State of Ohio OPT Eligible Jobs USA
State of Ohio hires OPT students across legal, policy, and public administration roles, with the Ohio Public Defender Commission offering pathways in criminal law and indigent defense work. The agency's history of H-1B visa sponsorship signals openness to supporting the OPT-to-H-1B transition for strong candidates.
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Get Access To All JobsTransportation Construction Manager (District 4), PN 20054062
What You Will Do:
- Implements and enforces policies, procedures, and safety standards for highway construction projects, monitors traffic flow, and ensures compliance with schedules and safety regulations.
- Assists with planning and managing highway maintenance and construction, including resource allocation, cost estimation, and scheduling of activities.
- Coordinates construction efforts by acting as a liaison between project engineers, contractors, and suppliers, and resolving complex project issues.
- Supervises and supports lower-level construction inspection staff, ensures safety compliance, reviews reports, and maintains accurate project documentation.
Benefits to you:
- Enjoy an excellent work/life balance.
- Receive paid time off with vacation, sick and personal leave.
- Receive 11 paid holidays per year.
- Receive regular pay increases; 1st increase after 6 months.
- Receive an extensive benefits package; including Medical and FREE Vision, Dental and Basic Life Insurance after completion of eligibility period.
- Experience growth opportunities within organization.
- Participate in employee tuition reimbursement programs.
- Receive a pension plan with 14% employer contribution.
For a list of all the State of Ohio benefits, please visit the Total Rewards website!
Why Work for the State of Ohio
At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:
- Medical Coverage
- Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period.
- Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
- Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave
- Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)
- Retirement systems including Ohio Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS) & Optional Deferred Compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation)
Qualifications
- 24 mos. trg. or 24 mos. exp. in construction management or construction engineering technology & related safety practices; 12 mos. trg. or 12 mos. exp. in supervisory principles & techniques; 6 mos. trg. or 6 mos. exp. in reading survey &/or construction plans; valid driver’s license.
- Completion of undergraduate core program in Construction Management or Construction Engineering Technology; 12 mos. trg. or 12 mos. exp. in supervisory principles & techniques; 6 mos. trg. or 6 mos. exp. in reading survey &/or construction plans; valid driver’s license.
- Or equivalent of Minimum Class Qualifications For Employment noted above.
Job Skills: Management
Technical Skills: Management, Construction Maintenance
Professional Skills: Attention to Detail, Decision Making, Teamwork
Supplemental Information
ALL ANSWERS TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS MUST BE SUPPORTED BY THE WORK EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION PROVIDED ON YOUR CIVIL SERVICE APPLICATION.
This position is overtime exempt based on FLSA Standards.
If this position is filled internally, the wage rate will be determined in accordance with the Ohio Revised Code.
All exempt new hires must serve a one (1) year probationary period.
The final candidate selected for this position will be required to undergo a criminal background check. An individual assessment of an applicant's prior criminal convictions will be made before excluding an applicant from consideration.
ADA Statement
Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs, and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.
Drug-Free Workplace
The State of Ohio is a drug free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis). Please note, this position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug-Free Workplace Policy (HR-39), and as outlined in the posting.
Transportation Construction Manager (District 4), PN 20054062
What You Will Do:
- Implements and enforces policies, procedures, and safety standards for highway construction projects, monitors traffic flow, and ensures compliance with schedules and safety regulations.
- Assists with planning and managing highway maintenance and construction, including resource allocation, cost estimation, and scheduling of activities.
- Coordinates construction efforts by acting as a liaison between project engineers, contractors, and suppliers, and resolving complex project issues.
- Supervises and supports lower-level construction inspection staff, ensures safety compliance, reviews reports, and maintains accurate project documentation.
Benefits to you:
- Enjoy an excellent work/life balance.
- Receive paid time off with vacation, sick and personal leave.
- Receive 11 paid holidays per year.
- Receive regular pay increases; 1st increase after 6 months.
- Receive an extensive benefits package; including Medical and FREE Vision, Dental and Basic Life Insurance after completion of eligibility period.
- Experience growth opportunities within organization.
- Participate in employee tuition reimbursement programs.
- Receive a pension plan with 14% employer contribution.
For a list of all the State of Ohio benefits, please visit the Total Rewards website!
Why Work for the State of Ohio
At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:
- Medical Coverage
- Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period.
- Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
- Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave
- Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)
- Retirement systems including Ohio Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS) & Optional Deferred Compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation)
Qualifications
- 24 mos. trg. or 24 mos. exp. in construction management or construction engineering technology & related safety practices; 12 mos. trg. or 12 mos. exp. in supervisory principles & techniques; 6 mos. trg. or 6 mos. exp. in reading survey &/or construction plans; valid driver’s license.
- Completion of undergraduate core program in Construction Management or Construction Engineering Technology; 12 mos. trg. or 12 mos. exp. in supervisory principles & techniques; 6 mos. trg. or 6 mos. exp. in reading survey &/or construction plans; valid driver’s license.
- Or equivalent of Minimum Class Qualifications For Employment noted above.
Job Skills: Management
Technical Skills: Management, Construction Maintenance
Professional Skills: Attention to Detail, Decision Making, Teamwork
Supplemental Information
ALL ANSWERS TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS MUST BE SUPPORTED BY THE WORK EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION PROVIDED ON YOUR CIVIL SERVICE APPLICATION.
This position is overtime exempt based on FLSA Standards.
If this position is filled internally, the wage rate will be determined in accordance with the Ohio Revised Code.
All exempt new hires must serve a one (1) year probationary period.
The final candidate selected for this position will be required to undergo a criminal background check. An individual assessment of an applicant's prior criminal convictions will be made before excluding an applicant from consideration.
ADA Statement
Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs, and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.
Drug-Free Workplace
The State of Ohio is a drug free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis). Please note, this position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug-Free Workplace Policy (HR-39), and as outlined in the posting.
Job Roles at State of Ohio
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding State of Ohio OPT Eligible Jobs USA
Target roles matching your exact degree
Ohio Public Defender positions require a direct connection between your field of study and the role. Legal research, policy analysis, and compliance roles map cleanly to law, political science, and public administration degrees. A weak degree-to-role match is the fastest way to lose an OPT offer.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting
Your STEM OPT extension depends on your employer being enrolled in E-Verify. Ask HR directly before signing any offer. State agencies vary in enrollment status by department, and you can't assume a government employer is automatically enrolled just because it's a public institution.
Search LCA filings to gauge sponsorship intent
Use Migrate Mate to review State of Ohio's H-1B Labor Condition Application history by job title and location. This shows you which roles the agency has sponsored before, helping you prioritize applications where a future H-1B transition is most realistic after your OPT period.
Prepare your EAD and I-20 before interviews
State government HR teams often move slower than private employers on onboarding paperwork. Have your OPT EAD, I-20 with OPT authorization, and USCIS approval notice ready before your first interview. Delays in producing these documents can push your start date past your authorized period.
Frame your OPT timeline in cover materials
Public sector hiring managers at state agencies aren't always familiar with OPT durations. Clearly state your authorized work period and STEM extension eligibility in your cover letter. Giving HR a concrete timeline reduces back-and-forth and signals you understand what H-1B sponsorship would later involve.
Research prevailing wages before negotiating
If State of Ohio later files an H-1B on your behalf, your salary must meet DOL prevailing wage requirements for your occupation and location. Use the OFLC Wage Search to look up wage levels for legal and public administration roles in Ohio before you negotiate your OPT compensation.
State of Ohio OPT Eligibility: Frequently Asked Questions
Does State of Ohio sponsor OPT visas?
State of Ohio doesn't sponsor OPT itself. OPT is work authorization USCIS grants directly to F-1 students, not something an employer files for. What State of Ohio does is hire students who already hold an OPT EAD. The agency's H-1B filing history suggests it's willing to support the OPT-to-H-1B transition for qualifying employees.
Which roles at State of Ohio typically hire OPT students?
Within the Ohio Public Defender Commission, roles in legal research, case analysis, policy compliance, and administrative law are most likely to hire OPT students. These positions align closely with law, political science, and public policy degrees. OPT candidates with backgrounds in criminal law or public interest work tend to be the strongest fit.
How do I confirm State of Ohio is enrolled in E-Verify for STEM OPT?
Ask the HR department directly whether your specific hiring agency or department is enrolled in E-Verify. E-Verify enrollment can vary by Ohio agency even within the same state government. STEM OPT extensions require your employer to be enrolled at the time you file, so confirm this before accepting an offer, not after.
What is the typical timeline for OPT hiring at State of Ohio?
State government onboarding typically runs longer than private sector hiring. Background checks, HR processing, and position approvals can add weeks to a standard timeline. Start your job search at least three to four months before your OPT start date. Use Migrate Mate to identify which Ohio agency divisions have the strongest H-1B filing history, which signals faster sponsorship familiarity.
How do I strengthen my application for OPT roles in Ohio's legal sector?
Highlight any law school clinic work, legal research experience, or public defender office exposure on your resume. Ohio's public legal roles prioritize candidates who understand indigent defense, criminal procedure, or administrative law. Demonstrating awareness of Ohio-specific legal frameworks and framing your OPT authorization timeline clearly will help your application stand out in a government hiring process.
How does State of Ohio hire OPT students?
OPT is work authorization granted directly to F-1 students after graduation — no employer petition is required. State of Ohio 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 State of Ohio's individual postings on Migrate Mate to confirm OPT acceptance per role.