skills: Interpersonal, communication (oral and written), organizational, analytical, presentation.

Abilities: Attention to detail, able to learn detailed information and procedures quickly, able to handle a high volume of phone, email and in-person inquiries, able to work independently, efficiently, and accurately, able to learn new technical skills and applications quickly, flexible and able to adapt to changes in procedures.

Competencies: direct customer service, effective communication with non-native speakers of English, advising, problem solving, technical, quantitative (sufficient to ensure that J-1 scholars meet funding requirements, etc.).

• Demonstrated high level of attention to detail and excellent organizational, analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Excellent written communication, presentation, customer service and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to interact effectively with students and scholars from all over the world, and with staff from other University units
• Ability to communicate information about the J-1 Exchange Visitor program, and University policies and procedures, clearly and accurately in person or by phone or email.
• Excellent computer skills, including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and general database use, and the ability to learn new applications and/or skills quickly.
• Able to work independently, efficiently and accurately, to prioritize, and to multitask in a fast-paced environment.
• Able to learn complex procedures associated with immigration document production.
• Experience that demonstrates competency in direct customer service, advising, or problem solving.
• Flexible and able to adapt to changes in processes and procedures.
• Public speaking and workshop facilitation skills.
• Flexibility and the ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment .

U-M EEO/AA Statement
The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.