Penn State University OPT Eligible Jobs USA
Penn State University hires OPT students across research, academic administration, and technical roles, making it a strong option for F-1 graduates seeking experience in higher education. Its size and breadth of departments means OPT-eligible candidates can find opportunities in fields from engineering to life sciences.
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Get Access To All JobsAPPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
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CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process . Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
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CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
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If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants .
Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.
JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS
Brief Description of Duties:
Work to promote awareness and implementation of expanded HIV testing in the state of Pennsylvania. Responsibilities to include development and presentation of training for staff and healthcare professionals and to promote testing and linkage to care best practices. Responsible for developing training programs utilizing print, face-to-face, and online formats. Responsible for the creation of informational pamphlets on HIV, STIs, and HCV for distribution at healthcare facilities. Assist with the goals and objectives of the Pennsylvania Department of Health HIV testing initiative under the direction of the program manager. This is a fixed-term staff position that will end on June 30th, 2026.
MINIMAL QUALIFICATIONS:
A master’s degree or enrolled in a master's program in a related field. Experience with viral hepatitis, opioid use disorder, HIV, and behavioral health in drug and alcohol settings. Teaching experience is a requirement.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Counselor Education, Rehabilitation & Human Services, or public health student. Experience with viral hepatitis, HIV, and pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV. Experience working on grants with the State of Pennsylvania is preferred.
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.
CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS
Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.
EEO IS THE LAW
Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.
Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university’s teaching, research, and service mission.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
-
CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process . Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
-
CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
-
If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants .
Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.
JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS
Brief Description of Duties:
Work to promote awareness and implementation of expanded HIV testing in the state of Pennsylvania. Responsibilities to include development and presentation of training for staff and healthcare professionals and to promote testing and linkage to care best practices. Responsible for developing training programs utilizing print, face-to-face, and online formats. Responsible for the creation of informational pamphlets on HIV, STIs, and HCV for distribution at healthcare facilities. Assist with the goals and objectives of the Pennsylvania Department of Health HIV testing initiative under the direction of the program manager. This is a fixed-term staff position that will end on June 30th, 2026.
MINIMAL QUALIFICATIONS:
A master’s degree or enrolled in a master's program in a related field. Experience with viral hepatitis, opioid use disorder, HIV, and behavioral health in drug and alcohol settings. Teaching experience is a requirement.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Counselor Education, Rehabilitation & Human Services, or public health student. Experience with viral hepatitis, HIV, and pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV. Experience working on grants with the State of Pennsylvania is preferred.
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.
CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS
Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.
EEO IS THE LAW
Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.
Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university’s teaching, research, and service mission.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Penn State University OPT Eligible Jobs USA
Target Research and Academic Units First
Penn State's research centers and academic departments hire OPT students more consistently than central administrative offices. Search for openings tied to funded research projects or faculty labs, where short-term OPT authorization aligns with project-based hiring timelines.
Confirm E-Verify Enrollment Before Accepting Offers
For your STEM OPT 24-month extension, your Penn State hiring unit must be enrolled in E-Verify. Large universities sometimes have uneven enrollment across subsidiaries, so ask HR which specific entity is sponsoring your role and confirm its E-Verify status before signing.
Align Your OPT Start Date With Hiring Cycles
Penn State follows academic hiring rhythms with peaks in spring and late summer. Time your OPT start date to overlap with these cycles so your authorization window covers onboarding, which typically runs four to eight weeks after an offer is accepted.
Use Migrate Mate to Find Penn State H-1B History
Penn State has a track record of sponsoring H-1B visas for staff moving out of OPT. Use Migrate Mate to review its DOL Labor Condition Application filings by occupation code so you can identify which departments have historically converted OPT hires to H-1B.
Prepare a Degree Equivalency Letter Early
Many Penn State research roles require USCIS to assess whether your foreign degree meets specialty occupation standards. Get a credential evaluation from a NACES-member agency before your first interview so HR doesn't need to pause the process waiting for documentation.
Address the OPT-to-H-1B Gap Directly in Interviews
Penn State HR teams often ask about your post-OPT visa path. Bring a clear outline showing your OPT expiry, the cap-gap period if applicable, and your H-1B eligibility timeline so the hiring manager understands your work authorization won't lapse unexpectedly.
Penn State University OPT Eligibility: Frequently Asked Questions
Does Penn State University sponsor OPT visas?
Penn State University doesn't sponsor OPT itself, OPT is work authorization issued by USCIS directly to you as an F-1 student. What Penn State does is hire students who already hold an OPT Employment Authorization Document. For the STEM OPT 24-month extension, Penn State must be enrolled in E-Verify, which it is as a large federal contractor.
Which departments at Penn State University typically hire OPT students?
Research institutes, science and engineering colleges, and academic technology units at Penn State are the most active in hiring OPT students. These teams work with project-based funding cycles that suit OPT's time-limited authorization. Administrative and student affairs roles do hire OPT candidates but less frequently than research-intensive units.
How do I navigate the OPT hiring process at Penn State University?
Once you receive a job offer, you work with your DSO to authorize your OPT through SEVIS and receive your EAD from USCIS. Penn State's HR team then completes I-9 verification using your EAD. For STEM OPT, you'll also need Penn State to sign a training plan before your DSO can recommend the extension to USCIS.
How do I know if Penn State University will sponsor my H-1B after OPT?
Use Migrate Mate to review Penn State's Labor Condition Application filing history by department and occupation code. This shows which units have sponsored H-1B visas for roles similar to yours. Raise the H-1B question directly with your hiring manager during the offer stage so both parties understand the transition timeline before your OPT expires.
How do I time my OPT application to match Penn State's hiring process?
You can apply for OPT up to 90 days before your program end date, and your EAD can be requested to start as early as that same date. Penn State's main hiring surges follow the academic calendar, so target an OPT start date in May or August to align with when departments onboard new staff most actively.
How does Penn State University hire OPT students?
OPT is work authorization granted directly to F-1 students after graduation — no employer petition is required. Penn State 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 Penn State University's individual postings on Migrate Mate to confirm OPT acceptance per role.