Community Advisor Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Community Advisor roles at U.S. universities and housing programs regularly sponsor international candidates through the H-1B visa and TN visas when the position requires a relevant bachelor's degree. Employers file a Labor Condition Application before sponsorship begins, and your degree field must directly align with the advisory or student affairs function.
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INTRODUCTION
The Energy Advisor will primarily assist with the teaching of energy efficiency and clean energy education programs in the Mohawk Valley Region, specifically in Oneida, Herkimer, Schoharie, Otsego, Fulton, and Montgomery Counties. This position, alongside other Energy Team members, will work to inform residents, multifamily building owners, and small businesses, with an emphasis in low-to-moderate income and priority communities, of the options for adopting clean energy strategies in their homes and businesses. This position is also responsible for working as a team member and provides input to the supervisor on implementation and evaluation of these energy programs.
Work includes assisting in establishing and maintaining relationships and collaborating with community partners and local stakeholders to lend energy efficiency and clean energy programs to more-holistically address energy inequities. This position will deliver information and provide education in a wide variety of settings, including, but not limited to: providing educational tables/booths at community events; presenting before large audiences; making one-on-one phone calls; following up with leads/clients to provide additional information; assist leads/clients with navigating every step of applying for relevant energy efficiency and clean energy programs available to them; helping troubleshoot obstacles to adopting clean energy strategies; coordinating with local energy contractors in providing accurate information on the programs, etc. This position will collaborate with community groups, energy contractors, supervisor and other team members to coordinate and implement engaging educational programs. This position will also serve as a subject matter resource and carry out administrative tasks that support the educational program and fulfill funding requirements.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s Degree or Associate Degree and 2 years of transferrable program/functional experience.
- Experience relevant to the role of the position, including but not limited to, any of the following:
- teaching non-formal educational programs, with a preference for experience in energy efficiency and renewable energy, or related topics
- social work with an emphasis on housing/energy assistance
- assisting low-income households receiving subsidized housing services
- Experience working independently, as well as an effective team member.
- Demonstrated ability to learn new information and communicate effectively through oral, written and visual means.
- Demonstrated ability to effectively manage multiple priorities according to those set with the team and immediate supervisor.
- An earnest desire to empower households and communities to create change and a matching patience to move at the speed of trust.
- Valid NYS Driver’s License and the ability to meet travel requirements associated with this position.
- Ability to meet acceptable background check standards (DMV and criminal background checks).
- Ability to work flexible hours which may include evenings and/or weekends, as appropriate.
- Proficiency or ability to learn and effectively use software including use of the internet and Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Publisher, Excel).
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Fluency in Spanish and/or other languages is highly desirable.
- Experience establishing and working with community stakeholders, especially those with limited income.
- Experience working with, and assisting in developing institutional relationships in Oneida, Herkimer, Schoharie, Otsego, Fulton, or Montgomery Counties.
- Experience working as a volunteer or supervising volunteers.
- Demonstrated ability to plan, teach and evaluate informal educational programs through a variety of delivery methods to reach individuals and groups.
- Aptitude for digital technologies and strategies for educational and communication applications.
- Empathy, sincerity, and an ability to positively navigate challenges.
POSITION DETAILS:
Expected Weekly Hours: 37.5 hours per week - Onsite Position.
Wage/Hourly: $25.00 per hour
Location: Oneida County CCE office in Oriskany, NY. No remote work available.
BENEFITS:
Great Benefits; including spectacular time off!
- NYS Health Insurance Program (including FREE Dental Insurance)
- NYS Retirement!!!
- Long-Term Disability Insurance
- Total Care Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Voluntary Tax Deferred Annuity Plan
- Voluntary Flexible Spending Accounts
- Voluntary Group Universal Life Insurance
- Voluntary Personal Accidental Insurance
- Voluntary Legal Plan Insurance
- Voluntary Long Term Care Insurance
- Voluntary Auto and Homeowner’s Insurance
- Voluntary Pet Insurance
Paid time off includes 12 Vacation days, 15 Sick days, 4 Personal days, 12 Holidays, and 2 Floating Holidays annually!!
PROGRAM RESPONSIBILITIES:
Program Delivery – 70%
- Utilize established program resources and materials in program work.
- Use a variety of delivery methods including workshops, public events, articles, web pages and social media to deliver programs.
- Teach clean energy education programming per established Plan of Work.
- Represent the Energy Team to the public and community leaders in a professional manner as part of program delivery.
- Occasionally apply established subject matter knowledge to adapt materials created by the Energy Team and other professionals to create lesson plans that meet local community and individual needs and consider diverse audiences.
- Assist in maintaining linkages with Cornell and other SUNY institutions as part of program delivery.
- Serve as subject matter resource and respond to questions about energy efficiency.
- Serve as a team member and cooperate with the entire Association and the Energy Team to achieve Association program delivery goals.
Program Evaluation – 10%
- Interact with program participants to gather informal program evaluation information.
- Work alongside Energy Team to interpret evaluation information based on existing program parameters and assist in making recommendations for program improvement.
- Implement program evaluation as designed.
- Communicate evaluation findings to constituents as directed.
Administrative Responsibilities:
Direction – 5%
- Work in cooperation with the Energy Team to help establish priorities, objectives, and programming for the Clean Energy Program that are supportive of the Association’s mission.
- Assist in the planning of public events and program activities.
- Assist in identifying opportunities for fund development activities.
- Assist in directing/organizing community focus groups and/or advisory committees to support programming initiatives.
- Assist in fostering effective professional relationships with other agencies, organizations and businesses that promote effective communication and facilitate continued programming efforts.
Management – 5%
- Assist in identifying and recommending program needs (i.e. program supplies and materials) to the Program Supervisor and Energy Team as identified.
- Demonstrate judgment and discretion to solve problems and resolve conflicts that arise in the program, utilizing appropriate policies and procedures, as needed.
Coordination/Operation – 5%
- Collect budgetary information as needed.
- Assist in gathering information for grant/contract proposals as needed.
- Assist supervisor in supporting the administrative needs of writing grant/contract proposals as requested to ensure continued funding.
Professional Improvement & Other Duties as Assigned – 5%
- In cooperation with supervisor and/or Executive Director, jointly develop and pursue a professional development plan as a means to increase competencies relative to position accountabilities and to address changes and Association priorities.
- Participate in all required orientation, training, and/or in-service meetings and trainings as scheduled/required.
- Pursue personal growth through expanding personal knowledge of the total organization and through updating techniques and technical skills relating to the position.
- Collaborate in activities that are in general support of Cornell Cooperative Extension including but not limited to attendance at staff meetings, timely reporting of expenses, working with other staff, general marketing of Cooperative Extension programs and other duties as assigned.
- Maintain regular and predictable attendance and punctuality.
JOB TITLE:
Association Subject Educator I
LEVEL:
004
PAY RATE TYPE:
Hourly
COMPANY:
Contract College
CONTACT NAME:
Regina Lowder
Cornell Cooperative Extension is a collaboration among Cornell University, the United States Department of Agriculture, the State of New York, and the residents of New York State. Per NYS Law, county and regional extension service associations are subordinate government agencies. This employment opportunity is with the entities listed and not with Cornell University.
Notice to Applicants: Please read the required Notice to Applicants statement. This notice contains important information about applying for a position at Cornell Cooperative Extension as well as some of your rights and responsibilities as an applicant.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Community Advisor Jobs
Frame your degree as a specialty occupation
Community Advisor roles must meet the specialty occupation standard, so document how your degree in counseling, social work, education, or a related field directly qualifies you. Generic psychology or general studies degrees require extra justification in the H-1B petition.
Target higher education employers over nonprofits
Universities and college housing offices file H-1B petitions far more routinely than community nonprofits. Institutions with established international hiring pipelines already have immigration counsel on retainer, which shortens the LCA filing timeline significantly.
Search verified sponsoring employers on Migrate Mate
Use Migrate Mate to find employers with confirmed LCA filing history for community or student services roles. Filtering by employers who've sponsored similar positions tells you which organizations are operationally ready to file, not just open to the idea.
Verify prevailing wage before your first interview
Run your target city and job title through the OFLC Wage Search before salary conversations start. The LCA requires your offer to meet the DOL prevailing wage for your location, and employers sometimes underestimate what that figure is for student affairs roles.
Get your transcripts officially evaluated early
If you completed your degree outside the U.S., USCIS requires a credential evaluation for H-1B specialty occupation evidence. Order an evaluation from a NACES-member service before you're deep in negotiations so a document gap doesn't stall the petition.
Clarify PERM timelines for green card pathways
Some university employers offer EB-2 or EB-3 sponsorship for long-term Community Advisor staff. PERM labor certification for these roles requires a 30-day job posting and DOL audit readiness, so confirm whether your employer has completed this process before for similar positions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Community Advisor role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
It can, but it depends on how the employer defines the position. If the job description requires a bachelor's degree in counseling, social work, higher education administration, or a directly related field, USCIS will generally accept it as a specialty occupation. Roles described as requiring any bachelor's degree, regardless of field, are more likely to receive a Request for Evidence.
Which visa types realistically support Community Advisor sponsorship?
H-1B is the most common path for degree-holding candidates in student affairs or community services. Canadian and Mexican nationals may qualify under TN if the role maps to an eligible USMCA profession such as counselor. J-1 visa exchange visitor status is also used by universities for international program participants, though it requires a designated sponsor organization and may carry a two-year home residency requirement.
How do I find Community Advisor employers who actually sponsor visas?
Migrate Mate lists employers with verified LCA sponsorship history for community and student services roles, so you can focus your search on organizations that have already filed for similar positions rather than guessing from job postings.
Do I need a master's degree, or does a bachelor's degree qualify me for H-1B sponsorship in this role?
A bachelor's degree in a directly related field is sufficient for H-1B eligibility. The specialty occupation standard doesn't require a master's. That said, employers at research universities or large student affairs departments often prefer or require a master's in higher education, counseling, or student development, which can strengthen the petition by making the degree requirement easier to establish.
Can a nonprofit or community organization sponsor a Community Advisor, or is this mainly a university role?
Nonprofits and community organizations can sponsor H-1B workers, and they're sometimes cap-exempt if affiliated with a qualifying higher education institution or nonprofit research organization. Independent nonprofits without that affiliation are subject to the annual cap and selection process. Confirm cap-exempt status with the employer early, since it affects both timing and filing strategy.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Community Advisor jobs?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.