OPT Data Collection Specialist Jobs
Data Collection Specialist jobs are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with backgrounds in statistics, information systems, or social science. Most roles involve structured data gathering, quality control, and database management, skills developed directly in degree programs that qualify for the standard 12-month OPT period, with STEM OPT extension eligibility for qualifying majors.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
The data collection staff will assist the Department in its statutory responsibilities related to sex and violent offender registration.
DUTIES:
The data collection staff will assist the client in its statutory responsibilities related to sex and violent offender registration. Incumbent reports to the Sex and Violent Offender Registration and Victim Services Division of the client.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Research and collect court documents
- Analyze and interpret the documents collected
- Communicate with local and state law enforcement client
- Enter data into a designated web portal and data systems
- Perform related duties as assigned by client Staff
Job Requirements:
- Broad experience with data collection and data entry.
- Broad knowledge of the Indiana Criminal Code.
- Thorough knowledge of the client, as well as all levels of the Criminal Justice System.
- Experience and comfortability with court documents and legal jargon
- Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Strong organizational and time management skills.
- Ability to read and process data including information on crimes that is detailed, thorough, and contains sensitive material
- Ability to establish cooperative working relationships with client staff and external client staff.
DIFFICULTY OF WORK:
- Incumbent must be able to handle multiple, complex tasks and make good decisions based on his or her knowledge and understanding of each specific question and assignment.
- Incumbent must use multiple methods in accomplishing an end result or outcome of a particular task and must be timely and accurate in completion of all tasks.
- Incumbent’s work must be accurate. Consequences of inaccurate data include a negative public perception of the client and potential public safety risks to the communities.
- Incumbent works independently with work being reviewed on a periodic basis for accuracy, compliance with policy, and overall client goals.
PERSONAL WORK RELATIONSHIPS:
- Incumbent must maintain working relationships with all client personnel to discuss projects related to their needs.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor’s Degree required
Master’s Degree preferred
Equivalent work experience may also be considered
SKILL - REQUIRED / DESIRED AMOUNT OF EXPERIENCE
- Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal skills - Required
- Experience with Microsoft Office applications - Required
- Ability to maintain discretion when working with confidential information - Required
- Ability to establish cooperative working relationships - Required
- Bachelor's Degree - Required
- Familiar w/ criminal history records - Triple Is, probable cause affidavits, conviction/sentencing docs, presentence investigation reports, Court orders - Nice to have
- Research experience - Nice to have
VIVA is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants have an equal opportunity for placement, and all employees have an equal opportunity to develop on the job. This means that VIVA will not discriminate against any employee or qualified applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.
INTRODUCTION
The data collection staff will assist the Department in its statutory responsibilities related to sex and violent offender registration.
DUTIES:
The data collection staff will assist the client in its statutory responsibilities related to sex and violent offender registration. Incumbent reports to the Sex and Violent Offender Registration and Victim Services Division of the client.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Research and collect court documents
- Analyze and interpret the documents collected
- Communicate with local and state law enforcement client
- Enter data into a designated web portal and data systems
- Perform related duties as assigned by client Staff
Job Requirements:
- Broad experience with data collection and data entry.
- Broad knowledge of the Indiana Criminal Code.
- Thorough knowledge of the client, as well as all levels of the Criminal Justice System.
- Experience and comfortability with court documents and legal jargon
- Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Strong organizational and time management skills.
- Ability to read and process data including information on crimes that is detailed, thorough, and contains sensitive material
- Ability to establish cooperative working relationships with client staff and external client staff.
DIFFICULTY OF WORK:
- Incumbent must be able to handle multiple, complex tasks and make good decisions based on his or her knowledge and understanding of each specific question and assignment.
- Incumbent must use multiple methods in accomplishing an end result or outcome of a particular task and must be timely and accurate in completion of all tasks.
- Incumbent’s work must be accurate. Consequences of inaccurate data include a negative public perception of the client and potential public safety risks to the communities.
- Incumbent works independently with work being reviewed on a periodic basis for accuracy, compliance with policy, and overall client goals.
PERSONAL WORK RELATIONSHIPS:
- Incumbent must maintain working relationships with all client personnel to discuss projects related to their needs.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor’s Degree required
Master’s Degree preferred
Equivalent work experience may also be considered
SKILL - REQUIRED / DESIRED AMOUNT OF EXPERIENCE
- Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal skills - Required
- Experience with Microsoft Office applications - Required
- Ability to maintain discretion when working with confidential information - Required
- Ability to establish cooperative working relationships - Required
- Bachelor's Degree - Required
- Familiar w/ criminal history records - Triple Is, probable cause affidavits, conviction/sentencing docs, presentence investigation reports, Court orders - Nice to have
- Research experience - Nice to have
VIVA is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants have an equal opportunity for placement, and all employees have an equal opportunity to develop on the job. This means that VIVA will not discriminate against any employee or qualified applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Data Collection Specialist
Lead with your degree's direct relevance
Data collection roles typically require a degree in statistics, information systems, or a related field. Frame your coursework and thesis work explicitly around data methodologies to make the connection clear to hiring managers reviewing OPT candidates.
Clarify your OPT timeline upfront
Employers often misunderstand OPT duration. Be ready to explain that standard OPT provides 12 months of work authorization, and that STEM-eligible graduates in qualifying fields can extend to 36 months, giving employers a longer runway before any visa sponsorship decision.
Target research-heavy industries
Government contractors, healthcare research firms, market research companies, and academic institutions regularly hire data collection specialists and have established processes for employing OPT workers. These sectors are more familiar with F-1 work authorization than many private startups.
Highlight proficiency in data tools
Employers screening OPT candidates for data collection roles prioritize technical fit quickly. Listing hands-on experience with SQL, REDCap, Qualtrics, or Python data pipelines in your resume increases your chances of passing initial screening before visa status becomes a conversation.
Address STEM OPT extension eligibility clearly
If your degree is in computer science, information science, or applied statistics, confirm your CIP code qualifies for STEM OPT. Sharing this proactively removes a common employer concern about short authorization windows and strengthens your candidacy significantly.
Use Migrate Mate to find OPT-friendly employers
Browse Data Collection Specialist listings on Migrate Mate to identify employers who have sponsored OPT or visa candidates before. Focusing your search on companies with a proven sponsorship track record saves time and improves your offer conversion rate considerably.
Data Collection Specialist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can F-1 OPT students work as Data Collection Specialists?
Yes. Data Collection Specialist roles qualify under OPT as long as the work is directly related to your degree field. A position is considered directly related when it uses knowledge and skills from your major, such as statistical methods, research design, or database management. Your DSO can confirm the connection if you're unsure whether a specific role qualifies.
Do Data Collection Specialist jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
They can, depending on your degree's CIP code. If your degree is in fields such as computer science, applied mathematics, information science, or statistics, and your employer has an active E-Verify account, you're likely eligible to extend your OPT from 12 to 36 months. The role itself must also be directly related to your STEM degree, not just data-adjacent work.
How do I find Data Collection Specialist jobs that accept OPT students?
The most efficient approach is to focus on employers with a history of hiring OPT or visa-sponsored candidates. Migrate Mate curates Data Collection Specialist listings specifically for F-1 OPT students, making it straightforward to identify companies already familiar with F-1 work authorization. Research-focused organizations, federal contractors, and healthcare data firms tend to be the most receptive.
What happens if my OPT expires before the employer decides on H-1B sponsorship?
If you're on a STEM OPT extension, you have up to 36 months of work authorization, which typically covers at least two H-1B lottery cycles. If you're on standard 12-month OPT and your employer won't commit to sponsorship in time, options include applying for a cap-exempt position, exploring other nonimmigrant status through school re-enrollment, or considering visa categories your nationality may qualify for.
Is data collection considered a specialty occupation for H-1B sponsorship purposes?
It depends on the specific role and how it's defined by the employer. A Data Collection Specialist position that requires a bachelor's degree in a specific technical field, such as biostatistics or information systems, can qualify as a specialty occupation. Generic data entry or field interviewing roles that don't require a specific degree typically do not. The job description language matters significantly when USCIS evaluates the petition.