Compliance Investigator Jobs for OPT Students
Compliance Investigator roles are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with backgrounds in law, criminal justice, finance, or public policy. Most positions qualify as STEM-adjacent under business or social science degree categories, giving you up to 12 months of work authorization to build your compliance career in the U.S.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
It's fun to work in a company where people truly BELIEVE in what they're doing!
We're committed to bringing passion and customer focus to the business.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Compliance Specialist II works directly with a Compliance Manager to meet the requirements of the assigned regulatory area of the Compliance Management Program which includes researching, reviewing, and interpreting existing and pending laws and regulations. The Compliance Specialist II provides assistance to management in order to maintain a quality compliant culture.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Researches, reviews, and interprets existing and pending laws and regulations, which potentially affect the assigned regulatory area, such as CRA, HMDA, etc.
- Assists the compliance manager in establishing and modifying standards, policies, and procedures which affect compliance.
- Works directly with the Compliance Manager to meet the requirements of the Compliance Management Program, which includes associate training, conducting internal assessments, and board reports.
- Provides ongoing assistance and support to the compliance manager in administrative responsibilities.
- Assists management in new product development, systems, and procedures.
- Provides input relative to compliance and regulatory matters.
- Ensures that all departmental documents and activities are performed in compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures as applicable to this position, including completion of required compliance training.
- Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
SKILLS
- Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence and memos.
- Ability to read and interpret documents such as procedure manuals, general business correspondence and/or journals or government regulations.
- Ability to read, analyze and interpret financial report and/or legal documents.
- Ability to write simple-to-business correspondence, routine reports, and procedures.
- Ability to respond in writing to customer complaints, regulatory agencies or members of the business community.
EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE
- BS/BA Degree (4 year) from an accredited university/college or two to four years’ experience in equivalent compliance position, preferred.
- CRCM certificate or three years of experience in compliance assessments plus knowledge of CRA and Fair Lending regulations, preferred.
COMPUTER SKILLS
- MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
OTHER QUALIFICATIONS (including physical requirements)
- Must have good time management, communication, and organizational skills.
Equal Employment Opportunity Information: Simmons First National Corporation and its subsidiaries are committed to a policy of equal employment with respect to a person's race, color, religion, sex, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, covered veterans, military status, physical or mental disability or any other legally protected classifications.
INTRODUCTION
It's fun to work in a company where people truly BELIEVE in what they're doing!
We're committed to bringing passion and customer focus to the business.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Compliance Specialist II works directly with a Compliance Manager to meet the requirements of the assigned regulatory area of the Compliance Management Program which includes researching, reviewing, and interpreting existing and pending laws and regulations. The Compliance Specialist II provides assistance to management in order to maintain a quality compliant culture.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Researches, reviews, and interprets existing and pending laws and regulations, which potentially affect the assigned regulatory area, such as CRA, HMDA, etc.
- Assists the compliance manager in establishing and modifying standards, policies, and procedures which affect compliance.
- Works directly with the Compliance Manager to meet the requirements of the Compliance Management Program, which includes associate training, conducting internal assessments, and board reports.
- Provides ongoing assistance and support to the compliance manager in administrative responsibilities.
- Assists management in new product development, systems, and procedures.
- Provides input relative to compliance and regulatory matters.
- Ensures that all departmental documents and activities are performed in compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures as applicable to this position, including completion of required compliance training.
- Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
SKILLS
- Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence and memos.
- Ability to read and interpret documents such as procedure manuals, general business correspondence and/or journals or government regulations.
- Ability to read, analyze and interpret financial report and/or legal documents.
- Ability to write simple-to-business correspondence, routine reports, and procedures.
- Ability to respond in writing to customer complaints, regulatory agencies or members of the business community.
EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE
- BS/BA Degree (4 year) from an accredited university/college or two to four years’ experience in equivalent compliance position, preferred.
- CRCM certificate or three years of experience in compliance assessments plus knowledge of CRA and Fair Lending regulations, preferred.
COMPUTER SKILLS
- MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
OTHER QUALIFICATIONS (including physical requirements)
- Must have good time management, communication, and organizational skills.
Equal Employment Opportunity Information: Simmons First National Corporation and its subsidiaries are committed to a policy of equal employment with respect to a person's race, color, religion, sex, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, covered veterans, military status, physical or mental disability or any other legally protected classifications.
How to Get Visa Sponsorship in Compliance Investigator
Target regulated industries first
Financial services, healthcare, and government contracting firms hire compliance investigators at scale and are more accustomed to OPT work authorization. These employers have established HR processes for verifying EADs and are less likely to screen out international candidates early.
Lead with your EAD dates upfront
Compliance roles often require background checks and security clearance reviews that take weeks. Make your OPT end date and any STEM extension eligibility clear from the first conversation so hiring timelines can be planned around your authorization window without last-minute surprises.
Highlight regulatory knowledge from coursework
Employers hiring compliance investigators value familiarity with frameworks like AML, FCPA, or HIPAA. If your degree covered any of these areas, name them directly in your resume and cover letter. Specific regulatory knowledge reduces perceived risk for employers evaluating OPT candidates.
Pursue relevant certifications before applying
Certifications like the CAMS for anti-money laundering or CFE for fraud examination signal commitment and close experience gaps. Earning one before your job search strengthens your candidacy significantly, particularly when competing against candidates with more years of direct investigative work experience.
Clarify your STEM extension eligibility early
Compliance and investigations roles under CIP codes in business, finance, or social sciences may qualify for a 24-month STEM OPT extension. Confirm your degree's CIP code with your DSO before interviews so you can accurately communicate your full authorization period to prospective employers.
Focus applications on employers already sponsoring visas
Employers who have previously sponsored H-1B or other work visas are far more likely to hire OPT students and eventually support long-term status. Browse Migrate Mate to find compliance investigator roles at employers with a demonstrated history of international candidate sponsorship.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Do Compliance Investigator roles qualify for STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree's CIP code, not the job title itself. If your degree is in a STEM-designated field such as finance, statistics, or information systems, you may qualify for the 24-month extension. Compliance and investigations roles in financial crimes or data-driven risk management are increasingly classified under qualifying degree categories. Confirm your eligibility with your DSO before accepting an offer.
Will employers sponsor H-1B visas for Compliance Investigator positions?
Many compliance-heavy employers in banking, insurance, and healthcare do sponsor H-1B visas, though it varies by company size and hiring volume. Roles tied to ongoing regulatory requirements, such as AML investigations or fraud analysis, tend to have stronger sponsorship rates because the work is specialized and hard to backfill quickly. Migrate Mate filters for employers with sponsorship history so you can focus your search accordingly.
Can I work as a Compliance Investigator on post-completion OPT?
Yes, as long as the role is directly related to your degree field. Compliance investigation work typically connects to degrees in criminal justice, business, public administration, finance, or law. You'll need a valid EAD before your start date, and your employment must begin within the authorized OPT period. Your DSO can confirm whether a specific role qualifies as related employment under your program.
Are there security clearance requirements that affect OPT students in this role?
Some compliance investigator roles, particularly in government contracting or federal regulatory agencies, require security clearances that are generally not available to non-U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Private sector roles in financial services, healthcare, or corporate compliance rarely require clearances, making them more accessible for F-1 OPT students. Always check the job description for clearance requirements before applying to avoid wasted applications.
What degree backgrounds are strongest for Compliance Investigator roles on OPT?
Criminal justice, finance, accounting, public policy, and legal studies are the most common backgrounds hiring managers look for. Business analytics and data science degrees are increasingly valued as compliance work becomes more quantitative, particularly in financial crimes and fraud investigation. If your degree falls into one of these categories, your OPT employment authorization is straightforward to document, and your coursework directly supports the case for a qualifying role.
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