Upstate Caring Partners Hiring for HR Specialist – International Recruiting! at Utica, NY Full Time

Upstate Caring Partners is the premier provider of direct-care services and programs in Central New York for individuals of all abilities and their families. If you believe in empowering people, Upstate Caring Partners is an excellent place to start or grow your career.

We are hiring a Human Resource Immigration Specialist to join our growing team! This position is responsible for supporting our immigration strategy and building relationships throughout the organization and communities to ensure newly hired foreign nationals are well-positioned to be successful in their roles and can easily transition into life in their new communities. This position must work within strict timelines and communicate effectively with all parties to ensure that process is followed, and consistent policies and regulations are upheld both internally and externally.

Core Responsibilities

• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders in providing recommendations for human resources immigration programs and initiatives.
• Work with and support immigration lawyers, government representatives, and immigration consultants with foreign national applications through multiple immigration pathways.
• Manage day-to-day immigration applications through the full cycle and track where each candidate is currently in the process for application.
• Prepare relevant documents for internal approval and subsequent initiation of the green card/PERM process for applicable employees.
• Work with applicants in achieving temporary and permanent work permits.
• Collect, review and track all required documentation related to the candidate application and independents.
• Responsible for ensuring immigration files are complete, updating visa information in the tracking system and creating reports.
• Update HRIS/ATS system(s) with new immigration approvals and upload copies of immigration documents.
• Assist Recruiting with entering positions in the Applicant Tracking System (ATS).
• Provide back-up to other Recruiting team members as needed.
• Partner with Employee Relations team to address any employment matters or concerns that are raised involving international employees.
• Act as concierge in regards to facilitating candidates’ moves to the local area, including assisting with travel arrangements, lodging, transportation, etc.
• Maintaining confidential employee personnel folders.
• Manage communications with interns and students with visa requirements, including obtaining necessary visa information and answering questions.
• Assist with preparation of employment verification letters for employees.
• Perform I-9 reverifications for H-1B and L-1 extensions.
• Facilitate signature of government forms, support letters, employment verification as applicable.
• Coordinating client audits and internal audits.
• Stay abreast in changes to legislation as it relates to immigration policies and processes.
• Ensure that the agency has an overall consistent process in handling of immigration cases, compliance with policies, legal verbiage and agreements.
• Assumes additional responsibilities and performs special projects as needed.

Required Skills and Abilities

• Must be a self-starter and be able to work independently and under tight deadlines.
• Must have excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Must be attentive to detail with strong organization skills.
• Maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality.
• Exercise tact, discretion and judgment in working with a variety of people.
• Must possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances are warranted.
• Must be able to manage and cope in situations that are sometimes stressful.
• Must be energetic and team oriented.
• Strong customer service skills.
• Ability to interpret complex information.
• Ability to serve as a resource on routine and complex visa matters, provide guidance, and support.
• Demonstrate knowledge of internal HR information via the ability to research, comprehend, and communicate agency policies and regulations.
• Act as consultant and recommend best practices in accordance with established agency policy.
• Display professionalism, diplomacy, and a continuous improvement orientation to collaborate with clients and coworkers to provide excellent customer service
• Ability to alter work hours as needed in order to effectively communicate with candidates and other business partners, in order to account for time differences.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources or 1-3 years of immigration procedure experience or equivalent practical experience will be considered.
• Previous experience with gathering and preparing immigration documentation. Specific experience with preparing PERM Labor Certifications, H-1Bs, and L-1s preferred.
• Travel is required. Must have a valid NYS Driver’s License.
• Intermediate Computer Skills (Windows, Outlook, Adobe Acrobat, Internet Browser, Word and Excel).

Benefits

Our work environment provides the opportunity to grow and learn in a fast-paced atmosphere. We offer competitive benefits and salary to include a low-cost individual health insurance plan, dollar for dollar retirement match (up to 7%), life insurance, voluntary benefits and generous paid time off.

• Comprehensive Health/Dental/Vision
• Direct Deposit
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Retirement Plan 403(b)
• Life Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Generous PTO Plans (Sick, Vacation and Employee Leave)
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Service Awards
• Employee Appreciation Events
• Employee Discounts

Licenses & Certifications

Required

• Driver License