OPT Care Navigator Jobs
Care Navigator jobs on OPT sit at the intersection of healthcare coordination and patient advocacy, making them a strong fit for students with degrees in public health, social work, or healthcare administration. Most roles qualify as specialty occupations for H-1B visa sponsorship, and STEM OPT extensions may apply depending on your program CIP code.
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$67,572.37 - $86,932.28 Annually
Location
3000 NE 4th Street Renton, WA
Job Type
Classified
Job Number
26-P0013
Department
Student Services
Opening Date
11/05/2026
Closing Date
11/22/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Position
Renton Technical College (RTC) is seeking a Re-Entry Services Navigator! This position will provide high-touch navigation and support to justice-impacted individuals seeking to enroll and succeed at RTC. The Navigator serves as a primary point of contact during the transition to postsecondary education, helping prospective students navigate admissions, enrollment, career exploration, education planning, funding, and connections to campus and community resources.
The Re-Entry Services Navigator will collaborate with college departments, the Washington State Department of Corrections (DOC), facility education navigators, community corrections, and reentry partners to reduce barriers and support student persistence and completion. This includes providing ongoing case management and connections for enrolled students with academic advising and other college services to support progress toward credential completion. The position maintains accurate student records, tracks outcomes, and completes required reporting in support of grant objectives.
The Re-Entry Services Navigator is represented by the Renton Professional Technical Association (Prof-Tech) union. This is a full-time, classified, and overtime eligible position reporting to the Director of Entry Services. The pay range for this role is $67,572.37 - $86,932.28 annually. Salary placement will not exceed step 10 ($82,902.86). Additional information can be found on our benefits page and in the Collective Bargaining Agreement. The priority consideration date for this position is November 22, 2026. This position is grant funded through an ongoing partnership between the DOC and the State Board of Community & Technical Colleges, and is contingent upon continued funding.
Renton Technical College, located southeast of Seattle, has provided quality education in a variety of occupations for over 75 years. Our professional-technical certificate and degree programs offer entry and mid-level training in the areas of allied health, trades, and industry, culinary, business, technology, and automotive. Our outstanding college & career pathways program with classes in adult basic education, English as a second language, and GED preparation is available to those who need additional preparation before entering a training program and for those who simply wish to improve their math and English skills. Career Education and apprenticeships degrees round out our offerings.
Key Responsibilities / Essential Functions Include
Student Navigation and Support
- Provide comprehensive navigation services for prospective and enrolled justice-impacted students, supporting their transition from incarceration to postsecondary education and training.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for justice-impacted students and maintain regular communication to promote student engagement, persistence, retention, and program completion.
- Meet individually with students to identify goals, address barriers, and connect them with appropriate college and community resources.
- Support students through the admissions, onboarding, enrollment, funding, career exploration and educational pathway planning by facilitating connections to appropriate college departments and services.
- Connect students through warm handoffs and referrals to college and community resources, including advising, financial aid, workforce funding, accessibility services, counseling, housing, transportation, employment, recovery supports, and other basic-needs resources.
- Monitor student progress and provide ongoing encouragement, advocacy, and navigation support in collaboration with student supports throughout their educational journey.
DOC and Reentry Partnerships
- Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with DOC staff, community corrections, facility education navigators, reentry centers, and community-based organizations to coordinate referrals, address barriers, and strengthen education and employment pathways for justice-impacted students.
- Conduct outreach at correctional facilities and respond to referrals from DOC, facility education navigators, reentry centers, and community partners to engage prospective students before and after release and support successful transitions to college.
- Maintain regular participation in statewide navigator meetings, trainings, and collaborative initiatives to support student success and strengthen reentry education pathways.
Data Management, Documentation, and Reporting
- Maintain accurate and timely student records, case notes, service documentation, referrals, and outcome data in college and grant-required systems; track participant engagement, enrollment, persistence, progression, completion, and other required outcomes.
- Prepare required reports and documentation and support grant compliance, monitoring, evaluation, and continuous improvement activities.
Campus and Community Engagement
- Participate in college committees, student success initiatives, and professional development opportunities that support equity, access, and student success.
- Maintain current knowledge of college programs, student support services, workforce funding opportunities, and community resources available to justice-impacted students.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution preferably in education, social work, criminal justice, or a related field. A combination of relevant education and work experience of two years may be substituted for the education requirement.
- Two years of professional experience providing case management, resource navigation, or similar individualized support services.
- Experience helping individuals navigate postsecondary education processes, including admissions, enrollment, financial resources, educational planning, or student support services.
- Experience working effectively with diverse populations and a demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion, and culturally responsive service.
- Experience presenting information to groups of varying sizes, including the ability to effectively communicate with prospective students, community organizations, correctional facility audiences, and other partners.
- Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, with demonstrated tact, discretion, confidentiality, and ability to build trusting relationships, identify barriers, navigate complex systems, and connect individuals with appropriate resources and services.
- Strong organizational and technological skills, including the ability to maintain accurate records, manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and use standard computer applications and student information systems.
PREFERRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
- Experience working with the Washington State Department of Corrections, correctional institutions, community corrections, reentry programs, or related systems and organizations.
- Experience working in a technical college, community college, university, or other postsecondary institution.
- Knowledge of correctional systems, reentry processes, and the experiences and barriers faced by individuals transitioning from incarceration.
- Speaker of a language in addition to English; preference for top spoken languages in the RTC service area (Spanish, Vietnamese, Russian, Somali, Chinese).
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS, LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS:
- Valid driver’s license and insurance.
- Must meet the Washington State Department of Corrections requirements for entrance into DOC facilities.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Working hours are generally aligned to business hours, Monday – Friday. Occasional evening and weekend work is required. Work is mostly sedentary in nature, performed in an office environment. Frequent use of a computer and exposure to terminal screens is required. Work and meetings may take place across campus and at designated locations. May drive/travel to trainings, conferences, and/or college events. This is mostly an in-person/on-campus position; remote work may occur as business permits.
Terms of Employment
In the interest of providing a healthy, safe and secure educational and work environment, and in order to meet the requirements of federal legislation, it is the policy of Renton Technical College to maintain an alcohol and drug-free workplace for our employees and students.
The person hired is required to provide authorization for employment in the United States. All offers of employment are contingent to background checks, including employment and required degree/credential verification. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform successfully in the position. Finalists are required to complete the Sexual Misconduct Disclosure form as required under RCW 288.112.080. Post offer, pre-employment criminal background checks are also required.
For questions regarding this position contact recruiting@rtc.edu.
EEO STATEMENT: Renton Technical College provides equal opportunity in education and employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color national origin, age, perceived or actual physical or mental disability, pregnancy, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, creed, religion, honorably discharged veterans or military status, or use of a trained guide dog or service animal, as required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Sections 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act and ADA Amendment Act, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, the Violence Against Women Re-authorization Act and Washington State Law Against Discrimination, Chapter 49.60 RCW and their implementing regulations. The following college official has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies: Title IX / EEO Coordinator, Lesley Hogan, Vice President of Human Resources 3000 NE 4th Street Renton, WA 98056 (425)235-7873, titleix@rtc.edu.
Jeanne Clery statement: Notice of Availability of Annual Security and Fire Safety Report: In compliance with Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act of 1998, and as a part of the College's commitment to safety and security on campus, Renton Technical College reports the mandate information about current campus policies concerning safety and security issues, the required statistics, and other related information for the past three (3) calendar years. Renton Technical College's Annual Safety and Fire Report is available online at: https://rtc.edu/about-rtc/campus-resources/campus-security/annual-security-report.php. For information on how to access the RTC Daily Crime Log follow this link: https://rtc.edu/about-rtc/campus-resources/campus-security/daily-crime-log.php.
We acknowledge that RTC sits uninvited on the ancestral land of the Puget Salish people, including the Duwamish, Suquamish, Snoqualmie, Tulalip, and Muckleshoot Nations. We are grateful to the original inhabitants of this land, upon which we gather and dialogue. We also acknowledge our increasingly virtual world, in which RTC’s work is done across multiple indigenous lands, in some cases, away from Puget Salish territories. We thank the original caretakers of our local lands and waters, who are still here.
Beyond acknowledgment, we each have an obligation to learn about and support our local tribes. Find out how on our resources page, which includes scholarships for Indigenous students.
Salary
$67,572.37 - $86,932.28 Annually
Location
3000 NE 4th Street Renton, WA
Job Type
Classified
Job Number
26-P0013
Department
Student Services
Opening Date
11/05/2026
Closing Date
11/22/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Position
Renton Technical College (RTC) is seeking a Re-Entry Services Navigator! This position will provide high-touch navigation and support to justice-impacted individuals seeking to enroll and succeed at RTC. The Navigator serves as a primary point of contact during the transition to postsecondary education, helping prospective students navigate admissions, enrollment, career exploration, education planning, funding, and connections to campus and community resources.
The Re-Entry Services Navigator will collaborate with college departments, the Washington State Department of Corrections (DOC), facility education navigators, community corrections, and reentry partners to reduce barriers and support student persistence and completion. This includes providing ongoing case management and connections for enrolled students with academic advising and other college services to support progress toward credential completion. The position maintains accurate student records, tracks outcomes, and completes required reporting in support of grant objectives.
The Re-Entry Services Navigator is represented by the Renton Professional Technical Association (Prof-Tech) union. This is a full-time, classified, and overtime eligible position reporting to the Director of Entry Services. The pay range for this role is $67,572.37 - $86,932.28 annually. Salary placement will not exceed step 10 ($82,902.86). Additional information can be found on our benefits page and in the Collective Bargaining Agreement. The priority consideration date for this position is November 22, 2026. This position is grant funded through an ongoing partnership between the DOC and the State Board of Community & Technical Colleges, and is contingent upon continued funding.
Renton Technical College, located southeast of Seattle, has provided quality education in a variety of occupations for over 75 years. Our professional-technical certificate and degree programs offer entry and mid-level training in the areas of allied health, trades, and industry, culinary, business, technology, and automotive. Our outstanding college & career pathways program with classes in adult basic education, English as a second language, and GED preparation is available to those who need additional preparation before entering a training program and for those who simply wish to improve their math and English skills. Career Education and apprenticeships degrees round out our offerings.
Key Responsibilities / Essential Functions Include
Student Navigation and Support
- Provide comprehensive navigation services for prospective and enrolled justice-impacted students, supporting their transition from incarceration to postsecondary education and training.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for justice-impacted students and maintain regular communication to promote student engagement, persistence, retention, and program completion.
- Meet individually with students to identify goals, address barriers, and connect them with appropriate college and community resources.
- Support students through the admissions, onboarding, enrollment, funding, career exploration and educational pathway planning by facilitating connections to appropriate college departments and services.
- Connect students through warm handoffs and referrals to college and community resources, including advising, financial aid, workforce funding, accessibility services, counseling, housing, transportation, employment, recovery supports, and other basic-needs resources.
- Monitor student progress and provide ongoing encouragement, advocacy, and navigation support in collaboration with student supports throughout their educational journey.
DOC and Reentry Partnerships
- Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with DOC staff, community corrections, facility education navigators, reentry centers, and community-based organizations to coordinate referrals, address barriers, and strengthen education and employment pathways for justice-impacted students.
- Conduct outreach at correctional facilities and respond to referrals from DOC, facility education navigators, reentry centers, and community partners to engage prospective students before and after release and support successful transitions to college.
- Maintain regular participation in statewide navigator meetings, trainings, and collaborative initiatives to support student success and strengthen reentry education pathways.
Data Management, Documentation, and Reporting
- Maintain accurate and timely student records, case notes, service documentation, referrals, and outcome data in college and grant-required systems; track participant engagement, enrollment, persistence, progression, completion, and other required outcomes.
- Prepare required reports and documentation and support grant compliance, monitoring, evaluation, and continuous improvement activities.
Campus and Community Engagement
- Participate in college committees, student success initiatives, and professional development opportunities that support equity, access, and student success.
- Maintain current knowledge of college programs, student support services, workforce funding opportunities, and community resources available to justice-impacted students.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution preferably in education, social work, criminal justice, or a related field. A combination of relevant education and work experience of two years may be substituted for the education requirement.
- Two years of professional experience providing case management, resource navigation, or similar individualized support services.
- Experience helping individuals navigate postsecondary education processes, including admissions, enrollment, financial resources, educational planning, or student support services.
- Experience working effectively with diverse populations and a demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion, and culturally responsive service.
- Experience presenting information to groups of varying sizes, including the ability to effectively communicate with prospective students, community organizations, correctional facility audiences, and other partners.
- Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, with demonstrated tact, discretion, confidentiality, and ability to build trusting relationships, identify barriers, navigate complex systems, and connect individuals with appropriate resources and services.
- Strong organizational and technological skills, including the ability to maintain accurate records, manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and use standard computer applications and student information systems.
PREFERRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
- Experience working with the Washington State Department of Corrections, correctional institutions, community corrections, reentry programs, or related systems and organizations.
- Experience working in a technical college, community college, university, or other postsecondary institution.
- Knowledge of correctional systems, reentry processes, and the experiences and barriers faced by individuals transitioning from incarceration.
- Speaker of a language in addition to English; preference for top spoken languages in the RTC service area (Spanish, Vietnamese, Russian, Somali, Chinese).
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS, LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS:
- Valid driver’s license and insurance.
- Must meet the Washington State Department of Corrections requirements for entrance into DOC facilities.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Working hours are generally aligned to business hours, Monday – Friday. Occasional evening and weekend work is required. Work is mostly sedentary in nature, performed in an office environment. Frequent use of a computer and exposure to terminal screens is required. Work and meetings may take place across campus and at designated locations. May drive/travel to trainings, conferences, and/or college events. This is mostly an in-person/on-campus position; remote work may occur as business permits.
Terms of Employment
In the interest of providing a healthy, safe and secure educational and work environment, and in order to meet the requirements of federal legislation, it is the policy of Renton Technical College to maintain an alcohol and drug-free workplace for our employees and students.
The person hired is required to provide authorization for employment in the United States. All offers of employment are contingent to background checks, including employment and required degree/credential verification. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform successfully in the position. Finalists are required to complete the Sexual Misconduct Disclosure form as required under RCW 288.112.080. Post offer, pre-employment criminal background checks are also required.
For questions regarding this position contact recruiting@rtc.edu.
EEO STATEMENT: Renton Technical College provides equal opportunity in education and employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color national origin, age, perceived or actual physical or mental disability, pregnancy, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, creed, religion, honorably discharged veterans or military status, or use of a trained guide dog or service animal, as required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Sections 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act and ADA Amendment Act, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, the Violence Against Women Re-authorization Act and Washington State Law Against Discrimination, Chapter 49.60 RCW and their implementing regulations. The following college official has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies: Title IX / EEO Coordinator, Lesley Hogan, Vice President of Human Resources 3000 NE 4th Street Renton, WA 98056 (425)235-7873, titleix@rtc.edu.
Jeanne Clery statement: Notice of Availability of Annual Security and Fire Safety Report: In compliance with Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act of 1998, and as a part of the College's commitment to safety and security on campus, Renton Technical College reports the mandate information about current campus policies concerning safety and security issues, the required statistics, and other related information for the past three (3) calendar years. Renton Technical College's Annual Safety and Fire Report is available online at: https://rtc.edu/about-rtc/campus-resources/campus-security/annual-security-report.php. For information on how to access the RTC Daily Crime Log follow this link: https://rtc.edu/about-rtc/campus-resources/campus-security/daily-crime-log.php.
We acknowledge that RTC sits uninvited on the ancestral land of the Puget Salish people, including the Duwamish, Suquamish, Snoqualmie, Tulalip, and Muckleshoot Nations. We are grateful to the original inhabitants of this land, upon which we gather and dialogue. We also acknowledge our increasingly virtual world, in which RTC’s work is done across multiple indigenous lands, in some cases, away from Puget Salish territories. We thank the original caretakers of our local lands and waters, who are still here.
Beyond acknowledgment, we each have an obligation to learn about and support our local tribes. Find out how on our resources page, which includes scholarships for Indigenous students.
See all 285+ OPT Care Navigator Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Care Navigator Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Care Navigator
Verify your degree aligns with the role
Care Navigator positions typically require a degree in public health, social work, nursing, or healthcare administration. Confirm your specific degree field maps directly to the job description before applying, since this alignment is what qualifies the role as a specialty occupation.
Check if your program qualifies for STEM OPT
Some Care Navigator roles fall under health informatics or public health programs with STEM-designated CIP codes. If your degree qualifies, you may be eligible for a 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving employers more runway before needing to file an H-1B visa petition.
Target employers with H-1B sponsorship history
Large hospital systems, managed care organizations, and health insurance companies sponsor H-1B visas far more consistently than smaller clinics. Search DOL disclosure data to confirm which healthcare employers have an active sponsorship track record before investing time in applications.
Apply before your OPT end date with buffer time
H-1B petitions for cap-subject employers must be filed by April 1 for an October 1 start date. Count backward from your OPT expiration and confirm you have enough authorized work time to bridge the gap without a status lapse.
Highlight care coordination metrics in your application
Employers weighing sponsorship costs want to see measurable impact. Quantify outcomes like patient follow-up rates, hospital readmission reductions, or care plan adherence improvements. Concrete numbers make sponsorship conversations easier to justify internally with hiring managers.
Ask about sponsorship intent early in the process
Bring up OPT status and long-term sponsorship intent during or immediately after a first-round interview, not at the offer stage. Healthcare employers who have sponsored before will answer directly, saving you time if sponsorship is not part of their hiring model.
Care Navigator OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Care Navigator jobs qualify as specialty occupations for H-1B purposes?
Most Care Navigator roles qualify as specialty occupations when the position requires a specific bachelor's degree or higher in a field like public health, social work, nursing, or healthcare administration. Roles where any general degree satisfies the requirement are harder to support. Review the job description carefully and confirm the employer's HR or legal team has documented the degree requirement before accepting an offer with the expectation of H-1B sponsorship.
Can I work as a Care Navigator on post-completion OPT?
Yes, as long as the role is directly related to your degree field. A public health graduate working in care coordination for a hospital system is a clear match. A business administration graduate taking the same role may face scrutiny from USCIS if the connection to their degree is not well-documented. Keep records showing how your coursework and degree program relate to the care navigation responsibilities in your job description.
Where can I find Care Navigator jobs that sponsor OPT students?
Migrate Mate is the recommended place to search, since the platform filters specifically for employers open to sponsoring international students on OPT. Searching broadly on general job boards often surfaces listings where sponsorship eligibility is unclear or excluded. Using a platform built for OPT job seekers saves significant time and reduces the risk of pursuing roles with employers who will not sponsor.
What happens to my OPT authorization if I lose a Care Navigator job?
You have a 60-day grace period from the date your employment ends to find a new qualifying position, transfer to another visa status, or depart the United States. During this period you are not authorized to work. If you accept a new Care Navigator role within the 60 days, your OPT authorization resumes with the new employer. Report any employment changes promptly to your Designated School Official to keep your SEVIS record current.
Do nonprofit hospitals or government health agencies offer better sponsorship prospects for Care Navigators?
Cap-exempt employers, including certain nonprofit hospitals, academic medical centers, and government health agencies, can file H-1B petitions year-round without being subject to the annual lottery. For OPT students whose authorization expires before the October 1 cap-subject start date, a cap-exempt employer is often the most practical path. Confirm the specific employer's cap-exempt status with their HR team before assuming it applies.