OPT Database Developer Jobs
Database Developer jobs are consistently among the most OPT-friendly roles in tech. Employers regularly sponsor H-1B visas for this position, and the role qualifies as a STEM occupation, giving you up to 36 months of OPT work authorization to secure long-term sponsorship.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
The Shepherd School of Music at Rice University is seeking a highly motivated and customer-focused individual to support the school’s ticketing and box office operations, including management of the Tessitura database. The position oversees all patron services activities in coordination with the Senior Director of Marketing and Communications, with the goal of building long-term, sustainable patron relationships and revenue.
The Shepherd School of Music hosts more than 400 performances each academic year and implemented its first ticketing software, Tessitura v16, in August 2023. The school’s 2026–2027 season includes approximately 25 ticketed performances, including reserved-seating and general-admission events. Pricing models range from free admission to standard single-ticket sales. Subscription packages and fundraising efforts are not currently managed through Tessitura.
The ideal candidate has exceptional ticketing setup and database-management expertise, particularly within a Tessitura environment. This individual should be a self-starter who enjoys both engaging with concertgoers and managing the daily operations of a small-scale box office. A positive, patient, friendly, organized, and detail-oriented professional will excel in this position.
Special Instructions to Applicants: All interested applicants should attach a cover letter and a resume, preferably in PDF format to avoid any formatting issues.
Please include detailed information about your experience with Tessitura and box office operations in your resume.
Workplace Requirements
This position is exclusively on-site, requiring all duties to be performed in person at the Shepherd School of Music. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change. This position requires evening and weekend hours, especially during the academic year, to manage box office operations during ticketed performances and events.
- Ability to sit or stand at a workstation for up to four hours at a time
Hiring Range
This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position, and the proposed salary is $70,647.48 - $80,000 annually, commensurate with experience and qualifications. Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
- Bachelor's degree
- In lieu of the education requirement, additional related experience above and beyond what is required may be substituted on an equivalent year-for-year basis
- 3+ years of experience using the Tessitura database in a ticketing management, box office, and patron services role.
- Required Tessitura knowledge includes: constituent record management, data hygiene, system tables, security, facility builds, price zones, production elements and performances, pricing, modes of sale, offer setup, TNEW, and advanced ticket-order processing.
Skills:
- Strong knowledge of Tessitura, primarily in ticketing and database management
- Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
- Demonstrated ability to make sound decisions that reinforce and strengthen patron relationships, often requiring a combination of sound business judgment and creative problem-solving
- Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines
- Strong attention to detail and the ability to review one's own work for accuracy
- Excellent planning, organizational, and analytical skills
- Demonstrated ability to manage financial, organizational, and staff resources
PREFERENCES
- At least five years of experience in ticket sales and customer service
- A passion for the performing arts
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Patron Services & Box Office Management
- Oversees all patron services and box office activities in coordination with the Senior Director of Marketing and Communications, with the goal of building long-term, sustainable patron relationships and revenue
- Develops and implements ticketing policies, procedures, and programs that encourage patron retention and loyalty at the Shepherd School
- Manages on-site box office operations for all Shepherd School performances
- Provides exceptional customer service for ticket buyers by professionally managing ticket ordering, processing, fulfillment, phone inquiries, email inquiries, and voicemail systems
- Recommends solutions and resolves patron issues while maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction in a prompt and courteous manner
- Works closely with Shepherd School leadership to manage donor and VIP ticket requests and departmental seat holds
- Serves as a collaborative partner in reviewing patron communications related to Shepherd School performances
- Prepares and reviews ticket-sales reports, ensuring accuracy and efficiency
Tessitura Database Management
- Independently manages all aspects of Tessitura administration, including season, event, pricing, and offer setup
- Serves as a resource to all Tessitura users by onboarding and training Shepherd School staff
- Creates and maintains processes and procedures that ensure data integrity
- Facilitates a bimonthly custom data import/export process between Tessitura and OwlConnect/Blackbaud, Rice University’s fundraising software
- Oversees compliance with applicable policies and regulations, including ADA-compliant ticketing practices and PCI compliance requirements
- Remains current on all Tessitura updates and enhancements, identifying opportunities to improve patron engagement and administrative efficiency
- Performs system and database upgrades and manages related Tessitura equipment, including ticket scanners, BOCA ticket printers, and EMV credit card devices
ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS
- Provides Tessitura expertise to support users in developing and executing lists, segmentations, output sets, and analytical dashboards
- Monitors sales activity and makes recommendations to the Senior Director of Marketing and Communications regarding revenue opportunities and inventory-management practices
- Manages complimentary-ticket processes for Shepherd School faculty, staff, and students, including communications and activity tracking
- Partners with the Marketing and Communications team to streamline and test the TNEW ticket-purchase process
- Assists the Marketing and Communications team in promoting Shepherd School performances and activities
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Rice University is committed to ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity and welcoming the fullness of diversity into our candidate pools. Rice considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status. Rice also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. If an applicant requires a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please contact Rice University’s Human Resources Office via email at facstaffada@rice.edu for support.
If you have any additional questions, please email us at jobs@rice.edu. Thank you for your interest in employment with Rice University.
INTRODUCTION
The Shepherd School of Music at Rice University is seeking a highly motivated and customer-focused individual to support the school’s ticketing and box office operations, including management of the Tessitura database. The position oversees all patron services activities in coordination with the Senior Director of Marketing and Communications, with the goal of building long-term, sustainable patron relationships and revenue.
The Shepherd School of Music hosts more than 400 performances each academic year and implemented its first ticketing software, Tessitura v16, in August 2023. The school’s 2026–2027 season includes approximately 25 ticketed performances, including reserved-seating and general-admission events. Pricing models range from free admission to standard single-ticket sales. Subscription packages and fundraising efforts are not currently managed through Tessitura.
The ideal candidate has exceptional ticketing setup and database-management expertise, particularly within a Tessitura environment. This individual should be a self-starter who enjoys both engaging with concertgoers and managing the daily operations of a small-scale box office. A positive, patient, friendly, organized, and detail-oriented professional will excel in this position.
Special Instructions to Applicants: All interested applicants should attach a cover letter and a resume, preferably in PDF format to avoid any formatting issues.
Please include detailed information about your experience with Tessitura and box office operations in your resume.
Workplace Requirements
This position is exclusively on-site, requiring all duties to be performed in person at the Shepherd School of Music. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change. This position requires evening and weekend hours, especially during the academic year, to manage box office operations during ticketed performances and events.
- Ability to sit or stand at a workstation for up to four hours at a time
Hiring Range
This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position, and the proposed salary is $70,647.48 - $80,000 annually, commensurate with experience and qualifications. Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
- Bachelor's degree
- In lieu of the education requirement, additional related experience above and beyond what is required may be substituted on an equivalent year-for-year basis
- 3+ years of experience using the Tessitura database in a ticketing management, box office, and patron services role.
- Required Tessitura knowledge includes: constituent record management, data hygiene, system tables, security, facility builds, price zones, production elements and performances, pricing, modes of sale, offer setup, TNEW, and advanced ticket-order processing.
Skills:
- Strong knowledge of Tessitura, primarily in ticketing and database management
- Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
- Demonstrated ability to make sound decisions that reinforce and strengthen patron relationships, often requiring a combination of sound business judgment and creative problem-solving
- Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines
- Strong attention to detail and the ability to review one's own work for accuracy
- Excellent planning, organizational, and analytical skills
- Demonstrated ability to manage financial, organizational, and staff resources
PREFERENCES
- At least five years of experience in ticket sales and customer service
- A passion for the performing arts
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Patron Services & Box Office Management
- Oversees all patron services and box office activities in coordination with the Senior Director of Marketing and Communications, with the goal of building long-term, sustainable patron relationships and revenue
- Develops and implements ticketing policies, procedures, and programs that encourage patron retention and loyalty at the Shepherd School
- Manages on-site box office operations for all Shepherd School performances
- Provides exceptional customer service for ticket buyers by professionally managing ticket ordering, processing, fulfillment, phone inquiries, email inquiries, and voicemail systems
- Recommends solutions and resolves patron issues while maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction in a prompt and courteous manner
- Works closely with Shepherd School leadership to manage donor and VIP ticket requests and departmental seat holds
- Serves as a collaborative partner in reviewing patron communications related to Shepherd School performances
- Prepares and reviews ticket-sales reports, ensuring accuracy and efficiency
Tessitura Database Management
- Independently manages all aspects of Tessitura administration, including season, event, pricing, and offer setup
- Serves as a resource to all Tessitura users by onboarding and training Shepherd School staff
- Creates and maintains processes and procedures that ensure data integrity
- Facilitates a bimonthly custom data import/export process between Tessitura and OwlConnect/Blackbaud, Rice University’s fundraising software
- Oversees compliance with applicable policies and regulations, including ADA-compliant ticketing practices and PCI compliance requirements
- Remains current on all Tessitura updates and enhancements, identifying opportunities to improve patron engagement and administrative efficiency
- Performs system and database upgrades and manages related Tessitura equipment, including ticket scanners, BOCA ticket printers, and EMV credit card devices
ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS
- Provides Tessitura expertise to support users in developing and executing lists, segmentations, output sets, and analytical dashboards
- Monitors sales activity and makes recommendations to the Senior Director of Marketing and Communications regarding revenue opportunities and inventory-management practices
- Manages complimentary-ticket processes for Shepherd School faculty, staff, and students, including communications and activity tracking
- Partners with the Marketing and Communications team to streamline and test the TNEW ticket-purchase process
- Assists the Marketing and Communications team in promoting Shepherd School performances and activities
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Rice University is committed to ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity and welcoming the fullness of diversity into our candidate pools. Rice considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status. Rice also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. If an applicant requires a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please contact Rice University’s Human Resources Office via email at facstaffada@rice.edu for support.
If you have any additional questions, please email us at jobs@rice.edu. Thank you for your interest in employment with Rice University.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Database Developer
Lead with your database specialization
Employers distinguish between SQL Server, Oracle, PostgreSQL, and cloud-native database developers. Naming your stack in your resume headline and summary signals immediate fit and reduces the friction employers feel about OPT sponsorship for a specialized hire.
Target companies with active data infrastructure investment
Organizations scaling their data warehouses, migrating to cloud databases, or building analytics platforms have genuine hiring urgency. That urgency makes sponsorship conversations easier than approaching employers without a clear, active database development need.
Highlight performance optimization work
Query tuning, index optimization, and stored procedure development are high-value skills that differentiate you from generalist developers. Quantify the impact wherever possible, such as reduced query run times or improved throughput, to strengthen your case for sponsorship.
Address your OPT timeline early in the process
Recruiters often screen out OPT candidates late in the process due to timeline surprises. Mentioning your STEM OPT end date and H-1B eligibility upfront saves time for both sides and shows you understand the sponsorship process.
Pursue employers with established H-1B filing histories
Companies that have sponsored database developers before have legal counsel, internal processes, and budget already in place. These employers move faster and more confidently through sponsorship than those sponsoring for the first time.
Build fluency in cloud database platforms
Proficiency in AWS RDS, Azure SQL Database, or Google Cloud Spanner significantly broadens your employer pool. Cloud migration projects create sustained database developer demand, and cloud skills are among the strongest signals for long-term sponsorship investment.
Database Developer OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Database Developer role qualify for STEM OPT extension?
Yes. Database Developer roles fall under CIP code classifications tied to Computer and Information Sciences, which qualifies for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Combined with your initial 12 months, you get up to 36 months of work authorization. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify and sign a formal training plan with your DSO.
How commonly do employers sponsor H-1B visas for Database Developer positions?
Database development is a well-established specialty occupation under H-1B criteria, and the role has a strong sponsorship history across financial services, healthcare, technology, and enterprise software companies. Employers building or maintaining large-scale data systems sponsor regularly because the technical requirements are specific enough to justify the petition. Searching Migrate Mate filters for roles that are actively open to OPT and H-1B candidates.
Can I work as a Database Developer on OPT if my degree is in a related field like Information Systems or Computer Engineering?
Yes. USCIS evaluates H-1B specialty occupation based on whether there is a direct relationship between your degree and the role, not whether the titles match exactly. Information Systems, Computer Engineering, and Software Engineering degrees all support Database Developer petitions. Your coursework in data modeling, SQL, or database management systems strengthens that connection and should be documented carefully.
What should I do if a Database Developer role does not explicitly mention visa sponsorship?
Many employers omit sponsorship language from job postings, particularly for technical roles where they expect to sponsor qualified candidates. It is reasonable to raise the question after the first interview when mutual interest is established. Framing it clearly, stating your authorization type, your STEM OPT end date, and your H-1B eligibility, removes ambiguity and helps employers make a fast decision.
Are contract or consulting Database Developer positions a viable option during OPT?
Contract roles through a staffing agency are permitted on OPT as long as the work directly relates to your degree and you maintain proper authorization. However, these positions rarely lead to H-1B sponsorship because the end client, not the staffing firm, typically drives hiring decisions. If long-term sponsorship is your goal, direct-hire roles at companies with active data teams are a more reliable path.