Data Governance Specialist Jobs for OPT Students
Data Governance Specialist roles are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with backgrounds in information management, data analytics, or computer science. Most positions qualify as STEM OPT extensions, giving you up to 36 months of work authorization. Employers in finance, healthcare, and tech actively hire for these roles year-round.
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Location: Smithfield, RI Hybrid or Remote
The Data Governance Specialist plays a pivotal role in ensuring the integrity, quality, and security of organizational data assets. This position will collaborate with various teams across the organization to establish and enforce data governance policies, standards, and procedures. Responsibilities include identifying data quality issues, implementing data governance frameworks, and driving initiatives to improve data management practices. This role requires a strong understanding of data governance principles, excellent analytical skills, and the ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders at all levels.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Design, implement, and maintain data governance frameworks, policies, and procedures to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and organizational standards.
- Monitor and assess data quality issues, establish data quality metrics, and develop strategies to improve data accuracy, completeness, and consistency.
- Classify data assets based on sensitivity and criticality, establish metadata standards, and implement metadata management processes to enhance data discoverability and usability.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including IT, legal, compliance, and business units, to define data governance requirements, resolve data-related issues, and promote a culture of data stewardship.
- Ensure compliance with data privacy regulations (e.g., HIPAA) by implementing data access controls, encryption mechanisms, and data anonymization techniques to protect sensitive information.
- Evaluate, select, and implement data governance tools and technologies to support data governance initiatives, such as data cataloging, data lineage, and data quality monitoring.
- Generate and distribute regular reports on data governance activities, including data quality assessments, compliance audits, and remediation efforts, to senior management and stakeholders.
- Identify opportunities for process improvement, automation, and optimization of data governance workflows to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
- Other duties as assigned by Manager.
- Corporate Compliance Responsibility - As an essential function, responsible for complying with Neighborhood’s Corporate Compliance Program, Standards of Business Conduct, applicable contracts, laws, rules and regulations, policies, and procedures as it applies to individual job duties, the department, and the Company. This position must exercise due diligence to prevent, detect, and report unlawful and/or unethical conduct by fellow co-workers, professional affiliates and/or agents.
Qualifications
Required:
- Bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology, data management, or a related study, or equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience.
- Minimum of three (3) years of experience in data governance, data management, or related fields, with a deep understanding of data governance principles, practices, and methodologies.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to analyze complex data sets, identify trends, and recommend solutions to improve data quality and governance.
- Proficiency in data governance tools and technologies, such as data cataloging tools, metadata management platforms, and data quality tools (e.g., Spirion, MS Purview).
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to effectively collaborate with stakeholders at all levels, translate technical concepts into business terms, and influence decision-making processes.
- Knowledge of data privacy regulations (e.g., HIPAA) and experience implementing data privacy and security controls.
- Strong attention to detail, organizational skills, analytical and problem-solving skills, and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Preferred:
- Experience working in regulated industries (e.g., healthcare) with a focus on data governance and compliance.
- Familiarity with data management best practices, data modeling techniques, and data architecture principles.
Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island 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 or veteran status.

Location: Smithfield, RI Hybrid or Remote
The Data Governance Specialist plays a pivotal role in ensuring the integrity, quality, and security of organizational data assets. This position will collaborate with various teams across the organization to establish and enforce data governance policies, standards, and procedures. Responsibilities include identifying data quality issues, implementing data governance frameworks, and driving initiatives to improve data management practices. This role requires a strong understanding of data governance principles, excellent analytical skills, and the ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders at all levels.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Design, implement, and maintain data governance frameworks, policies, and procedures to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and organizational standards.
- Monitor and assess data quality issues, establish data quality metrics, and develop strategies to improve data accuracy, completeness, and consistency.
- Classify data assets based on sensitivity and criticality, establish metadata standards, and implement metadata management processes to enhance data discoverability and usability.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including IT, legal, compliance, and business units, to define data governance requirements, resolve data-related issues, and promote a culture of data stewardship.
- Ensure compliance with data privacy regulations (e.g., HIPAA) by implementing data access controls, encryption mechanisms, and data anonymization techniques to protect sensitive information.
- Evaluate, select, and implement data governance tools and technologies to support data governance initiatives, such as data cataloging, data lineage, and data quality monitoring.
- Generate and distribute regular reports on data governance activities, including data quality assessments, compliance audits, and remediation efforts, to senior management and stakeholders.
- Identify opportunities for process improvement, automation, and optimization of data governance workflows to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
- Other duties as assigned by Manager.
- Corporate Compliance Responsibility - As an essential function, responsible for complying with Neighborhood’s Corporate Compliance Program, Standards of Business Conduct, applicable contracts, laws, rules and regulations, policies, and procedures as it applies to individual job duties, the department, and the Company. This position must exercise due diligence to prevent, detect, and report unlawful and/or unethical conduct by fellow co-workers, professional affiliates and/or agents.
Qualifications
Required:
- Bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology, data management, or a related study, or equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience.
- Minimum of three (3) years of experience in data governance, data management, or related fields, with a deep understanding of data governance principles, practices, and methodologies.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to analyze complex data sets, identify trends, and recommend solutions to improve data quality and governance.
- Proficiency in data governance tools and technologies, such as data cataloging tools, metadata management platforms, and data quality tools (e.g., Spirion, MS Purview).
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to effectively collaborate with stakeholders at all levels, translate technical concepts into business terms, and influence decision-making processes.
- Knowledge of data privacy regulations (e.g., HIPAA) and experience implementing data privacy and security controls.
- Strong attention to detail, organizational skills, analytical and problem-solving skills, and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Preferred:
- Experience working in regulated industries (e.g., healthcare) with a focus on data governance and compliance.
- Familiarity with data management best practices, data modeling techniques, and data architecture principles.
Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island 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 or veteran status.
How to Get Visa Sponsorship as a Data Governance Specialist
Lead with your STEM OPT eligibility
Data Governance Specialist roles typically qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Mention your STEM-designated degree upfront in applications so employers know your work authorization extends well beyond standard OPT before they raise the question.
Target industries with established data compliance needs
Financial services, healthcare, and enterprise tech companies build entire governance teams to meet regulatory requirements. These industries hire data governance roles consistently and are more experienced managing OPT timelines than smaller startups without compliance infrastructure.
Align your degree to the job description explicitly
Data governance roles require a clear connection between your degree field and the position. Explicitly map your information systems, computer science, or statistics background to the job's metadata, data quality, or policy responsibilities in your resume and cover letter.
Highlight hands-on tools and frameworks
Employers prioritize candidates with practical experience in data cataloging tools, master data management platforms, or governance frameworks like DAMA-DMBOK. Listing specific tools you have worked with signals job-readiness and reduces perceived onboarding risk for OPT hires.
Apply early relative to your OPT start date
Data governance hiring often involves multiple interview rounds and cross-team coordination. Starting your job search at least three months before your OPT authorization begins gives employers enough lead time to complete hiring without feeling pressured by your timeline.
Address the E-Verify requirement proactively
STEM OPT employers are required to use E-Verify. Mentioning in your application that you understand this requirement and are prepared to complete E-Verify enrollment signals that you have done your research and removes a common administrative concern employers have with OPT hires.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Do Data Governance Specialist jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Most Data Governance Specialist roles qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension if your degree is in a STEM-designated field such as computer science, information systems, or statistics. The job must involve work directly related to your degree field. Your designated school official confirms eligibility when you apply for the extension through your university, so review your I-20 and degree designation early.
Which employers hire Data Governance Specialists on OPT?
Large financial institutions, health systems, insurance companies, and enterprise technology firms are among the most consistent employers for this role. These organizations maintain dedicated data governance teams to meet regulatory and compliance requirements, which means hiring is less discretionary than at smaller companies. Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically for OPT-friendly employers, so you can focus on roles where sponsorship is genuinely on the table.
How does the OPT cap-gap rule apply if I receive an H-1B petition while working as a Data Governance Specialist?
If your employer files an H-1B petition on your behalf before your OPT expires and the petition is selected in the lottery, cap-gap protection automatically extends your work authorization through September 30 of that year. You can continue working in your Data Governance Specialist role without interruption during this period. Keep copies of your OPT EAD, the H-1B receipt notice, and your current I-20 readily available.
What degree fields are considered relevant for a Data Governance Specialist position on OPT?
Computer science, management information systems, data science, statistics, and information management are the most commonly accepted degree fields for this role. Some employers also accept degrees in business analytics or library and information science when the applicant can demonstrate technical data skills. A clear connection between your coursework and the specific responsibilities listed in the job description strengthens both your application and your STEM OPT extension eligibility.
Can I switch employers as a Data Governance Specialist while on OPT?
Yes, but the new job must be directly related to your degree field and you must report the employer change to your DSO within 10 days. If you are on standard OPT, the new role must also be a minimum of 20 hours per week. On STEM OPT, the new employer must be enrolled in E-Verify and you must file a new I-983 training plan. Avoid gaps between positions, as extended unemployment can jeopardize your OPT status.
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