Loyola University Chicago OPT Eligible Jobs USA
Loyola University Chicago hires OPT students across education, research, and administrative roles, making it a practical target for F-1 graduates seeking university employment. As a large Jesuit research institution, Loyola actively engages international talent and has a track record of supporting the OPT-to-H-1B visa transition for qualifying staff.
See All Loyola University Chicago JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 56+ Loyola University Chicago OPT Eligible Jobs USA


Have you applied for this role?


Have you applied for this role?


Have you applied for this role?


Have you applied for this role?


Have you applied for this role?
See all 56+ Loyola University Chicago OPT Eligible Jobs USA
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Loyola University Chicago OPT Eligible Jobs USA.
Get Access To All Jobs
Position Details
Job Title TEACHING ASSISTANT
Position Number 8101640
Work Modality Fully In-Person
Is this request for the creation of a new Position (or the modification of an existing Position) to temporarily support the WorkDay ERP? no
Job Category University Staff
Job Type Full-Time
FLSA Status Non-Exempt
Campus Rogers Park-Lake Shore Campus
Department Name PRESCHOOL
Location Code PRESCHOOL (04740A)
Is this split and/or fully grant funded? No
Duties and Responsibilities
- Supports the teachers in offering a program that meets the emotional, physical, intellectual and social needs of both the individual child and the group.
- Interacts with children in a way that encourages children to be actively involved in the learning process, to experience a variety of developmentally appropriate activities and materials, and to pursue their own interests in the context of life in the community and the world.
- Supports the lead teacher in providing a warm and inviting environment that is orderly, clean and appealing which permits children to safely explore and experiment.
- Uses appropriate and positive discipline.
- Assists in daily operations of a preschool program (diapering, cleaning, activities, nap time, etc.).
- Participates in the planning and implementation of lessons, activities and the environment based on developmental goals.
- Assists teacher with daily notes and newsletters.
- Assists teacher in maintaining all records and files which includes children’s files containing emergency information, attendance records, diaper charts, etc.
- Attends staff orientation, team meetings, evening family functions and professional conferences.
- Notifies the director of any concerns regarding the children, parents, classroom safety, supplies and equipment.
- Maintains familiarity with state and city regulations, specifically Mandatory Reporter requirements.
- Demonstrates positive and productive work ethic, including timeliness, dependability, attitude and communication.
- Maintains personnel records required by the university (time cards, up to date addresses, evaluations, etc), as well as files specific to DCFS regulations (every other year physical, etc.).
- Supports the director in administrative tasks as assigned such as bookkeeping, updating records, mailing lists, etc.
- Participates in appropriate university sponsored events.
- Performs other duties as required by the lead teacher and director.
Minimum Education and/or Work Experience
Associates or bachelor's degree in early childhood education or related field with a minimum of six credit hours of early childhood education and/or development as well as one year of experience working with young children.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree or AA in early childhood education preferred, DCFS Early Childhood Teacher minimum qualification required. Must continue to participate in professional conferences, in-service meetings and/or other course work in order to develop as an early childhood professional.
- Communication – The assistant must have good written and verbal communications with children, parents and other staff.
- Problem Solving – The teacher assistant must be able to assess a situation and respond quickly, creatively and constructively if a problem develops. The assistant teacher should make use of all resources including the teacher and director in order to address and resolve a problem.
- Interpersonal – The teacher assistant must be able to work cooperatively and positively with children, families and staff.
- Diversity – The teacher assistant must show an appreciation of racial and ethnic diversity and be supportive and respectful of all types of families.
- Supervision – The teacher must be able to effectively provide supervision to university student workers. The teacher must be able to set appropriate standards of behavior and provide guidance and support for university students.
- Judgment – Must show evidence of emotional maturity and stability and exercise sound judgment. Must maintain confidentiality.
- Desire to learn – Must seek out learning opportunities, stay current in the field and be open to new ways of programming.
- Responsibility – Must be committed to the well-being of individual children and their families and willing to put the needs of children first.
- The administrative aide side requires skill with Microsoft office programs, email systems and recordkeeping, must have good organizational skills.
- Qualified candidates must be able to lift preschool age children.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by those assigned to this position. This is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities associated with the position. Loyola management reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet business and organizational needs.
Certificates/Credentials/Licenses
Must qualify as an Early Childhood Teacher per DCFS rules (6 semester or 9 quarter hours in early childhood education or alternate pathways provided in DCFS licensing guidelines).
Computer Skills
Proficiency with MS Office Suite, Internet and email applications.
Supervisory Responsibilities No
Required operation of university owned vehicles No
Does this position require direct animal or patient contact? No
Physical Demands
Lifting, Carrying, Standing, Climbing, Crawling/Kneeling
Working Conditions
Odors
Open Date 05/07/2026
Close Date
Position Maximum Salary or Hourly Rate $22.50/hr
Position Minimum Salary or Hourly Rate $20.50/hr
Special Instructions to Applicants
As a Jesuit, Catholic institution of higher education, we seek candidates who will contribute to our strategic plan to deliver a Transformative Education in the Jesuit tradition. To learn more about Loyola University Chicago’s mission, candidates should consult our website at www.luc.edu/mission/. For information about the university’s focus on transformative education, they should consult our website at www.luc.edu/transformativeed.
About Loyola University Chicago
Founded in 1870, Loyola University Chicago is one of the nation’s largest Jesuit, Catholic universities, recognized for its academic excellence, commitment to community engagement, and leadership in sustainability. A Carnegie R1 research institution, Loyola leverages its status as one of an elite group of universities with the highest level of research activity to advance knowledge that serves communities and creates global impact. With 15 schools, colleges, and institutes—including Business, Law, Medicine, Nursing, and Health Sciences—Loyola operates three primary campuses in the greater Chicago area and one in Rome, Italy, that provide students a transformative, globally connected learning experience. Consistently ranked among the nation’s top universities by U.S. News & World Report, Loyola is a STARS Gold-rated institution that is ranked as one of the country’s most sustainable campuses by The Princeton Review and has earned distinctions from AmeriCorps and the Carnegie Foundation for its longstanding record of service and community engagement. Guided by its Jesuit mission and commitment to caring for the whole person, Loyola educates ethical leaders who think critically, act with purpose, and strive to create a more just and sustainable world.
Loyola University Chicago strives to be an employer of choice by offering its staff and faculty a wide array of affordable, comprehensive, and competitive benefits. To view our benefits in detail, click here.
Loyola adheres to all applicable federal, state, and/or local civil rights laws and regulations prohibiting discrimination in private institutions of higher education. Please see the University’s Nondiscrimination Policy.
Quick Link for Posting https://www.careers.luc.edu/postings/35137
Job Roles at Loyola University Chicago
See all 56+ Loyola University Chicago Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Loyola University Chicago roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Loyola University Chicago OPT Eligible Jobs USA
Target research and academic support roles
Loyola University Chicago's strongest OPT hiring tends to cluster in research administration, academic advising, and data analytics. Prioritize departments with active grant funding or STEM-designated programs, where ongoing project timelines create real incentive to retain OPT talent beyond the initial 12 months.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting STEM roles
STEM OPT's 24-month extension requires your employer to be enrolled in E-Verify. Before accepting an offer in a STEM-designated role at Loyola, verify their E-Verify status directly with HR. Without it, your extension application through USCIS cannot proceed regardless of the role's classification.
Use Migrate Mate to surface Loyola's visa history
Before your interview, use Migrate Mate to review Loyola University Chicago's H-1B and OPT hiring patterns by department. Understanding which teams have previously transitioned OPT employees to H-1B tells you where long-term sponsorship conversations are realistic, not just possible in theory.
Align your OPT start date with Loyola's hiring cycles
University hiring cycles typically peak in spring for fall starts and again in late summer. If your OPT EAD start date falls outside those windows, request a delayed USCIS start date that aligns with Loyola's onboarding calendar to avoid burning authorized days before your role begins.
Prepare your degree-to-role alignment document early
Loyola HR and hiring managers often need to confirm your degree field is directly related to the open role, particularly for STEM OPT eligibility. Draft a one-page degree-to-job alignment summary before interviews so you can address any mismatches before they become onboarding delays.
Raise the H-1B transition conversation at the offer stage
Don't wait until your OPT is expiring to discuss H-1B sponsorship. At the offer stage, ask Loyola HR directly whether your role category has been sponsored for H-1B in the past. University employers typically have established immigration counsel and defined policies, so you can get a clear answer early.
Loyola University Chicago OPT Eligibility: Frequently Asked Questions
Does Loyola University Chicago sponsor OPT visas?
Loyola University Chicago doesn't sponsor OPT itself. OPT is work authorization USCIS grants directly to F-1 students. What Loyola does is hire students who already hold an OPT EAD, and for STEM-designated roles, Loyola's E-Verify enrollment enables eligible employees to apply for the 24-month STEM OPT extension through USCIS.
Which departments at Loyola University Chicago typically hire OPT students?
Research administration, institutional analytics, academic advising, and IT services are among the departments at Loyola that most consistently hire OPT students. Roles tied to externally funded research grants or STEM-designated programs tend to offer the clearest path from OPT employment to longer-term H-1B sponsorship consideration.
How do I apply for OPT jobs at Loyola University Chicago?
Apply through Loyola's official careers portal and disclose your OPT status in the work authorization section. Bring your EAD card and I-20 to any HR onboarding meeting. For STEM OPT, confirm E-Verify enrollment with HR early. Migrate Mate can help you identify which Loyola roles have led to H-1B sponsorship historically.
How long does the OPT hiring process typically take at Loyola University Chicago?
University hiring timelines at Loyola typically run four to eight weeks from application to offer, with additional time for background checks and onboarding paperwork. If you're applying for a STEM OPT extension, file your I-765 with USCIS at least 90 days before your current OPT EAD expires to avoid a gap in work authorization.
Does Loyola University Chicago sponsor H-1B visas for OPT employees?
Loyola University Chicago has a history of sponsoring H-1B visas for staff in qualifying roles, particularly in research, administration, and technical functions. H-1B sponsorship is a separate process from OPT and requires Loyola to file a petition with USCIS on your behalf. Raise this conversation at the offer stage, not after your OPT expires.
How does Loyola University Chicago hire OPT students?
OPT is work authorization granted directly to F-1 students after graduation — no employer petition is required. Loyola University Chicago 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 Loyola University Chicago's individual postings on Migrate Mate to confirm OPT acceptance per role.