Immigration Specialist

Job No: 540026

Work Type: Full Time

Location: Main Campus (Gainesville, FL)

Categories: Human Resources, Office/Administrative/Fiscal Support, Veteran's Preference Eligible, Legal/Audit Services/Compliance

Department:  - IP-INTERNATIONAL CENTER-GEN

Classification

Title:

Immigration Specialist I

Expected Salary: $20.00-$22.00/hour

• Serve as the primary point of contact for all incoming calls to F-1 International Student Services (ISS), managing a high call volume with professionalism and delivering exceptional customer service.
• Stay current on university procedures, ISS workflows, and FAQs to ensure consistent, accurate messaging.
• Triage inquiries from international students, faculty, staff, and prospective students, providing accurate information and directing complex issues to the appropriate advisors or UF staff.
• Provide general guidance on F-1 immigration processes in compliance with institutional policies and federal regulations.
• Serve as a Designated School Official (DSO) in compliance with federal regulations, processing and issuing Forms I‑20, including travel signatures, replacement I‑20s, financial updates, program/major changes, and dependent information updates.
• Perform SEVIS data entry and updates to maintain accurate student records; assist with data tracking and reporting and ensure consistency between SEVIS records and supporting documentation. Assist with OPT reporting requirements, STEM OPT Validations, and cap-gap-related requests.
• Identify complex cases and elevate them to senior staff or submit SEVIS Help Desk tickets as appropriate.
• Ensure ongoing compliance with Department of Homeland Security regulations and university policies.
• Serve as back‑up for processing student support/verification letters and assist in managing shared calendars and scheduling appointments.

• Bachelor's degree in an appropriate area and one year of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Eligibility to serve as a Designated School Official (DSO) as required by federal regulations (see DHS guidelines: (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below).).
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills; experience providing high-volume customer service, reception, or administrative support.
• Experience in international student services, higher education, or a related field; working knowledge of F‑1 immigration regulations and SEVIS, with the ability to apply regulations and policies accurately.
• Excellent organizational, time management, and multitasking skills; able to manage multiple priorities with attention to detail in a fast-paced environment.
• Familiarity with university systems and standard office software; ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretion (subject to FERPA).

The University of Florida is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.