HR Operations Specialist Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
HR Operations Specialists are routinely sponsored on H-1B visas, but approval depends on framing the role as a specialty occupation requiring a degree in human resources, business administration, or a related field. Employers in tech, healthcare, and professional services sponsor this role most consistently. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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INTRODUCTION
As a Specialist on the Human Resource Information System and Payroll team, you will provide an essential service analyzing HRIS and payroll processes, identifying opportunities, and providing recommendations for optimization. The ideal candidate will ensure that HRIS and payroll processes are accurate, efficient, compliant, and consistent with our company’s overall objectives. In this position, you will also be responsible for first-line support for HR System support and assisting with the coordination of all on and off cycle biweekly payroll processing.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
A day in the life…
- Maintain and help drive production planning and execution to support accurate and efficient day-to-day operations
- Participate in a consultative role to support assigned region with employee inquiries, complex employee issues, and processing questions
- Execute complex and/or high impact business processes and/or transactions
- Ability to identify complex issues and demonstrate curiosity to investigate and resolve
- Proactively assess, refine and implement HRIS and Payroll process improvements and tools, including appropriate documentation
- Plan, facilitate, and/or execute projects, including owning entire larger impact projects, as assigned
- Build positive team relationships through collaboration and active participation to achieve department and team goals
- Serve as an escalation point and Subject Matter Expert (SME) for more complex HRIS and Payroll matters
- Provides training, guidance, and support to the HRIS and Payroll team regarding relevant topics
- Ability to initiate and lead conversations to drive payroll projects and issue resolutions
- Support the administration of time, pay, and absence data for bi-weekly payroll processing
- Support the administration of benefits, compensation, leave, learning, and recruiting
- Ensures per pay period, quarterly, and annual payroll reporting is performed accurately and on-time
- Performs basic maintenance on payroll updates and is responsible for testing new or changed payroll functionality
- Provide exceptional service through professionalism, ownership and initiative
- Ensure accuracy, confidentiality and security of information being processed, stored or accessed
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
You own this if you have...
- 1+ years of experience in the areas of payroll, time-keeping, human resources, benefits administration, finance, HRIS application support, or other relevant work experiences
- 2+ years of customer service experience
- Ability to work on-site 4 days per week
- Proficient in Microsoft Excel
- Experience communicating complex HRIS and Payroll concepts to broad audiences across an organization
- Excellent customer service skills, organization, time-management, written and verbal communication skills
- Self-motivation is a must as well as an ability to work in a fast-paced environment with ever changing priorities
- Working knowledge of Payroll/HRIS systems and processes is preferred (Workday system, payroll processing, tax principles, wage and hour law, and human resources systems)
- Associate of science degree in business administration or accounting preferred
LOCATION
This is a hybrid role requiring the selected candidate to be located within a commutable distance of the Nordstrom corporate offices in Seattle, WA and work onsite four (4) days per week
BENEFITS
We’ve got you covered…
Our employees are our most important asset and that’s reflected in our benefits. Nordstrom is proud to offer a variety of benefits to support employees and their families, including:
- Medical/Vision, Dental, Retirement and Paid Time Away
- Life Insurance and Disability
- Merchandise Discount and EAP Resources
A few more important points...
The job posting highlights the most critical responsibilities and requirements of the job. It’s not all-inclusive. There may be additional duties, responsibilities and qualifications for this job.
For Los Angeles or San Francisco applicants: Nordstrom is required to inform you that we conduct background checks after conditional offer and consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with legal requirements per Los Angeles, Cal. Muni. Code 189.04 and the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance. For additional state and location specific notices, please refer to the Legal Notices document within the FAQ section of the Nordstrom Careers site.
Applicants with disabilities who require assistance or accommodation should contact the nearest Nordstrom location, which can be identified at www.nordstrom.com.
Please be mindful that there may be legal notices and requirements related to this job posting that are specific to your state. Review the Career Site FAQ’s for relevant information and guidelines.
© 2022 Nordstrom, Inc
Current Nordstrom employees: To apply, log into Workday, click the Careers button and then click Find Jobs.
Nordstrom keeps job postings open for at least one day after the posting date.
PAY RANGE DETAILS
The pay range(s) below has been provided in compliance with state specific laws. Pay ranges may be different for other locations.
Pay offers are dependent on the location, as well as job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.
$25.25 - $40.50 Hourly
This position may be eligible for performance-based incentives/bonuses. Benefits include 401k, medical/vision/dental/life/disability insurance options, PTO accruals, Holidays, and more. Eligibility requirements may apply based on location, job level, classification, and length of employment. Learn more in the Nordstrom Benefits Overview by copying and pasting the following URL into your browser: https://careers.nordstrom.com/pdfs/Ben_Overview_07-14_Full_Time_ES-US.pdf
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Visa Sponsorship as a HR Operations Specialist
Target industries with established HR sponsorship track records
Tech companies, healthcare systems, and large financial services firms file H-1B petitions for HR Operations roles far more consistently than small businesses. Focusing your search on these industries meaningfully improves your odds of finding a willing sponsor.
Emphasize the specialty occupation case in your application
USCIS scrutinizes HR roles for specialty occupation status. Highlight responsibilities that require specialized knowledge, such as HRIS implementation, compliance program management, or workforce analytics, rather than generalist administrative duties that any degree could support.
Align your degree field to the role description as closely as possible
A degree in human resources management, organizational psychology, or business administration strengthens your petition. If your degree is in an unrelated field, document how your coursework and experience connect directly to the HR operations functions you will perform.
Look for employers with prior HR sponsorship history
Companies that have sponsored HR Operations Specialists before have established internal processes and legal counsel familiar with the specialty occupation argument. These employers are significantly more likely to approve sponsorship requests than those encountering the process for the first time.
Prepare your employer for the LCA and prevailing wage process
Many employers hesitate because they do not understand the Labor Condition Application requirements. Offering a clear, simple explanation of what is involved, and confirming the role meets prevailing wage levels, removes a common barrier before it becomes a reason to decline.
Browse HR Operations roles on Migrate Mate to find sponsorship-ready employers
Migrate Mate curates job listings from employers who have demonstrated willingness to sponsor work visas. Filtering to HR Operations roles surfaces companies already open to the conversation, which reduces wasted applications to employers who will not sponsor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an HR Operations Specialist role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Yes, but the petition needs to be carefully constructed. USCIS requires that the role normally requires a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific field. HR Operations roles focused on HRIS systems, compliance, or workforce planning are stronger candidates than general HR coordinator positions. The job description must clearly require specialized knowledge, not just broad business acumen.
Which visa types are most commonly used to sponsor HR Operations Specialists?
The H-1B is the primary path for most HR Operations Specialists. Australians may qualify for the E-3 visa, which has no lottery and processes faster. Canadians and Mexicans can explore the TN visa under the USMCA, which covers HR-related professional roles. L-1 visa transfers are an option for those already working for a multinational employer abroad.
What degree does an HR Operations Specialist typically need for visa sponsorship?
A bachelor's degree in human resources, business administration, industrial-organizational psychology, or a closely related field is the standard expectation. USCIS will review whether the degree field directly relates to the duties of the specific role. A general business degree is usually acceptable if the job description emphasizes HR-specific functions over generic management tasks.
How often do USCIS approve H-1B petitions for HR roles, and what are the main denial reasons?
HR roles face higher scrutiny than engineering or IT positions because USCIS sometimes questions whether they meet the specialty occupation standard. Common denial reasons include job descriptions that list duties performable by someone without a specific degree, or roles that appear primarily administrative. Petitions with detailed, technically specific duty descriptions and strong employer support letters have meaningfully better outcomes.
Where can I find HR Operations Specialist jobs where the employer is open to sponsorship?
Migrate Mate lists HR Operations roles from employers who have indicated willingness to sponsor work visas, which removes the guesswork of cold-applying to companies that will decline. Filtering by role and visa type on Migrate Mate lets you prioritize employers already familiar with the sponsorship process, which significantly improves your chances of reaching an offer stage.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored HR Operations Specialist 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.