Data Collection Specialist Jobs for OPT Students
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.
See All Data Collection Specialist JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 17+ Data Collection Specialist jobs
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
See all 17+ Data Collection Specialist jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Data Collection Specialist roles.
Get Access To All JobsAbout us
Cyvl is a Boston-based tech startup revolutionizing the way civil engineering firms and governments map and manage transportation infrastructure. Our enterprise-grade hardware and software solutions leverage 3D mapping sensors to capture LiDAR, imagery, and GPS data, retrofitted to our customers' vehicles. This data is processed through our AI-powered cloud pipelines to generate actionable condition and geospatial reports, saving our customers time, money, and resources. We are in a phase of rapid growth, disrupting a massive and outdated market with our innovative solutions.
About the role
As a Field Data Collection Specialist, you’ll be assigned a portion of a city, collecting critical road data and troubleshooting the sensors that will help improve transportation systems across the country. All you need is a reliable car, some grit, and a love of the open road.
What you’ll do
- Collect data across partial city road networks with our imagery and lidar sensors
- Set up, operate, and troubleshoot our tech—we’ll teach you how.
- Document your work and keep everything running smoothly.
- Be the face of our mission as we revolutionize how cities manage their roads.
Qualifications
- Valid driver’s license
- Ability to regularly lift and move up to 30 pounds
- A reliable vehicle (you’ll get reimbursed for mileage).
- Basic tech confidence (we’ll train you on the tools).
- A clean driving record and a can-do attitude.
What we offer:
- Competitive pay
- Mileage reimbursement — we’ll cover the cost of gas and wear-and-tear.
If you're a results-driven individual with a passion for systems, then we want you to apply to join our team. At Cyvl, you'll have the opportunity to work on cutting-edge technology and make a meaningful impact on the world.
About us
Cyvl is a Boston-based tech startup revolutionizing the way civil engineering firms and governments map and manage transportation infrastructure. Our enterprise-grade hardware and software solutions leverage 3D mapping sensors to capture LiDAR, imagery, and GPS data, retrofitted to our customers' vehicles. This data is processed through our AI-powered cloud pipelines to generate actionable condition and geospatial reports, saving our customers time, money, and resources. We are in a phase of rapid growth, disrupting a massive and outdated market with our innovative solutions.
About the role
As a Field Data Collection Specialist, you’ll be assigned a portion of a city, collecting critical road data and troubleshooting the sensors that will help improve transportation systems across the country. All you need is a reliable car, some grit, and a love of the open road.
What you’ll do
- Collect data across partial city road networks with our imagery and lidar sensors
- Set up, operate, and troubleshoot our tech—we’ll teach you how.
- Document your work and keep everything running smoothly.
- Be the face of our mission as we revolutionize how cities manage their roads.
Qualifications
- Valid driver’s license
- Ability to regularly lift and move up to 30 pounds
- A reliable vehicle (you’ll get reimbursed for mileage).
- Basic tech confidence (we’ll train you on the tools).
- A clean driving record and a can-do attitude.
What we offer:
- Competitive pay
- Mileage reimbursement — we’ll cover the cost of gas and wear-and-tear.
If you're a results-driven individual with a passion for systems, then we want you to apply to join our team. At Cyvl, you'll have the opportunity to work on cutting-edge technology and make a meaningful impact on the world.
How to Get Visa 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 jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Data Collection Specialist JobsSee all 17+ Data Collection Specialist jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Data Collection Specialist roles.
Get Access To All JobsFrequently 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.
See which Data Collection Specialist employers are hiring and sponsoring visas right now.
Search Data Collection Specialist Jobs