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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Founded in 1965, UC Irvine is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities and is ranked among the nation’s top 10 public universities by U.S. News & World Report. The campus has produced five Nobel laureates and is known for its academic achievement, premier research, innovation and anteater mascot. Led by Chancellor Howard Gillman, UC Irvine has more than 36,000 students and offers 224 degree programs. It’s located in one of the world’s safest and most economically vibrant communities and is Orange County’s second-largest employer, contributing $7 billion annually to the local economy and $8 billion statewide.
The School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences houses the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Department of Clinical Pharmacy Practice. The unit offers B.S. in Pharmaceutical Sciences, M.S. in Pharmacology, Ph.D. in Pharmacological Sciences, and Pharm.D.
Responsibilities:
Under general supervision, the incumbent is responsible for the financial and administrative management of extramural and intramural funds that support various research, operations, and instructional programs within the school. Works with faculty and finance team on contracts and grants proposals and post-award management; provides financial analysis and reports. Develops research proposals, awards and/or transactions related to contract and grant management and maintains contract and grant records in compliance with institutional and research sponsor policies. Works on proposals of moderate scope where analysis of financial information or reports requires review of a variety of factors (e.g. budgets, salaries, expenses, etc.). Fully analyzes problems, gathers data and information, and recommends solutions.
QUALIFICATIONS
Required:
- Ability to perform effectively under conditions of fluctuating workload.
- Ability to work efficiently and effectively under stress and with many interruptions, with conflicting deadlines.
- Analytical and problem-solving skills with ability to identify problems and recommend solutions and contingency plans.
- Strong organizational and time management skills and ability to prioritize workload and possess the flexibility to shift priorities to meet deadlines.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality in all business matters.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills and effective listening skills to independently analyze issues and present information and recommendations concisely, work effectively with people with diverse backgrounds.
- Ability to keep accurate and complete records, paying attention to detail and records retention requirements.
- Initiative and ability to work independently, cooperatively, and as part of a team.
- Ability to perform moderately complex financial analysis and customized reporting.
- Demonstrated competence in the use of spreadsheet and database software in financial analysis, fiscal management, and financial reports.
- Knowledge of federal, state and University regulations related to contracts and grants administration, including Uniform Guidance. Knowledge of grant funding processes, procedures and techniques.
- Working knowledge of University of California policies and procedures as they relate to general accounting, travel, contracts & grants, sales and service activities, equipment management, and gift administration.
- Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training.
- 1-3+ years of experience.
Preferred:
- Experience using Excel and campus financial systems, including KFS, KC and Data Warehouse.
TOTAL REWARDS:
In addition to the salary range listed below, we offer a wealth of benefits to make working at UCI even more rewarding. These benefits may include medical insurance, sick and vacation time, retirement savings plans, and access to a number of discounts and perks. Please utilize the links listed here to learn more about our compensation practices and benefits.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
The University of California, Irvine (UCI) seeks to provide a safe and healthy environment for the entire UCI community. As part of this commitment, all applicants who accept an offer of employment must comply with the following conditions of employment:
- Background Check and Live Scan
- Employment Misconduct
- Legal Right to work in the United States
- Vaccination Policies
- Smoking and Tobacco Policy
- Drug Free Environment
- Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.
The following additional conditions may apply, some of which are dependent upon business unit or job specific requirements:
- California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act
- E-Verify
- Pre-Placement Health Evaluation
Details of each policy may be reviewed by visiting the following page - https://hr.uci.edu/new-hire/conditions-of-employment.php
CLOSING STATEMENT:
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.
We are committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce along with honoring unique experiences, perspectives, and identities. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable, and welcoming.
UCI provides reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities upon request. For more information, please contact Human Resources at (949) 824-0500 or eec@uci.edu.
Overview:
Founded in 1965, UC Irvine is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities and is ranked among the nation’s top 10 public universities by U.S. News & World Report. The campus has produced five Nobel laureates and is known for its academic achievement, premier research, innovation and anteater mascot. Led by Chancellor Howard Gillman, UC Irvine has more than 36,000 students and offers 224 degree programs. It’s located in one of the world’s safest and most economically vibrant communities and is Orange County’s second-largest employer, contributing $7 billion annually to the local economy and $8 billion statewide.
The School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences houses the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Department of Clinical Pharmacy Practice. The unit offers B.S. in Pharmaceutical Sciences, M.S. in Pharmacology, Ph.D. in Pharmacological Sciences, and Pharm.D.
Responsibilities:
Under general supervision, the incumbent is responsible for the financial and administrative management of extramural and intramural funds that support various research, operations, and instructional programs within the school. Works with faculty and finance team on contracts and grants proposals and post-award management; provides financial analysis and reports. Develops research proposals, awards and/or transactions related to contract and grant management and maintains contract and grant records in compliance with institutional and research sponsor policies. Works on proposals of moderate scope where analysis of financial information or reports requires review of a variety of factors (e.g. budgets, salaries, expenses, etc.). Fully analyzes problems, gathers data and information, and recommends solutions.
QUALIFICATIONS
Required:
- Ability to perform effectively under conditions of fluctuating workload.
- Ability to work efficiently and effectively under stress and with many interruptions, with conflicting deadlines.
- Analytical and problem-solving skills with ability to identify problems and recommend solutions and contingency plans.
- Strong organizational and time management skills and ability to prioritize workload and possess the flexibility to shift priorities to meet deadlines.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality in all business matters.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills and effective listening skills to independently analyze issues and present information and recommendations concisely, work effectively with people with diverse backgrounds.
- Ability to keep accurate and complete records, paying attention to detail and records retention requirements.
- Initiative and ability to work independently, cooperatively, and as part of a team.
- Ability to perform moderately complex financial analysis and customized reporting.
- Demonstrated competence in the use of spreadsheet and database software in financial analysis, fiscal management, and financial reports.
- Knowledge of federal, state and University regulations related to contracts and grants administration, including Uniform Guidance. Knowledge of grant funding processes, procedures and techniques.
- Working knowledge of University of California policies and procedures as they relate to general accounting, travel, contracts & grants, sales and service activities, equipment management, and gift administration.
- Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training.
- 1-3+ years of experience.
Preferred:
- Experience using Excel and campus financial systems, including KFS, KC and Data Warehouse.
TOTAL REWARDS:
In addition to the salary range listed below, we offer a wealth of benefits to make working at UCI even more rewarding. These benefits may include medical insurance, sick and vacation time, retirement savings plans, and access to a number of discounts and perks. Please utilize the links listed here to learn more about our compensation practices and benefits.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
The University of California, Irvine (UCI) seeks to provide a safe and healthy environment for the entire UCI community. As part of this commitment, all applicants who accept an offer of employment must comply with the following conditions of employment:
- Background Check and Live Scan
- Employment Misconduct
- Legal Right to work in the United States
- Vaccination Policies
- Smoking and Tobacco Policy
- Drug Free Environment
- Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.
The following additional conditions may apply, some of which are dependent upon business unit or job specific requirements:
- California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act
- E-Verify
- Pre-Placement Health Evaluation
Details of each policy may be reviewed by visiting the following page - https://hr.uci.edu/new-hire/conditions-of-employment.php
CLOSING STATEMENT:
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.
We are committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce along with honoring unique experiences, perspectives, and identities. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable, and welcoming.
UCI provides reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities upon request. For more information, please contact Human Resources at (949) 824-0500 or eec@uci.edu.
See all 181+ 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.