Benefits Specialist Jobs for OPT Students
Benefits Specialist roles on OPT typically qualify as specialty occupations under H-1B standards, supporting your status extension. Most positions sit within HR departments at mid-to-large employers, where your degree in human resources, business, or a related field directly maps to the role's core responsibilities.
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Get Access To All JobsPayroll and Benefits Specialist – HR Generalist (Hybrid; 3 days onsite, 2 days remote)
Are you ready to advance your career in a collaborative environment and play a vital HR role within a highly respected financial institution? We’re seeking an experienced, hands-on HR Generalist to serve as our primary Payroll and Benefits partner working on a HR Team.
Position Overview: In this role, you’ll be responsible for the day-to-day management, administration, and compliance of all payroll, benefits, and leave programs. Beyond tactical work, you’ll act as the primary HRIS administrator—while maintaining relationships with vendors and supporting strategic HR analytics.
Key Responsibilities:
- End-to-end payroll processing for 250 employees using ADP.
- Full-cycle benefits administration, employee leave management (FMLA/STD/LTD/etc.), and routine HRIS administration.
- Point of contact for payroll/benefit/leave inquiries and for the HRIS vendor management.
- Prepare and analyze HR reports/metrics to support leadership decision-making.
- Contribute to continuous process improvement across HR operations.
- Partner closely with a collaborative, experienced HR team in a business casual, positive culture.
What We’re Looking For:
- 3+ years of experience processing payroll and administering benefit programs
- Demonstrated HRIS knowledge (preferably ADP, but other platforms considered)
- Experience handling employee leaves and compliance processes.
- Payroll/benefits professionals with hands-on experience, OR HR Generalists with broad expertise in payroll, HRIS, benefits, and compliance are encouraged to apply.
- Strong communication, detail orientation, and a proactive, team-first mindset.
Why Join Us?
- Engaged, tight-knit HR team: Everyone has clear responsibilities and the group values collaboration and mutual support.
- Friendly, business casual workplace—yes, you can wear jeans!
- Robust benefits: Excellent medical plans, 401(k) with generous automatic employer contribution, educational assistance, fresh fruit daily, food trucks in summer, and annual employee recognition events.
- Make an impact: This position became available due to retirement, giving you the opportunity to shape the role and continue key HR processes for a successful institution.
Apply Today
Take the next step in your HR career with an organization committed to its employees. If you’re a detail-oriented professional who thrives in a high-trust, collaborative environment, we want to hear from you.
Apply today or email your resume to Kelsey.Ryan@roberthalf(.com)
All applicants applying for U.S. job openings must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
Benefits are available to contract/temporary professionals, including medical, vision, dental, and life and disability insurance. Hired contract/temporary professionals are also eligible to enroll in our company 401(k) plan.
© 2025 Robert Half. An Equal Opportunity Employer. M/F/Disability/Veterans. By clicking “Apply Now,” you’re agreeing to Robert Half’s Terms of Use and Privacy Notice.
Payroll and Benefits Specialist – HR Generalist (Hybrid; 3 days onsite, 2 days remote)
Are you ready to advance your career in a collaborative environment and play a vital HR role within a highly respected financial institution? We’re seeking an experienced, hands-on HR Generalist to serve as our primary Payroll and Benefits partner working on a HR Team.
Position Overview: In this role, you’ll be responsible for the day-to-day management, administration, and compliance of all payroll, benefits, and leave programs. Beyond tactical work, you’ll act as the primary HRIS administrator—while maintaining relationships with vendors and supporting strategic HR analytics.
Key Responsibilities:
- End-to-end payroll processing for 250 employees using ADP.
- Full-cycle benefits administration, employee leave management (FMLA/STD/LTD/etc.), and routine HRIS administration.
- Point of contact for payroll/benefit/leave inquiries and for the HRIS vendor management.
- Prepare and analyze HR reports/metrics to support leadership decision-making.
- Contribute to continuous process improvement across HR operations.
- Partner closely with a collaborative, experienced HR team in a business casual, positive culture.
What We’re Looking For:
- 3+ years of experience processing payroll and administering benefit programs
- Demonstrated HRIS knowledge (preferably ADP, but other platforms considered)
- Experience handling employee leaves and compliance processes.
- Payroll/benefits professionals with hands-on experience, OR HR Generalists with broad expertise in payroll, HRIS, benefits, and compliance are encouraged to apply.
- Strong communication, detail orientation, and a proactive, team-first mindset.
Why Join Us?
- Engaged, tight-knit HR team: Everyone has clear responsibilities and the group values collaboration and mutual support.
- Friendly, business casual workplace—yes, you can wear jeans!
- Robust benefits: Excellent medical plans, 401(k) with generous automatic employer contribution, educational assistance, fresh fruit daily, food trucks in summer, and annual employee recognition events.
- Make an impact: This position became available due to retirement, giving you the opportunity to shape the role and continue key HR processes for a successful institution.
Apply Today
Take the next step in your HR career with an organization committed to its employees. If you’re a detail-oriented professional who thrives in a high-trust, collaborative environment, we want to hear from you.
Apply today or email your resume to Kelsey.Ryan@roberthalf(.com)
All applicants applying for U.S. job openings must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
Benefits are available to contract/temporary professionals, including medical, vision, dental, and life and disability insurance. Hired contract/temporary professionals are also eligible to enroll in our company 401(k) plan.
© 2025 Robert Half. An Equal Opportunity Employer. M/F/Disability/Veterans. By clicking “Apply Now,” you’re agreeing to Robert Half’s Terms of Use and Privacy Notice.
How to Get Visa Sponsorship as a Benefits Specialist
Target employers with established HR teams
Large companies with dedicated HR departments are more likely to have experience sponsoring OPT students and transitioning them to H-1B. Mid-to-large employers in healthcare, finance, and technology tend to hire Benefits Specialists regularly and understand the process.
Align your degree to the specialty occupation standard
Benefits Specialist roles qualify as specialty occupations when the employer requires a degree in human resources, business administration, or a related field. Confirm your degree field is documented clearly on your resume and matches the job description's educational requirements.
Understand which employers qualify for cap-exempt H-1B
Universities, nonprofit research institutions, and affiliated hospital systems are cap-exempt H-1B employers. Benefits Specialist roles at these organizations can be sponsored year-round without lottery risk, making them a strong target for OPT students needing reliable visa continuity.
Prepare to explain your OPT timeline clearly
Hiring managers often confuse OPT with other visa types. Come prepared to explain your authorized work period, STEM extension eligibility if applicable, and the H-1B timeline. Clarity reduces hesitation and positions you as an organized, low-friction candidate for sponsorship.
Emphasize benefits administration software experience
Proficiency in platforms like Workday, ADP, or SAP SuccessFactors is a strong differentiator for Benefits Specialist roles. Employers with existing HR tech stacks prefer candidates who can contribute immediately, which offsets any perceived complexity around sponsoring an OPT student.
Benefits Specialist jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Does a Benefits Specialist role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Yes, in most cases. A Benefits Specialist role qualifies as a specialty occupation when the employer formally requires a bachelor's degree or higher in human resources, business administration, or a closely related field. If the job posting accepts any degree regardless of field, that can weaken the specialty occupation argument. Review the job description carefully before applying and note whether a specific degree field is required.
Can I work as a Benefits Specialist on STEM OPT?
Only if your degree falls under an approved STEM field. Benefits Specialist roles are typically supported by degrees in human resources or business administration. Business Administration (CIP 52.0201) is on the STEM OPT designated degree program list, so graduates with that major may qualify for the 24-month STEM extension. Confirm your exact CIP code with your Designated School Official before relying on STEM OPT eligibility.
What types of employers hire Benefits Specialists and are experienced with OPT sponsorship?
Large employers in healthcare, financial services, technology, and higher education tend to hire Benefits Specialists at volume and are more familiar with OPT work authorization and H-1B sponsorship. Universities and affiliated hospital systems are particularly advantageous because they are cap-exempt H-1B employers, meaning they can file year-round without lottery risk. You can browse Benefits Specialist roles at sponsoring employers on Migrate Mate.
What documents do I need to start a Benefits Specialist job on OPT?
You need a valid EAD card showing your authorized work period, a valid F-1 visa stamp and passport, and your most recent I-20 endorsed for OPT. Your employer will complete Form I-9 on your first day using these documents. Keep copies of everything and make sure your EAD start date has passed before your first day of work. Do not begin employment before your EAD start date.
How does the 60-day grace period affect my job search as a Benefits Specialist candidate?
If your OPT employment ends before your EAD expiration date, you have a 60-day grace period to find a new job, transfer to another visa status, or depart the U.S. You cannot work during this grace period. For a Benefits Specialist job search, 60 days is a tight window given typical hiring timelines, so starting your search before employment ends is strongly advisable.
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