University of Massachusetts Amherst OPT Eligible Jobs USA
University of Massachusetts Amherst regularly hires OPT students across research, technology, administrative, and academic support roles. As a major public research university, UMass Amherst is an established OPT-friendly employer with clear pathways for F-1 students to gain U.S. work experience and transition toward longer-term visa sponsorship.
See All University of Massachusetts Amherst JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 85+ University of Massachusetts Amherst OPT Eligible Jobs USA
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
See all 85+ University of Massachusetts Amherst OPT Eligible Jobs USA
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new University of Massachusetts Amherst OPT Eligible Jobs USA.
Get Access To All JobsTitle: Departmental Assistant / UBSI Instructor
Executive Area: Student Affairs & Campus Life
College/School/MBU: Advocacy, Inclusion & Sup Prog
Department: AISP Administration
Work Location: Amherst
Schedule: Part Time
Work Arrangement: Onsite
Opening on: May 8 2026
Closing on: Aug 31 2026
Job Summary
The Upward Bound Summer Institute (UBSI) is a 6-week residential experience hosted at UMass Amherst for 40 – 60 high school students. The UBSI Instructor teaches classes in at least one of several content areas to student participants, conducts sessions, supervises tutor/mentors within and outside of the classroom, and participates in various aspects of this intensive six-week program. This is a grant-funded position supervised by the Upward Bound Program Director.
Essential Functions
-
Participate in a one-week mandatory staff orientation and training during the weeks prior to the start date of the program.
-
Plan, prepare and provide instruction to Upward Bound Scholars in one or more content areas as assigned, teaching at least four 1-hour classes daily, Monday through Friday. Content areas include: Math (Basic High School Math through Precalculus/Statistics), English Language Arts (Literature and Composition), Laboratory Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Science), and Language (African, Arabic, East Asian, European, etc.).
-
Develop and implement innovative, dynamic, hands-on, experiential classes.
-
Utilize a growth mindset-based curriculum.
-
Design and implement cross-curricular and cross-content instruction with the other Upward Bound faculty.
-
Supervise tutor/mentors in class; oversee the planning and preparation for out of class tutoring sessions.
-
Create and maintain a positive, productive, safe and harmonious learning environment for students.
-
Build meaningful student-teacher relationships supporting the development and growth of scholars.
-
Attend staff development activities, weekly staff meetings, and student assemblies as necessary.
-
Prepare and submit written evaluations of staff, students, and summer program biweekly.
-
Communicate student progress to program staff and students’ families.
Other Functions
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
-
Bachelor’s degree or experience in a relevant and related field.
-
Experience planning inclusive, experiential, universally designed curriculum for high school students.
-
Experience teaching inclusive, experiential, universally designed educational experiences for high school students.
-
Experience working with differing learning abilities and students with Individual Educational Plans (IEP).
-
Experience managing classrooms and building a positive, learning-oriented environment.
-
Attention to detail.
-
Ability to meet deadlines.
-
Organizational skills.
-
Effective communication skills.
-
Professional attitude.
-
Ability to work well under pressure.
-
Knowledge of factors affecting student access and success in urban high schools, including those affecting marginalized students, students from diverse backgrounds, and students with disabilities.
-
Knowledge of theories of positive behavioral support, critical pedagogy, and culturally affirming and sustaining practices.
Preferred Qualifications
-
Master’s degree.
-
Knowledge of and experience with MA Teaching Standards.
-
Knowledge of and experience in using positive approaches to behavioral management with high school-aged students.
-
Experience working in Upward Bound/TRIO or in similar academic/summer residential programs.
-
Experience teaching urban high school aged youth.
-
Commitment to the educational philosophy of Upward Bound/TRIO programs.
-
Knowledge of theories of positive behavioral support, critical pedagogy, and culturally affirming and sustaining practices.
Additional Details
Qualifications Acquired on the Job:
-
Experience teaching/supporting students in a college preparatory program.
-
Understanding of the principles of program participant evaluation.
-
Additional knowledge of Upward Bound/TRIO programs and their philosophy.
Graduate students are welcome to apply.
Working Conditions
Work is performed in a standard office or indoor university environment and involves minimal physical exertion.
Work Schedule and Work Arrangement
Monday-Friday; approximately 20 hours per week.
Salary Information
Hourly Rate: 32
Special Instructions for Applicants
Along with the application, please submit a resume.
This position will remain open for the time period required by any applicable collective bargaining agreement and will continue until a suitable candidate pool is identified. Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early.
Title: Departmental Assistant / UBSI Instructor
Executive Area: Student Affairs & Campus Life
College/School/MBU: Advocacy, Inclusion & Sup Prog
Department: AISP Administration
Work Location: Amherst
Schedule: Part Time
Work Arrangement: Onsite
Opening on: May 8 2026
Closing on: Aug 31 2026
Job Summary
The Upward Bound Summer Institute (UBSI) is a 6-week residential experience hosted at UMass Amherst for 40 – 60 high school students. The UBSI Instructor teaches classes in at least one of several content areas to student participants, conducts sessions, supervises tutor/mentors within and outside of the classroom, and participates in various aspects of this intensive six-week program. This is a grant-funded position supervised by the Upward Bound Program Director.
Essential Functions
-
Participate in a one-week mandatory staff orientation and training during the weeks prior to the start date of the program.
-
Plan, prepare and provide instruction to Upward Bound Scholars in one or more content areas as assigned, teaching at least four 1-hour classes daily, Monday through Friday. Content areas include: Math (Basic High School Math through Precalculus/Statistics), English Language Arts (Literature and Composition), Laboratory Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Science), and Language (African, Arabic, East Asian, European, etc.).
-
Develop and implement innovative, dynamic, hands-on, experiential classes.
-
Utilize a growth mindset-based curriculum.
-
Design and implement cross-curricular and cross-content instruction with the other Upward Bound faculty.
-
Supervise tutor/mentors in class; oversee the planning and preparation for out of class tutoring sessions.
-
Create and maintain a positive, productive, safe and harmonious learning environment for students.
-
Build meaningful student-teacher relationships supporting the development and growth of scholars.
-
Attend staff development activities, weekly staff meetings, and student assemblies as necessary.
-
Prepare and submit written evaluations of staff, students, and summer program biweekly.
-
Communicate student progress to program staff and students’ families.
Other Functions
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
-
Bachelor’s degree or experience in a relevant and related field.
-
Experience planning inclusive, experiential, universally designed curriculum for high school students.
-
Experience teaching inclusive, experiential, universally designed educational experiences for high school students.
-
Experience working with differing learning abilities and students with Individual Educational Plans (IEP).
-
Experience managing classrooms and building a positive, learning-oriented environment.
-
Attention to detail.
-
Ability to meet deadlines.
-
Organizational skills.
-
Effective communication skills.
-
Professional attitude.
-
Ability to work well under pressure.
-
Knowledge of factors affecting student access and success in urban high schools, including those affecting marginalized students, students from diverse backgrounds, and students with disabilities.
-
Knowledge of theories of positive behavioral support, critical pedagogy, and culturally affirming and sustaining practices.
Preferred Qualifications
-
Master’s degree.
-
Knowledge of and experience with MA Teaching Standards.
-
Knowledge of and experience in using positive approaches to behavioral management with high school-aged students.
-
Experience working in Upward Bound/TRIO or in similar academic/summer residential programs.
-
Experience teaching urban high school aged youth.
-
Commitment to the educational philosophy of Upward Bound/TRIO programs.
-
Knowledge of theories of positive behavioral support, critical pedagogy, and culturally affirming and sustaining practices.
Additional Details
Qualifications Acquired on the Job:
-
Experience teaching/supporting students in a college preparatory program.
-
Understanding of the principles of program participant evaluation.
-
Additional knowledge of Upward Bound/TRIO programs and their philosophy.
Graduate students are welcome to apply.
Working Conditions
Work is performed in a standard office or indoor university environment and involves minimal physical exertion.
Work Schedule and Work Arrangement
Monday-Friday; approximately 20 hours per week.
Salary Information
Hourly Rate: 32
Special Instructions for Applicants
Along with the application, please submit a resume.
This position will remain open for the time period required by any applicable collective bargaining agreement and will continue until a suitable candidate pool is identified. Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early.
Job Roles at University of Massachusetts Amherst
See all 85+ University of Massachusetts Amherst Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new University of Massachusetts Amherst roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding University of Massachusetts Amherst OPT Eligible Jobs USA
Target departments with recurring OPT hires
UMass Amherst's research centers, IT departments, and academic support units consistently hire OPT students. Focus your applications on postings that mention 'research assistant,' 'analyst,' or 'coordinator' roles, as these departments are most familiar with OPT employment timelines and authorization requirements.
Confirm your OPT EAD start date alignment
Before accepting an offer, verify your OPT EAD start date matches UMass Amherst's intended hire date. Universities have structured onboarding cycles, and starting even one day before your EAD is valid creates a compliance problem that can jeopardize both your status and the position.
Verify UMass Amherst's E-Verify enrollment early
STEM OPT's 24-month extension requires your employer to be enrolled in E-Verify. UMass Amherst, as a federal contractor and large public institution, participates in E-Verify, but confirm this with HR before your standard 12-month OPT period ends so your extension timeline stays on track.
Use Migrate Mate to find verified OPT-friendly roles
Searching generic job boards makes it hard to filter for employers who genuinely understand OPT. Migrate Mate surfaces roles at employers with confirmed work authorization hiring history, saving you from applying to positions where hiring managers are unfamiliar with OPT employment authorization requirements.
Frame your degree field match in applications
USCIS requires STEM OPT roles to be directly related to your degree field. When applying to UMass Amherst, explicitly connect your job duties to your major in your cover letter and resume. Education sector hiring managers respond well to candidates who articulate this alignment clearly upfront.
Ask HR about the H-1B transition timeline
UMass Amherst sponsors H-1B visas for qualifying employees, but the October 1 cap-subject deadline is fixed. During your OPT period, ask HR whether the role is H-1B-eligible and when they typically begin the petition process so you aren't caught off guard approaching your EAD expiration.
University of Massachusetts Amherst OPT Eligibility: Frequently Asked Questions
Does University of Massachusetts Amherst sponsor OPT visas?
UMass Amherst doesn't sponsor OPT directly. OPT is work authorization USCIS grants to F-1 students, not a visa employers petition for. What UMass Amherst does is hire students who already hold a valid OPT EAD. The university is an established OPT-friendly employer across research, technology, and administrative roles, and it participates in E-Verify for STEM OPT purposes.
Which roles and departments at UMass Amherst typically hire OPT students?
Research institutes, IT and data analytics teams, academic advising units, and administrative departments are the most active areas for OPT hires at UMass Amherst. Postdoctoral research, project coordinator, and systems analyst roles tend to attract candidates on OPT. Departments running federally funded grants are particularly experienced with work authorization compliance timelines.
How do I make sure my STEM OPT extension is supported at UMass Amherst?
Confirm with UMass Amherst's HR or your hiring manager that the university is enrolled in E-Verify, which is required for STEM OPT extensions. Since UMass Amherst is a federal contractor, E-Verify participation is standard, but you should verify this before your standard OPT period ends and submit your STEM extension application to USCIS at least 90 days before expiration.
How do I find OPT-eligible job openings at UMass Amherst?
Start with UMass Amherst's official careers portal and filter for roles that match your degree field, which is required for STEM OPT. Migrate Mate also lists open positions at employers with confirmed work authorization hiring history, helping you identify UMass Amherst roles where OPT employment is already understood by the hiring team.
Does UMass Amherst sponsor H-1B visas after OPT ends?
Yes, UMass Amherst sponsors H-1B visas for qualifying full-time employees. Cap-exempt universities can file H-1B petitions with USCIS year-round without waiting for the annual April lottery, which is a significant advantage over private-sector employers. Discuss H-1B eligibility with HR early in your OPT period to ensure there's enough lead time for petition preparation.
How does University of Massachusetts Amherst hire OPT students?
OPT is work authorization granted directly to F-1 students after graduation — no employer petition is required. University of Massachusetts Amherst 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 Massachusetts Amherst's individual postings on Migrate Mate to confirm OPT acceptance per role.