Scheduled Hours

37.5

Position Summary

The Immigration Compliance Specialist provides high level administrative and operational leadership for front line immigration compliance within OISS for both students and scholars. The role designs and optimizes workflows to ensure accurate, efficient and compliant immigration processing across university systems; oversees collection, management and integrity of key immigration and admissions data; helps deliver general tax education for the foreign national population; collaborates with HR and Payroll on foreign national compliance; and administers data governance and quality assurance for the Foreign National Information System (FNIS).

Job Description

• Coordinate and manage comprehensive immigration compliance activities by designing, implementing and continuously refining policies, procedures and training programs aligned with federal immigration regulations. Work closely with the OISS leadership team to monitor regulatory developments, assess institutional impact, and update processes; accordingly, serve as a primary subject matter expert for complex and time‑sensitive immigration inquiries originating from front‑line OISS staff and campus stakeholders.
• Conduct compliance audits and maintain checklists. Support and deliver targeted training on FNIS data entry, international admissions, and document requests for J-1, H-1B, TN and other visa categories. Lead training sessions and webinars across the Danforth and Medical School campuses.
• Serve as liaison with WU-IT on development, implementation and maintenance of projects pertaining to the departmental information systems, online data collection systems and datalinks with other University systems to ensure immigration compliance and data integrity. Develop processes of ongoing reporting of immigration data, as well as reporting periodic events.
• Serve as Designated School Official (DSO) and Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), with responsibility for monitoring and ensuring adherence to federal reporting requirements; review, authorize and execute SEVIS and related immigration reporting and data entry, ensuring accuracy, timeliness and consistency with institutional policy and federal regulations.
• Design, implement and support business processes for efficient processing and compliance of immigration and foreign national payroll processing.  . Manage and coordinate income tax related resources and guidance for the University’s foreign national population, in collaboration with Payroll, HR and external vendors.; develop and disseminate clear guidance, training and communications on U.S. tax obligations for nonresident students and scholars; and ensure that tax related guidance from OISS supports overall immigration compliance.
• Recruit, train, and supervise office support staff involved in front line operations, including reception and triage, immigration compliance support, updating visa information and data collection and reporting. Establish performance expectations, provide ongoing coaching and evaluation, and ensure alignment of staff activities with OISS and institutional compliance priorities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions:
Job Location/Working Conditions

• Normal office environment.
• May need to travel to Medical Campus; will oversee training on Danforth and Medical Campus; occasional evening and weekend work for systems updates; may need to be on call during systems updates.
• May be asked to travel out of town for conferences.

Physical Effort

• Typically sitting at a desk or table.

Equipment

• Office equipment.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified. Management reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.

Required Qualifications

Education:

Bachelor's degree

Certifications/Professional Licenses:

No specific certification/professional license is required for this position.

Work Experience:

Working With Visa And Immigration Regulations (5 Years)

Skills:

Not Applicable

Driver's License:

A driver's license is not required for this position.

More About This Job

Required Qualifications:

• Per U.S. federal regulations, must be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident and provide proof of status. 
• Designated School Official (DSO) and Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) within six months of start date. OISS will provide training.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in developing training and conducting webinars. Experience in setting up data systems and reporting is helpful.
• Comprehensive knowledge of F, J, H, TN and other visa categories, as well as familiarity with FNIS, Payroll, HR and related compliance processes. 
• Ability to analyze proposed regulations and develop corresponding workflows.
• Strong understanding of data systems, including how various platforms integrate and exchange information.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities, organize tasks effectively, and ensure accurate, timely completion of assignments while remaining flexible to evolving office needs.
• Exceptional communication and customer service skills, with a demonstrated commitment to responsiveness and professional engagement.
• Master’s degree in a related field preferred.

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

Master's degree

Certifications/Professional Licenses:

No additional certification/professional licenses unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.

Work Experience:

No additional work experience unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.

Skills:

Communication, Customer Service, Data Systems, Immigration Issues, Immigration Law, Leadership, Legal Research, Multitasking, Policy Interpretation, Prioritization, Regulations, Taxes, Training and Development, Training Programs, Visa Administration, Visa Processing

Grade

G12

Salary Range

$58,400.00 - $99,700.00 / Annually

The salary range reflects base salaries paid for positions in a given job grade across the University. Individual rates within the range will be determined by factors including one's qualifications and performance, equity with others in the department, market rates for positions within the same grade and department budget.

Questions

For frequently asked questions about the application process, please refer to our External Applicant FAQ.

Accommodation

If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please email [email protected] or call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at 314-935-1149 and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request.

All qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

Pre-Employment Screening

All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.

Benefits Statement

Personal

• Up to 22 days of vacation, 10 recognized holidays, and sick time.

• Competitive health insurance packages with priority appointments and lower copays/coinsurance.

• Take advantage of our free Metro transit U-Pass for eligible employees.

• WashU provides eligible employees with a defined contribution (403(b)) Retirement Savings Plan, which combines employee contributions and university contributions starting at 7%.

Wellness

• Wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs and courses, employee assistance program (EAP), financial resources, access to dietitians, and more!

Family

• We offer 4 weeks of caregiver leave to bond with your new child. Family care resources are also available for your continued childcare needs. Need adult care? We’ve got you covered.

• WashU covers the cost of tuition for you and your family, including dependent undergraduate-level college tuition up to 100% at WashU and 40% elsewhere after seven years with us.

For policies, detailed benefits, and eligibility, please visit: https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/

EEO Statement

Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity. It is the University’s policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, citizenship (where prohibited by federal law), age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.