OPT Au Pair Jobs
Au pair jobs on OPT let you work legally as a live-in childcare provider while maintaining your F-1 status. Most positions are with host families and count as practical training in early childhood education or related fields. Your OPT work authorization must match your degree field for the role to qualify.
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Get Access To All JobsJob Type
Staff
Salary Range
$1,000-$1,200
Start Date
As soon as possible
FLSA Status
Exempt
Application Deadline
Aug 28, 2026
Contact
Please submit an online application
Job Description
Instructor, University Au Pair Certificate Program (Part-Time)
Position Overview:
As part of their J-1 visa requirements, au pairs in the US must complete the equivalent of 6 college credits (a total of 72 hours) from an accredited university during a 12 month period. LIU’s University Au Pair Certificate Program has educated thousands of au pairs in a wide variety of topics, including childhood development, English language skills, American history and government, fashion, merchandising, international diplomacy, arts and culture, sports, social media marketing, business and many other exciting topics. A combination of live classroom discussion, interaction with other au pairs, caring university instructors and engaging activities provide a holistic approach to immersion into the unique culture of the United States.
The successful candidate for the position of Instructor of the University Au Pair Certificate Program will provide learning experiences for au pairs that will deepen and extend their intellectual interests as well as develop the skills of independent learning. Instructors should be knowledgeable and supportive of visiting international students to the USA and design creative learning experiences to accommodate the diversity of learning styles and English levels in an adult population, ages 18-26.
Classes are held in person on LIU Post’s campus in Brookville, Long Island, New York a minimum of one weekend per month. In person and online classes run Fri, 5pm-9pm, Sat 9am-6pm and Sun 9am-1pm. Pre coursework and post coursework are to be given in addition to the in-person classes to equal 36 hours of instruction.
Reports to: Director of Au Pair Certificate Program
Qualifications and Skills:
- Master’s Degree Preferred
- NYS Permanent Teaching Certification (K-12) in Teacher Education a plus
- Minimum of 5 year teaching experience preferred
- Excellent reading, writing and communication skills
- Knowledge of facilitating curriculum that is project and inquiry based, emphasizing critical thinking with interdisciplinary connections
- Must be able to teach using different types of media
- Evidence of originality, initiative, commitment to excellence, and enthusiasm for teaching
- Flexible teaching style
SALARY: Commensurate with experience, part-time, no benefits, non-union, non-tenured track position. Position is subject to a background check. Vaccination preferred.
INFORMATION: post-aupair@liu.edu | 516-299-4193
LIU is an equal opportunity employer. LIU is committed to extending equal opportunity in employment to all qualified candidates who can contribute to the diversity and excellence of our academic community. LIU encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender and/or gender identity or expression, marital or parental status, national origin, ethnicity, citizenship status, veteran or military status, age, disability or any other basis protected by applicable local, state or federal laws. Hiring is contingent on eligibility to work in the United States.
Job Type
Staff
Salary Range
$1,000-$1,200
Start Date
As soon as possible
FLSA Status
Exempt
Application Deadline
Aug 28, 2026
Contact
Please submit an online application
Job Description
Instructor, University Au Pair Certificate Program (Part-Time)
Position Overview:
As part of their J-1 visa requirements, au pairs in the US must complete the equivalent of 6 college credits (a total of 72 hours) from an accredited university during a 12 month period. LIU’s University Au Pair Certificate Program has educated thousands of au pairs in a wide variety of topics, including childhood development, English language skills, American history and government, fashion, merchandising, international diplomacy, arts and culture, sports, social media marketing, business and many other exciting topics. A combination of live classroom discussion, interaction with other au pairs, caring university instructors and engaging activities provide a holistic approach to immersion into the unique culture of the United States.
The successful candidate for the position of Instructor of the University Au Pair Certificate Program will provide learning experiences for au pairs that will deepen and extend their intellectual interests as well as develop the skills of independent learning. Instructors should be knowledgeable and supportive of visiting international students to the USA and design creative learning experiences to accommodate the diversity of learning styles and English levels in an adult population, ages 18-26.
Classes are held in person on LIU Post’s campus in Brookville, Long Island, New York a minimum of one weekend per month. In person and online classes run Fri, 5pm-9pm, Sat 9am-6pm and Sun 9am-1pm. Pre coursework and post coursework are to be given in addition to the in-person classes to equal 36 hours of instruction.
Reports to: Director of Au Pair Certificate Program
Qualifications and Skills:
- Master’s Degree Preferred
- NYS Permanent Teaching Certification (K-12) in Teacher Education a plus
- Minimum of 5 year teaching experience preferred
- Excellent reading, writing and communication skills
- Knowledge of facilitating curriculum that is project and inquiry based, emphasizing critical thinking with interdisciplinary connections
- Must be able to teach using different types of media
- Evidence of originality, initiative, commitment to excellence, and enthusiasm for teaching
- Flexible teaching style
SALARY: Commensurate with experience, part-time, no benefits, non-union, non-tenured track position. Position is subject to a background check. Vaccination preferred.
INFORMATION: post-aupair@liu.edu | 516-299-4193
LIU is an equal opportunity employer. LIU is committed to extending equal opportunity in employment to all qualified candidates who can contribute to the diversity and excellence of our academic community. LIU encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender and/or gender identity or expression, marital or parental status, national origin, ethnicity, citizenship status, veteran or military status, age, disability or any other basis protected by applicable local, state or federal laws. Hiring is contingent on eligibility to work in the United States.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Au Pair
Confirm your degree field aligns with the role
Au pair work qualifies under OPT only if your degree relates to early childhood education, family studies, or a closely connected field. Confirm this alignment with your DSO before accepting any position to protect your OPT status.
Get your employment details in writing
Host families are not formal employers, so request a signed offer letter detailing your duties, schedule, and living arrangement. Your DSO will need documentation of your employment to update your records accurately and on time.
Report your job to your DSO within 10 days
Federal regulations require OPT students to report new employment to their DSO within 10 days of starting. Delayed reporting can create compliance issues that jeopardize your current OPT authorization and any future immigration benefits.
Clarify your live-in arrangement and work hours
Au pair roles often include room and board, which affects how total compensation is structured. Confirm weekly hours are capped appropriately, since OPT requires maintaining lawful nonimmigrant status throughout your authorized employment period.
Understand the unemployment day limit on OPT
Standard OPT allows a maximum of 90 days of unemployment. STEM OPT reduces this to 150 days total. Gaps between host family placements count toward this limit, so plan transitions carefully to avoid falling out of status.
Browse roles through Migrate Mate to find OPT-compatible placements
Not every au pair listing is open to OPT students. Migrate Mate filters for positions where employers understand work authorization requirements, saving you time and reducing the risk of applying where your status will not be accepted.
Au Pair OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does au pair work qualify for OPT authorization?
It can, but only if your degree field relates to the work. Au pair roles typically qualify under fields like early childhood education, child development, or family and consumer sciences. If your degree is in an unrelated field, the position likely does not satisfy OPT's requirement that employment be directly related to your major area of study.
Is a host family considered a valid OPT employer?
Yes. A host family qualifies as an employer for OPT purposes as long as the arrangement is a legitimate employment relationship. You should receive documentation of your duties and schedule, and your DSO must be notified of the placement. Volunteer or informal arrangements without compensation do not satisfy OPT employment requirements.
How do I find au pair jobs open to OPT students?
Migrate Mate is the recommended place to search. Most general job listings do not specify OPT compatibility, which means you can spend significant time applying only to find the host family cannot work with your visa status. Migrate Mate focuses on employers and families who are aware of work authorization requirements for international students.
Can I work as an au pair on STEM OPT extension?
Generally, no. STEM OPT requires employment with an E-Verify enrolled employer and in a role directly tied to a STEM-designated degree. Au pair work with a private host family almost never meets these requirements. If your undergraduate STEM degree got you into a related graduate program, consult your DSO about whether any exception applies to your specific situation.
What happens if my host family placement ends before my OPT expires?
You enter an unemployment period that counts against your 90-day limit for standard OPT. You can seek a new qualifying placement during this time, but you must stay within the limit. If you exceed 90 cumulative days of unemployment before finding another role, your OPT authorization is automatically terminated and you fall out of F-1 status.