Green Card Community Engagement Specialist Jobs
Community Engagement Specialist roles qualify for EB-2 or EB-3 green card sponsorship when employers file a PERM labor certification with the DOL, documenting that no qualified U.S. worker is available. Nonprofits, government contractors, and public health organizations regularly sponsor these positions, making this a realistic permanent residency path for foreign professionals with community development or program coordination backgrounds.
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Job ID
16290
Location
Arlington, TX
Full/Part Time
Full-Time
Regular/Temporary
Regular
Salary
The annual salary for this position ranges from $90,200 to $96,300. The final offer will be commensurate with the candidate’s relevant experience and qualifications.
Documents Needed to Apply
Required:
- Resume
- Cover letter
- References (minimum of three)
Purpose of Position
The Director of Community Engagement & Experiential Learning provides strategic leadership for initiatives that promote civic responsibility, leadership, public service, and experiential learning. Reporting to the Senior Associate Vice President and Dean of Students, the Director develops and maintains innovative programs that advance student success, strengthen community partnerships, and support the University's goal of preparing citizens and scholars to lead and serve. Through collaboration with Academic and Student Affairs departments, community and state partners, and national organizations, the Director leads and expands high-impact learning opportunities that foster student development, prepare them for leadership and service, and encourage career readiness.
Essential Functions
- Develop, implement, assess, and continuously improve comprehensive community engagement initiatives aligned with institutional strategic priorities.
- Coordinate civic engagement-related programs, including serving as the liaison and sponsor of the University's participation in Campus Compact’s Newman Civic Fellows and Scholars program, and involvement with the Up to Us Network, promoting civic leadership, financial literacy, and public policy engagement through student-led initiatives.
- Sustain and develop, assess, and enhance the University’s experiential learning programs in support of institutional goals, in partnership with academic departments, community organizations, nonprofit agencies, government entities, and industry partners. This work includes guiding Maverick Advantage program initiatives that connect students with transformative learning experiences and co-curricular engagement opportunities. It also involves collaborating with faculty and staff to expand interdisciplinary, community-engaged, and applied learning experiences, with particular emphasis on expanding the partnership with the Honors College’s experiential learning efforts.
- Support the University’s partnership with the Institute for Citizens and Scholars’ College Presidents for Civic Preparedness program, including coordinating current programs and developing new initiatives which meet the Civic Commitments.
- Ensure programs are effectively promoted, documented, and support reporting needs for the program.
- Oversee and provide support for the Follett Student Leadership Center, including its numerous leadership programs such as the Texas Leadership Scholars, Maverick Leadership Trainers, and the Leadership Honors Program.
- Guide community service efforts, including Alternative Breaks, service days, community partnerships, civic learning experiences, voter engagement activities, and recognition programs.
- Oversee and support the Center for Service Learning initiatives to sustain and expand the integration of service learning approaches and activities across the curriculum, foster faculty engagement and student interest, and enhance the partnerships with community partners to provide experiential learning opportunities for students.
- In addition to the High Impact Practices (HIPs) noted previously in the position description, provide leadership for the expansion of further HIPs across the student experience to enhance learning and related educational opportunities that enhance student engagement and retention.
- Establish and maintain a database of student engagement in HIPs.
- Initiate and lead the Public Service Leadership Academy, including curriculum development, student recruitment, programming, and assessment of learning outcomes.
- Develop fiscal resources, including grants and sponsorships to support relevant activities.
- Manage departmental budgets to ensure effective stewardship of funding for civic engagement and experiential learning programs.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications
- Master’s degree in Higher Education, Student Affairs, Public Administration, Education, Nonprofit Management, or a related field and five (5) years of experience in higher education, civic engagement, experiential learning, leadership development, or related areas to include supervisory experience and experience leading university-wide initiatives; OR eleven (11) years of an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Preferred Qualifications
- Doctoral degree in a related field with experience in campus initiatives, community-engaged learning, leadership programs, programs encompassing High-Impact practices, program assessment, grant writing, and external funding.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Knowledge of civic engagement, community partnerships, experiential learning, and student leadership development.
- Ability to develop strategic initiatives that advance student success and institutional priorities.
- Strong collaboration and consensus-building skills with faculty, staff, students, and external partners.
- Ability to analyze data and use assessment results to improve programs and demonstrate outcomes.
- Excellent communication, organizational, project management, and relationship-building skills.
Work Schedule
- Monday through Friday; 8:00am through 5:00pm
- Some evenings and weekends as needed for events and programs.
Benefits Information
Position is benefit eligible: Yes
We are proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package to our employees at the University.
PreEmployment Background Check
It is the policy of The University of Texas at Arlington to conduct a pre-employment background check on any applicant who is under final consideration for employment with the University.
This position may have access to critical infrastructure as defined by Section 113.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code. If so, to be hired for and continue to be employed in this position you must maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure as set forth in Texas Executive Order GA 48. By assuming this position, and if you have access to critical infrastructure, you authorize the University to conduct routine background checks.
University Information
The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) is located in the heart of the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metroplex, a vibrant and diverse metropolitan area that is home to over 7 million people, one of the fastest-growing tech economies in the United States, and a wide array of arts, entertainment, and cultural activities. As a comprehensive teaching, research, and public service institution, UTA is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through scholarship and creative work. With an enrollment of more than 42,000 students, UTA is the second largest in the University of Texas System. As a result of its combination of rigorous academics and innovative research, UTA is designated as a Carnegie R-1 “Very High Research Activity” institution and nationally recognized for its commitment to student success and service. It ranks No. 5 in Military Times’ “Best for Vets: Colleges” and is the top university in North Texas for its graduates’ salaries (The Wall Street Journal). UTA is designated as both a Hispanic-Serving Institution and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution and is No. 6 for undergraduate ethnic diversity in the United States (U.S. News & World Report, 2023). With a global alumni network of approximately 280,000 – including leaders at many of the 24 Fortune 500 companies headquartered in North Texas – UTA contributes an estimated $29 billion annually to the Texas economy.
UTA is expanding its regional footprint by building a regional campus, called UTA West, in Parker County on the far west side of Fort Worth. It is scheduled to open in fall 2028. This initiative aligns with the university’s strategic growth and commitment to serving the broader community.
This is an exciting time to join UTA and contribute to its bold vision for the future.
EEO Statement
It is the policy of The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA or The University) to provide an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the University community. In accordance with federal and state law, the University prohibits unlawful discrimination, including harassment, on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, disability, genetic information, and/or veteran status. The University also prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender identity, and gender expression. Retaliation against persons who oppose a discriminatory practice, file a charge of discrimination, or testify for, assist in, or participate in an investigative proceeding relating to discrimination is prohibited. Constitutionally-protected expression will not be considered discrimination or harassment under this policy. It is the responsibility of all departments, employees, and students to ensure the University’s compliance with this policy.
ADA Accommodations
The University of Texas at Arlington is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to 817-272-5554 or email ADADocs@uta.edu.
See all 45+ Green Card Community Engagement Specialist Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Green Card Sponsorship as a Community Engagement Specialist
Document your community-facing credentials early
Gather evidence of bilingual program delivery, grant-funded outreach work, or measurable participation outcomes before applying. PERM audits often target community roles, so concrete documentation of your specialized contributions strengthens your employer's labor certification case.
Target employers with PERM filing histories
Nonprofits serving refugee resettlement, public health departments, and federally funded community health centers regularly sponsor Community Engagement Specialists under EB-3. Use Migrate Mate to filter for employers with active green card sponsorship history in this occupation.
Verify the prevailing wage before accepting an offer
Use the OFLC Wage Search to confirm the wage level your employer intends to certify. A Level I wage on an LCA can undermine your EB-2 case if your role requires an advanced degree, so negotiate before the PERM is filed.
Understand how PERM treats bilingual requirements
DOL prohibits PERM job descriptions from requiring a foreign language unless the employer can prove it's essential to serve a specific client population. If your community role genuinely requires Spanish or Somali, make sure your employer documents that need before filing.
Separate your I-140 from your PERM approval timeline
Once your employer receives PERM certification from DOL, they must file the I-140 petition with USCIS within 180 days. Confirm your employer has allocated budget and legal resources for both steps before you accept an offer reliant on sponsorship.
Check your O*NET profile when classifying your role
Community Engagement Specialist maps to multiple O*NET codes depending on sector. The code your employer selects affects prevailing wage levels and EB-2 versus EB-3 eligibility, so review the O*NET occupation profile alongside your job description to catch misclassifications before PERM submission.
Green Card Community Engagement Specialist: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Community Engagement Specialist role qualify for EB-2 or EB-3 sponsorship?
It depends on how the employer defines the position. If the role requires a master's degree or equivalent in social work, public health, or a related field, EB-2 applies. Roles requiring only a bachelor's degree and two years of experience typically qualify under EB-3 skilled worker. Your employer's PERM job description determines which category fits.
How is the green card process different from H-1B sponsorship for this role?
Green card sponsorship through PERM and I-140 leads to permanent residency rather than a renewable temporary status. Unlike H-1B visa, there is no annual lottery for EB-3, and most countries outside India and China face minimal priority date backlogs at that category. The tradeoff is timeline: PERM certification alone can take six to eighteen months before USCIS even receives the I-140.
Which types of employers sponsor Community Engagement Specialists for green cards?
Federally funded community health centers, refugee resettlement agencies, county public health departments, and larger nonprofits with HR infrastructure are the most consistent sponsors. These organizations often hire for bilingual or bicultural community outreach roles where they can document specialty needs during the PERM recruitment process. Use Migrate Mate to find employers with verified green card sponsorship activity in this job category.
Can my employer start the PERM process while I'm on OPT or H-1B?
Yes. PERM is an employer-sponsored process and is not tied to your current visa status. Your employer can begin the prevailing wage determination and recruitment steps while you hold OPT, H-1B, or another work-authorized status. You do not need to be in a specific visa category for the labor certification to proceed, though you will need valid status when filing the adjustment of status application.
What makes a Community Engagement Specialist role harder to sponsor through PERM?
Roles that blend soft skills with community outreach are sometimes challenged during DOL audits because job requirements can appear too generalized. If your employer lists overly broad duties or fails to document why specific language skills or lived experience are essential to the position, DOL may issue an audit letter. Working with an attorney to draft a precise job description before recruitment begins significantly reduces that risk.