Denver Public Schools OPT Eligible Jobs USA
Denver Public Schools hires OPT students across education, administrative, and support roles, making it a viable option for F-1 graduates in teaching, counseling, and operations. The district's history of H-1B visa sponsorship signals a pathway for OPT workers seeking long-term employment in U.S. public education.
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Get Access To All JobsApplications will be received until May 18, 2026. If the position is not filled by then, we may consider applications submitted after the deadline. Interested applicants must apply online by visiting the Denver Public Schools job board at careers.dpsk12.org.
About this job:
Early Childhood Special Education (SPED) Teachers provide services to students with all identified educational disabilities. ECE Model 1 is an inclusive ECE program that supports children ages 3-5 who require a higher level of specialized instruction and related service support. It is staffed by an Early Childhood Special Educator as the lead teacher and two paraprofessionals. Model 1 (ECE) programs range from ages 3-5.
Special education teachers are responsible for managing a caseload, monitoring student growth, and developing and implementing Individualized Education Plans (IEPs). They are also responsible for modifying or adapting curriculum to best meet students' needs while providing access to Common Core State Standards. Notice to Applicants: This vacancy is at a school designated as an “Innovation School.” For more information, please contact the school and/or DCTA.
What DPS Offers You:
- A Culture that values Equity, Accountability, Integrity, Collaboration and Fun with a shared vision that Every Learner Thrives.
- Competitive Teacher Compensation and Procomp Incentive plan, click here for the DCTA Teacher and SSP Salary Schedule. Click here for more information on compensation for these roles. Please note: You must submit all relevant documentation via onboarding before the deadline (15 days after receiving your offer letter) for salary setting purposes. In addition to competitive compensation, DPS has other Total Reward offerings such as; time off, health and wellness benefits, and PERA Retirement.
What You'll Do:
- Instruct students in academic subjects using a variety of techniques to meet students’ varying needs.
- Create, write, monitor, and facilitate IEPs for students on the caseload to ensure that students' individualized academic and social-emotional needs are met.
- Oversee the scheduling of IEP meetings and the IEP process for students assigned to caseload to ensure compliance with state and federal law.
- Assess student progress towards objectives, expectations, and/or goals to provide feedback to students, parents, and administration.
- Promote student respect for the rights of others in the classroom to create and maintain a positive learning environment.
- Prepare lesson plans and materials according to curriculum guidelines, adapting teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs and interests; establishes and communicates clear objectives for lessons, units, and projects; and instructs students individually and in groups using various teaching methods.
- Demonstrate sensitivity to students' physical, medical, and varying learning styles to their identified disabilities to support students.
- Set high expectations for all students to demonstrate a deep belief that every learner thrives.
- Complete Medicaid logging for reimbursement of services when applicable.
- Manage and teach socially appropriate behavior to promote self-regulation and safety.
- May participate in extra-duty activities as outlined in the teachers' collective bargaining agreement (this is for coaching, tutoring, or summer programs, etc. for Dept. of Labor laws).
What You’ll Need:
- Hold a Bachelor’s degree in Education or related field required. A Master's Degree is only required for Concurrent Enrollment positions.
- Hold a Master’s Degree in Deaf Education, preferred.
- Have a valid Colorado Department of Education (CDE) teaching license. Click here for additional information regarding specific requirements and qualifications for the various subject areas (DPS does accept a CDE Application Receipt for 90 days).
- Experience working with young students with exceptional needs and their parents preferred.
- Experience developing and implementing IEPs and BIPs.
- Experience co-teaching in core academic subjects and thrives in a collaborative team approach preferred.
- Experience working or teaching a diverse student population.
- Lead for racial and educational excellence and work to dismantle systems of oppression and inequity in our community, along with believing in and supporting all students so they feel seen and heard with access to high quality education.
- Live and work with a permanent home address in Colorado while working with us.
- Have the ability with or without accommodations to meet the physical demands of the position.
Denver Public Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender expression, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, military service, or any other status protected by law or regulations. It is our intention that all qualified applicants be given equal opportunity and that selection decisions be based on job-related factors.
Students First. Integrity. Equity. Collaboration. Accountability. Fun.
Applications will be received until May 18, 2026. If the position is not filled by then, we may consider applications submitted after the deadline. Interested applicants must apply online by visiting the Denver Public Schools job board at careers.dpsk12.org.
About this job:
Early Childhood Special Education (SPED) Teachers provide services to students with all identified educational disabilities. ECE Model 1 is an inclusive ECE program that supports children ages 3-5 who require a higher level of specialized instruction and related service support. It is staffed by an Early Childhood Special Educator as the lead teacher and two paraprofessionals. Model 1 (ECE) programs range from ages 3-5.
Special education teachers are responsible for managing a caseload, monitoring student growth, and developing and implementing Individualized Education Plans (IEPs). They are also responsible for modifying or adapting curriculum to best meet students' needs while providing access to Common Core State Standards. Notice to Applicants: This vacancy is at a school designated as an “Innovation School.” For more information, please contact the school and/or DCTA.
What DPS Offers You:
- A Culture that values Equity, Accountability, Integrity, Collaboration and Fun with a shared vision that Every Learner Thrives.
- Competitive Teacher Compensation and Procomp Incentive plan, click here for the DCTA Teacher and SSP Salary Schedule. Click here for more information on compensation for these roles. Please note: You must submit all relevant documentation via onboarding before the deadline (15 days after receiving your offer letter) for salary setting purposes. In addition to competitive compensation, DPS has other Total Reward offerings such as; time off, health and wellness benefits, and PERA Retirement.
What You'll Do:
- Instruct students in academic subjects using a variety of techniques to meet students’ varying needs.
- Create, write, monitor, and facilitate IEPs for students on the caseload to ensure that students' individualized academic and social-emotional needs are met.
- Oversee the scheduling of IEP meetings and the IEP process for students assigned to caseload to ensure compliance with state and federal law.
- Assess student progress towards objectives, expectations, and/or goals to provide feedback to students, parents, and administration.
- Promote student respect for the rights of others in the classroom to create and maintain a positive learning environment.
- Prepare lesson plans and materials according to curriculum guidelines, adapting teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs and interests; establishes and communicates clear objectives for lessons, units, and projects; and instructs students individually and in groups using various teaching methods.
- Demonstrate sensitivity to students' physical, medical, and varying learning styles to their identified disabilities to support students.
- Set high expectations for all students to demonstrate a deep belief that every learner thrives.
- Complete Medicaid logging for reimbursement of services when applicable.
- Manage and teach socially appropriate behavior to promote self-regulation and safety.
- May participate in extra-duty activities as outlined in the teachers' collective bargaining agreement (this is for coaching, tutoring, or summer programs, etc. for Dept. of Labor laws).
What You’ll Need:
- Hold a Bachelor’s degree in Education or related field required. A Master's Degree is only required for Concurrent Enrollment positions.
- Hold a Master’s Degree in Deaf Education, preferred.
- Have a valid Colorado Department of Education (CDE) teaching license. Click here for additional information regarding specific requirements and qualifications for the various subject areas (DPS does accept a CDE Application Receipt for 90 days).
- Experience working with young students with exceptional needs and their parents preferred.
- Experience developing and implementing IEPs and BIPs.
- Experience co-teaching in core academic subjects and thrives in a collaborative team approach preferred.
- Experience working or teaching a diverse student population.
- Lead for racial and educational excellence and work to dismantle systems of oppression and inequity in our community, along with believing in and supporting all students so they feel seen and heard with access to high quality education.
- Live and work with a permanent home address in Colorado while working with us.
- Have the ability with or without accommodations to meet the physical demands of the position.
Denver Public Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender expression, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, military service, or any other status protected by law or regulations. It is our intention that all qualified applicants be given equal opportunity and that selection decisions be based on job-related factors.
Students First. Integrity. Equity. Collaboration. Accountability. Fun.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Denver Public Schools OPT Eligible Jobs USA
Align your degree to teaching credentials
Denver Public Schools evaluates OPT candidates against Colorado licensure requirements. Map your degree field directly to the subject area you want to teach. A mismatch between your major and the grade level or subject can stall an offer before HR review.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before your STEM extension
For a 24-month STEM OPT extension, Denver Public Schools must be enrolled in E-Verify. Verify this through E-Verify's employer search before signing any offer letter, because your extension filing depends on confirmed enrollment at the time you submit to USCIS.
Target roles with H-1B conversion history
Use Migrate Mate to filter Denver Public Schools job listings by visa sponsorship history. Prioritize roles in departments where the district has previously filed H-1B petitions, since those teams are most likely to support your status transition after OPT ends.
Submit your I-983 training plan early
For STEM OPT, your employer must co-sign Form I-983 before your extension is approved. Raise this with your hiring contact during the offer stage, not after you start. Delays in getting employer signatures are the most common reason STEM OPT timelines slip.
Benchmark your salary against OFLC Wage Search
Look up the prevailing wage for your role and zip code using the OFLC Wage Search before negotiating. Denver Public Schools must meet DOL wage standards if it later sponsors your H-1B, so an offer significantly below the prevailing wage can create problems at the H-1B stage.
Apply during the district's main hiring cycle
Denver Public Schools runs its primary hiring cycle from February through May for the following school year. OPT applications submitted outside this window face longer review timelines. Timing your application to the district calendar improves your chances of a decision before your OPT start date.
Denver Public Schools OPT Eligibility: Frequently Asked Questions
Does Denver Public Schools sponsor OPT visas?
Denver Public Schools does not sponsor OPT directly. OPT is work authorization USCIS grants to F-1 students, not a visa the employer files. What Denver Public Schools does is hire students who already hold an OPT EAD. For STEM OPT extensions, the district must be enrolled in E-Verify, which allows you to extend your work authorization for an additional 24 months.
Which roles at Denver Public Schools are most accessible for OPT students?
Teaching positions, instructional coaching roles, school counseling, and district-level administrative support are the most common entry points for OPT students at Denver Public Schools. Candidates with degrees in education, psychology, social work, or STEM fields tend to find the most alignment with open roles, particularly in schools with high demand for specialized subject instruction.
How do I find out if Denver Public Schools will support my H-1B after OPT ends?
Ask HR directly during the offer negotiation stage whether the district has a policy on H-1B sponsorship for your role type. You can also search Denver Public Schools's H-1B filing history through Migrate Mate, which shows which departments and job titles the district has historically sponsored, giving you a clearer picture before you commit.
How do I time my OPT application to start a job at Denver Public Schools?
You can apply for OPT up to 90 days before your program end date, and your EAD can have a start date up to 60 days after graduation. Denver Public Schools's main hiring cycle runs February through May. Apply for OPT as early as USCIS allows so your EAD arrives before your intended start date, since late EAD delivery is a frequent complication.
What documentation does Denver Public Schools typically require from OPT students during onboarding?
Expect to provide your EAD card, your I-20 with OPT authorization noted by your DSO, your passport, and your I-94 arrival record. Denver Public Schools will use these for I-9 employment verification. For STEM OPT, you'll also need to complete Form I-983 with your supervisor to document your training plan and report progress to USCIS every six months.
How does Denver Public Schools hire OPT students?
OPT is work authorization granted directly to F-1 students after graduation — no employer petition is required. Denver Public Schools can hire OPT students as soon as their EAD card is approved. STEM degree holders can extend OPT by 24 months when their employer is enrolled in E-Verify. Most companies that hire OPT students also support the transition to H-1B when the student's OPT period is ending. Check Denver Public Schools's individual postings on Migrate Mate to confirm OPT acceptance per role.