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Senior Counsel, Immigration

State University of New York

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Category:	Professional Positions
Department:	General Counsel
Locations:	Albany, NY
Closes:	Open Until Filled
Type:	Full-time

Job Description:
About The State University of New York:
The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive system of higher education in the United States, and more than 95 percent of all New Yorkers live within 30 miles of any one of SUNY's 64 colleges and universities. Across the system, SUNY has four academic health centers, five hospitals, four medical schools, two dental schools, a law school, the state's only college of optometry, and manages one US Department of Energy National Laboratory. In total, SUNY serves about 1.3 million students in credit-bearing courses and programs, continuing education, and community outreach programs. SUNY oversees nearly a quarter of academic research in New York. Research expenditures system-wide are nearly $1.1 billion in fiscal year 2021, including significant contributions from students and faculty. There are more than three million SUNY alumni worldwide, and one in three New Yorkers with a college degree is a SUNY alum.
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 70 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.
Role:
The Senior Counsel - Immigration will lead and spearhead the OGC's new practice in the area of immigration law.
Duties and Responsibilities
The State University of New York System Administration, located in Albany, New York invites applications for the position of Senior Counsel - Immigration. As a staff member of the Office of the General Counsel, the Senior Counsel - Immigration will serve as the lead attorney for the OGC in providing 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:
Required 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 5+ years of legal practice or relevant legal experience prior to beginning the position.

Preferred Qualifications:

Demonstrated prior experience successfully developing, managing, and leading projects.
Demonstrated prior experience successfully developing and managing client and external relationships.
8+ years of experience preparing employment-based immigrant and non-immigrant visas.
Significant experience working in a high-volume business immigration practice group.
Superior written and oral communication and interpersonal skills.
Strong analytical and legal research skills.
Legal experience working in higher education and/or government law.

Additional Information:
·        Salary is dependent on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, experience, education, training, and certifications. The range for this position is $112,000-$160,000.
·        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.
·        Management/Confidential appointments work under the leadership and discretion of the appointing authority and are not represented by a union.
·        This position will be based in Albany. Limited telecommuting may be available. Some travel may be required depending on the needs of clients.
·        Offer of employment is contingent upon successful completion of a pre-employment background check and verification of degree(s) and credentials.
Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis

Application Instructions:
Interested candidates are invited to apply online using the following link: https://sunysystem.interviewexchange.com/jobofferdetails.jsp?JOBID=180131
Interested candidates are invited to apply online. 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.

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