Assistant Counsel, Immigration

About the Office of General Counsel 

The Office of General Counsel (OGC) provides legal services and support to the Board of Trustees, the Chancellor and senior officers for the State University of New York (SUNY) at SUNY System Administration at Albany, New York, and the presidents and administrators of the campuses within the System. Under the leadership of the Senior Vice Chancellor for Legal Affairs and the General Counsel, the SUNY Office of General Counsel is responsible for providing legal services to the System and the 29 state operated campuses.  The OGC consists of more than 45 experienced higher education attorneys, paralegals and support staff located in Albany at the System Administration headquarters and in campus-based offices at the four University Centers, Health Science Centers, and various SUNY colleges.

The legal practice of the OGC involves a substantial array of topics, including public procurement, governance and ethics, legislation, health care, capital construction, public finance, labor grievances and arbitration, litigation oversight (the State's Attorney General defends litigation brought against the University), student affairs, and the use of real property, among others.  The OGC represents the State University in interactions with State officials who may regulate the affairs of the State University, including the Attorney General, State Comptroller, the Governor and staff, and members of the State Legislature and staff as well as other state and local agencies and entities. 

Duties and Responsibilities:

The State University of New York System Administration, located in Albany, New York invites applications for the position of Assistant Counsel - Immigration.  As a staff member of the Office of the General Counsel, the Assistant Counsel - Immigration will assume responsibilities to provide comprehensive immigration legal services and guidance to the State University and its State-operated campuses.

Responsibilities will include serving as a University expert on matters related to the employment of foreign nationals; supporting immigration compliance; assessing eligibility of foreign national employees for immigrant and non-immigrant visa status in the United States; preparing petitions and applications for submission for non-immigrant and immigrant status for foreign national employees, and legal memoranda in response to post-filing USCIS requests or decisions; providing advice and training on compliance with exchange visitor program regulations; researching legal issues, statutory and regulatory interpretation; answering legal inquiries from SUNY System and campus clients; collaborating with the SUNY offices of the Provost, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and Human Resources on providing programs for incoming non-citizen employees and scholars to promote their inclusion and engagement in the campus community; as well as handling University-wide matters, and other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited ABA law school (or foreign equivalent).  
• Admission to the New York State Bar in good standing (or eligibility for admission within six months) and a strong academic background. 
• This position requires a minimum of 2-3 years of legal practice or relevant experience prior to beginning the position.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 3+ years of experience preparing employment-based immigrant and non-immigrant visas.
• Experience working in a high-volume business immigration practice group.
• Superior written and oral communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong analytical and legal research skills.

Additional Information:

• This position is located in Albany, New York. Limited telecommuting may be available. Some travel may be required depending on the needs of clients.
• Management/Confidential appointments work under the leadership and discretion of the appointing authority and are not represented by a union.
• Offer of employment is contingent upon successful completion of a pre-employment background check and verification of degree(s) and credentials.

Salary is dependent on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, experience, education, training, and certifications. The range for this position is $84,000-$118,000.

Excellent Benefit Package which includes: NYS health insurance, free dental and vision coverage, competitive retirement options, tuition assistance, parental leave at full pay, and generous vacation, sick, and holiday time.

Application Instructions:

Interested candidates are invited to apply online using the following link: https://sunysystem.interviewexchange.com/jobofferdetails.jsp?JOBID=166117

Please submit a cover letter, resume and three professional references when applying.  The review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.