Florida International University OPT Eligible Jobs USA
Florida International University hires OPT students across research, administrative, and academic support roles, making it a practical target for F-1 graduates in education, social sciences, and STEM fields. As a large public research university, FIU offers structured pathways that can support the OPT-to-H-1B visa transition for qualified staff.
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About FIU
Florida International University is a Top 50, preeminent public research university with 55,000 students from all 50 states and more than 140 countries, as well as an alumni network of more than 340,000. Located in the global city of Miami, the university offers more than 200 degree programs at the undergraduate, graduate and professional levels, including medicine and law. FIU faculty are leaders in their fields and include National Academy members, Fulbright Scholars and MacArthur Genius Fellows. A Carnegie R1 institution, FIU drives impactful research in environmental resilience, health and technology and innovation. Home to the Wall of Wind and Institute of Environment, FIU stands at the forefront of discovery and innovation. With a focus on student success, economic mobility and community engagement, FIU is redefining what it means to be a public research university.
Job Summary
Responsible for designing, implementing, and managing comprehensive development programming for Division I football student-athletes. This role focuses on leadership development, personal growth, career preparation, mental wellness, and life skills education to ensure student-athletes are prepared for success during and beyond their collegiate football careers. Serves as a primary mentor and advocate for student-athletes while supporting a positive, values-based team culture.
- Develop and oversee a comprehensive player development curriculum addressing leadership, character, accountability, and personal responsibility
- Coordinate leadership councils, peer mentorship programs, and team culture initiatives
- Serve as a consistent mentor and support system for student-athletes, fostering trust, discipline, and personal growth
- Plan and execute life skills programming including financial literacy, career readiness, networking, interview preparation, and professional conduct
- Collaborate with campus and external partners to provide workshops on mental health awareness, wellness, social responsibility, and decision-making
- Support student-athletes in navigating personal challenges while maintaining confidentiality and professionalism
- Work closely with academic support services to monitor academic progress, class attendance, and eligibility concerns
- Assist student-athletes with goal setting, time management, and balancing athletic and academic responsibilities
- Oversee career exploration opportunities, including internships, alumni networking, and post-football career planning
- Promote and uphold program standards, values, and behavioral expectations
- Oversee community service initiatives and outreach programs that reinforce leadership and civic responsibility
- Assist with alumni engagement initiatives focused on mentorship and professional development opportunities
- Collaborate with coaching staff, strength and conditioning, sports medicine, nutrition, and academic services to ensure a holistic approach to student-athlete development
- Maintain knowledge of and compliance with NCAA, conference, and institutional regulations related to player development activities
- Serve as a positive representative of the football program within the athletics department and university community
- Assist with select football operations and team logistics as needed to support program success
- Participate in staff meetings and contribute to program planning and evaluation
- Support recruiting visits and on-campus events as permitted by NCAA regulations
- Adheres to all State of Florida, University, NCAA, Conference USA and department rules and policies pertaining to the position of Director of Football Player Development. Reports any known NCAA violations or concerns to the Director of Athletic Compliance and be responsible for the monitoring of any subordinate as it relates to NCAA regulations.
- Performs other related duties as required or directed. The omission of specific duties does not preclude the supervisor from assigning duties that are logically related to the position.
Advertised Salary
$65,000 - $70,000
Job Category
Administrative
Departmental Requirements
Experience working with student-athletes in a Division I or elite football environment
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree and four (4) years of sports related experience; OR a Master's degree and two (2) years of related experience; OR eight (8) years of sports related experience; OR an equivalent combination of relevant education and/or experience.
How To Apply Prospective Employee
If you have not created a registered account, you will be asked to create a username and password for use of the system. It is recommended that you provide an active/valid e-mail account as that will be the main source of communication regarding your status within the process. In this account, you are able to track your applicant status in "My Applications".
To be considered eligible for the position as an internal candidate, departmental staff must meet minimum requirements of the position and be in good performance standing.
Before you begin the process, we recommend that you are prepared to attach electronic copies of your resume, cover letter or any other documents within the application process. It is recommended that you combine your cover letter and resume/curriculum vitae into one attachment. Attached documents should be in Microsoft Word or PDF format. All applicants are required to complete the online application including work history and educational details (if applicable), even when attaching a resume.
- This posting will close at 12:00 am of the close date.
Other Information
Ability to travel locally and nationally.
Ability to work flexible hours as needed.
Ability to work occasional evenings, weekends, and holidays.
Pre-Employment Requirements
Driver's License Check
Fingerprinting Check
Expanded Background Check
Work Schedule
Begin time: 8:30 AM
End time: 5:00 PM
Disclosures Clery Notice
In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act, the University Police department at Florida International University provides information on crimes statistics, crime prevention, law enforcement, crime reporting, and other related issues for the past three (3) calendar years. The FIU Annual Security report is available online at: https://police.fiu.edu/download/annual-security-fire-safety-report/.
To obtain a paper copy of the report, please visit the FIU Police Department located at 885 SW 109th Avenue, Miami, FL, 33199 (PG5 Market Station).
Pay Transparency
Florida International University will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information.
Notice of Non-Discrimination
FIU is a State University System of Florida member, Equal Opportunity, Equal Access, and Affirmative Action Employer for individuals with disabilities and veterans. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment decisions, programs, and events without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. For inquiries regarding non-discrimination, contact FIU's Office of Civil Rights at 305.348.2785 or email ocr@fiu.edu.
Reasonable Accommodation Statement
Should you need an ADA accommodation to participate in a University event, program, or activity or need to request materials in an accessible format, please contact FIU's Office of Civil Rights (OCR) at 305-348-2785 or accommodations@fiu.edu. All requests for ADA accommodation or accessible materials for this event must be submitted to OCR at least seven (7) business days prior to the event or at the earliest possible opportunity.
How To Apply Current Employee
As a current employee, you must log into Employee Self Service (ESS) to apply for this and any other internal career opportunity of interest. In this account, you are able to track your applicant status in "My Applications".
To be considered eligible for the position as an internal candidate, departmental staff must meet minimum requirements of the position and be in good performance standing.
Before you begin the process, we recommend that you are prepared to attach electronic copies of your resume/ curriculum vitae, cover letter or any other documents within the application process. It is recommended that you combine your cover letter and resume into one attachment. Attached documents should be in Microsoft Word or PDF format.
- This posting will close at 12:00 am of the close date.
Job Roles at Florida International University
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Florida International University OPT Eligible Jobs USA
Target research and administrative units first
FIU's research centers and administrative departments hire OPT students more consistently than teaching-heavy units. Focus your applications on roles tied to grants, academic operations, or student services, where budget structures support longer-term employment and eventual H-1B transition.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting an offer
STEM OPT's 24-month extension requires your employer to be enrolled in E-Verify. Ask FIU's HR team to confirm active enrollment before you sign an offer letter, so you don't lose eligibility for the extension after your standard 12-month OPT period ends.
Align your OPT role to your declared degree field
USCIS requires OPT employment to be directly related to your major. At FIU, a social science graduate taking a data analyst role in institutional research qualifies, but the same person in a general admin role may not. Map your job description to your degree before applying.
Use Migrate Mate to identify FIU's H-1B filing history
Search Migrate Mate to see which FIU departments and job titles appear in DOL Labor Condition Application records. That data tells you which units have already sponsored H-1B visas, helping you prioritize roles most likely to support your status beyond OPT.
Engage FIU's HR team on visa timelines early
Flag your OPT end date and STEM extension eligibility during the offer stage, not after you've started. FIU's HR department handles international employee compliance, so asking upfront about H-1B sponsorship timelines avoids last-minute surprises when your authorization window closes.
Benchmark your salary against prevailing wage data
When FIU later files an H-1B or PERM on your behalf, your salary must meet DOL prevailing wage levels for your occupation and location. Check the OFLC Wage Search and O*NET before negotiating your OPT offer to ensure your starting salary won't create a wage compliance gap later.
Florida International University OPT Eligibility: Frequently Asked Questions
Does Florida International University sponsor OPT visas?
FIU doesn't sponsor OPT directly. OPT is work authorization granted by USCIS to eligible F-1 students. What FIU does is hire students who already hold an OPT Employment Authorization Document. For STEM OPT, FIU must be enrolled in E-Verify, which allows eligible employees to extend their work authorization by 24 months beyond the initial period.
Which roles and departments at FIU typically hire OPT students?
Research centers, institutional research, student affairs, information technology, and academic support units are the most consistent areas for OPT hires at FIU. These departments tend to have structured hiring processes and longer employment timelines, which make them more likely to support the eventual transition to H-1B or other sponsored visas.
How do I apply for OPT jobs at Florida International University?
Apply through FIU's official careers portal and filter for roles matching your declared degree field. Before applying, confirm your OPT EAD is active or pending, and use Migrate Mate to identify which FIU departments have a track record of H-1B filings. Targeting those units improves your chances of long-term employment beyond OPT.
How do I know if FIU will support my STEM OPT extension?
Ask FIU HR to confirm E-Verify enrollment before you accept an offer. Your DSO at your degree-granting institution also needs to authorize the STEM extension on your I-20. Both steps must be completed before your standard OPT period expires, so start the conversation at least 90 days before your EAD end date.
Does FIU sponsor H-1B visas after OPT ends?
FIU has filed H-1B petitions for employees in research, technology, and academic administration roles. H-1B sponsorship is decided at the department level and depends on budget availability and business need. If H-1B sponsorship is important to you, raise it during the offer stage and focus on units with documented H-1B filing history.
How does Florida International University hire OPT students?
OPT is work authorization granted directly to F-1 students after graduation — no employer petition is required. Florida International University 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 Florida International University's individual postings on Migrate Mate to confirm OPT acceptance per role.