Immigration Consultant

University of Waterloo

Aug 4, 2024

Applications are closed

Job
Full-time
Junior, Mid & Senior Level
Waterloo

Requirements

An undergraduate degree
Graduate Diploma in Immigration and Citizenship Law or equivalent
Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant in good standing with CICC
Minimum of 2 years of experience in immigration consulting as an RCIC and 3+ years of experience advising international students or,
5+ years of experience in immigration related experience and direct experience working with international students at the post-secondary level
Highly knowledgeable on IRPA and IRPR, including policies and procedures pertaining to IRCC’s ISP and permanent residence program, in particular, Express Entry and the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program
Understanding of university policy and procedures as they relate to international students
Demonstrate ability to work within a framework of multiple principles and guidelines and the ability to apply professional judgement in situations where clear direction is unavailable and/or interpretation is required
Strong organizational skills with an ability to handle heavy caseloads, handle multiple tasks, manage crisis, meet deadlines, and excel in a fast-paced environment characterized by changing priorities
Evidence of a service-oriented perspective with awareness of and sensitivity to cultural, racial, language, political, and socio-economic diversity
Superior research skills, verbal and written communication skills, exceptional analytical thinking, excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills, and the ability to communicate to a diverse audience through various mediums
Proven strong advocacy skills as evidenced by experience in assisting clients (international students)
Demonstrate ability to thrive in and contribute to an integrated and collaborative team environment and to apply a positive team approach to working with colleagues within an individual department and across a larger institution
Proven ability to provide a mature, competent, and professional presence while working with external government and immigration officials, current and prospective students, and university administrators and staff
Beneficial: international experience and second language skills

Responsibilities

- Demonstrate a high level of knowledge in immigration law, policies, regulations, procedures and keep up to date with current and emerging immigration legislation and interpretations
- Be well informed on all areas of immigration trends, federal court case decisions, policies and regulatory changes to provide accurate advice to mitigate risk and reduce vulnerability in the face of rapidly evolving immigration policies
- Provide timely, accurate, efficient, and comprehensive immigration advice in all areas of temporary residence applications, processes, and general guidance on permanent residence
- Embrace a holistic approach by creating a safe space and by ensuring sensitivity to cultural differences, student life transition adjustment, and unique needs of individuals
- Provide individual in-person or virtual consultation and respond to inquiries through emails within the service standard response time
- Co-consult with other on-staff Immigration Consultant(s) on complex cases when required to uphold CICC’s regulation with respect to competency in advising
- Bring attention to high risk or complex cases during team discussion and escalate to Senior Immigration Consultant(s) for intervention, as appropriate
- Ensure consultation case management practices adhere to CICC’s regulation by maintaining and purging documents, individual consultation notes, and copies of immigration documents. Also ensuring any related immigration documents are kept in strict confidentiality and secured storage
- Remain current on the needs of all international students at the University, relevant University policies and procedures, best practices in immigration consulting. Based on findings, and in consultation with the Manager, identify possible projects that will enhance the immigration experience of all international students
- Report feedback from students, share observations, recommend, and implement best practices
- Contribute during daily case discussion to ensure consistency in the team’s advising approach. Reporting lessons learned from Continuing Professional Development (CPD) sessions and share research relevant to consulting services
- Contribute to the development of polices and procedures as needed to improve immigration consulting services
- Contribute to co-mentorship, promote, and maintain a high level of work ethic within the team
- Implement assessment methods to measure achievement in all areas of responsibility including service goals and objectives and determination of service success on a termly basis
- Working as a member of a team of consultants, the incumbent will plan, deliver, and coordinate immigration presentations and perform other related duties including, but not limited to, communications in various forms, website content creation and maintenance, recordkeeping and administrative responsibilities as assigned
- Initiative is paramount in acquiring knowledge of institution structures, systems, and processes. One should be capable of liaising and collaborating with campus partners to provide seamless and knowledgeable services to the students, including triaging student referrals for non-immigration matters
- Proactively build and maintain strong relationships with academic advisors and their departments to provide seamless academic and immigration support to international students, while seeking collaboration opportunities, such as specialized immigration presentations or information sessions
- Liaise/collaborate with internal and external partners, government organizations and agencies as appropriate to support immigration consulting outreach initiatives
- Proactively build and maintain strong relationships with colleagues from other Canadian universities for continuous improvement in knowledge expertise and service standard. Strategically build a network of resources that can assist with immigration matters – lawyers, RCICs, CBSA office and MP office
- Manage the University’s reputation in all interactions with IRCC, CBSA, Provincial governments, Service Canada, local MP’s office, and other government entities as well as CBIE, CICC, CAPIC and related organizations
- Participate in certain department-wide or campus-wide activities including special events, special projects, committee participation etc.
- Adhere to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), Immigration Protection Regulations (IRPR) and its Regulations, and CICC policies, which includes:
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of and changes to IRPA and IRPR as it pertains to the University and its regulatory policies to ensure competency to perform the duty of a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC)
- Ensure that any changes to the IRPA and IRPR, policy or procedures, are documented, implemented, and communicated to appropriate areas affected
- Protect the confidentiality and privacy of the students by holding in strict confidence all information concerning their personal affairs unless consent for disclosure is authorized. In addition, all records shall be stored for a period of 6 years in a secure manner to safeguard confidentiality and to protect against loss or damage

FAQs

What is the term of employment for the Immigration Consultant position?

The term of employment is 12 months.

Who does the Immigration Consultant report to?

The Immigration Consultant is accountable to the Manager, Immigration Consulting.

What is the primary focus of the Immigration Consultant role?

The primary focus is on providing legal advising related to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)’s International Student Program (ISP) for international students and their families.

What are the key responsibilities of the Immigration Consultant?

Key responsibilities include providing individual consultations, advising on immigration processes, managing cases, and contributing to team support and strategic liaison efforts.

What qualifications are required for the Immigration Consultant position?

Required qualifications include an undergraduate degree, a Graduate Diploma in Immigration and Citizenship Law or equivalent, and being a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant in good standing with CICC, along with relevant experience.

Is prior experience with international students necessary for this role?

Yes, a minimum of 2 years of experience in immigration consulting and experience advising international students is required.

Are there any specific skills or attributes that are beneficial for this position?

Beneficial skills include superior research abilities, strong organizational skills, effective communication skills, advocacy experience, and the ability to work in a collaborative team environment.

What is the University of Waterloo's stance on equity and diversity in hiring?

The University values diverse and intersectional identities and is committed to equity, anti-racism, and inclusion, encouraging applications from historically disadvantaged and marginalized candidates.

Is there any support for individuals with disabilities during the application process?

Yes, the University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility and encourages applicants to contact Human Resources for any accommodation requests related to applications, interviews, or the workplace.

Will Canadians and permanent residents be given priority during the hiring process?

Yes, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority in consideration for this position.

University of Waterloo

Education

Industry

5001-10,000

Employees

Mission & Purpose

University of Waterloo is a leader in innovation that drives economic and social prosperity for Canada and the world. We are home to a renowned talent pipeline, game-changing research and technology, and unmatched entrepreneurial culture, that together create solutions to tackle today’s and tomorrow’s challenges. Our greatest impact happens together. A strategic integration of research and teaching excellence, the world’s largest co-operative education program, entrepreneurship-intensive programs, and creator-owned IP, has resulted in extensive industry collaboration, the generation of thousands of commercial and social enterprises, and a dynamic learning experience for more than 41,000 undergraduate and graduate students.