University of Delaware OPT Eligible Jobs USA
University of Delaware hires OPT students across research, administrative, and technical roles, making it a meaningful option for F-1 graduates in education and related fields. The university's familiarity with international student employment and E-Verify enrollment supports the OPT-to-H-1B visa transition for strong candidates.
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Get Access To All JobsJob no: 503114
College / VP Area: Office of Human Resources
Work type: Staff
Location: Newark, DE/Hybrid
Categories: Human Resources, Full Time
Curious about the full value of working at UD? In addition to salary, our Total Rewards benefits and Compensation Estimator give you a clear view of the complete package.
Pay Grade: 30E
Context of Job:
The Leave and Retirement Specialist is responsible for the day-to-day management and administration of the University’s retirement and leave of absence programs. This position serves as a key resource for employees, retirees, and departmental HR staff, providing expert guidance on retirement benefits, paid and unpaid leaves, and compliance with federal, state, and University policies.
Working under the direction of the Director of Benefits, the Specialist exercises a high level of independent judgment, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and exceptional customer service in all aspects of benefits administration.
Major Responsibilities:
Leave of Absence Administrator:
- Administer all University leave programs, including Family Medical Leave (FMLA), Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML), Short-Term Disability (STD), Long-Term Disability (LTD), Parental Leave, and Workers’ Compensation (WC).
- Serve as the point of contact for employees and supervisors regarding leave eligibility, documentation, and timelines.
- Review medical certifications, return-to-work documentation, and other required paperwork.
- Monitor leave balances, generate reports, and analyze trends to inform HR strategies and improve leave processes.
- Assist with providing training, guidance, and policy interpretation to HR staff and managers.
- Process S-contracts and Job Employee Data (JED) forms for payroll processing, employee status changes, and funding source changes related to disability claims.
- Process Journal Vouchers (JVs) and Cash Transmittals to transfer funds between disability funding lines and department funding lines, and to generate transmittals for accounts receivable.
- Calculate, reconcile, and generate billing statements to the State of Delaware for Disability Insurance Program and employees on leave of absence.
- Serve as liaison to departments, the State of Delaware, and other external offices related to responsibilities.
- Serve as a point of contact for COBRA administration, including data transmission to the third-party administrator (TPA), processing manual enrollments, and reviewing discrepancy reports for medical, dental, and vision plans.
- Ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations, such as FMLA, COBRA, ADA, HIPAA, and federal and state-specific leave laws. Administer surviving dependent benefits.
- Perform other job-related duties as assigned.
Retirement Administrator:
- Provide counseling and support to employees considering retirement, explaining eligibility, options, and post-retirement benefits. Guide employees through all retiree benefit options, assist with selecting individual benefit plans, and support the completion of all required documentation.
- Prepare and process retirement-related documentation, including separation payments, faculty agreements, and payroll forms.
- Review and manage the processing of pre-retirement documentation to ensure accurate and timely benefits enrollment. Perform service calculations to determine eligibility and ensure that all benefits records are complete, accurate, and compliant with applicable regulations, University policies and procedures, and provider requirements.
- Interact with the State Pension Office and other State agencies regarding creditable service and payroll history for current and former University employees.
- Coordinate retiree Open Enrollment activities, including development and distribution of communications materials and the facilitation of information sessions.
- Coordinate the day-to-day administration and implementation of employee and retiree benefits programs, including medical, dental, vision, life, and disability coverage. Oversee the Processing of retiree benefits in the HRIS system, vendor enrollments, ACH payments and returns, and Medicare-related programs such as TEFRA/DEFRA.
- Coordinate and ensure the accuracy of benefits billing, payments, and adjustments. Ensure compliance with applicable policies, procedures, and program requirements across all benefits offerings.
- Support the daily administrative functions related to retirement savings: State Employee Pension Plan; 403(b) and 457(b) retirement plans, including reconciliation, payroll coordination, and audits.
- Assist with review of retirement savings vendor files. Evaluate and analyze data for accuracy. Troubleshoot and resolve file-related discrepancies.
- Assist with developing and delivering educational materials and retirement workshops to support employee understanding of benefit options.
- Ensure data integrity for various benefit programs and PeopleSoft data.
- Stay informed on applicable laws, regulations, and University policies affecting retirement and retiree benefits.
- Perform other job-related duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- Bachelors degree in Business Administration, Human Resources, or other related field with four years of job-related experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Experience in benefits administration, retirement management, and/or leave of absence coordination.
- Strong knowledge of FMLA, COBRA, ADA, and other relevant federal and state leave laws.
- Experience with retirement plans (defined benefit and defined contribution). Payroll experience is strongly preferred.
- Knowledge of Medicare policies, regulations, processes, procedures, and documentation is preferred.
- Knowledge of federal and state retirement benefits regulations, policies, procedures, documentation, and guidelines.
- Proficiency with HRIS systems (PeopleSoft 9.2 or higher preferred) and Microsoft Office Suite.
- Ability to analyze and interpret data, make independent decisions and judgments, and draw conclusions.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretion.
- Ability to communicate and work effectively, both verbally and in writing, with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
- Knowledge of customer service standards and procedures.
- Experience managing multiple projects and deadlines.
- Strong commitment to providing exceptional customer service and fostering positive employee relations.
- Experience working in higher education preferred.
- Experience supporting multiple aspects of benefits administration functions preferred.
- Familiarity with the State of Delaware Pension and benefits programs preferred.
- Knowledge of Medicare coordination and retiree health coverage processes preferred. SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP, CEBS preferred.
Notice of Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity
The University of Delaware does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, marital status, disability, religion, age, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law in its employment, educational programs and activities, admissions policies, and scholarship and loan programs as required by Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and other applicable statutes and University policies. The University of Delaware also prohibits unlawful harassment including sexual harassment and sexual violence.
Applications close: Open until filled
Job no: 503114
College / VP Area: Office of Human Resources
Work type: Staff
Location: Newark, DE/Hybrid
Categories: Human Resources, Full Time
Curious about the full value of working at UD? In addition to salary, our Total Rewards benefits and Compensation Estimator give you a clear view of the complete package.
Pay Grade: 30E
Context of Job:
The Leave and Retirement Specialist is responsible for the day-to-day management and administration of the University’s retirement and leave of absence programs. This position serves as a key resource for employees, retirees, and departmental HR staff, providing expert guidance on retirement benefits, paid and unpaid leaves, and compliance with federal, state, and University policies.
Working under the direction of the Director of Benefits, the Specialist exercises a high level of independent judgment, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and exceptional customer service in all aspects of benefits administration.
Major Responsibilities:
Leave of Absence Administrator:
- Administer all University leave programs, including Family Medical Leave (FMLA), Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML), Short-Term Disability (STD), Long-Term Disability (LTD), Parental Leave, and Workers’ Compensation (WC).
- Serve as the point of contact for employees and supervisors regarding leave eligibility, documentation, and timelines.
- Review medical certifications, return-to-work documentation, and other required paperwork.
- Monitor leave balances, generate reports, and analyze trends to inform HR strategies and improve leave processes.
- Assist with providing training, guidance, and policy interpretation to HR staff and managers.
- Process S-contracts and Job Employee Data (JED) forms for payroll processing, employee status changes, and funding source changes related to disability claims.
- Process Journal Vouchers (JVs) and Cash Transmittals to transfer funds between disability funding lines and department funding lines, and to generate transmittals for accounts receivable.
- Calculate, reconcile, and generate billing statements to the State of Delaware for Disability Insurance Program and employees on leave of absence.
- Serve as liaison to departments, the State of Delaware, and other external offices related to responsibilities.
- Serve as a point of contact for COBRA administration, including data transmission to the third-party administrator (TPA), processing manual enrollments, and reviewing discrepancy reports for medical, dental, and vision plans.
- Ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations, such as FMLA, COBRA, ADA, HIPAA, and federal and state-specific leave laws. Administer surviving dependent benefits.
- Perform other job-related duties as assigned.
Retirement Administrator:
- Provide counseling and support to employees considering retirement, explaining eligibility, options, and post-retirement benefits. Guide employees through all retiree benefit options, assist with selecting individual benefit plans, and support the completion of all required documentation.
- Prepare and process retirement-related documentation, including separation payments, faculty agreements, and payroll forms.
- Review and manage the processing of pre-retirement documentation to ensure accurate and timely benefits enrollment. Perform service calculations to determine eligibility and ensure that all benefits records are complete, accurate, and compliant with applicable regulations, University policies and procedures, and provider requirements.
- Interact with the State Pension Office and other State agencies regarding creditable service and payroll history for current and former University employees.
- Coordinate retiree Open Enrollment activities, including development and distribution of communications materials and the facilitation of information sessions.
- Coordinate the day-to-day administration and implementation of employee and retiree benefits programs, including medical, dental, vision, life, and disability coverage. Oversee the Processing of retiree benefits in the HRIS system, vendor enrollments, ACH payments and returns, and Medicare-related programs such as TEFRA/DEFRA.
- Coordinate and ensure the accuracy of benefits billing, payments, and adjustments. Ensure compliance with applicable policies, procedures, and program requirements across all benefits offerings.
- Support the daily administrative functions related to retirement savings: State Employee Pension Plan; 403(b) and 457(b) retirement plans, including reconciliation, payroll coordination, and audits.
- Assist with review of retirement savings vendor files. Evaluate and analyze data for accuracy. Troubleshoot and resolve file-related discrepancies.
- Assist with developing and delivering educational materials and retirement workshops to support employee understanding of benefit options.
- Ensure data integrity for various benefit programs and PeopleSoft data.
- Stay informed on applicable laws, regulations, and University policies affecting retirement and retiree benefits.
- Perform other job-related duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- Bachelors degree in Business Administration, Human Resources, or other related field with four years of job-related experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Experience in benefits administration, retirement management, and/or leave of absence coordination.
- Strong knowledge of FMLA, COBRA, ADA, and other relevant federal and state leave laws.
- Experience with retirement plans (defined benefit and defined contribution). Payroll experience is strongly preferred.
- Knowledge of Medicare policies, regulations, processes, procedures, and documentation is preferred.
- Knowledge of federal and state retirement benefits regulations, policies, procedures, documentation, and guidelines.
- Proficiency with HRIS systems (PeopleSoft 9.2 or higher preferred) and Microsoft Office Suite.
- Ability to analyze and interpret data, make independent decisions and judgments, and draw conclusions.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretion.
- Ability to communicate and work effectively, both verbally and in writing, with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
- Knowledge of customer service standards and procedures.
- Experience managing multiple projects and deadlines.
- Strong commitment to providing exceptional customer service and fostering positive employee relations.
- Experience working in higher education preferred.
- Experience supporting multiple aspects of benefits administration functions preferred.
- Familiarity with the State of Delaware Pension and benefits programs preferred.
- Knowledge of Medicare coordination and retiree health coverage processes preferred. SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP, CEBS preferred.
Notice of Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity
The University of Delaware does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, marital status, disability, religion, age, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law in its employment, educational programs and activities, admissions policies, and scholarship and loan programs as required by Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and other applicable statutes and University policies. The University of Delaware also prohibits unlawful harassment including sexual harassment and sexual violence.
Applications close: Open until filled
Job Roles at University of Delaware
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding University of Delaware OPT Eligible Jobs USA
Target roles in research and administration
University of Delaware's strongest OPT hiring tends to cluster in research labs, IT services, and academic support units. When searching open positions, filter for departments with active grant funding or technical teams, where OPT work authorization is a routine part of the hiring process.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting
STEM OPT extension requires your employer to be enrolled in E-Verify. Before you sign an offer, verify University of Delaware's E-Verify participation directly with HR. Without confirmed enrollment, you can't file the I-983 training plan USCIS requires for the 24-month extension.
Align your degree field with the posted role
Your OPT work authorization must be directly related to your degree field. At a university employer, hiring managers understand this requirement, but your application should explicitly connect your academic background to the job description to avoid delays during the onboarding verification process.
Apply before your OPT start date is approved
USCIS OPT EAD processing can take up to five months. Coordinate your application timeline with your DSO so your EAD arrives before your intended start date. University of Delaware's HR teams are familiar with this lag, but you need the physical card before your first day.
Use Migrate Mate to identify H-1B transition history
After OPT ends, H-1B sponsorship becomes the critical next step. Use Migrate Mate to review University of Delaware's H-1B filing history by job title and department, so you can prioritize roles in units that have a track record of sponsoring the transition before you apply.
Negotiate start dates around academic hiring cycles
University employers typically hire on academic calendars, with peaks in spring and late summer. Timing your OPT job search to align with these cycles, rather than the fiscal year patterns common in corporate settings, substantially increases your chances of reaching an offer stage at University of Delaware.
University of Delaware OPT Eligibility: Frequently Asked Questions
Does University of Delaware sponsor OPT visas?
University of Delaware does not sponsor OPT directly. OPT is work authorization issued by USCIS to eligible F-1 students, not something employers file for. What University of Delaware does is hire students who already hold an OPT EAD, and it is enrolled in E-Verify, which is required to support the STEM OPT 24-month extension.
Which departments at University of Delaware typically hire OPT students?
Research centers, IT and technical services, academic affairs, and administrative support units are the areas at University of Delaware most likely to hire OPT students. Roles tied to active grants or specialized technical functions tend to have the most flexibility around work authorization timelines and the strongest familiarity with OPT requirements.
How do I confirm University of Delaware supports STEM OPT extension?
Ask University of Delaware's HR team to confirm E-Verify enrollment before you accept an offer. USCIS requires your employer to be enrolled in E-Verify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension to be valid. You'll also need a signed I-983 training plan from your employer, which HR at University of Delaware can complete with you.
How do I time my OPT job search at University of Delaware?
University employers like University of Delaware follow academic hiring cycles with peaks in spring and late summer. Start your search three to four months before your intended start date to allow time for USCIS EAD processing, which can take up to five months. Aligning with these cycles gives you the best chance of a timely offer and start.
How do I evaluate University of Delaware's H-1B sponsorship history after OPT?
Use Migrate Mate to review University of Delaware's H-1B filing history by role and department. This helps you identify which teams have a track record of sponsoring the OPT-to-H-1B transition, so you can prioritize those positions during your job search rather than discovering sponsorship limitations after you've already accepted an offer.
How does University of Delaware hire OPT students?
OPT is work authorization granted directly to F-1 students after graduation — no employer petition is required. University of Delaware 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 University of Delaware's individual postings on Migrate Mate to confirm OPT acceptance per role.