OPT Data Privacy Specialist Jobs
Data Privacy Specialist jobs are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with backgrounds in information systems, law, or computer science. Most roles qualify as STEM OPT-eligible under CIP codes tied to information assurance, giving you up to 36 months of authorized work experience in a rapidly growing compliance field.
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Get Access To All JobsLocation Address:
9521 San Mateo NE Albuquerque, NM 87113-2237
Compensation Pay Range:
Minimum Offer $65,520.00 Maximum Offer $111,612.80
Summary
Make an impact where privacy, trust, and healthcare come together.
We’re looking for a Privacy Analyst to support the day-to-day privacy activities of the organization and help protect sensitive information across the enterprise.
Working closely with the Privacy Officer and internal business partners, you’ll:
- Provide guidance on privacy and data security
- Help ensure compliance with state and federal privacy regulations
- Partner across departments to address privacy and operational concerns
- Review and manage highly sensitive and confidential information
- Apply sound judgment, professionalism, and discretion in situations that may involve corrective or disciplinary action
This role is ideal for someone who is detail-oriented, trusted with sensitive information, and passionate about protecting privacy in healthcare.
Type of Opportunity: Full time
Job Exempt: Yes
Job is based: Reverend Hugh Cooper Administrative Center
Work Shift: Days (United States of America)
Responsibilities:
- Assumes responsibility for the initial screening of complaints and triaging as appropriate of system-wide matters. Conducts thorough and comprehensive investigation of privacy violation allegations, including data gathering analyses, interviews, and report writing at the direction of the Privacy Officer. Provides support to the Privacy Officer in meeting federal and state reporting requirements, including breach notification and follow-up investigations.
- Acts as an integral member of the Privacy Office by mitigation of risk.
- Supports Privacy Office compliance operations, special projects, and privacy/security incident and complaint investigations.
- Assists in the assessment and investigation of reported privacy incidents.
- Manages multiple tasks and work streams simultaneously within the PHS environment.
- Coordinates with Human Resources and other departments, as needed, during the privacy investigation and breach notification processes.
- Assists the Privacy Officer in creating and ensuring an efficient and transparent investigative process is in place system wide for privacy matters.
- Assists in the areas of breach investigations, communication of audit findings, policy development, risk analysis and report preparation.
- Maintains a thorough and detailed tracking system for purposes of reporting and analysis.
- Continuously improves the methodology and policies and procedures to maintain appropriate documentation for all privacy investigation activities, including a detailed log of all allegations, information related to affected parties, investigation details, and breach risk assessments.
- Conducts monitoring audits and investigations with respect to electronic health record access. Follows-up and resolves any identified issues. Maintains associated documentation.
- Provides research and analysis as needed on privacy and data security matters.
- Effectively maintains collaborative working relationships to achieve increased satisfaction with, and participation in, the compliance and privacy program.
- Demonstrates strong analytical, organization, and professional skills.
- Coordinates with Legal, Human Resources, IT Security, Marketing, Health Information Management, and other departments, as needed, during privacy investigations and breach notification processes.
- Pursues and maintains a relevant privacy industry-recognized certification, (CIPP, CHC, etc.)
Qualifications
- Bachelors degree.
- Minimum of 3 years experience in the healthcare industry, including conducting privacy investigations and trainings.
- Health care privacy compliance experience preferred as well as solid understanding of HIPAA and state privacy and data security rule.
- Knowledge of HIPAA/HITECH, including breach notification protocol.
- Written, verbal and presentation skills.
- Proven analytical, organizational and problem-solving skills.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Training & Presentations: Experienced delivering both formal and informal group training, including developing training on privacy and HIPAA; comfortable presenting to diverse audiences.
- Privacy Reviews & Investigations: Conducts privacy reviews and investigations involving patient and other privacy concerns, including interviews and research.
- Analysis & Process Improvement: Analyzes processes, identifies improvement opportunities, and coordinates solutions that are effective and scalable.
- CHPC certified.
- MS Suite.
- Epic.
All benefits-eligible Presbyterian employees receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, short-term and long-term disability, group term life insurance and other optional voluntary benefits.
Wellness
Presbyterian's Employee Wellness rewards program is designed to provide you with engaging opportunities to enhance your health and activate your well-being. Earn gift cards and more by taking an active role in our personal well-being by participating in wellness activities like wellness challenges, webinars, preventive screening and more.
Why work at Presbyterian?
As an organization, we are committed to improving the health of our communities. From hosting growers' markets to partnering with local communities, Presbyterian is taking active steps to improve the health of New Mexicans.
About Presbyterian Healthcare Services
Presbyterian exists to improve the health of patients, members, and the communities we serve. We are locally owned, not-for-profit healthcare system of nine hospitals, a statewide health plan and a growing multi-specialty medical group. Founded in New Mexico in 1908, we are the state's largest private employer with nearly 14,000 employees - including more than 1600 providers and nearly 4,700 nurses.
Our health plan serves more than 580,000 members statewide and offers Medicare Advantage, Medicaid (Centennial Care) and Commercial health plans.
AA/EOE/VET/DISABLED. PHS is a drug-free and tobacco-free employer with smoke free campuses.
We're Determined to Support New Mexico's Well-Being | Presbyterian Healthcare Services
Location Address:
9521 San Mateo NE Albuquerque, NM 87113-2237
Compensation Pay Range:
Minimum Offer $65,520.00 Maximum Offer $111,612.80
Summary
Make an impact where privacy, trust, and healthcare come together.
We’re looking for a Privacy Analyst to support the day-to-day privacy activities of the organization and help protect sensitive information across the enterprise.
Working closely with the Privacy Officer and internal business partners, you’ll:
- Provide guidance on privacy and data security
- Help ensure compliance with state and federal privacy regulations
- Partner across departments to address privacy and operational concerns
- Review and manage highly sensitive and confidential information
- Apply sound judgment, professionalism, and discretion in situations that may involve corrective or disciplinary action
This role is ideal for someone who is detail-oriented, trusted with sensitive information, and passionate about protecting privacy in healthcare.
Type of Opportunity: Full time
Job Exempt: Yes
Job is based: Reverend Hugh Cooper Administrative Center
Work Shift: Days (United States of America)
Responsibilities:
- Assumes responsibility for the initial screening of complaints and triaging as appropriate of system-wide matters. Conducts thorough and comprehensive investigation of privacy violation allegations, including data gathering analyses, interviews, and report writing at the direction of the Privacy Officer. Provides support to the Privacy Officer in meeting federal and state reporting requirements, including breach notification and follow-up investigations.
- Acts as an integral member of the Privacy Office by mitigation of risk.
- Supports Privacy Office compliance operations, special projects, and privacy/security incident and complaint investigations.
- Assists in the assessment and investigation of reported privacy incidents.
- Manages multiple tasks and work streams simultaneously within the PHS environment.
- Coordinates with Human Resources and other departments, as needed, during the privacy investigation and breach notification processes.
- Assists the Privacy Officer in creating and ensuring an efficient and transparent investigative process is in place system wide for privacy matters.
- Assists in the areas of breach investigations, communication of audit findings, policy development, risk analysis and report preparation.
- Maintains a thorough and detailed tracking system for purposes of reporting and analysis.
- Continuously improves the methodology and policies and procedures to maintain appropriate documentation for all privacy investigation activities, including a detailed log of all allegations, information related to affected parties, investigation details, and breach risk assessments.
- Conducts monitoring audits and investigations with respect to electronic health record access. Follows-up and resolves any identified issues. Maintains associated documentation.
- Provides research and analysis as needed on privacy and data security matters.
- Effectively maintains collaborative working relationships to achieve increased satisfaction with, and participation in, the compliance and privacy program.
- Demonstrates strong analytical, organization, and professional skills.
- Coordinates with Legal, Human Resources, IT Security, Marketing, Health Information Management, and other departments, as needed, during privacy investigations and breach notification processes.
- Pursues and maintains a relevant privacy industry-recognized certification, (CIPP, CHC, etc.)
Qualifications
- Bachelors degree.
- Minimum of 3 years experience in the healthcare industry, including conducting privacy investigations and trainings.
- Health care privacy compliance experience preferred as well as solid understanding of HIPAA and state privacy and data security rule.
- Knowledge of HIPAA/HITECH, including breach notification protocol.
- Written, verbal and presentation skills.
- Proven analytical, organizational and problem-solving skills.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Training & Presentations: Experienced delivering both formal and informal group training, including developing training on privacy and HIPAA; comfortable presenting to diverse audiences.
- Privacy Reviews & Investigations: Conducts privacy reviews and investigations involving patient and other privacy concerns, including interviews and research.
- Analysis & Process Improvement: Analyzes processes, identifies improvement opportunities, and coordinates solutions that are effective and scalable.
- CHPC certified.
- MS Suite.
- Epic.
All benefits-eligible Presbyterian employees receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, short-term and long-term disability, group term life insurance and other optional voluntary benefits.
Wellness
Presbyterian's Employee Wellness rewards program is designed to provide you with engaging opportunities to enhance your health and activate your well-being. Earn gift cards and more by taking an active role in our personal well-being by participating in wellness activities like wellness challenges, webinars, preventive screening and more.
Why work at Presbyterian?
As an organization, we are committed to improving the health of our communities. From hosting growers' markets to partnering with local communities, Presbyterian is taking active steps to improve the health of New Mexicans.
About Presbyterian Healthcare Services
Presbyterian exists to improve the health of patients, members, and the communities we serve. We are locally owned, not-for-profit healthcare system of nine hospitals, a statewide health plan and a growing multi-specialty medical group. Founded in New Mexico in 1908, we are the state's largest private employer with nearly 14,000 employees - including more than 1600 providers and nearly 4,700 nurses.
Our health plan serves more than 580,000 members statewide and offers Medicare Advantage, Medicaid (Centennial Care) and Commercial health plans.
AA/EOE/VET/DISABLED. PHS is a drug-free and tobacco-free employer with smoke free campuses.
We're Determined to Support New Mexico's Well-Being | Presbyterian Healthcare Services
See all 45+ OPT Data Privacy Specialist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Data Privacy Specialist Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Data Privacy Specialist
Lead with your STEM OPT eligibility
Many hiring managers don't realize data privacy roles qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Mention your STEM-designated degree in your cover letter to immediately reduce concerns about your authorization timeline and distinguish yourself from other candidates.
Earn a recognized privacy certification
The CIPP/US or CIPM from the International Association of Privacy Professionals signals credibility to employers who may be unfamiliar with hiring OPT students. Certified candidates routinely move faster through hiring processes, especially at companies building out compliance functions for the first time.
Target companies with existing compliance infrastructure
Mid-to-large firms in healthcare, fintech, and SaaS already have HR processes for work-authorized employees and dedicated legal teams comfortable with OPT paperwork. Smaller startups often lack that infrastructure, making sponsorship conversations more difficult and unpredictable for international candidates.
Quantify your privacy impact in concrete terms
Hiring managers respond to measurable outcomes. Frame your experience around specifics: number of vendor assessments completed, data subject request workflows you built, or compliance gaps you identified. Concrete results shift the conversation away from visa status toward demonstrated value.
Understand your OPT reporting obligations before you start
Any change in employer, job title, or work location must be reported to your DSO within 10 days. Data privacy roles sometimes involve client-site work or consulting arrangements, so confirm with your DSO how to properly report those situations to stay compliant throughout your OPT period.
Position yourself for H-1B sponsorship early
Data privacy is classified as a specialty occupation under USCIS guidance, making it a viable path to H-1B visa sponsorship. Raise the sponsorship conversation during offer negotiations rather than after starting, so both you and the employer have time to prepare before the next H-1B registration window.
Data Privacy Specialist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Data Privacy Specialist roles qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
They often do, depending on your degree. If your F-1 degree is in a STEM-designated field such as information systems, computer science, or information assurance, you're eligible to apply for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving you up to 36 months of total work authorization. The job title alone doesn't determine eligibility, your CIP code does. Confirm with your DSO before applying.
Will employers hire a Data Privacy Specialist on OPT?
Yes. Data privacy is a specialized compliance function, and qualified candidates are in short supply. Employers in regulated industries like healthcare, financial services, and enterprise technology are particularly motivated to hire skilled candidates regardless of visa status. Focusing your search on companies with established legal and HR teams makes the process smoother. Migrate Mate filters specifically for OPT-friendly employers so you can skip the guesswork.
Is a Data Privacy Specialist role considered a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Yes. Data privacy roles typically require a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific field such as information systems, computer science, or law, which satisfies the specialty occupation standard USCIS applies to H-1B petitions. This means the job is a viable bridge from OPT to H-1B sponsorship. Discuss sponsorship intent with the employer during the offer stage so they can plan around the April registration window.
What degree backgrounds do employers look for in Data Privacy Specialist roles?
Most employers target candidates with degrees in information systems, computer science, business administration with a technology focus, or law. Some roles also accept public policy or data analytics backgrounds, particularly when paired with a CIPP/US certification. If your degree is in one of these fields and holds a STEM designation, you'll also be eligible for the 24-month STEM extension, which significantly strengthens your candidacy.
Can I work as a Data Privacy Specialist on OPT if the role involves contractor or consulting arrangements?
Your OPT authorization allows you to work for the employer listed with your DSO, but consulting or contractor arrangements can create complications. If the role involves placement at a third-party client site, that may need to be reported as a change in work location or employer. Before accepting any consulting-style role, clarify the employment structure with your DSO to ensure it complies with your OPT terms and avoid inadvertent status violations.