Agriculture Jobs for OPT Students
Agriculture jobs on OPT span crop science, soil research, agronomy, food systems, and agricultural technology. STEM OPT extensions apply to roles in biological sciences and data-driven ag tech, giving eligible students up to three years of work authorization to build a career in U.S. food and farming sectors.
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Get Access To All JobsDate: Mar 24, 2026
Req ID: 56339
Location: Grady/Wrightsville, AR, US, 71644
Category: DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION
Anticipated Starting Salary: $43088.00
Position Number: 22086773
County: Pulaski; Lincoln
Posting End Date: March 30, 2026
Anticipated Starting Salary: $43088.00
Location: This position will cover both Cummins Unit (Grady) and Wrightsville Unit (Wrightsville)
The mission of the Department of Corrections is to be a public safety resource for Arkansas families by providing professional management solutions and evidence-based rehabilitative initiatives for offenders.
All DOC positions are designated as Safety Sensitive Positions and are subject to random drug testing pursuant to the Secretarial Directive governing Personnel Drug Testing. Medical marijuana usage, as defined in Amendment 93 of the Arkansas Constitution, prohibits Personnel in a Safety-Sensitive Position from the use of medical marijuana even if they are qualifying patient under the amendment and/or hold a registry identification card. Department Personnel are prohibited from the use or possession of a medicinal marijuana card pursuant to this policy and state law.
Job Series: Agriculture Programs – Career Path
Classification: Agricultural Unit Coordinator
Class Code: PAG06P
Pay Grade: SGS04
Salary Range: $43,088 - $63,770
Job Summary
The Agricultural Unit Coordinator is responsible for overseeing the daily operations and administration of an assigned agricultural unit within a state agency. This position ensures the effective implementation of agricultural programs, regulatory compliance, and resource management while fostering collaboration between stakeholders.
Primary Responsibilities
- Coordinate daily activities and projects within the agricultural unit to ensure alignment with agency goals.
- Monitor unit performance, identify challenges, and implement solutions to enhance efficiency.
- Maintain accurate records, reports, and documentation for compliance and performance tracking.
- Assist in developing, implementing, and evaluating agricultural policies and programs.
- Develop educational materials, reports, and presentations to support outreach efforts.
- Ensure unit operations adhere to state and federal agricultural regulations.
- Assist in the development and enforcement of agricultural standards and best practices.
- Collaborate with compliance officers and inspectors to maintain regulatory adherence.
- Assist in the management of unit budgets, grants, and financial resources.
- Track expenditures and resource allocation to ensure efficient use of funding.
- Support grant applications, funding proposals, and reporting requirements.
Knowledge and Skills
- Understanding of agriculture, farming practices, resource conservation, and industry regulations.
- Ability to analyze agricultural data, prepare reports, and evaluate program success.
- Ability to supervise personnel, delegate tasks, and foster a collaborative work environment.
- Skilled in prioritizing multiple tasks and meeting deadlines.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for engagement with the public and policy discussions.
Minimum Qualifications
Minimum of one year of experience in agricultural programs, farm management, or program coordination. Satisfaction of the minimum qualifications, including years of experience and service, does not entitle employees to automatic progression within the job series. Promotion to the next classification level is at the discretion of the department and the Office of Personnel Management, taking into consideration the employee’s demonstrated skills, competencies, performance, workload responsibilities, and organizational needs.
Licensure/Certifications
N/A
OTHER JOB RELATED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE MAY BE SUBSTITUTED FOR ALL OR PART OF THESE BASIC REQUIREMENTS, EXCEPT FOR CERTIFICATION OR LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS, UPON APPROVAL OF THE QUALIFICATIONS REVIEW COMMITTEE.
The State of Arkansas is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, citizenship, national origin, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by law.
Date: Mar 24, 2026
Req ID: 56339
Location: Grady/Wrightsville, AR, US, 71644
Category: DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION
Anticipated Starting Salary: $43088.00
Position Number: 22086773
County: Pulaski; Lincoln
Posting End Date: March 30, 2026
Anticipated Starting Salary: $43088.00
Location: This position will cover both Cummins Unit (Grady) and Wrightsville Unit (Wrightsville)
The mission of the Department of Corrections is to be a public safety resource for Arkansas families by providing professional management solutions and evidence-based rehabilitative initiatives for offenders.
All DOC positions are designated as Safety Sensitive Positions and are subject to random drug testing pursuant to the Secretarial Directive governing Personnel Drug Testing. Medical marijuana usage, as defined in Amendment 93 of the Arkansas Constitution, prohibits Personnel in a Safety-Sensitive Position from the use of medical marijuana even if they are qualifying patient under the amendment and/or hold a registry identification card. Department Personnel are prohibited from the use or possession of a medicinal marijuana card pursuant to this policy and state law.
Job Series: Agriculture Programs – Career Path
Classification: Agricultural Unit Coordinator
Class Code: PAG06P
Pay Grade: SGS04
Salary Range: $43,088 - $63,770
Job Summary
The Agricultural Unit Coordinator is responsible for overseeing the daily operations and administration of an assigned agricultural unit within a state agency. This position ensures the effective implementation of agricultural programs, regulatory compliance, and resource management while fostering collaboration between stakeholders.
Primary Responsibilities
- Coordinate daily activities and projects within the agricultural unit to ensure alignment with agency goals.
- Monitor unit performance, identify challenges, and implement solutions to enhance efficiency.
- Maintain accurate records, reports, and documentation for compliance and performance tracking.
- Assist in developing, implementing, and evaluating agricultural policies and programs.
- Develop educational materials, reports, and presentations to support outreach efforts.
- Ensure unit operations adhere to state and federal agricultural regulations.
- Assist in the development and enforcement of agricultural standards and best practices.
- Collaborate with compliance officers and inspectors to maintain regulatory adherence.
- Assist in the management of unit budgets, grants, and financial resources.
- Track expenditures and resource allocation to ensure efficient use of funding.
- Support grant applications, funding proposals, and reporting requirements.
Knowledge and Skills
- Understanding of agriculture, farming practices, resource conservation, and industry regulations.
- Ability to analyze agricultural data, prepare reports, and evaluate program success.
- Ability to supervise personnel, delegate tasks, and foster a collaborative work environment.
- Skilled in prioritizing multiple tasks and meeting deadlines.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for engagement with the public and policy discussions.
Minimum Qualifications
Minimum of one year of experience in agricultural programs, farm management, or program coordination. Satisfaction of the minimum qualifications, including years of experience and service, does not entitle employees to automatic progression within the job series. Promotion to the next classification level is at the discretion of the department and the Office of Personnel Management, taking into consideration the employee’s demonstrated skills, competencies, performance, workload responsibilities, and organizational needs.
Licensure/Certifications
N/A
OTHER JOB RELATED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE MAY BE SUBSTITUTED FOR ALL OR PART OF THESE BASIC REQUIREMENTS, EXCEPT FOR CERTIFICATION OR LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS, UPON APPROVAL OF THE QUALIFICATIONS REVIEW COMMITTEE.
The State of Arkansas is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, citizenship, national origin, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by law.
How to Get Visa Sponsorship in Agriculture
Target research universities and land-grant institutions
Land-grant universities like Iowa State and UC Davis run large agricultural research programs that regularly hire OPT students. These institutions understand work authorization timelines and often have international student hiring experience built into their HR processes.
Clarify your STEM OPT eligibility early
Degrees in biological sciences, environmental science, and agricultural engineering typically qualify for the 24-month STEM extension. Confirm your CIP code with your DSO before applying, so you can confidently communicate your full authorization timeline to employers.
Lead with your authorization window, not just the degree
Employers in agriculture often have seasonal hiring cycles. Telling them upfront that you have two or three years of work authorization helps them plan around crop seasons, research cycles, and project timelines rather than worrying about short-term gaps.
Target agribusiness companies with established international programs
Large agribusiness firms like Corteva, Bayer Crop Science, and Cargill have global workforces and structured international hiring processes. They're more likely to be familiar with OPT authorization requirements than smaller regional operations.
Align your role to your field of study precisely
USCIS requires OPT employment to be directly related to your major. A soil science graduate working in agronomy research is clearly aligned. Document that connection explicitly in your job offer letter to avoid issues during any future visa status review.
Report employment to your DSO within 10 days of starting
Once you accept an agriculture role, you must update your employment details in SEVIS through your DSO within 10 days. Failing to report on time puts your OPT status at risk, even if the job itself is a strong match for your degree.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Can I work in agriculture on OPT without a STEM degree?
Yes. Standard OPT provides 12 months of work authorization regardless of degree type, so students with degrees in agricultural science, horticulture, or food systems can work in relevant roles. The 24-month STEM extension is only available if your specific CIP code appears on the STEM designated degree program list maintained by ICE.
Does seasonal or contract agricultural work count for OPT?
It can, but with conditions. OPT employment must average at least 20 hours per week to remain valid. Short-term seasonal contracts that fall below that threshold, or unpaid positions without clear educational relevance, may not satisfy the OPT employment requirement. Consult your DSO before accepting contract-based or harvest-season roles to confirm they qualify.
How do I find agriculture employers who are familiar with OPT authorization?
Migrate Mate lists agriculture jobs from employers who have a track record of hiring international candidates, making it easier to identify roles where OPT authorization won't be a barrier. Filtering by OPT-friendly employers saves significant time compared to applying broadly and discovering authorization concerns late in the process.
What agricultural roles typically qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Roles in agricultural engineering, soil science, plant biology, food technology, environmental science, and data-driven precision agriculture frequently qualify when the underlying degree has a STEM-designated CIP code. Positions focused purely on manual labor, farm operations management, or non-technical administration generally do not qualify, even at an otherwise technical agribusiness company.
Can I work for a farm or small agricultural operation on OPT?
Yes, as long as the work is directly related to your field of study and meets the minimum 20-hour-per-week requirement. Small farms and family operations are eligible employers under OPT rules. The challenge is that smaller employers are often less familiar with OPT documentation requirements, so you may need to explain the process and provide your EAD card details proactively.
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