J-1 Visa Human Resources Jobs
Human Resources roles in the United States are available to international professionals through the J-1 visa Trainee and Intern program categories, depending on your career stage. Securing sponsorship requires a designated sponsor organization to issue your DS-2019, not the hiring employer directly.
Find J-1 Visa Human Resources JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 13+ Human Resources jobs










See all Human Resources Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Human Resources roles.
Get Access To All Jobs
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- Identify incomplete, outdated, inconsistent, or unclear job-description information and refer questions to the HR Director for review.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 J-1 Visa Human Resources Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new J-1 Visa Human Resources Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding J-1 Visa Sponsorship in Human Resources
Align your credentials with specialty occupation standards
HR generalist and specialist roles increasingly require a degree in human resources, organizational psychology, or business administration. Document your coursework and relevant certifications before approaching host employers, since designated sponsors review your field match during DS-2019 issuance.
Target employers with established J-1 host agreements
Companies that have hosted J-1 Trainees before already have working relationships with designated sponsors and understand training plan requirements. Use Migrate Mate to filter for HR roles at employers with demonstrated J-1 hosting history, cutting out the prospecting work.
Build a training plan before your employer interview
Designated sponsors require a structured Training or Internship Placement Plan (Form DS-7002) that maps your HR activities week by week. Draft a proposed plan covering recruitment support, HRIS exposure, and compliance tasks so your host employer can review and sign it quickly after an offer.
Confirm the 2-year home residency rule applies to you
If your J-1 exchange is government-funded or your home country has a skills-shortage designation, you may be subject to the two-year home residency requirement before switching to H-1B visa or green card status. Verify your DS-2019 remarks section with your designated sponsor before accepting an offer.
Benchmark your training wage using DOL data
Host employers must pay J-1 Trainees at least the same wage as their domestic counterparts doing similar work. Cross-check the role against OFLC Wage Search for your metro area and occupational code so you can flag any offer that falls below the applicable prevailing wage.
Time your application around the 30-day program start rule
USCIS and designated sponsors require you to begin your program within 30 days of the start date printed on your DS-2019. Coordinate your offer acceptance, sponsor enrollment, and travel so your start date is realistic, since late arrivals can trigger status complications.
Human Resources J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which J-1 program category applies to Human Resources roles?
Current students pursuing HR degrees typically enter under the J-1 Intern category, which is limited to 12 months and requires enrollment or recent graduation. Professionals with a degree and at least one year of HR work experience qualify for the J-1 Trainee category, which allows up to 18 months and covers more substantive responsibilities like compensation analysis or HR systems administration.
Who actually sponsors my J-1 visa for an HR position?
The J-1 visa sponsor is a U.S. Department of State-designated organization, such as Cultural Vistas or CIEE, that issues your DS-2019 and monitors your program compliance. Your hiring employer is the host organization, not the legal sponsor. The host signs your training plan and pays your wages, but cannot issue a DS-2019 or act as your visa sponsor unless they hold their own State Department designation.
How do I find U.S. employers willing to host J-1 HR professionals?
Search for HR roles on Migrate Mate, which surfaces positions at employers familiar with J-1 program requirements. Many HR departments at mid-size and large companies have hosted J-1 Trainees before and are open to the training plan process. Targeting employers in industries with high HR headcount, such as healthcare systems, financial services, and technology firms, improves your odds of finding a cooperative host.
Can I transfer to an H-1B or stay permanently after a J-1 HR trainee program?
A J-1 Trainee program in HR does not directly lead to a green card or H-1B, and if the two-year home residency requirement appears on your DS-2019, you must return home before switching to most other visa categories. Some participants qualify for a waiver based on hardship or no-objection from their home country government. Confirming your residency obligation before accepting an offer lets you plan your next steps accurately.
What does a J-1 HR training plan need to cover?
The DS-7002 training plan must describe specific HR activities you will perform, the skills you intend to develop, and a phase-by-phase schedule. For HR roles, this typically includes phases covering talent acquisition processes, employee relations, HRIS platforms, and compliance with employment law. Designated sponsors review the plan for educational substance and reject plans that describe routine clerical tasks without a clear learning component.