J-1 Visa HR Operations Specialist Jobs
HR Operations Specialist roles in the United States are typically available to exchange visitors under the J-1 visa Trainee or Specialist category, depending on your experience level and program objectives. Finding a host employer who will work with a designated sponsor organization on your DS-2019 and training plan is the critical first step toward sponsorship.
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Get Access To All JobsStudent Technical Specialist
Requisition ID req37855
Working Title HR Intern
Pay $19.00 Hourly
Campus Main - Albuquerque, NM
Department Off Campus Work Study (454F)
Employment Type Student Employment
Status Non-Exempt
Background Check Required Yes
Location: 625 Silver Ave SW, Albuquerque, NM 87102
An Off-Campus Work-Study Position - MUST have a Work-Study Award
Position Summary
The HR Intern will support the Human Resources Department at New Mexico Immigrant Law Center (NMILC) through document standardization, records organization, and administrative HR projects. This part-time position provides a UNM student with practical exposure to human resources functions in a small-to-medium-sized nonprofit organization.
The intern’s primary responsibilities will be updating existing job descriptions into NMILC’s approved format, organizing finalized job descriptions by employee and position, and supporting the HR & Benefits Specialist with secure, consistent retention of biweekly payroll records. The intern may also assist with recruiting, onboarding, benefits, and other HR projects as needed.
Essential Duties
- Review existing job descriptions and transfer information into NMILC’s approved job-description template.
- Maintain a tracker of job descriptions that are received, in progress, pending HR review, completed, or missing.
- Organize approved job descriptions in the designated electronic filing system by employee and/or position, following established naming conventions.
- Identify incomplete, outdated, inconsistent, or unclear job-description information and refer questions to the HR Director for review.
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date HR files, records, and documentation.
- Work with the HR & Benefits Specialist to save, print, assemble, and file designated payroll reports and supporting documents on a biweekly basis.
- Use the established payroll-file checklist to help identify missing or incomplete documents and promptly report discrepancies to the HR & Benefits Specialist or HR Director.
- Maintain the integrity and confidentiality of employee, payroll, and HR records.
- Assist with administrative aspects of recruiting, including posting job announcements, communicating with candidates, scheduling interviews, preparing interview materials, and maintaining recruitment records.
- Assist with new-hire onboarding and orientation activities as assigned.
- Support HR events and projects, such as benefits enrollment, employee recognition activities, onboarding presentations, and records-management improvements.
- Perform other HR administrative duties consistent with the intern’s learning objectives and assigned training.
SCHEDULE:
Part-time; flexible hours. Regular weekly in-office work is expected, with limited remote work possible based on operational needs.
Minimum Qualifications
Enrolled in a degree seeking program at UNM, Enrolled at least half-time (6 hours) at UNM for fall and spring semesters (Audit hours do not count), and if Work Study, you must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress.
Preferred Qualifications
Current enrollment in, or recent completion of, a degree program in human resources, business administration, nonprofit management, public administration, or a related field preferred.
- Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage recurring tasks and deadlines.
- Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively, take direction, and follow established procedures, templates, and checklists.
- Demonstrated ability to handle confidential information with discretion, professionalism, and sound judgment.
- Familiarity with Microsoft Office applications, electronic file management, and spreadsheet tracking.
- Ability to learn BambooHR and other HR-related technology systems.
- Spanish speaking, reading, and writing skills preferred, but not required.
Application Instructions
Only applications submitted through the official UNMJobs site will be accepted. If you are viewing this job advertisement on a 3rd party site, please visit UNMJobs to submit an application.
Please submit Cover Letter and Resume. MUST have a Work-Study Award. Background Check required.
The University of New Mexico is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class.
Student Technical Specialist
Requisition ID req37855
Working Title HR Intern
Pay $19.00 Hourly
Campus Main - Albuquerque, NM
Department Off Campus Work Study (454F)
Employment Type Student Employment
Status Non-Exempt
Background Check Required Yes
Location: 625 Silver Ave SW, Albuquerque, NM 87102
An Off-Campus Work-Study Position - MUST have a Work-Study Award
Position Summary
The HR Intern will support the Human Resources Department at New Mexico Immigrant Law Center (NMILC) through document standardization, records organization, and administrative HR projects. This part-time position provides a UNM student with practical exposure to human resources functions in a small-to-medium-sized nonprofit organization.
The intern’s primary responsibilities will be updating existing job descriptions into NMILC’s approved format, organizing finalized job descriptions by employee and position, and supporting the HR & Benefits Specialist with secure, consistent retention of biweekly payroll records. The intern may also assist with recruiting, onboarding, benefits, and other HR projects as needed.
Essential Duties
- Review existing job descriptions and transfer information into NMILC’s approved job-description template.
- Maintain a tracker of job descriptions that are received, in progress, pending HR review, completed, or missing.
- Organize approved job descriptions in the designated electronic filing system by employee and/or position, following established naming conventions.
- Identify incomplete, outdated, inconsistent, or unclear job-description information and refer questions to the HR Director for review.
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date HR files, records, and documentation.
- Work with the HR & Benefits Specialist to save, print, assemble, and file designated payroll reports and supporting documents on a biweekly basis.
- Use the established payroll-file checklist to help identify missing or incomplete documents and promptly report discrepancies to the HR & Benefits Specialist or HR Director.
- Maintain the integrity and confidentiality of employee, payroll, and HR records.
- Assist with administrative aspects of recruiting, including posting job announcements, communicating with candidates, scheduling interviews, preparing interview materials, and maintaining recruitment records.
- Assist with new-hire onboarding and orientation activities as assigned.
- Support HR events and projects, such as benefits enrollment, employee recognition activities, onboarding presentations, and records-management improvements.
- Perform other HR administrative duties consistent with the intern’s learning objectives and assigned training.
SCHEDULE:
Part-time; flexible hours. Regular weekly in-office work is expected, with limited remote work possible based on operational needs.
Minimum Qualifications
Enrolled in a degree seeking program at UNM, Enrolled at least half-time (6 hours) at UNM for fall and spring semesters (Audit hours do not count), and if Work Study, you must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress.
Preferred Qualifications
Current enrollment in, or recent completion of, a degree program in human resources, business administration, nonprofit management, public administration, or a related field preferred.
- Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage recurring tasks and deadlines.
- Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively, take direction, and follow established procedures, templates, and checklists.
- Demonstrated ability to handle confidential information with discretion, professionalism, and sound judgment.
- Familiarity with Microsoft Office applications, electronic file management, and spreadsheet tracking.
- Ability to learn BambooHR and other HR-related technology systems.
- Spanish speaking, reading, and writing skills preferred, but not required.
Application Instructions
Only applications submitted through the official UNMJobs site will be accepted. If you are viewing this job advertisement on a 3rd party site, please visit UNMJobs to submit an application.
Please submit Cover Letter and Resume. MUST have a Work-Study Award. Background Check required.
The University of New Mexico is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class.
See all 60+ J-1 Visa HR Operations Specialist Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding J-1 Visa Sponsorship as a HR Operations Specialist
Align your DS-2019 training plan precisely
Your designated sponsor requires a detailed training plan mapping each HR competency you'll develop to specific tasks and timelines. Generic plans get rejected. Document how your prior HR education and work experience directly connects to the U.S. host employer's operations workflow.
Verify the host employer's HR department structure
J-1 Trainee and Specialist programs require a genuine learning environment, not a production role. Confirm the employer has a functioning HR team with supervisors who can fulfill mentorship obligations and complete required evaluations throughout your exchange program.
Research employers through J-1 program category lens
Use Migrate Mate to filter U.S. employers actively hosting exchange visitors in HR and business operations functions, so you're targeting organizations already familiar with the DS-2019 process and designated sponsor coordination requirements.
Confirm the two-year home residency requirement early
Some HR Operations Specialist exchange visitors are subject to the two-year home country physical presence requirement before changing to certain visa categories. Check your DS-2019 and J-1 category against USCIS guidance before accepting an offer if you plan to stay long-term.
Negotiate training plan scope before the offer stage
Host employers unfamiliar with J-1 programs often underestimate how specific the DOL-aligned training plan must be. Raise the training plan structure during interviews, not after the offer, to avoid delays when your designated sponsor reviews and countersigns the documentation.
Benchmark your role against O*NET HR classifications
Designated sponsors use O*NET occupation codes to validate that your HR Operations Specialist role qualifies under the Trainee or Specialist category. Review the relevant O*NET profile before your sponsor intake call so your training objectives match the recognized occupational definition.
HR Operations Specialist J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which J-1 program category fits an HR Operations Specialist role?
Most HR Operations Specialist exchange visitors qualify under the Trainee category if they have a degree or one year of relevant work experience, or the Specialist category if they have significant expertise in a specialized HR function. Current students completing degree programs may qualify under the Intern category. Your designated sponsor, such as Cultural Vistas or CIEE, determines the correct category based on your background and training objectives.
Who actually sponsors my J-1 visa, the employer or a sponsor organization?
The J-1 visa sponsor is a U.S. Department of State-designated organization, not your employer. Organizations like IIE, CIEE, Cultural Vistas, and AIPT issue the DS-2019 form and are legally responsible for your program compliance. Your HR host employer is the placement site where you train. The employer and the designated sponsor must coordinate, but they are two separate parties with distinct legal roles.
How do I find U.S. employers willing to host J-1 HR Operations Specialists?
Use Migrate Mate to identify U.S. employers in HR and business operations who are open to hosting J-1 exchange visitors. Many employers are unfamiliar with the J-1 host process, so targeting companies with prior exchange visitor experience significantly reduces friction during the DS-2019 and training plan coordination stage.
Is there an annual cap or lottery for the J-1 visa in this category?
No. Unlike the H-1B visa, the J-1 visa has no annual numerical cap and no lottery. HR Operations Specialist applicants in the Trainee or Specialist category can apply year-round, provided a designated sponsor approves the training plan and the host employer meets program requirements. Processing timelines depend on the designated sponsor and the U.S. consulate, not a cap-based selection cycle.
What does the two-year home residency requirement mean for my career plans?
If your DS-2019 is funded by your home government or if your home country is on the Exchange Visitor Skills List, you may be subject to INA Section 212(e), which requires you to return home for two years before applying for H-1B, L-1 visa, or immigrant visas. This doesn't prevent you from completing your J-1 program, but it affects post-program options. Check with USCIS or a qualified immigration attorney if long-term U.S. residence is your goal.