J-1 Visa Program Specialist Jobs
Program Specialist roles in the United States are typically available to exchange visitors under the J-1 visa Specialist category, which covers professionals with specialized skills not widely available domestically. A U.S. Department of State-designated sponsor organization issues your DS-2019 and handles sponsorship, while the hiring organization serves as your host employer.
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INTRODUCTION
Our Finance team brings together our financial perspectives into our overall strategic and tactical decision making. We use state-of-the-art techniques for financial analysis, planning, accounting, reporting and performance evaluation. This allows the organization to continue advancing medical innovation and improve lives.
Our Company Corporate Audit and Assurance Services' (MCAAS) mission is to create confidence in a changing world. We provide value-added independent and risk-based audit, assurance and advisory services.
Position Overview:
Finance at our Company is committed to developing future leaders through its Finance Leadership Development Program (FLDP). Individuals are provided with an entry point through Corporate Audit and Assurance Services (MCAAS) to develop a breadth of experience including finance, accounting, analytics, risk management, and special project opportunities.
After 24-36 months in the Finance Leadership Development Program, individuals advance their career development through opportunities across Finance and the greater organization. The purpose of this leadership development experience is to prepare young talent for the future so that the company is empowered to innovate and fulfill its purpose of using the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world.
Position Responsibilities:
The successful incumbents will need to possess a solid mix of audit and business operations experience in a multitude of different IT environments (i.e., applications, operating systems and infrastructure). The primary role of the candidate will be to participate in the execution of IT internal audit engagements to assess the adequacy of internal controls. This includes performing walkthroughs and testing information technology general controls (ITGCs) to provide reasonable assurance that adequate application and infrastructure internal controls are both designed and operating effectively. A successful incumbent will be versed in SOX controls and in the System Development Life Cycle (SDLC) and to be able to audit to the relevant requirements.
Under the direction of the Audit Director and the Auditor-in-Charge ("AIC"), the Specialist will:
- Participate in the execution of IT internal audit engagements.
- Support financial or operational, integrated and process audits, both domestic and abroad.
- Expected to work as a team member on audits with management supervision.
- Under the direction of the AIC, partner with colleagues and clients, support groups, and other organizations to effectively complete all assigned audit work.
- Execute audit programs and work papers (including walkthroughs and sample testing) in line with the established quality standards and timelines.
- Maintain the highest standards of professionalism and independence in the execution of duties with the highest level of integrity and quality. Show good judgment in the conduct of work.
This is a full-time position starting in July 2027. Individuals in the FLDP will complete a comprehensive onboarding and training. This training will provide insights to expansive business, industry, and audit knowledge. Additionally, the training will develop overall finance and business acumen, enhance leadership skills, and offer extensive networking opportunities.
EDUCATION MINIMUM REQUIREMENT:
- Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Business, Accounting, Finance or a related discipline.
REQUIRED EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS:
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills as well as a creative problem-solving mindset paired with an auditor's "show me" skepticism
- Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to interact effectively with client and business process owners as well as colleagues.
- Effective oral and written communication skills.
- Strong time management skills and the ability to work within a team as well as independently.
- Attention to detail and the ability to multi-task are essential to the position.
- Ability to travel both domestically and internationally up to 30% of the time.
PREFERRED EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS:
- Experience in Sarbanes-Oxley documentation, test development and test execution; working knowledge of ITGCs as they relate to Sarbanes-Oxley (S404) including SOC reports (SSAE18).
- Understanding of core IT management processes at application and infrastructure level (e.g., Logical Access, Change Management, System Development Lifecycle, Information Security, IT Ops etc.)
- Basic understanding of security and control risks in emerging technology environments (e.g. Cybersecurity, Cloud, Mobile Computing, Robotic Process Automation, etc.)
Please note that this position may be closed before the posted end date or may remain open longer, at the discretion of the company.
REQUIRED SKILLS:
Asset Accounting, Auditing Techniques, Audit Management, Audit Planning, Audit Processes, Audit Reporting, Audit Trails, Budgeting, Business Informatics, Chartered Accounting, Contract Audits, Control Frameworks, Controls Management, Control Theory, Data Analysis, External Audit Support, Financial Analysis, Fraud Detection, Information Systems, Information Technology (IT), Information Technology Management, Internal Audit Development, Internal Auditing, Preparation of Financial Reports
PREFERRED SKILLS:
Current Employees apply HERE
Current Contingent Workers apply HERE
US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:
Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities. Please click here if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.
As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, we provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. As a federal contractor, we comply with all affirmative action requirements for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit:
EEOC Know Your Rights
EEOC GINA Supplement
We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing together, talented, and committed people with diverse experiences, perspectives, skills and backgrounds. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when people with diverse ideas, broad experiences, backgrounds, and skills come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively.
Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State Acts
COMPENSATION
- Salary Range: $79,200.00 - $124,700.00
This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, government requirements, and business or organizational needs.
The successful candidate will be eligible for annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable.
We offer a comprehensive package of benefits. Available benefits include medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, including 401(k), paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate and sick days. More information about benefits is available at https://jobs.merck.com/us/en/compensation-and-benefits.
You can apply for this role through https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (or via the Workday Jobs Hub if you are a current employee). The application deadline for this position is stated on this posting.
San Francisco Residents Only: We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.
Los Angeles Residents Only: We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.
Employee Status:
Regular
Relocation:
VISA Sponsorship:
Travel Requirements:
Flexible Work Arrangements:
Hybrid
Job Posting End Date:
10/5/2026
A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.
Requisition ID: R415343
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding J-1 Visa Sponsorship as a Program Specialist
Document your specialized expertise clearly
Designated sponsors approve Specialist category applicants based on skills not widely available in the U.S. Gather evidence of your unique professional background, including certifications, publications, and letters from prior employers confirming the specialized nature of your work.
Verify your host employer qualifies
Not every organization can serve as a J-1 host. Confirm your prospective employer has an existing agreement with a State Department-designated sponsor, or is willing to establish one before extending an offer.
Search targeted roles on Migrate Mate
Use Migrate Mate to filter Program Specialist openings at organizations with J-1 hosting experience, so you're not cold-applying to employers unfamiliar with the Specialist category's training plan and compliance requirements.
Request the training plan before accepting
The DS-7002 training plan is a legal requirement for J-1 Specialist placements. Ask your host employer to draft it before you accept the offer, since a vague or incomplete plan can stall DS-2019 issuance and delay your start date.
Check whether your role triggers the two-year rule
The J-1 Specialist category can carry a two-year home residency requirement if your position is funded by a U.S. government agency or your home country appears on the Exchange Visitor Skills List. Confirm this before signing any agreement.
Align your program duration with project scope
J-1 Specialist status is granted for the time needed to complete the exchange objective, up to the maximum allowed period. Frame your program duration around concrete deliverables so your designated sponsor can justify the requested length when issuing the DS-2019.
Program Specialist J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which J-1 program category fits a Program Specialist role?
Program Specialist positions typically fall under the J-1 Specialist category, designed for professionals with specialized skills that are not widely available in the United States. This is distinct from the Trainee or Intern categories, which are tied to degree programs or early-career structured training. Your designated sponsor will confirm the appropriate category based on your background and the host employer's program objectives.
Who actually sponsors my J-1 visa as a Program Specialist?
Your J-1 visa is sponsored by a U.S. Department of State-designated sponsor organization, not your hiring employer. The designated sponsor issues your DS-2019 form and is legally responsible for monitoring your program compliance. Your hiring organization is the host employer, which works with the sponsor but does not hold sponsorship authority itself. Organizations like Cultural Vistas and CIEE administer these arrangements for Specialist placements.
How do I find Program Specialist roles where employers already understand J-1 hosting?
Many employers are unfamiliar with the J-1 Specialist category's training plan and compliance obligations, which can slow or derail an offer. Migrate Mate lets you search for Program Specialist positions at organizations with demonstrated J-1 hosting experience, reducing the time you spend educating employers about the process before you can move forward.
What is the DS-7002 and why does it matter for this role?
The DS-7002 is a formal training plan that your host employer must complete for J-1 Specialist placements. It outlines your specific activities, learning objectives, and supervisor responsibilities. Designated sponsors use it to assess whether your program meets exchange visitor standards. A poorly written DS-7002 is one of the most common reasons DS-2019 issuance gets delayed, so push your host to draft it early in the process.
Can the two-year home residency requirement affect Program Specialist exchange visitors?
Yes. J-1 Specialist exchange visitors may be subject to the two-year home residency requirement under INA Section 212(e) if their position is financed by a U.S. or foreign government agency, or if their home country is listed on the State Department's Exchange Visitor Skills List. If this requirement applies, you must return to your home country for two years before you can change to most other nonimmigrant visa categories or apply for a green card.