OPT Budget Officer Jobs
Budget Officer roles fall squarely within the specialty occupation standard that OPT requires, most positions demand a degree in finance, accounting, or public administration. Your 12-month OPT window (or 24-month STEM extension if your degree qualifies) gives you enough runway to secure H-1B visa sponsorship from government agencies or large organizations that regularly hire for this role.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
At the New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD), every role is an opportunity to make a lasting difference in the lives of children, youth, and families across our state. We are committed to building a compassionate, skilled, and dedicated workforce that works collaboratively to ensure safety, promote well-being, and strengthen families. Whether you are in the field supporting families face-to-face, working behind the scenes to improve systems, or helping to shape the agency from a leadership level, your work here has purpose and long-lasting impact. Join a team that values integrity, resilience, and service and be part of meaningful change for New Mexico's future.
THIS POSTING MAY BE USED FOR ONGOING RECRUITMENT AND MAY CLOSE AT ANY TIME. APPLICANT LISTS MAY BE SCREENED MORE THAN ONCE.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
This position is responsible for management and oversight of the Children, Youth and Families Department budget and financial activities for program/programs including but not limited to purchase orders, vouchers, operating transfers, P-cards etc., in support of CYFD Divisions.
This position is responsible for the formulation and development of Children, Youth and Families Department annual appropriation request, operating budget, tracking and forecasting expenditures and revenues monthly, and formulating and executing a plan for new initiatives or activities related to changes in the Agency.
This position oversees the Budget and Financial Manager and is responsible for ensuring program budget management is up to date with tracking and forecasting expenses and monitoring revenue to include state, federal, and other sources. This position is responsible for managing fiscal activities to include but not limited to payments, requisitions, purchase orders, P-cards, and operating transfers through the Statewide, Human Resources, Accounting, and Reporting (SHARE) system and internal projections.
This position is responsible for management of direct employees, duties include but are not limited to recruitment, hiring, training, evaluation, mediation, and discipline.
This position will provide budgetary and fiscal support to Divisions, and incumbent will be cross trained to assist with other programs when necessary. The position will work closely with Executive Leadership, Division Directors, program managers, the Administrative Services Division (ASD) budget, procurement, accounts payable, receivable, and grants management staff. In addition to other state and federal agencies staff as necessary.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or Auditing and three (3) years of experience in Accounting, Business Administration, Public Administration, Finance, or Auditing; to include one (1) year of managerial or supervisory experience. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling seven (7) years may substitute for the required education and experience. A hiring agency may designate a portion of the required experience to include federal grant and/or special revenue experience to be identified at the time of recruitment.
EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS
Must possess and maintain a valid Driver's License. Must possess and maintain a current Defensive Driving Course Certificate from the State of New Mexico or must pass and receive Defensive Driving Course Certification as a condition of continued employment. Pre-employment background investigation is required and is conditional pending results.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Office setting; exposure to VDT; extensive personal computer and phone usage. Extended periods of sitting and some lifting. Good communication skills; Interacting with the public required. High pressure/stress situations.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
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Agency Contact Information: Andrea Roybal, (505) 531-7371, Email
For information on Statutory Requirements for this position, click the Classification Description link on the job advertisement.
Bargaining Unit Position
This position is not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.
INTRODUCTION
At the New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD), every role is an opportunity to make a lasting difference in the lives of children, youth, and families across our state. We are committed to building a compassionate, skilled, and dedicated workforce that works collaboratively to ensure safety, promote well-being, and strengthen families. Whether you are in the field supporting families face-to-face, working behind the scenes to improve systems, or helping to shape the agency from a leadership level, your work here has purpose and long-lasting impact. Join a team that values integrity, resilience, and service and be part of meaningful change for New Mexico's future.
THIS POSTING MAY BE USED FOR ONGOING RECRUITMENT AND MAY CLOSE AT ANY TIME. APPLICANT LISTS MAY BE SCREENED MORE THAN ONCE.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
This position is responsible for management and oversight of the Children, Youth and Families Department budget and financial activities for program/programs including but not limited to purchase orders, vouchers, operating transfers, P-cards etc., in support of CYFD Divisions.
This position is responsible for the formulation and development of Children, Youth and Families Department annual appropriation request, operating budget, tracking and forecasting expenditures and revenues monthly, and formulating and executing a plan for new initiatives or activities related to changes in the Agency.
This position oversees the Budget and Financial Manager and is responsible for ensuring program budget management is up to date with tracking and forecasting expenses and monitoring revenue to include state, federal, and other sources. This position is responsible for managing fiscal activities to include but not limited to payments, requisitions, purchase orders, P-cards, and operating transfers through the Statewide, Human Resources, Accounting, and Reporting (SHARE) system and internal projections.
This position is responsible for management of direct employees, duties include but are not limited to recruitment, hiring, training, evaluation, mediation, and discipline.
This position will provide budgetary and fiscal support to Divisions, and incumbent will be cross trained to assist with other programs when necessary. The position will work closely with Executive Leadership, Division Directors, program managers, the Administrative Services Division (ASD) budget, procurement, accounts payable, receivable, and grants management staff. In addition to other state and federal agencies staff as necessary.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or Auditing and three (3) years of experience in Accounting, Business Administration, Public Administration, Finance, or Auditing; to include one (1) year of managerial or supervisory experience. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling seven (7) years may substitute for the required education and experience. A hiring agency may designate a portion of the required experience to include federal grant and/or special revenue experience to be identified at the time of recruitment.
EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS
Must possess and maintain a valid Driver's License. Must possess and maintain a current Defensive Driving Course Certificate from the State of New Mexico or must pass and receive Defensive Driving Course Certification as a condition of continued employment. Pre-employment background investigation is required and is conditional pending results.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Office setting; exposure to VDT; extensive personal computer and phone usage. Extended periods of sitting and some lifting. Good communication skills; Interacting with the public required. High pressure/stress situations.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Do you know what Total Compensation is? Click here
Agency Contact Information: Andrea Roybal, (505) 531-7371, Email
For information on Statutory Requirements for this position, click the Classification Description link on the job advertisement.
Bargaining Unit Position
This position is not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.
See all 59+ OPT Budget Officer Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Budget Officer
Target government contractors and federal agencies
Federal agencies and defense contractors fill Budget Officer roles consistently and have established visa sponsorship infrastructure. These employers understand the H-1B visa process and are far more likely to sponsor than small private firms encountering the question for the first time.
Lead with your degree field, not just your job title
Budget Officer roles qualify as specialty occupations when tied to a finance, accounting, or economics degree. Make that connection explicit on your resume and in interviews so hiring managers understand your OPT eligibility without having to guess.
Raise sponsorship early in the process
Bring up OPT and future H-1B sponsorship before the offer stage, not after. Employers who won't sponsor will say so early, saving you weeks of invested time in a process that was never going to result in authorization.
Get your EAD card details ready before you apply
Have your EAD card number, OPT start and end dates, and STEM extension eligibility confirmed before applying. Budget Officers often work in compliance-sensitive environments where employers vet work authorization carefully before extending offers.
Pursue roles with multi-year project cycles
Organizations managing long-term capital projects or multi-year federal budgets need Budget Officers continuously, making them more incentivized to sponsor. Stable, ongoing budget work justifies the time and cost of H-1B sponsorship for employers.
Use your OPT period to build specialized credentials
Certifications like the CGFM or CDFM signal commitment to public financial management and make you a stronger sponsorship candidate. Employers weighing sponsorship costs look for signals that you're a long-term hire worth the investment.
Budget Officer OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Budget Officer jobs qualify for OPT work authorization?
Yes. Budget Officer positions typically qualify as specialty occupations because they require at least a bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, economics, or public administration. As long as your degree field aligns with the role's requirements, your OPT EAD card authorizes you to work in this capacity. If your degree is in a STEM-designated field like financial mathematics or applied economics, you may also qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension.
Which types of employers are most likely to sponsor Budget Officers for H-1B visas?
Federal agencies, large government contractors, and major healthcare systems sponsor Budget Officers most consistently. These organizations run structured HR processes, have legal teams familiar with H-1B filings, and need budget professionals on a continuous basis. Smaller nonprofits and local government offices may be willing but often lack the internal infrastructure to manage sponsorship efficiently. Browse open roles on Migrate Mate to filter for employers with a history of sponsoring international candidates.
Does a public administration or policy degree qualify for Budget Officer OPT?
Generally yes, provided the job posting requires a degree in a related field. Budget Officer roles at government agencies frequently list public administration, public policy, or finance as qualifying degrees. If the job description specifies a more technical background, like accounting or financial analysis, confirm your specific degree meets their stated requirement before applying. The key is that your degree field maps to what the employer lists.
Can I work as a Budget Officer for a local or state government on OPT?
Yes, state and local government employers can hire OPT students, though they are not subject to the H-1B cap and file under cap-exempt or alternative categories. Your OPT EAD card is valid regardless of whether the employer is public or private. The more relevant question is whether they will sponsor you for longer-term status after your OPT period ends, which varies by agency and state employment law.
How much time do I realistically have to secure H-1B sponsorship as a Budget Officer on OPT?
Standard OPT gives you 12 months. If your degree is in a STEM-designated field, you can apply for a 24-month extension, giving you up to 36 months total. The H-1B lottery runs once per year with a filing window in March, so timing matters. If you miss one lottery cycle, cap-exempt employers like universities and nonprofit research organizations can file year-round without the lottery constraint.