The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley OPT Eligible Jobs USA
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley hires OPT students across academic, research, administrative, and technical roles. As a large public research university, UTRGV offers meaningful OPT-compatible opportunities for international students seeking experience in higher education and STEM-adjacent fields, with a pathway to longer-term H-1B visa sponsorship for strong performers.
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Get Access To All JobsNumber of Vacancies 1
Location Rio Grande Valley, Texas
Department Field Experiences
FTE 1
FLSA Non-Exempt
Scope of Job
To provide skilled and routine administrative support to the head of a department and the departmental staff and/or faculty in an academic or non-academic area. Responsible to perform routine administrative support assignments for a department head. Maintains routine financial data, which includes monthly budget and status reports.
Description of Duties
- Provides direct administrative support to the administrator of a department.
- Types letters, memos, reports, requisitions, and other material from notes and rough drafts.
- Composes routine correspondence for the signature of the supervisor which requires knowledge of subject matter and/or departmental procedures.
- Handles travel arrangements for supervisor and other office personnel.
- Orders supplies and arranges for repair of equipment.
- Reviews bookkeeping information and performs other routine bookkeeping tasks, including reconciliations.
- May assist in the preparation of budgets, grant requests, class schedules and other periodic reports.
- May assist in processing various student forms and requests for the appropriate review and approvals.
- May provide general program information and materials to students and/or direct students to the appropriate student services resources.
- May assist in coordination, planning, and/or staffing of departmental meetings and events as needed for outreach, recruitment & education.
- Processes personnel actions upon direction of the supervisor.
- Monitors complex records and prepares reports from a variety of materials.
- Monitors expenditures and income against the budgets, maintains accurate accounting ledgers and facilitates monthly reconciliations of accounts.
- Maintains departmental and supervisor calendar and prepares daily schedule.
- Organizes and maintains filing systems.
- Screens visitors and telephone calls.
- Acts as a receptionist.
- Receives, sorts and distributes mail.
- May track vacation, arrange for back-up coverage and process time cards for any assigned employees.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Supervision Received
Specific supervision from Department Chair or Director of a Department with less than 10 regular FTE’s.
Supervision Given
May supervise assigned support staff and temporary employees.
Required Education
Associate degree or experience as outlined below.
Preferred Education
None.
Licenses/Certifications
None.
Required Experience
Two (2) years of office administrative experience. Experience may be substituted for education on a 1-on-1 basis.
Preferred Experience
Experience obtained within higher education.
Equipment
Knowledge of the use of personal computer, word processing, spreadsheet, and database software. Standard office equipment.
Working Conditions
Needs to be able to successfully perform all required duties. Work is performed primarily in a general office environment. Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. The role includes availability for work beyond regular office hours, including evenings and weekends, as needed. UTRGV is a distributed institution, which requires presence at multiple locations throughout the Rio Grande Valley.
Other
Must have excellent interpersonal, organizational, and verbal skills.
Physical Capabilities
N/A
Employment Category Full-Time
Minimum Salary Commensurate with Experience
Posted Salary Commensurate with Experience
Position Available Date 02/20/2026
Grant Funded Position Yes
If Yes, Provide Grant Expiration Date 06/30/2029
EEO Statement
It is the policy of The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley to promote and ensure equal employment opportunities for all individuals without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information or protected veteran status. In accordance with the requirements of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, our University is committed to comply with all government requirements and ensures non-discrimination in its education programs and activities, including employment. We encourage women, minorities and differently abled persons to apply for employment positions of interest.
Special Instructions to Applicants
Dear Applicant,
Human Resources will not be held responsible for redacting any confidential information from the documents you attach with your application. The confidential information includes the following:
Date of Birth
Gender
Ethnicity/Race
Please make sure that you omit this information prior to submission. We are advising that Human Resources will be forwarding your application to the department as per your submission. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley reserves the right to discontinue accepting applications prior to the stated close date of this position, after meeting the posting requirement of three (3) calendar days.
If you have any questions, please visit our Careers site for detailed contact information.
Additional Information
UTRGV is a distributed location institution and working location is subject to change based on need.
All UTRGV employees are required to have a criminal background check (CBC). Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Substitutions to the above requirements must have prior approval from the VP of Human Resources.
Number of Vacancies 1
Location Rio Grande Valley, Texas
Department Field Experiences
FTE 1
FLSA Non-Exempt
Scope of Job
To provide skilled and routine administrative support to the head of a department and the departmental staff and/or faculty in an academic or non-academic area. Responsible to perform routine administrative support assignments for a department head. Maintains routine financial data, which includes monthly budget and status reports.
Description of Duties
- Provides direct administrative support to the administrator of a department.
- Types letters, memos, reports, requisitions, and other material from notes and rough drafts.
- Composes routine correspondence for the signature of the supervisor which requires knowledge of subject matter and/or departmental procedures.
- Handles travel arrangements for supervisor and other office personnel.
- Orders supplies and arranges for repair of equipment.
- Reviews bookkeeping information and performs other routine bookkeeping tasks, including reconciliations.
- May assist in the preparation of budgets, grant requests, class schedules and other periodic reports.
- May assist in processing various student forms and requests for the appropriate review and approvals.
- May provide general program information and materials to students and/or direct students to the appropriate student services resources.
- May assist in coordination, planning, and/or staffing of departmental meetings and events as needed for outreach, recruitment & education.
- Processes personnel actions upon direction of the supervisor.
- Monitors complex records and prepares reports from a variety of materials.
- Monitors expenditures and income against the budgets, maintains accurate accounting ledgers and facilitates monthly reconciliations of accounts.
- Maintains departmental and supervisor calendar and prepares daily schedule.
- Organizes and maintains filing systems.
- Screens visitors and telephone calls.
- Acts as a receptionist.
- Receives, sorts and distributes mail.
- May track vacation, arrange for back-up coverage and process time cards for any assigned employees.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Supervision Received
Specific supervision from Department Chair or Director of a Department with less than 10 regular FTE’s.
Supervision Given
May supervise assigned support staff and temporary employees.
Required Education
Associate degree or experience as outlined below.
Preferred Education
None.
Licenses/Certifications
None.
Required Experience
Two (2) years of office administrative experience. Experience may be substituted for education on a 1-on-1 basis.
Preferred Experience
Experience obtained within higher education.
Equipment
Knowledge of the use of personal computer, word processing, spreadsheet, and database software. Standard office equipment.
Working Conditions
Needs to be able to successfully perform all required duties. Work is performed primarily in a general office environment. Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. The role includes availability for work beyond regular office hours, including evenings and weekends, as needed. UTRGV is a distributed institution, which requires presence at multiple locations throughout the Rio Grande Valley.
Other
Must have excellent interpersonal, organizational, and verbal skills.
Physical Capabilities
N/A
Employment Category Full-Time
Minimum Salary Commensurate with Experience
Posted Salary Commensurate with Experience
Position Available Date 02/20/2026
Grant Funded Position Yes
If Yes, Provide Grant Expiration Date 06/30/2029
EEO Statement
It is the policy of The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley to promote and ensure equal employment opportunities for all individuals without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information or protected veteran status. In accordance with the requirements of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, our University is committed to comply with all government requirements and ensures non-discrimination in its education programs and activities, including employment. We encourage women, minorities and differently abled persons to apply for employment positions of interest.
Special Instructions to Applicants
Dear Applicant,
Human Resources will not be held responsible for redacting any confidential information from the documents you attach with your application. The confidential information includes the following:
Date of Birth
Gender
Ethnicity/Race
Please make sure that you omit this information prior to submission. We are advising that Human Resources will be forwarding your application to the department as per your submission. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley reserves the right to discontinue accepting applications prior to the stated close date of this position, after meeting the posting requirement of three (3) calendar days.
If you have any questions, please visit our Careers site for detailed contact information.
Additional Information
UTRGV is a distributed location institution and working location is subject to change based on need.
All UTRGV employees are required to have a criminal background check (CBC). Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Substitutions to the above requirements must have prior approval from the VP of Human Resources.
Job Roles at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley OPT Eligible Jobs USA
Target research and STEM-designated roles first
UTRGV's research centers and science departments frequently hire OPT students for roles that qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Prioritize positions tied to funded grants or faculty labs, where supervisors are more accustomed to managing OPT timelines and USCIS reporting requirements.
Confirm UTRGV's E-Verify enrollment before accepting
STEM OPT extensions require your employer to be enrolled in E-Verify. Before signing any offer, verify UTRGV's enrollment status directly with HR. Public universities typically maintain E-Verify compliance, but confirming before your OPT start date protects your authorization timeline.
Align your OPT job description to your degree field
USCIS requires that your OPT role be directly related to your major area of study. At UTRGV, administrative or support roles may not satisfy this standard. Work with your DSO to confirm the position description maps clearly to your degree before accepting an offer.
Use Migrate Mate to identify UTRGV's H-1B filing history
Many OPT hires at universities like UTRGV eventually transition to H-1B. Use Migrate Mate to review UTRGV's historical H-1B filings by department and job title, so you can evaluate which roles have the strongest track record for long-term sponsorship before you apply.
Document your training plan details carefully
For STEM OPT, you and your supervisor at UTRGV must complete a formal training plan. Include specific learning objectives tied to your field of study, not vague job duties. Weak training plans are a common reason USCIS issues RFEs during the extension review process.
Build relationships inside UTRGV's international hiring pipeline
UTRGV's HR and international services teams regularly coordinate on OPT hires across departments. Connecting with hiring managers in STEM colleges or research offices before a role is posted increases your chances of being considered when OPT-compatible positions open.
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley OPT Eligibility: Frequently Asked Questions
Does The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley sponsor OPT visas?
UTRGV doesn't sponsor OPT directly, USCIS grants OPT work authorization to eligible F-1 students. What UTRGV does is hire students who already hold an OPT EAD. For STEM OPT extensions, UTRGV must be enrolled in E-Verify, which allows eligible employees to extend their work authorization for an additional 24 months beyond standard OPT.
Which roles and departments at UTRGV typically hire OPT students?
UTRGV's STEM colleges, including engineering, computer science, biology, and health sciences, are the most common entry points for OPT students. Research assistant, lab coordinator, data analyst, and graduate-level instructional roles frequently align with the direct-relationship requirement USCIS applies to OPT. Administrative and general support roles are less likely to satisfy that standard.
How do I start the OPT process if I receive a job offer from UTRGV?
Your DSO at your enrolled institution, not UTRGV, initiates OPT by issuing a new I-20 recommending OPT. You then file Form I-765 with USCIS up to 90 days before your program end date. UTRGV's HR team handles onboarding and E-Verify verification after USCIS approves your EAD, not before.
How long does it take to get hired at UTRGV as an OPT student?
UTRGV's hiring timelines vary by department, but university roles often involve committee review and background checks that can extend two to eight weeks after an offer. Factor in USCIS processing time for your EAD when negotiating a start date. Apply early and request expedited processing from USCIS if your start date is firm.
Does UTRGV sponsor H-1B visas for OPT employees who want to stay long-term?
UTRGV has a history of sponsoring H-1B visas, particularly for faculty and specialized research or technical staff. OPT employees who demonstrate strong performance and hold roles that meet specialty occupation standards are potential candidates for H-1B sponsorship. Use Migrate Mate to review UTRGV's H-1B filing history by role type before committing to a position.
How does The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley hire OPT students?
OPT is work authorization granted directly to F-1 students after graduation — no employer petition is required. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley 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 The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley's individual postings on Migrate Mate to confirm OPT acceptance per role.