Senior Immigration Specialist, Scholar, Immigration Services & Support Center

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Winston-Salem (NC); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Wake Forest University is seeking a Senior Immigration Specialist, Scholar to oversee J-1 visa operations at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center and to develop programming for visiting scholars. The role supports regulatory compliance and campus outreach to international students and scholars.

The position emphasizes advising on immigration matters, managing records, and collaborating with university partners to foster a welcoming international community.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree plus three years immigration advising experience.
• U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident authorized for government systems.
• Knowledge of J visa, SEVIS, and related regulations.
• Ability to stay current on immigration laws and policy matters.
• Experience presenting informational workshops to campus audiences.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) for J-1 visa program at WFBMC; advise on immigration issues.
• Develop visiting scholar programs and advise departments on J-1 usage.
• Maintain networks and stay updated on state/federal regulations and best practices.
• Advise international scholars in J-1 status on immigration, cultural, personal and financial concerns.
• Manage J-1 records for SEVP reporting on students and scholars.
• Assist with Terra Dotta J Scholar document storage and profile creation.
• Engage with university community to promote ISS Center and international student needs.

Skills

Public speaking

Written communication

Verbal communication

Organizational skills

Independent work

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

SEVIS

Terra Dotta

Banner

WordPress

Google Apps

Job description

Cover Letter Requirement

A cover letter is required for all positions; optionalfor facilities, campus services, and hospitality roles unlessotherwise specified.

Job Description Summary

The Senior Immigration Specialist, Scholar position performs duties in two primary functional areas of institutional immigration compliance and educational outreach. The Center for Immigration Services & Support (ISS) Senior Immigration Specialist’s main immigration roles include managing the J-1 Exchange Visitor immigration compliance, processing, systems and data management and sharing at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center (WFBMC) in support and collaboration with the Director and Associate Director of ISS. The second ISS Center functional area supported by the Senior Immigration Specialist includes responsibility for initiating professional and cultural programs that aid in the academic and professional growth of Wake Forest’s international J-1 community at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center (WFBMC).

*Priority consideration will be given to applications received bySeptember 18, 2026.

Job Description

This position is not eligible for sponsorship of non-immigrant or immigrant visa status through Wake Forest University. All eligible applicants are encouraged to apply.

Essential Functions:

• Serves as Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) and managesoperations for the J-1 visa program for Exchange Visitors at WakeForest Baptist Medical Center (WFBMC); advises J-1 visa holders onall matters related to immigration issues.
• Develops the visiting scholar program and advises departmentson potential uses of the J-1 category.
• Maintain a presence with various professional networks and keepup to date on relevant state and federal agency regulations andbest practices in the field.
• Advises international scholars in J-1 status at WFBMC, in areasof immigration, cultural, personal and financial concerns.
• Manages J-1 records regarding international students, exchangevisitors and dependent populations for accurate reporting toStudent and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).
• Assist Associate Director with managing and maintaining J-1Exchange Visitor Program manages Terra Dotta J Scholar documentstorage and profile creation.
• Engages with the University community and offices to promotethe role of ISS Center and the needs of international students andscholars.
• Prepares reports including statistical data on internationalscholars for audits, on-site reviews, and analyzes data to enablestrategic planning for immigration services based on populationchanges.
• Creates, implements, manages, and assesses educational programssuch as check-in, orientation, employment-based seminars,professional development courses and workshops, and otherprofessional-based activities for international scholars.
• Responsible for event programming and acculturation activitiesfor international scholars.
• Builds and maintains positive working relationships withvarious WFBMC partners.
• Provides general office support and fields inquiries fromstudents, faculty, and community. Responsible for owncorrespondence, filing, copying, document preparation, and reports,as needed.
• Assists with special projects for the office as assigned by theDirector.

Required Education, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Bachelor’s degree plus three years related experience inimmigration advising, serving as an ARO.
• U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident (required to be authorizedon government systems).
• Knowledge of statutory and regulatory issues related to J, andH visas.
• Knowledge of Student and Exchange Visitor Information System(SEVIS)
• Ability to keep current on all immigration laws, regulations,and policy matters.
• Ability to set priorities and work independently.
• Experience working with foreign national students, scholars, oremployees in a university or non-profit setting.
• Experience needed in program development and management.
• Public speaking skills and experience presenting informationalworkshops to various campus audiences.
• Ability to represent and advocate for international populationson campus.
• Exceptional organizational and customer service skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to foster teamwork and collegiality in a small officeenvironment and with internal and external constituents.
• Proficiency with standard computer software (i.e. MicrosoftOffice suite, WordPress, and Google Apps).
• Ability to quickly develop competency in ISS software programsand workflow management procedures.

Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Knowledge of additional employment based nonimmigrant visas(i.e. H-1B, PR, TN, O, and E).
• Experience working in healthcare environment with immigrationand human resource needs
• Experience with Terra Dotta and Banner software systems orother web-based international student and scholar data managementsystems.
• Proficiency in a foreign language.
• Experience studying, living, or working abroad.

Accountabilities:

• Responsible for own work.
• May supervise student workers.
• Train new ISS Center employees.

Physical Requirements:

• Sedentary work primarily involves sitting/standing;communicating with others to exchange information; repeatingmotions that may include the wrists, hands, and/or fingers; andassessing the accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of the workassigned.

Environmental Conditions:

• No environmental conditions

Additional Job Description

Time Type Requirement

Full time

Note to Applicant:

This position profile identifies the key responsibilities andexpectations for performance. It cannot encompass all specific jobtasks that an employee may be required to perform. Employees arerequired to follow any other job-related instructions and performjob-related duties as may be reasonably assigned by his/hersupervisor.

In order to provide a safe and productive learning and livingcommunity, Wake Forest University conducts backgroundinvestigations and drug screens for all final staff candidatesbeing considered for employment.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes allqualified candidates to apply without regard to race, color,religion, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, genderidentity and expression, genetic information, disability andmilitary or veteran status.

Accommodations for Applicants

If you are an individual with a disability and need anaccommodation to participate in the application or interviewprocess, please contact [e-mail] or [phone].