Assistant Director for Faculty and Employees

George Mason University • Full-time • Fairfax, VA, US • 11h ago

Department: University Life

Classification: Professional Faculty

Job Category: Administrative or Professional Faculty

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type: Hybrid Eligible

Sponsorship Eligibility: Not eligible for visa sponsorship

Salary: Salary range starting in the upper $60k's; commensurate with education and experience

Criminal Background Check: Yes

About The Department

The Office of International Programs and Services strives to encourage global awareness by promoting the integration of international students, researchers, and faculty into the campus community. The office provides guidance to students and scholars studying and working at George Mason University in immigration and employment, assists with adjustment issues, and fosters cross-cultural understanding through programs highlighting global themes.

About The Position

The Assistant Director for Faculty and Employees provides leadership and guidance to hiring managers, Deans and Department Chairs, faculty members, and exchange visitor scholars on federal regulations governing non-immigrant employment visas for employees hired by George Mason University. The Assistant Director is instrumental in university compliance responsibilities for H-1B and other categories of non-immigrant work visas and is the primary contact with the U.S. Department of Labor and U.S. Department of Homeland Security for George Mason University in providing sponsorship to faculty who need visa support. The position provides back-up support for J-1 Scholar advising and helps manage the F-1 STEM OPT processing.

The Assistant Director participates in orientation planning and implementation, as well as OIPS partnerships with University Counsel and Outside Counsel appointed by the Commonwealth of Virginia Attorney General in matters concerning international employee and exchange visitors’ employment and immigration status maintenance.

Responsibilities

Provides guidance and consultation to leadership, academic units, administrators and staff on matters related to employment-based visas (H -1B, E-3, O, and TN) and files such petitions with federal government agencies on behalf of George Mason University;
Performs key management functions for H-1B, E3, O, TN, and Employment-Based (EB) Legal Permanent Residency (LPR) matters;
Demonstrates case management knowledge framework to effectively care for GMU non-immigrant employees and ensure that George Mason University is compliant with respect to employees’ non-immigration records sponsored by the university;
Plans and oversees H-1B check-ins and onboarding of non-immigration faculty members;
Provides guidance to leadership, administrators, and academic units on hiring practices and procedures related to the sponsorship of non-immigrant employees for employment-based immigration benefits and employment-based Legal Permanent Residency (EB LPR);
Creates and provides training sessions on employment-based immigration issues for administrators, staff, faculty, and students as needed;
Verifies and signs ETA 9089 Applications for PERM Labor Certifications for the U.S. Department of Labor and completes and signs various government Forms I-140, G-28 and I-485-J for EB LPR matters on behalf of George Mason University;
Initiates budget approval paperwork for EB LPR matters, collaborates with the Office of University Counsel regarding Requests for Engagements for EB LPR matters, and informs the sponsoring units and the outside immigration attorneys regarding opened matters and approved budget;
Serves as signatory for e-billing for EB LPR matters and the payment cycle for invoices associated with EB LPR sponsored by George Mason University;
Approves invoices, sends fully approved invoices to the sponsoring units, tracks the timely payments, and informs the Office of University Counsel regarding matters to be closed;
Interfaces with key stakeholders within and outside the university to support employees’ legal status and university compliance, including consultation with faculty and administrative staff on issues related to the university's sponsorship of non-immigrant researchers and faculty and consultation with the university's outside immigration counsel when necessary;
Plans and implements workshops with attorneys for non-immigrant students, faculty, and university administrators;
Engages in communication with federal agencies such as the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the Department of State, Department of Labor, Customs and Border Patrol (CBP), Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), and others as appropriate and necessary;
Serves as J-1 Responsible Officer in the absence of the Associate Director and as Designated School Official;
Issues DS-2019 Forms and I-20 Forms and oversees I- 983 Training Plans in conjunction with the International Advisor for employment;
Coordinates with current F-1 Advising Team on casework and departmental planning; and
Ensures continuity of operations during periods when the university is closed by monitoring emails and attending to incoming documents and messages from federal agencies to ensure timely filing and response to RFE's (compensatory time is provided).

Departmental Duties

Supports divisional planning initiatives and other special projects as assigned;
Actively participates in UL divisional meetings, initiatives, and in-person events to stay connected with divisional and institutional priorities, and to foster a cross-unit collaboration;
Participates in professional development workshops and training sessions for staff across the division to promote continuous learning and skill enhancement;
Stays informed about best practices, research, and emerging trends in higher education and student support services to ensure OIPS remains innovative and responsive to the evolving needs of the student body; and
Performs other related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

Master’s degree in related field or equivalent combination of education and experience;
Professional experience in a field related to higher education or international educational exchange, typically obtained in two or more years;
Experience typically obtained in one year with employment-based immigration case work;
Effective interpersonal and communication skills, including demonstrated writing ability, presentation skills, and ability to translate government regulatory requirements into terms that can be understood by stakeholders in a higher education environment;
Ability to research and analyze information, including government documents, regulations, and relevant case work, to solve problems;
Ability to communicate effectively to non-native speakers of English such as international faculty, scholars, visitors, and dependents;
Ability to relate well to individuals from a wide variety of cultural, social, and educational backgrounds, as well as to inform and coordinate ongoing case planning with stakeholders inside and outside of the university;
Ability to balance competing priorities and deadlines in a high-pressure environment;
Ability to meet federal requirements for serving as a Designated School Official (DSO) and as a Responsible/Alternate Responsible Officer (RO/ARO);
Demonstrated ability to plan, prioritize, and coordinate long-term case management with petitioners and beneficiaries; and
U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Residency to qualify as a Designated School Official and Alternate/Responsible Officer with the federal government to file petitions on behalf of Mason.

Preferred Qualifications

Paralegal Certification/Immigration Paralegal Certification;
Experience with employment-based case filing with the federal government demonstrating the ability to coordinate and communicate requests for evidence, incomplete filings, or refiling of cases;
DHS Designated School Official (DSO) or Department of State Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) experience;
Demonstrated experience creating content to help users understand processes and applications and reviewing/analyzing governmental or similar documents;
Experience using Banner Administrative interface and Adobe Pro;
Experience living, studying, or traveling abroad; and
Knowledge of Federal Regulations governing international employees on non-immigrant and immigration work visas.

Instructions To Applicants

For full consideration, applicants must apply for Assistant Director for Faculty and Employees at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a Cover Letter/Letter of Intent with Resume for review.

Posting Open Date: February 5, 2026

For Full Consideration, Apply by: February 19, 2026

Open Until Filled: Yes

Mason Ad Statement

Mason is currently the largest and most diverse university in Virginia with students and faculty from all 50 states and over 135 countries studying in over 200 degree programs at campuses in Arlington, Fairfax and Prince William, as well as at learning locations across the commonwealth. Rooted in Mason’s diversity is a campus culture that is both rewarding and exciting, work that is meaningful, and opportunities to both collaborate and create.

If you are interested in joining the Mason family take a look at our current opportunities and catch some Mason spirit at jobs.gmu.edu/!

George Mason University, Where Innovation is Tradition.

Equity Statement

George Mason University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, committed to promoting inclusion and equity in its community. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any characteristic protected by law.

Campus Safety Information

Mason’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available at http://police.gmu.edu/annual-security-report/