OPT Employee Relations Specialist Jobs
Employee Relations Specialist roles on OPT require strong interpersonal and HR compliance knowledge, making them a solid fit for students with degrees in human resources, labor relations, or business. Most positions qualify as specialty occupations under H-1B visa standards, which strengthens your path from OPT to long-term sponsorship.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
DriveTime Family of Brands is the largest privately owned used car sales finance & servicing company in the nation. Headquartered in Tempe, Arizona and Dallas, Texas, we create opportunities and improve the lives of our customers and our employees by placing a focus on putting the right customer, in the right vehicle, on the right terms and on their path to ownership.
The DriveTime Family of Brands spans across DriveTime, Bridgecrest and SilverRock. You can find us at the intersection of technology and innovation as we use our proprietary tools and over two decades of industry knowledge to redefine the process of purchasing, financing, and protecting your vehicle.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
In short, as an Employee Relations Specialist (Talent Support Specialist) you will be an integral part of the Talent Support Team by supporting DriveTime’s managers and employees in maintaining a consistent, fair and engaging company culture.
Our Employee Relations Specialist (Talent Support Specialist) is responsible for:
- Advising leadership on company policies and practices to ensure our core principles are upheld through consistency, fairness and a “doing the right thing” mentality while balancing business and employee needs
- Partnering directly with managers across all departments to guide performance management conversations, address employee concerns, and support internal reviews with a thoughtful, fair, and people-first approach
- Managing the company’s Speak Up line to assist employees with workplace suggestions, challenges and questions
- Receiving and fielding phone calls and email tickets related to Talent Support from management and employees
- Partnering with appropriate parties on Talent Support related issues: IE: Leave, Legal, Benefits, etc.
- Prioritizing Talent Support projects while meeting specific deadlines
- Performing other related duties as required and assigned
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Must have a minimum of 2 years HR professional experience in Employee Relations
- Bachelor's degree in Human Resources or related field
- Intermediate Microsoft Office Suite skills (Excel, Access, Word, etc.)
- Preferable but not mandatory to have knowledge in HRIS platforms such as Workday
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
So What About the Perks? Perks matter
- We take a hybrid work approach, finding balance between the benefits of in-person and work-from-home environments. This position has an on-site expectation of a minimum of four days a week.
- Medical, dental, and vision, oh my! DriveTime Family of Brands covers a sizable amount of insurance premiums to ensure our employees receive top-tier healthcare coverage.
- But Wait, There’s More. 401(K), Company paid life insurance policy, short and long-term disability coverage to name a few.
- Growth Opportunities. You grow, I grow, we all grow! But seriously, DriveTime Family of Brands is committed to providing its employees with every opportunity to grow professionally with roughly over 1,000 employees promoted year over year.
- Tuition Reimbursement. We’re as passionate about your professional development as you are. With that, we’ll put our money where our mouth is.
- Wellness Program. Health is wealth! This program includes self-guided coaching and journeys, cash incentives and discounts on your medical premiums through engaging in fun activities!
- Gratitude is Green. We offer competitive pay across the organization, because, well… money matters!
- In-House Gym. We want our employees to be the best versions of themselves. So come early, take a break in your day or finish strong with a workout!
- Give Us a Reason (or not), and We’ll Celebrate. Regardless of whether there is a holiday or not, we are finding ways to kick back and enjoy each other’s company outside of day-to-day work.
- Smart-Casual Dress. Come dressed in jeans (you’ll fit right in with the rest of us).
- Paid Time Off. Not just lip service: we work hard, to play hard! Paid time off includes (for all full-time roles) wellness days, holidays, and good ole' fashioned YOU time! For our Part-timers, don't fear you get some time too...vacation time is available - the more you work, the more you earn!
ANYTHING ELSE?
DriveTime Family of Brands is Great Place to Work Certified! And get this: 90% of our rockstar employees say they feel right at home here. We could spend a lot of time having you read about ALL our awards, but we’ll save time (and practice some humility) just naming a few others; Comparably Awards: Best Company for Diversity, Best Company Culture and Best Company Leadership, oh and don’t forget Phoenix Business Journal Healthiest Employers (okay, we’ll stop there)!
Hiring is contingent upon successful completion of our background and drug screening process. DriveTime is a drug-free, tobacco-free workplace and an Equal Opportunity Employer.
And when it comes to hiring, we don't just look for the right person for the job, we seek out the right person for DriveTime. Buckle up for plenty of opportunities to grow in a professional, fun, and high-energy environment!
INTRODUCTION
DriveTime Family of Brands is the largest privately owned used car sales finance & servicing company in the nation. Headquartered in Tempe, Arizona and Dallas, Texas, we create opportunities and improve the lives of our customers and our employees by placing a focus on putting the right customer, in the right vehicle, on the right terms and on their path to ownership.
The DriveTime Family of Brands spans across DriveTime, Bridgecrest and SilverRock. You can find us at the intersection of technology and innovation as we use our proprietary tools and over two decades of industry knowledge to redefine the process of purchasing, financing, and protecting your vehicle.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
In short, as an Employee Relations Specialist (Talent Support Specialist) you will be an integral part of the Talent Support Team by supporting DriveTime’s managers and employees in maintaining a consistent, fair and engaging company culture.
Our Employee Relations Specialist (Talent Support Specialist) is responsible for:
- Advising leadership on company policies and practices to ensure our core principles are upheld through consistency, fairness and a “doing the right thing” mentality while balancing business and employee needs
- Partnering directly with managers across all departments to guide performance management conversations, address employee concerns, and support internal reviews with a thoughtful, fair, and people-first approach
- Managing the company’s Speak Up line to assist employees with workplace suggestions, challenges and questions
- Receiving and fielding phone calls and email tickets related to Talent Support from management and employees
- Partnering with appropriate parties on Talent Support related issues: IE: Leave, Legal, Benefits, etc.
- Prioritizing Talent Support projects while meeting specific deadlines
- Performing other related duties as required and assigned
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Must have a minimum of 2 years HR professional experience in Employee Relations
- Bachelor's degree in Human Resources or related field
- Intermediate Microsoft Office Suite skills (Excel, Access, Word, etc.)
- Preferable but not mandatory to have knowledge in HRIS platforms such as Workday
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
So What About the Perks? Perks matter
- We take a hybrid work approach, finding balance between the benefits of in-person and work-from-home environments. This position has an on-site expectation of a minimum of four days a week.
- Medical, dental, and vision, oh my! DriveTime Family of Brands covers a sizable amount of insurance premiums to ensure our employees receive top-tier healthcare coverage.
- But Wait, There’s More. 401(K), Company paid life insurance policy, short and long-term disability coverage to name a few.
- Growth Opportunities. You grow, I grow, we all grow! But seriously, DriveTime Family of Brands is committed to providing its employees with every opportunity to grow professionally with roughly over 1,000 employees promoted year over year.
- Tuition Reimbursement. We’re as passionate about your professional development as you are. With that, we’ll put our money where our mouth is.
- Wellness Program. Health is wealth! This program includes self-guided coaching and journeys, cash incentives and discounts on your medical premiums through engaging in fun activities!
- Gratitude is Green. We offer competitive pay across the organization, because, well… money matters!
- In-House Gym. We want our employees to be the best versions of themselves. So come early, take a break in your day or finish strong with a workout!
- Give Us a Reason (or not), and We’ll Celebrate. Regardless of whether there is a holiday or not, we are finding ways to kick back and enjoy each other’s company outside of day-to-day work.
- Smart-Casual Dress. Come dressed in jeans (you’ll fit right in with the rest of us).
- Paid Time Off. Not just lip service: we work hard, to play hard! Paid time off includes (for all full-time roles) wellness days, holidays, and good ole' fashioned YOU time! For our Part-timers, don't fear you get some time too...vacation time is available - the more you work, the more you earn!
ANYTHING ELSE?
DriveTime Family of Brands is Great Place to Work Certified! And get this: 90% of our rockstar employees say they feel right at home here. We could spend a lot of time having you read about ALL our awards, but we’ll save time (and practice some humility) just naming a few others; Comparably Awards: Best Company for Diversity, Best Company Culture and Best Company Leadership, oh and don’t forget Phoenix Business Journal Healthiest Employers (okay, we’ll stop there)!
Hiring is contingent upon successful completion of our background and drug screening process. DriveTime is a drug-free, tobacco-free workplace and an Equal Opportunity Employer.
And when it comes to hiring, we don't just look for the right person for the job, we seek out the right person for DriveTime. Buckle up for plenty of opportunities to grow in a professional, fun, and high-energy environment!
See all 44+ OPT Employee Relations Specialist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Employee Relations Specialist Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as an Employee Relations Specialist
Target companies with active HR departments
Mid-size and large employers with dedicated HR teams are far more likely to sponsor than small businesses. Companies with formal employee relations functions have existing immigration infrastructure and understand the OPT-to-H-1B visa transition process.
Frame your degree as the qualifying credential
Employee Relations Specialist roles typically require a degree in human resources, industrial relations, or organizational behavior. Lead with your field of study when applying, since specialty occupation status depends on a direct connection between your degree and the role.
Document your STEM or non-STEM OPT timeline early
Standard OPT gives you 12 months. If your degree is not STEM-designated, plan your H-1B filing window carefully since you have less buffer time. Knowing your exact OPT end date shapes which roles and employers are realistic targets.
Ask about sponsorship history before your first interview
Research whether a company has sponsored H-1B petitions in the past. Employers familiar with the process are more likely to commit to future sponsorship. This also signals that you are serious and prepared, which builds employer confidence early.
Highlight labor law compliance experience in applications
Employee relations roles involve NLRA compliance, grievance handling, and workplace investigations. Demonstrating hands-on exposure to these areas, even through internships or coursework, strengthens your case as a specialist-level candidate worth sponsoring.
Use Migrate Mate to find OPT-friendly ER roles
Migrate Mate surfaces Employee Relations Specialist jobs from employers open to sponsoring international candidates. Filtering by OPT-friendly companies saves time and keeps your search focused on realistic opportunities before your authorization window closes.
Employee Relations Specialist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does an Employee Relations Specialist role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Generally yes. Employee Relations Specialist positions that require a bachelor's degree or higher in human resources, labor relations, or a related field typically meet the specialty occupation standard. The key is that the employer's job description must state a specific degree requirement, not just a preference. Roles framed as general HR generalist positions without a defined degree requirement can face more scrutiny.
Can I work as an Employee Relations Specialist on OPT right after graduation?
Yes, as long as the role is directly related to your degree field. A human resources or organizational behavior graduate can work in employee relations under post-completion OPT. You must have an active EAD card before starting work, and the job must connect to your academic program. If your degree is STEM-designated, you may also be eligible for a 24-month STEM OPT extension.
Where can I find Employee Relations Specialist jobs open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for international students and F-1 OPT holders. It lists Employee Relations Specialist roles from employers who are open to sponsoring work visas, so you are not wasting applications on companies that will decline once they learn you need sponsorship. Searching through a general job board makes it harder to filter for sponsorship-friendly employers.
What happens to my OPT status if my Employee Relations Specialist job ends?
You enter a 60-day grace period, during which you can search for a new qualifying position, transfer to a different visa status, or prepare to depart the U.S. You cannot work during the grace period. If you secure a new employee relations role that qualifies under your degree, you can resume authorized employment. Staying under 90 days of unemployment during your total OPT period is critical to maintaining valid status.
Do Employee Relations Specialist roles in different industries have equal sponsorship potential?
No. Large corporations in finance, healthcare, technology, and manufacturing tend to have established HR departments and immigration budgets. Nonprofit organizations and small employers may have less experience with sponsorship and fewer resources to cover legal costs. Focusing on employers with 500 or more employees and a history of H-1B filings gives you a stronger foundation for long-term work authorization beyond OPT.