Harris County OPT Eligible Jobs USA
Harris County hires OPT students across public administration, engineering, public health, and information technology roles. As one of the largest county governments in the United States, it offers meaningful work experience for F-1 graduates seeking hands-on government sector exposure with a pathway to long-term sponsorship.
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Position Overview:
The Harris County Office of Sustainability seeks a professional, experienced, and highly motivated Asset Development Manager to oversee the development of solar and battery storage projects benefiting low-income households in Harris County as part of the Solar for All program within the Office of County Administration. Harris County is launching this program to bring affordable solar energy to historically underserved communities. Reporting to the Managing Director for Energy Transition, the Asset Development Manager will lead project planning, partner coordination, and budget management, collaborating with program stakeholders to ensure the successful delivery of clean energy solutions.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Project Development:
- Manage the development of solar assets and battery energy storage systems (BESS), in coordination with an Owner’s Advisor, for the Harris County Community Solar Program, ensuring project schedules, plans, and budgets align with program goals and community needs.
- Coordinate with developers, engineers, contractors, and local utilities on system design, code compliance, and interconnection requirements to ensure successful project implementation.
- Develop comprehensive project performance metrics and risk management strategies, including maintaining detailed risk registers and mitigation plans.
- Attend public meetings as needed and engage with community stakeholders to gather input, address concerns, and build support for the program.
- Conduct regular site visits to monitor construction quality, timeline adherence, and compliance with project specifications and regulations.
- Collaborate with programmatic and administrative teams in Harris County to gather project data and prepare periodic progress reports.
- Stay up to date with changes in federal, state, and local policies that might impact project implementation.
Financial and Contract Management:
- Develop detailed project budgets within grant funding parameters and track expenditures to ensure fiscal responsibility and compliance with funding requirements.
- Oversee contractor relationships, implementing performance evaluation systems to ensure quality work and accountability.
- Analyze the financial performance of solar assets and explore innovative operating models (such as Virtual Power Plants) to generate additional revenue streams, optimizing pricing strategies for generated electricity, and maximize community benefits while ensuring program sustainability.
- Assist in the development of a Request for Proposal for Retail Electricity Providers to deliver discounted electricity program to residents.
Adaptability to Policy Changes:
- Stay updated with changes in federal policies related to energy, sustainability, and climate justice to ensure program compliance and adaptability to evolving regulations and funding requirements.
- Monitor changes in state and local policies that might affect project implementation.
- Adapt program design and implementation strategies to leverage emerging opportunities.
Collaboration, Stakeholder Engagement, and Capacity Building:
- Foster collaborative relationships with internal departments, staff of elected officials, community organizations, and external partners to advance clean energy, sustainability, and community-centered initiatives.
- Prepare comprehensive progress reports for Commissioners Court and other key stakeholders on Solar for All program performance.
- Contribute to the development of technical assistance resources that address barriers to community solar project completion.
- Support the development of analysts and junior staff through collaboration, coaching, and mentorship.
Other Duties:
This Job Description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this position. Management may, at its discretion, assign, or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer
If you need special services or accommodations, please call (713) 274-5445 or email ADACoordinator@bmd.hctx.net.
This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate.
Requirements
Encouraged Supporting Documents:
- Cover letter
- Resume
Education and Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, engineering, economics, business/public administration, or a related field from an accredited college or university.
- Five (5) years of experience in clean energy deployment.
- Demonstrated experience with solar PV project deployment and management, preferably in the context of community solar.
- Proven experience coordinating diverse internal and external stakeholders and building productive partnerships.
- Demonstrated ability to negotiate favorable financial and impact-related outcomes.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Strong project management skills with demonstrated success in launching new products, services, or programs.
- Knowledge of solar technologies and grid interconnection processes for distributed solar projects (up to 5MW).
- Understanding of Texas' competitive energy market, including policies and programs related to distributed solar.
- Familiarity with industry requirements and compliance in relation to the Build America, Buy America Act (BABA) and The Davis-Bacon and Related Acts (DBRA).
- Knowledge of federal clean energy tax credits and incentives, including Investment Tax Credit (ITC), Production Tax Credit (PTC), and other relevant financing mechanisms under the Inflation Reduction Act.
- Ability to perform technical research, analyze energy engineering challenges, and recommend practical solutions.
- Advanced problem-solving and risk management skills in program operations.
- Strong relationship-building with various stakeholders, particularly government agencies, contractors, energy industry partners, and associations.
- Proficiency in project management software and tools.
- Ability to read and interpret technical drawings and specifications.
- Strong contract management and negotiation skills.
NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge, and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.
Preferences
- Master’s degree in a relevant field.
- Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
- Experience with community solar or low-income solar programs.
- Five (5) years of experience in clean energy deployment, preferably in environmental infrastructure projects.
- Familiarity with federal funding, procurement processes, and reporting requirements is preferred.
General Information
Position Type and Typical Hours of Work:
- Regular Full-time
- Hours will be discussed during departmental interview.
Salary:
- Depends on Qualifications
- Based on 26 Pay Periods
- Plus, benefits
Reports To Position: Managing Director - Energy Transition
Supervises Positions: N/A
Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards.
Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.
HARRIS COUNTY EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
Harris County offers a highly competitive benefits program, featuring a comprehensive group health plan and defined benefit retirement plan.
The following benefits are offered only to Harris County employees in regular (full-time) positions:
Health & Wellness Benefits
- Medical Coverage
- Dental Coverage
- Vision Coverage
- Wellness Plan
- Life Insurance
- Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Healthcare Flexible Spending Account
- Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Ten (10) days of vacation leave per year (accrual rate increases after 5 years of service)
- Eleven (11) County-observed holidays
- One (1) floating holiday per year
- Paid Parental Leave
- Sick Leave
Retirement Savings Benefit
- 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
The following benefits are available to Harris County employees in full-time and select part-time positions:
- Professional learning & development opportunities
- Retirement pension (TCDRS defined benefit plan)
- Flexible work schedule
- METRO RideSponsor Program
Participation may vary by County department. The employee benefits plans of Harris County are extended to all eligible participants across various departments with the exception of the Harris County Community Supervision and Corrections Department, for which the cited Health & Wellness Benefits are administered through the State of Texas.
In accordance with the Harris County Personnel Regulations, group health and related benefits are subject to amendment or discontinuance at any time. Harris County Commissioners Court reserves the right to make benefit modifications on the County's behalf as needed.
For plan details, visit the Harris County Benefits & Wellness website: www.benefitsathctx.com
Position Description
Position Overview:
The Harris County Office of Sustainability seeks a professional, experienced, and highly motivated Asset Development Manager to oversee the development of solar and battery storage projects benefiting low-income households in Harris County as part of the Solar for All program within the Office of County Administration. Harris County is launching this program to bring affordable solar energy to historically underserved communities. Reporting to the Managing Director for Energy Transition, the Asset Development Manager will lead project planning, partner coordination, and budget management, collaborating with program stakeholders to ensure the successful delivery of clean energy solutions.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Project Development:
- Manage the development of solar assets and battery energy storage systems (BESS), in coordination with an Owner’s Advisor, for the Harris County Community Solar Program, ensuring project schedules, plans, and budgets align with program goals and community needs.
- Coordinate with developers, engineers, contractors, and local utilities on system design, code compliance, and interconnection requirements to ensure successful project implementation.
- Develop comprehensive project performance metrics and risk management strategies, including maintaining detailed risk registers and mitigation plans.
- Attend public meetings as needed and engage with community stakeholders to gather input, address concerns, and build support for the program.
- Conduct regular site visits to monitor construction quality, timeline adherence, and compliance with project specifications and regulations.
- Collaborate with programmatic and administrative teams in Harris County to gather project data and prepare periodic progress reports.
- Stay up to date with changes in federal, state, and local policies that might impact project implementation.
Financial and Contract Management:
- Develop detailed project budgets within grant funding parameters and track expenditures to ensure fiscal responsibility and compliance with funding requirements.
- Oversee contractor relationships, implementing performance evaluation systems to ensure quality work and accountability.
- Analyze the financial performance of solar assets and explore innovative operating models (such as Virtual Power Plants) to generate additional revenue streams, optimizing pricing strategies for generated electricity, and maximize community benefits while ensuring program sustainability.
- Assist in the development of a Request for Proposal for Retail Electricity Providers to deliver discounted electricity program to residents.
Adaptability to Policy Changes:
- Stay updated with changes in federal policies related to energy, sustainability, and climate justice to ensure program compliance and adaptability to evolving regulations and funding requirements.
- Monitor changes in state and local policies that might affect project implementation.
- Adapt program design and implementation strategies to leverage emerging opportunities.
Collaboration, Stakeholder Engagement, and Capacity Building:
- Foster collaborative relationships with internal departments, staff of elected officials, community organizations, and external partners to advance clean energy, sustainability, and community-centered initiatives.
- Prepare comprehensive progress reports for Commissioners Court and other key stakeholders on Solar for All program performance.
- Contribute to the development of technical assistance resources that address barriers to community solar project completion.
- Support the development of analysts and junior staff through collaboration, coaching, and mentorship.
Other Duties:
This Job Description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this position. Management may, at its discretion, assign, or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer
If you need special services or accommodations, please call (713) 274-5445 or email ADACoordinator@bmd.hctx.net.
This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate.
Requirements
Encouraged Supporting Documents:
- Cover letter
- Resume
Education and Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, engineering, economics, business/public administration, or a related field from an accredited college or university.
- Five (5) years of experience in clean energy deployment.
- Demonstrated experience with solar PV project deployment and management, preferably in the context of community solar.
- Proven experience coordinating diverse internal and external stakeholders and building productive partnerships.
- Demonstrated ability to negotiate favorable financial and impact-related outcomes.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Strong project management skills with demonstrated success in launching new products, services, or programs.
- Knowledge of solar technologies and grid interconnection processes for distributed solar projects (up to 5MW).
- Understanding of Texas' competitive energy market, including policies and programs related to distributed solar.
- Familiarity with industry requirements and compliance in relation to the Build America, Buy America Act (BABA) and The Davis-Bacon and Related Acts (DBRA).
- Knowledge of federal clean energy tax credits and incentives, including Investment Tax Credit (ITC), Production Tax Credit (PTC), and other relevant financing mechanisms under the Inflation Reduction Act.
- Ability to perform technical research, analyze energy engineering challenges, and recommend practical solutions.
- Advanced problem-solving and risk management skills in program operations.
- Strong relationship-building with various stakeholders, particularly government agencies, contractors, energy industry partners, and associations.
- Proficiency in project management software and tools.
- Ability to read and interpret technical drawings and specifications.
- Strong contract management and negotiation skills.
NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge, and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.
Preferences
- Master’s degree in a relevant field.
- Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
- Experience with community solar or low-income solar programs.
- Five (5) years of experience in clean energy deployment, preferably in environmental infrastructure projects.
- Familiarity with federal funding, procurement processes, and reporting requirements is preferred.
General Information
Position Type and Typical Hours of Work:
- Regular Full-time
- Hours will be discussed during departmental interview.
Salary:
- Depends on Qualifications
- Based on 26 Pay Periods
- Plus, benefits
Reports To Position: Managing Director - Energy Transition
Supervises Positions: N/A
Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards.
Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.
HARRIS COUNTY EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
Harris County offers a highly competitive benefits program, featuring a comprehensive group health plan and defined benefit retirement plan.
The following benefits are offered only to Harris County employees in regular (full-time) positions:
Health & Wellness Benefits
- Medical Coverage
- Dental Coverage
- Vision Coverage
- Wellness Plan
- Life Insurance
- Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Healthcare Flexible Spending Account
- Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Ten (10) days of vacation leave per year (accrual rate increases after 5 years of service)
- Eleven (11) County-observed holidays
- One (1) floating holiday per year
- Paid Parental Leave
- Sick Leave
Retirement Savings Benefit
- 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
The following benefits are available to Harris County employees in full-time and select part-time positions:
- Professional learning & development opportunities
- Retirement pension (TCDRS defined benefit plan)
- Flexible work schedule
- METRO RideSponsor Program
Participation may vary by County department. The employee benefits plans of Harris County are extended to all eligible participants across various departments with the exception of the Harris County Community Supervision and Corrections Department, for which the cited Health & Wellness Benefits are administered through the State of Texas.
In accordance with the Harris County Personnel Regulations, group health and related benefits are subject to amendment or discontinuance at any time. Harris County Commissioners Court reserves the right to make benefit modifications on the County's behalf as needed.
For plan details, visit the Harris County Benefits & Wellness website: www.benefitsathctx.com
Job Roles at Harris County
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Harris County OPT Eligible Jobs USA
Target departments with recurring technical needs
Harris County's Public Health, Engineering, and Information Technology departments hire graduates with specialized degrees most consistently. Focus your applications on roles where your degree field maps directly to the job description, government hiring panels weigh this alignment heavily during resume screening.
Verify E-Verify enrollment before accepting an offer
STEM OPT's 24-month extension requires your employer to be enrolled in E-Verify. Confirm Harris County's enrollment status with HR before your offer letter is signed, this protects your ability to extend authorization without switching employers mid-career.
Use Migrate Mate to check Harris County's H-1B filing history
OPT is just your entry point. Use Migrate Mate to review Harris County's H-1B filing history by role and department, so you know which positions have a realistic path to long-term sponsorship before you invest time in the application process.
Align your EAD start date with government hiring timelines
Government hiring cycles at Harris County often run longer than private sector timelines. Request your OPT EAD start date to match your expected graduation, not your ideal start date, so you don't burn through authorization waiting for a background check or civil service approval to clear.
Prepare a STEM extension training plan early
If your degree qualifies for STEM OPT, USCIS requires a formal training plan completed with your employer before you file the extension. Raise this with Harris County HR during onboarding, not at the 150-day mark, to avoid gaps between your initial OPT period and the extension.
Research prevailing wages before salary negotiations
Government roles are subject to prevailing wage requirements when Harris County later files an H-1B or PERM petition for you. Check the OFLC Wage Search and O*NET occupation profiles for your role before negotiations, so your offered salary doesn't create a compliance problem down the line.
Harris County OPT Eligibility: Frequently Asked Questions
Does Harris County sponsor OPT visas?
Harris County hires F-1 students who already hold an OPT EAD issued by USCIS, it doesn't file a petition for OPT itself. What matters is that Harris County participates in E-Verify, which is required for STEM OPT extensions. You bring your work authorization; Harris County provides the qualifying employment.
Which departments at Harris County are most likely to hire OPT students?
Harris County's Engineering, Public Health, Information Technology, and Budget Management departments hire graduates with technical and analytical backgrounds most regularly. Roles in civil engineering, public health analysis, data systems, and finance tend to align with the degree-specific requirements that make OPT employment straightforward to document for USCIS purposes.
How do I confirm Harris County will support my STEM OPT extension?
Ask HR directly whether Harris County is enrolled in E-Verify, STEM OPT extensions require it. You'll also need Harris County to co-sign a formal training plan before you file with USCIS. Start this conversation during onboarding, well before your initial OPT period is within 90 days of expiring.
What is the typical timeline from OPT hire to H-1B sponsorship at Harris County?
Harris County sponsors H-1B visas, but government employers typically move through internal approval processes more slowly than private companies. Most employees in technical roles work on OPT for one to two years before their department initiates H-1B sponsorship. Use Migrate Mate to review which Harris County roles have active H-1B visa filing history so you can target positions with a proven sponsorship track record.
How do I position my application for an OPT role at Harris County?
Government hiring at Harris County is structured around position classifications, so your resume must reflect how your degree and coursework directly satisfy the listed requirements. Clearly state your OPT authorization period and STEM eligibility if applicable. Civil service panels score applications against defined criteria, so generic resumes that don't mirror the job posting language are routinely screened out early.
How does Harris County hire OPT students?
OPT is work authorization granted directly to F-1 students after graduation — no employer petition is required. Harris County 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 Harris County's individual postings on Migrate Mate to confirm OPT acceptance per role.