University of South Florida OPT Eligible Jobs USA

University of South Florida actively hires F-1 students on OPT across research, administrative, and technical roles, making it a solid choice for education-sector job seekers. USF's size and institutional infrastructure mean OPT students can find placements across a wide range of departments, with real pathways into longer-term employment.

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Overview

Open Jobs98+
Top Visa TypeH-1B
Work Type96% On-site
Median Salary$59K
Top LocationTampa, FL

Showing 5 of 98+ University of South Florida OPT Eligible Jobs USA

University of South Florida
Residency Program Admin
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University of South Florida
Added 2d ago
Residency Program Admin
University of South Florida
Tampa, Florida
Human Resources
Healthcare Administration
Customer Service & Support
On-Site
2+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's
10,000+

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University of South Florida
Community Outreach Coordinator
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University of South Florida
Added 3d ago
Community Outreach Coordinator
University of South Florida
Tampa, Florida
Community & Nonprofit Services
On-Site
3+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's
10,000+

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University of South Florida
Event Manager
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University of South Florida
Added 3d ago
Event Manager
University of South Florida
Tampa, Florida
Events & Tourism
Content & Communications
Customer Service & Support
Event Planning
Communications
Customer Service
On-Site
4+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's
10,000+

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University of South Florida
Advancement Data Operations & Technology Lead
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University of South Florida
Added 3d ago
Advancement Data Operations & Technology Lead
University of South Florida
Tampa, Florida
Data Science & Analytics
Data Engineering
Business Operations
Data Science
Data Analytics
On-Site
4+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's
10,000+

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University of South Florida
Academic Services Administrator
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University of South Florida
Added 3d ago
Academic Services Administrator
University of South Florida
Tampa, Florida
Human Resources
Academic & Educational Administration
Corporate Training & Learning Development
On-Site
2+ yrs exp.
Master's
10,000+

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Job Roles at University of South Florida

Healthcare Administration53 jobs
Teaching & Instruction46 jobs
Nursing41 jobs
Medical Specialists24 jobs
Physicians21 jobs
Patient Services & Wellbeing13 jobs
Higher Education11 jobs
Laboratory Research11 jobs
Research & Academia10 jobs
Biotech & Life Sciences9 jobs

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Tips for Finding University of South Florida OPT Eligible Jobs USA

Target research and administrative departments first

USF's research centers, IT departments, and student affairs offices have historically been active in hiring OPT students. Focus your applications on roles that align with your degree field, since specialty occupation fit matters if you later pursue H-1B sponsorship through USF.

Confirm USF's E-Verify enrollment before accepting

If you're on or approaching your 24-month STEM OPT extension, your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify. Verify USF's enrollment status directly with HR before signing an offer, since STEM OPT eligibility depends on this requirement being met at the time you file.

Align your OPT start date with your hire date

USCIS requires you to begin working within your authorized OPT period. Coordinate your EAD start date closely with USF's HR onboarding timeline so there's no gap between your authorization date and your first day, which can trigger compliance issues.

Search verified OPT-hiring employers on Migrate Mate

Use Migrate Mate to filter education-sector employers with documented OPT hiring history, including universities like USF. This helps you identify departments actively hiring F-1 students and approach your application with evidence of fit rather than guessing at internal hiring patterns.

Frame your credentials around specialty occupation requirements

USF's hiring managers in technical and research roles often screen candidates with H-1B transition in mind. Tailor your resume to show direct alignment between your degree and the role's duties, using O*NET occupation profiles to match the language hiring teams and HR departments expect.

Ask HR about the H-1B sponsorship timeline during onboarding

If your goal is to stay at USF long-term, raise the H-1B question early. USF's HR teams can confirm whether your role qualifies and what internal approval processes look like, giving you enough lead time to prepare before the annual H-1B cap registration window opens.

University of South Florida OPT Eligibility: Frequently Asked Questions

Does University of South Florida sponsor OPT visas?

USF doesn't sponsor OPT directly since OPT is USCIS-granted work authorization that belongs to you as an F-1 student, not something an employer files. What USF does is hire students who already hold an OPT EAD. The university actively employs OPT students across research, administrative, and technical roles, making it a practical option for F-1 job seekers.

Which departments at University of South Florida typically hire OPT students?

Research centers, IT and data teams, student services offices, and academic support units at USF tend to hire OPT students most frequently. Roles that require a specific degree field, such as engineering, business analysis, public health, or computer science, are generally the strongest fit for OPT students who may later need H-1B visa sponsorship.

How do I apply for OPT jobs at University of South Florida?

Apply through USF's official careers portal and identify roles that match your degree field. When you reach the offer stage, provide your EAD to HR and confirm your authorized start date. Migrate Mate can help you identify USF roles that align with OPT hiring patterns before you apply, so you're targeting positions with real placement history.

How do I know if my role at USF qualifies for the STEM OPT extension?

Your role must be directly related to your STEM degree, and USF must be enrolled in E-Verify. Your DSO at your university will help you file Form I-983 with USF's HR team. Check USCIS for the current list of STEM-designated degree programs, and confirm your CIP code matches your degree before assuming you're eligible.

Does University of South Florida sponsor H-1B visas for OPT employees?

USF does sponsor H-1B visas and has a history of transitioning OPT employees into H-1B status, particularly in research, technical, and specialized academic support roles. The process is separate from OPT and requires USF to file a petition with USCIS during the annual cap registration window, so raise this with HR well before your OPT period expires.

How does University of South Florida hire OPT students?

OPT is work authorization granted directly to F-1 students after graduation — no employer petition is required. University of South 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 South Florida's individual postings on Migrate Mate to confirm OPT acceptance per role.