Immigration Specialist

What You Will Do

Do you enjoy working as part of a team and helping others? If the answer is "yes", we invite you to learn more about an opportunity to join our Foreign Immigration, Visit & Analysis (OCI-FVA) group as an Immigration Specialist. In this role you would provide immigration-related services to facilitate the employment of international personnel and international scientific collaborations.

For this position you can expect to fulfill all job duties at the Immigration Specialist 1 and 2 level in addition to the following:

• Review and analyze the U.S. immigration histories of prospective foreign national employees and guests to evaluate their eligibility for visa classification.
• Provide prospective foreign national employees and guests with visa application procedures and the applicable immigration regulations and procedures they must follow during their LANL appointment.
• Review work authorization documentation for both prospective and current foreign national employees.
• Independently prepare petitions, applications, and correspondence to be sent to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Department of Labor (DOL), and Department of State (DOS).
• Research appropriate areas of laws, regulations, policies and procedures relating to the USCIS, DOS, DOL, and other government agencies that impact foreign national employees and guests.
• Liaise with USCIS, DOS, DOL, US Customs and Border Protection, and other government agencies to resolve nonimmigrant and immigrant matters. Advise managers and other LANL personnel on immigration issues associated with prospective employees, current employees, and terminating employees.
• Serve as an Exchange Visitor Program J-1 Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) (Must meet regulatory eligibility to be an ARO).
• Provide information regarding the permanent resident petition process for foreign nationals and managers when LANL job offers are involved.
• Interact with all levels of LANL personnel, external agency personnel, and affiliates.
• Research, assemble, and/or evaluate information or data regarding industry practices or applicable regulatory changes affecting immigration policies or programs; recommends sound, practical solutions to complex issues.
• Understand and adhere to all LANL and industry regulatory guidance and governance specific to immigration laws and regulations. Ensures all results, processes, and final products meet quality specifications and are completed according to established requirements.
• When appropriate and as required, and in concert with changing programmatic priorities and needs, serves as the primary lead or co-lead for various projects and communications to the LANL workforce.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:

To succeed in this role, you will need to have the following qualifications:

Immigration Experience

Advance knowledge of laws, regulations, policies, and procedures relative to the E-3, F-1, H-1B, J-1, O-1, TN visa categories and permanent residency. Some experience applying relevant legal requirements and policies/practices to manage immigration matters independently to USCIS, DOL, and DOS.

Communication Skills

Strong verbal and written communication skills to effectively liaison with all levels of staff and across different cultures. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedural manuals. Demonstrated ability to provide responsive customer service to international employees, managers, and HR with empathy and patience.

Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills

Advance analytical/problem-solving and organizational skills and ability to multi-task with demanding timeframes. Ability to use sound judgment in responding to issues and concerns. Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, and government regulations.

Microsoft Office

Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office, Lab-wide Systems, and different web applications.

Confidentiality

Ability to use discretion and maintain confidentiality.

Alternate Responsible Officer

Ability to become an Alternate Responsible Officer for J-1 Exchange Visitor Program.

 

Education/Experience:

This position typically requires a bachelor's degree and a minimum of ten years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. At this level, post graduate work may be desirable.

Desired Qualifications:

DOE Counterintelligence

Familiarity with the DOE Counterintelligence/Counterterrorism Program and knowledge of foreign intelligence service methods and of non-traditional foreign intelligence collection.

Language

Proficiency in a foreign language.

Clearance

We would prefer someone who has an active Q clearance and/or the ability to obtain this clearance expeditiously upon hire.

Data Management, Records Management and Data Analysis

We would prefer someone who has advanced statistics, data management and data analysis experience.

Paralegal Certificate

We would prefer someone who has a paralegal certificate or the ability to obtain one upon hire.

Note to Applicants:

For full consideration please attach a cover letter that addresses how you meet the qualifications of this position.

Work Location: The work location for this position is onsite and located in Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management.

 

Where You Will Work

Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. Our generous benefits package includes:

§ PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with the same large nationwide network

§ Dental and vision insurance

§ Free basic life and disability insurance

§ Paid childbirth and parental leave

§ Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)

§ Learning opportunities and tuition assistance

§ Flexible schedules and time off (PTO and holidays)

§ Onsite gyms and wellness programs

§ Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50 mile radius)
 

Additional Details

Directive 206.2 - Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2. Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A.

Clearance: Q (Position will be cleared to this level). Selected applicants will be subject to a background investigation conducted by or on behalf of the Federal Government, and must meet eligibility requirements* for access to classified matter. This position requires a Q clearance. and obtaining such clearance requires US Citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Dependent upon the position, additional authorization to access classified information may be required, which may or may not be available to dual citizens. Receipt of a Q clearance and additional access authorization ultimately is a decision of the Federal Government and not of Triad.

*Eligibility requirements: To obtain a clearance, an individual must be at least 18 years of age; U.S. citizenship is required except in very limited circumstances. See DOE Order 472.2 for additional information.

New-Employment Drug Test: The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new-employment drug test and maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing. Although New Mexico and other states have legalized the use of marijuana, use and possession of marijuana remain illegal under federal law. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment, even if the use was pre-offer.