University of Florida OPT Eligible Jobs USA
University of Florida hires OPT students across research, academic administration, engineering, and information technology roles. As a large public research university, UF regularly brings on F-1 graduates in STEM and non-STEM fields, with strong pathways for STEM OPT extensions and eventual H-1B visa sponsorship for high-performing hires.
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Get Access To All JobsJOB NO:
539840
WORK TYPE:
Staff Full-Time
LOCATION:
Main Campus (Gainesville, FL)
CATEGORIES:
Communications/Public Relations/Marketing, Recreation/Event Services
DEPARTMENT:
52034000 - TT- DISTANCE ED AUXILIARY SVCS
CLASSIFICATION TITLE:
Marketing and Communications Specialist I
JOB DESCRIPTION:
The Marketing and Communications Specialist helps tell the story of UF in a way that is clear, engaging, and meaningful to the audiences we serve. As part of the Marketing and Admission Support Team within Teaching and Technology, this role is a great fit for a strong writer and creative communicator who enjoys developing student stories, website copy, email campaigns, social media content, recruitment materials, and other marketing pieces. The specialist will help bring the UF brand to life across channels while collaborating with colleagues, clients, and partners to strengthen visibility, engagement, and program awareness.
Reporting to the Marketing Manager, the Marketing and Communications Specialist is a key member of the Marketing and Admissions Support Team under the Operational Services Unit housed within the Office of Teaching and Technology. The Marketing and Communications Specialist will work individually and collaboratively with unit colleagues and clients to create content and marketing journeys that tell the story of the University of Florida for a wide array of audiences. This position requires a range of writing and editing skills to produce student stories, marketing collateral, email communications, website copy, recruitment scripts, and more to enhance clients’ and sister programs’ reputations and visibility to prospective students, current learners, stakeholders, and peers.
Prepares, edits, and manages a diverse portfolio of content—blogs, white papers, emails, landing pages, conference/research materials, testimonials, social media copy, and annual reports—for publication across formats. Develops project outlines, organizes source material, and coordinates timelines and approvals with internal Teaching and Technology teams and external marketing vendors.
Leads the creation of compelling student, faculty, and program stories. Owns the editorial calendar, sets deadlines, and proactively sources ideas. Conducts interviews and synthesizes information into copy that reflects the UF brand and tone. Aligns stakeholders ahead of publication and, in collaboration with the manager and team leadership, plans releases to maximize visibility.
Proofreads and edits websites, webinars, information-session presentations, reports, and other communications for accuracy, consistency, grammar, style, and link integrity.
Researches and applies SEO and generative-AI best practices to drive web traffic and discoverability. Monitors trends, audits supported sites and the market, and recommends technical and content improvements, including opportunities for new content.
Supports outreach events—virtual and in person—by scheduling online information sessions and producing event copy and marketing messaging; coordinates with organizers to ensure timely promotion.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
EXPECTED SALARY:
$55,000 - $65,000
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor's degree and two years of relevant experience; or an associate’s degree and four years of relevant experience.
PREFERRED:
- Proficiency with MS Office applications
- Attention to detail
- Experience with content planning and strategy
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Strong organizational skills
- The motivation to maintain and improve brand standards
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANTS:
In order to be considered, you must upload your CV and cover letter.
Application must be submitted by 11:55 p.m. (ET) of the posting end date.
HEALTH ASSESSMENT REQUIRED:
No
ADVERTISED:
08 May 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
APPLICATIONS CLOSE:
05 Jun 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
JOB NO:
539840
WORK TYPE:
Staff Full-Time
LOCATION:
Main Campus (Gainesville, FL)
CATEGORIES:
Communications/Public Relations/Marketing, Recreation/Event Services
DEPARTMENT:
52034000 - TT- DISTANCE ED AUXILIARY SVCS
CLASSIFICATION TITLE:
Marketing and Communications Specialist I
JOB DESCRIPTION:
The Marketing and Communications Specialist helps tell the story of UF in a way that is clear, engaging, and meaningful to the audiences we serve. As part of the Marketing and Admission Support Team within Teaching and Technology, this role is a great fit for a strong writer and creative communicator who enjoys developing student stories, website copy, email campaigns, social media content, recruitment materials, and other marketing pieces. The specialist will help bring the UF brand to life across channels while collaborating with colleagues, clients, and partners to strengthen visibility, engagement, and program awareness.
Reporting to the Marketing Manager, the Marketing and Communications Specialist is a key member of the Marketing and Admissions Support Team under the Operational Services Unit housed within the Office of Teaching and Technology. The Marketing and Communications Specialist will work individually and collaboratively with unit colleagues and clients to create content and marketing journeys that tell the story of the University of Florida for a wide array of audiences. This position requires a range of writing and editing skills to produce student stories, marketing collateral, email communications, website copy, recruitment scripts, and more to enhance clients’ and sister programs’ reputations and visibility to prospective students, current learners, stakeholders, and peers.
Prepares, edits, and manages a diverse portfolio of content—blogs, white papers, emails, landing pages, conference/research materials, testimonials, social media copy, and annual reports—for publication across formats. Develops project outlines, organizes source material, and coordinates timelines and approvals with internal Teaching and Technology teams and external marketing vendors.
Leads the creation of compelling student, faculty, and program stories. Owns the editorial calendar, sets deadlines, and proactively sources ideas. Conducts interviews and synthesizes information into copy that reflects the UF brand and tone. Aligns stakeholders ahead of publication and, in collaboration with the manager and team leadership, plans releases to maximize visibility.
Proofreads and edits websites, webinars, information-session presentations, reports, and other communications for accuracy, consistency, grammar, style, and link integrity.
Researches and applies SEO and generative-AI best practices to drive web traffic and discoverability. Monitors trends, audits supported sites and the market, and recommends technical and content improvements, including opportunities for new content.
Supports outreach events—virtual and in person—by scheduling online information sessions and producing event copy and marketing messaging; coordinates with organizers to ensure timely promotion.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
EXPECTED SALARY:
$55,000 - $65,000
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor's degree and two years of relevant experience; or an associate’s degree and four years of relevant experience.
PREFERRED:
- Proficiency with MS Office applications
- Attention to detail
- Experience with content planning and strategy
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Strong organizational skills
- The motivation to maintain and improve brand standards
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANTS:
In order to be considered, you must upload your CV and cover letter.
Application must be submitted by 11:55 p.m. (ET) of the posting end date.
HEALTH ASSESSMENT REQUIRED:
No
ADVERTISED:
08 May 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
APPLICATIONS CLOSE:
05 Jun 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
Job Roles at University of Florida
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding University of Florida OPT Eligible Jobs USA
Target STEM-designated roles at UF
UF's research computing, engineering, and life sciences departments regularly hire STEM OPT students and are enrolled in E-Verify, which is required for your 24-month STEM extension. Focus your search on departments where your degree's CIP code aligns with the role's SOC code.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting
STEM OPT extensions require your employer to be registered with E-Verify. Ask UF's hiring coordinator to confirm the specific department is enrolled, not just the university at a top level. Some auxiliary units or affiliated foundations may operate under separate employer identification numbers.
Align your resume to UF's academic hiring cycles
University hiring in education follows semester-based timelines, not rolling recruitment. Position yourself for roles posted in January for spring hires or July for fall starts. Late applications miss department budget cycles, regardless of how qualified you are.
Use Migrate Mate to check UF's H-1B filing history
Your OPT period is also your audition for H-1B sponsorship. Use Migrate Mate to review UF's H-1B filing history by job title and department, so you can target roles where the university has a documented pattern of sponsoring the transition after OPT.
Prepare your I-983 training plan early
STEM OPT requires a signed I-983 training plan between you and UF before USCIS approves your extension. Draft a specific learning objectives document tied to your role's responsibilities and get your supervisor's sign-off before your current EAD expiration approaches the 90-day filing window.
Request a written offer that specifies your OPT end date
UF's HR system may not automatically track EAD expiration dates. Request that your offer letter or employment agreement explicitly references your OPT authorization period, which protects both you and your department when STEM extension paperwork is in progress with USCIS.
University of Florida OPT Eligibility: Frequently Asked Questions
Does University of Florida sponsor OPT visas?
UF doesn't sponsor OPT directly. USCIS grants OPT work authorization to eligible F-1 students, not employers. What UF does is hire students who already hold a valid OPT EAD. For STEM OPT extensions, UF must be enrolled in E-Verify, which enables you to apply for the 24-month extension through your DSO.
Which departments at University of Florida typically hire OPT students?
UF's strongest OPT hiring tends to occur in engineering, computer and information science, biological sciences, and research administration. Academic support units, institutional research offices, and the university's health system also bring on OPT students, particularly those with graduate degrees aligned to the role's field.
How do I navigate the OPT hiring process at University of Florida?
Once you receive a job offer, present your EAD to UF's HR department for I-9 verification. For STEM OPT, confirm the hiring department is E-Verify enrolled, then work with your DSO to submit the extension application to USCIS no earlier than 90 days before your current EAD expires. You can start the STEM extension job before approval if you filed on time.
What is the timeline for getting hired at UF on OPT?
UF follows semester-based hiring cycles, so most positions are filled two to three months before the academic term begins. Factor in USCIS processing time for your STEM extension if applicable, which currently runs several months. Apply early enough that your EAD is valid through UF's onboarding process, and use Migrate Mate to identify which UF departments have the strongest H-1B sponsorship track record for planning your transition.
Does working at University of Florida on OPT lead to H-1B sponsorship?
It can, but it depends on the department and role. UF has sponsored H-1B visas for employees in research, IT, and professional staff positions. Performance during your OPT period matters significantly. Ask about H-1B sponsorship policies during your offer negotiation, and document your contributions throughout your OPT term to build a case for sponsorship before the annual H-1B cap registration window opens in March.
How does University of Florida hire OPT students?
OPT is work authorization granted directly to F-1 students after graduation — no employer petition is required. University of Florida 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 Florida's individual postings on Migrate Mate to confirm OPT acceptance per role.