OPT Contract Specialist Jobs
Contract Specialist jobs are consistently filled by employers who sponsor OPT work authorization, particularly in government contracting, defense, and procurement-heavy industries. Your F-1 OPT gives you 12 months of work authorization, with a 24-month STEM extension available if your degree is in a qualifying field like business analytics or supply chain management.
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Get Access To All JobsCompany Overview:
Acentra Health exists to empower better health outcomes through technology, services, and clinical expertise. Our mission is to innovate health solutions that deliver maximum value and impact.
Lead the Way is our rallying cry at Acentra Health. Think of it as an open invitation to embrace the mission of the company; to actively engage in problem-solving; and to take ownership of your work every day. Acentra Health offers you unparalleled opportunities. In fact, you have all you need to take charge of your career and accelerate better outcomes – making this a great time to join our team of passionate individuals dedicated to being a vital partner for health solutions in the public sector.
Job Summary and Responsibilities:
Acentra Health is looking for a Contract Performance & Compliance Specialist to join our growing team.
Job Summary:
The purpose of this position is to implement, monitor, and report on activities required for Contract Performance & Compliance projects, including the following:
-
Behavioral Health Provider Data. This includes enhancing mapping, collection, validation, analysis, and presentation of data on individuals served by the state’s behavioral health providers in accordance with evolving Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAMHSA) requirements.
-
This is a remote position based within the State of West Virginia. There may be occasional in-person requirements, including quarterly staff meetings and an initial in-person meeting at the Charleston office on the first day.
Responsibilities:
- Implement and maintain procedures for tracking, executing, and improving Behavioral Health Provider Data
- Read contracts, amendments, and RFPs to identify and track project deliverables
- Utilize and improve upon current project compliance processes
- Monitor contract compliance and performance of the projects to alert leadership of trends, risks, and opportunities
- Document and maintain process and access requirements for contract compliance tracking
- Lead the Acentra Health team on mapping, collection, validation, analysis, and presentation of data on individuals served by the state’s behavioral health providers in accordance with evolving Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAMHSA)
- Organize and facilitate meetings with internal and external project partners, document group decision-making, and track action items
- Read, understand, and adhere to all corporate policies including policies related to HIPAA and its Privacy and Security Rules
- Assist the Acentra Health team with other duties as assigned.
- Read, understand, and adhere to all corporate policies including policies related to HIPAA and its Privacy and Security Rules.
The list of accountabilities is not intended to be all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other education- and experience-related duties that management may deem necessary from time to time.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree
- 2+ years of experience in a related field (e.g., data collection, analysis, and reporting; conducting consumer surveys or focus groups; contract compliance, including monitoring quality and performance indicators; or experience providing behavioral health)
Preferred Qualifications
- Proficient in Microsoft Products, specifically Word, Excel, Teams, and SharePoint
- Experience in behavioral health or state government
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Experience organizing, conducting, and documenting team meetings
- Attention to detail skills
- Ability to work both independently and in a team setting
Why us?
We are a team of experienced and caring leaders, clinicians, pioneering technologists, and industry professionals who come together to redefine expectations for the healthcare industry. State and federal healthcare agencies, providers, and employers turn to us as their vital partner to ensure better healthcare and improve health outcomes. We do this through our people.
You will have meaningful work that genuinely improves people's lives across the country. We are a company that cares about our employees, and we give you the tools and encouragement you need to achieve the finest work of your career.
Benefits
Benefits are a key component of your rewards package. Our benefits are designed to provide you with additional protection, security, and support for both your career and your life away from work. Our benefits include comprehensive health plans, paid time off, retirement savings, corporate wellness, educational assistance, corporate discounts, and more.
Experience in Lieu of Degree
For non-clinical roles, or when not required by the contract specifically, the Company acknowledges that practical, hands-on experience can provide skills and competencies equivalent to formal education. As such, in cases where a Bachelor's degree may be required, the Company will accept a minimum of six (6) years of directly relevant professional experience in lieu of a degree. In instances where the candidate has an Associate's degree, the Company will accept a minimum of three (3) years of directly relevant professional experience in lieu of the Bachelor's degree.
Thank You!
We know your time is valuable and we thank you for applying for this position. Due to the high volume of applicants, only those who are chosen to advance in our interview process will be contacted. We sincerely appreciate your interest in Acentra Health and invite you to apply to future openings that may be of interest. Best of luck in your search!
~ The Acentra Health Talent Acquisition Team
EEO AA M/F/Vet/Disability
Acentra Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable Federal, State or Local law.
Compensation
The pay range for this position is listed below.
“Based on our compensation philosophy, an applicant’s position placement in the pay range will depend on various considerations, such as years of applicable experience and skill level.”
Pay Range: USD $50,880.00 - USD $63,600.00 /Yr.
Company Overview:
Acentra Health exists to empower better health outcomes through technology, services, and clinical expertise. Our mission is to innovate health solutions that deliver maximum value and impact.
Lead the Way is our rallying cry at Acentra Health. Think of it as an open invitation to embrace the mission of the company; to actively engage in problem-solving; and to take ownership of your work every day. Acentra Health offers you unparalleled opportunities. In fact, you have all you need to take charge of your career and accelerate better outcomes – making this a great time to join our team of passionate individuals dedicated to being a vital partner for health solutions in the public sector.
Job Summary and Responsibilities:
Acentra Health is looking for a Contract Performance & Compliance Specialist to join our growing team.
Job Summary:
The purpose of this position is to implement, monitor, and report on activities required for Contract Performance & Compliance projects, including the following:
-
Behavioral Health Provider Data. This includes enhancing mapping, collection, validation, analysis, and presentation of data on individuals served by the state’s behavioral health providers in accordance with evolving Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAMHSA) requirements.
-
This is a remote position based within the State of West Virginia. There may be occasional in-person requirements, including quarterly staff meetings and an initial in-person meeting at the Charleston office on the first day.
Responsibilities:
- Implement and maintain procedures for tracking, executing, and improving Behavioral Health Provider Data
- Read contracts, amendments, and RFPs to identify and track project deliverables
- Utilize and improve upon current project compliance processes
- Monitor contract compliance and performance of the projects to alert leadership of trends, risks, and opportunities
- Document and maintain process and access requirements for contract compliance tracking
- Lead the Acentra Health team on mapping, collection, validation, analysis, and presentation of data on individuals served by the state’s behavioral health providers in accordance with evolving Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAMHSA)
- Organize and facilitate meetings with internal and external project partners, document group decision-making, and track action items
- Read, understand, and adhere to all corporate policies including policies related to HIPAA and its Privacy and Security Rules
- Assist the Acentra Health team with other duties as assigned.
- Read, understand, and adhere to all corporate policies including policies related to HIPAA and its Privacy and Security Rules.
The list of accountabilities is not intended to be all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other education- and experience-related duties that management may deem necessary from time to time.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree
- 2+ years of experience in a related field (e.g., data collection, analysis, and reporting; conducting consumer surveys or focus groups; contract compliance, including monitoring quality and performance indicators; or experience providing behavioral health)
Preferred Qualifications
- Proficient in Microsoft Products, specifically Word, Excel, Teams, and SharePoint
- Experience in behavioral health or state government
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Experience organizing, conducting, and documenting team meetings
- Attention to detail skills
- Ability to work both independently and in a team setting
Why us?
We are a team of experienced and caring leaders, clinicians, pioneering technologists, and industry professionals who come together to redefine expectations for the healthcare industry. State and federal healthcare agencies, providers, and employers turn to us as their vital partner to ensure better healthcare and improve health outcomes. We do this through our people.
You will have meaningful work that genuinely improves people's lives across the country. We are a company that cares about our employees, and we give you the tools and encouragement you need to achieve the finest work of your career.
Benefits
Benefits are a key component of your rewards package. Our benefits are designed to provide you with additional protection, security, and support for both your career and your life away from work. Our benefits include comprehensive health plans, paid time off, retirement savings, corporate wellness, educational assistance, corporate discounts, and more.
Experience in Lieu of Degree
For non-clinical roles, or when not required by the contract specifically, the Company acknowledges that practical, hands-on experience can provide skills and competencies equivalent to formal education. As such, in cases where a Bachelor's degree may be required, the Company will accept a minimum of six (6) years of directly relevant professional experience in lieu of a degree. In instances where the candidate has an Associate's degree, the Company will accept a minimum of three (3) years of directly relevant professional experience in lieu of the Bachelor's degree.
Thank You!
We know your time is valuable and we thank you for applying for this position. Due to the high volume of applicants, only those who are chosen to advance in our interview process will be contacted. We sincerely appreciate your interest in Acentra Health and invite you to apply to future openings that may be of interest. Best of luck in your search!
~ The Acentra Health Talent Acquisition Team
EEO AA M/F/Vet/Disability
Acentra Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable Federal, State or Local law.
Compensation
The pay range for this position is listed below.
“Based on our compensation philosophy, an applicant’s position placement in the pay range will depend on various considerations, such as years of applicable experience and skill level.”
Pay Range: USD $50,880.00 - USD $63,600.00 /Yr.
See all 211+ OPT Contract Specialist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Contract Specialist Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Contract Specialist
Target federal contractors and defense firms first
Government contractors like prime defense and aerospace firms hire Contract Specialists regularly and are accustomed to sponsoring work visas. These employers often have dedicated HR processes for OPT and H-1B visa transitions, making them more receptive than smaller private companies.
Highlight your FAR and contract lifecycle knowledge
Employers screening Contract Specialist candidates look for familiarity with the Federal Acquisition Regulation and end-to-end contract management. Demonstrating this knowledge in your resume and interviews signals you can contribute immediately, which reduces hesitation around OPT work authorization timelines.
Get a Certified Federal Contracts Manager designation
The CFCM credential from NCMA is widely recognized in government contracting and demonstrates serious professional commitment. Candidates with certifications are viewed as long-term investments, which directly improves an employer's willingness to sponsor OPT and eventually H-1B status.
Apply before your OPT start date, not after
Many Contract Specialist roles require immediate availability. Starting your job search three to four months before your OPT begins gives employers time to complete onboarding paperwork and ensures your authorization is active before your official start date.
Address sponsorship directly in your cover letter
Don't leave employers guessing about your work authorization status. A brief, confident sentence clarifying that you're authorized under OPT and eligible for H-1B sponsorship removes uncertainty early and prevents your application from being filtered out during initial screening.
Emphasize procurement software proficiency
Employers hiring Contract Specialists expect hands-on experience with tools like SAP Ariba, Coupa, or similar contract management platforms. Listing specific systems on your resume demonstrates technical readiness and makes your application competitive regardless of your OPT authorization status.
Contract Specialist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Contract Specialist on F-1 OPT?
Yes. Contract Specialist roles qualify for F-1 OPT as long as the work is directly related to your degree field. Business, finance, supply chain, and public administration degrees are the most common qualifying backgrounds. You have 12 months of authorization, with a 24-month STEM extension available if your degree falls under an approved STEM CIP code.
Do Contract Specialist employers typically sponsor H-1B visas?
Government contractors and large procurement organizations sponsor H-1B visas with regularity because Contract Specialists are in sustained demand and turnover is costly. Smaller commercial firms are less predictable. When browsing roles on Migrate Mate, you can filter specifically for employers with a documented history of sponsoring work visas, which saves significant time in your search.
Does a Contract Specialist role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Contract Specialist positions generally qualify as specialty occupations when they require a bachelor's degree in a specific field like business administration, finance, or supply chain management. Roles that accept any degree regardless of field can face USCIS scrutiny. When evaluating an offer, review the job description carefully to confirm the degree requirement is field-specific, not general.
What degree fields support OPT eligibility for Contract Specialist jobs?
Business administration, supply chain management, finance, public administration, and contract management degrees are the most commonly accepted fields. Some employers also accept degrees in economics or legal studies. Your OPT employment must be directly related to your degree, so the connection between your field of study and the role's core responsibilities should be clear and documentable.
How competitive is the job market for Contract Specialists on OPT?
Demand is strong, particularly in federal contracting hubs like the Washington D.C. metro area, San Antonio, and Huntsville. Competition increases at large defense contractors during peak hiring cycles. OPT candidates with procurement certifications or prior internship experience in government contracting tend to move through hiring processes faster than those without specialized credentials.