Exchange Visitor Sponsorship Specialist (Hybrid) at Institute of International Education – Washington, District of Columbia

IIE is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer of Females/Minorities/Veterans/ Individuals with Disabilities.

Organizational Unit: IIE Organization -> IIE US -> Exchange Visitor Sponsorship

Schedule: Full Time

Education: Bachelor's Degree

Location: New York NY New York, NY, US 10007 (Primary) Washington DC Washington, DC, US 20005

Travel: Less than 10%

Job Description:

The Institute of International Education (IIE) is hiring an Exchange Visitor Sponsorship Specialist for our Exchange Visitor Sponsorship team. We invite you to join a team united by our mission to help people and organizations forge brighter futures through educational exchange and lifelong learning. Working at IIE is more than just a job; it’s a chance to make an impact. To collaborate with a passionate team, grow your skills, and contribute to programs that change lives around the world.

Learn more about IIE and our culture here.

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This role is contingent upon funding.

Job Summary:

The Department of Exchange Visitor Sponsorship (EVS) provides J-1 visa sponsorship to educational and research institutions, corporate partners, libraries, museums, not-for-profit and other similar organizations. The EVS Specialist serves as an Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) on multiple IIE sponsored programs, provides high quality customer service to internal clients and external clients, and reviews back-up documentation. The EVS Specialist serves as the main point of contact for the Research Scholar, Professor and Short-Term Scholar J-1 visa categories.

Essential Functions:

• Acts as the lead ARO on the Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program, facilitates internal communication for programmatic requests and oversees external communication with the Responsible Officer.
• Acts as point of contact for sponsor communications, obtaining required approvals for routine SEVIS-related requests and consulting on exceptional participant matters; provides recommendations for sponsor review and maintains ongoing communication with sponsor.
• Serves as an ARO, subject to responsibilities set forth in the CFR [22 CFR Part 62] guiding the J Visa. Must be able to make independent decisions in line with the J regulations, IIE’s and best practices under the guidance of the Responsible Officer (RO) and/or EVS leadership.
• Reviews back-up documentation and data entry associated with the issuances of the initial Certificate of Eligibility (DS2019).
• Reviews and approve requests from exchange visitors to determine eligibility of the requested activity within sponsorship category based on Code on Foreign Relations (CFR), determine eligibility and approve Academic Training requests, update Exchange Visitor records in Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) Real-Time Interactive (RTI), and provide required Employment Authorization letters.
• Makes recommendations to EVS leadership on the application of new programmatic policies as they relate to the Research Scholar category and operationalization of sponsor directives for the Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program. Provides recommendations on the Research Scholar, Professor and Short-Term Scholar J-1 visa categories, developing best practices for SEVIS management in these categories. Develops process documents and identifies opportunities for efficiencies, presenting them to EVS leadership and the program sponsor.
• Trains IIE team members on J regulations, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requirements, and IIE SEVIS systems; interprets regulations and disseminates Department of State regulatory and DHS SEVIS information to IIE team members.
• May be asked to work on special projects such as, but not limited to, process improvements, training and other IIE projects.

Job Requirements:

Qualifications and Experience:

Education and Work Experience:
• Requires a Bachelor's degree and at least five years of related work experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
• High level of understanding of J visa regulations, SEVIS and responsibilities of an ARO. Previous experience working as an ARO in the Research Scholar, Professor and Short-Term Scholar categories is preferred.
• High level of attention to details and strong organizational skills.
• Strong adaptability skills and ability to demonstrate flexibility in dealing with challenging circumstances, or adjust to changing priorities, in order to meet job requirements and deadlines.
• Excellent customer service skills and interpersonal skills; ability to interact with others in a warm, friendly and supportive manner, creating a climate of trust, consideration and mutual respect.
• Ability to maintain and build strong relationships with team members and external stakeholders.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 suite, specifically previous experience working with Microsoft Dynamics is preferred.
• Experience with Terra Dotta for SEVIS batch management preferred.
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.
• Highly adept collaboration skills to work effectively with others in order to achieve meaningful results.
• Must be a citizen or legal permanent resident of the U.S., as required by the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations.

Salary and Benefits:
• Hiring Range: $73,807 - $85,801. A candidate’s salary is determined by various factors including, but not limited to, relevant work experience, job-related knowledge, skills, abilities, internal organizational equity, and geographic region.
• IIE offers a robust suite of benefits to team members including medical, dental, and vision plans, paid time off and holidays, student loan and tuition reimbursement programs, retirement plans and a family medical leave benefits. Please visit our careers page for further details.

The Institute of International Education (IIE) offers a flexible hybrid work environment which leverages both office work and telework.

Salary and Benefits: