OPT Ethics And Compliance Jobs
Ethics and Compliance jobs cover regulatory frameworks, risk management, policy development, and internal investigations across industries like finance, healthcare, and tech. F-1 OPT students can work in these roles during their 12-month OPT window, with STEM OPT extensions available for compliance-adjacent roles in qualifying fields.
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INTRODUCTION
Requisition ID # 175260
Job Category: Human Resources
Job Level: Individual Contributor
Business Unit: Gen Counsel, Ethics, Risk & Compliance
Work Type: Hybrid
Job Location: Oakland
Department Overview
The Ethics Programs team is comprised of the Employee Conduct Program, Ethics Programs Trainings & Communication, Ethics Programs Investigations, and the Monitor Program. Together, they create and implement strategies to foster a culture that reflects PG&E's values and behaviors, promote a transparent process and environment where appropriate conduct is expected, and partner with Functional Areas to address unethical behavior and close gaps in policies or procedures.
The Ethics Programs Investigations team leads the Company’s internal evaluation of reported violations of the Code of Conduct, policies, standards, and/or procedures that impact our people in the workplace. The team is responsible for conducting investigations into allegations of misconduct as defined by the Company’s Code of Conduct, and may include allegations of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, fraud, conflicts of interest and other violations. The team ensures that an objective review is taken of allegations. Investigators take pride in ensuring employees who raise concerns feel their concerns were treated seriously, investigated objectively, and concluded fairly.
Position Summary
The Senior Ethics Program Investigator will conduct investigations into alleged misconduct by employees and other parties and determine whether those activities constitute a violation of PG&E’s Code of Conduct or other governance. You will use your expertise and knowledge to apply and interpret the Company Code of Conduct, policies, standards, and procedures. In this role, you will report and discuss investigation outcomes with Ethics, Risk & Compliance leadership, and other stakeholders in accordance with the Company’s Conduct Standard (CDT-1004S) and established investigation procedure (CDT-2001P-06).
The Senior Investigator’s primary focus will be on fraud, record falsification, conflicts of interest, data manipulation and other types of misconduct, as assigned and/or based on business needs.
This position is hybrid, working from your remote office and in-person at the Oakland General Office or and/or San Ramon based on business needs.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
- Conducts thorough internal investigations involving violations of the Code of Conduct, including, but not limited to, fraud investigations involving the falsification of records, expenses, and/or payroll entries, conflicts of interest data manipulation, vendor fraud or misreporting, and/or other misconduct concerns.
- Conduct thorough external fraud and/or other investigations involving various PG&E contractors, subcontractors and/or stakeholders.
- Conducts intake and other interviews of people who raise concerns.
- Conducts investigations under limited guidance regarding employee complaints and allegations concerning violations of the Company’s policies and Code of Conduct.
- Develops and implements investigation plans to timely research concern(s), uses Accounting, Fraud, and/or Human Resources knowledge and expertise to interpret and apply relevant Company policies and identify relevant evidentiary material.
- Analyzes the issues and available material related to the concern(s) to make findings of facts and determine whether misconduct violation(s) of Company policy or the Code of Conduct occurred.
- Prepares well drafted written reports summarizing investigation findings for review.
- Accurately maintains all intake and investigation notes, files, and records in the electronic case management system.
- Interprets, applies, and provides guidance on internal policies, best practices and relevant local, state, and federal laws.
- Coaches and mentors other investigators.
- Supports and leads special projects, such as investigation policy and template development, process improvements and trainings.
- Other duties as may be assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Law, Journalism, Psychology, Public Policy or related field or equivalent experience
- 5 years of relevant Business (e.g., Accounting), Human Resources (e.g., Employee Relations), Employment Law or equivalent experience
- 3 years of relevant investigations or equivalent experience
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Advanced Degree in Business, Law, Communications or related field or equivalent experience.
- Certified Fraud Examiner, Certified Public Accountant credential or equivalent
- Licensed Private Investigator
COMPENSATION
PG&E is providing the salary range that the company in good faith believes it might pay for this position at the time of the job posting. This compensation range is specific to the locality of the job. The actual salary paid to an individual will be based on multiple factors, including, but not limited to, specific skills, education, licenses or certifications, experience, market value, geographic location, and internal equity. Although we estimate the successful candidate hired into this role will be placed between the entry point and the middle of the range, the decision will be made on a case-by-case basis related to these factors. This job is also eligible to participate in PG&E’s discretionary incentive compensation programs.
A reasonable salary range is: Bay Area Minimum: $ 105,000 Bay Area Midpoint: $137,000 Bay Area Maximum: $169,000
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Ethics And Compliance
Target heavily regulated industries first
Finance, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and defense are under constant regulatory scrutiny and hire compliance staff year-round. These sectors are more likely to have structured hiring pipelines and experience sponsoring international candidates than smaller, less regulated employers.
Highlight your knowledge of U.S. regulatory frameworks
Familiarity with frameworks like SOX, HIPAA, FCPA, or SEC rules signals immediate value to U.S. employers. Even coursework or academic projects involving these regulations can differentiate you from other candidates who lack domestic regulatory exposure.
Obtain a compliance certification early
Credentials like the Certified Compliance and Ethics Professional (CCEP) or CAMS for anti-money laundering demonstrate commitment to the field and reduce employer hesitation around your OPT timeline. Certifications also help bridge gaps when your degree field is adjacent to compliance.
Address your OPT timeline proactively in applications
Employers in compliance worry about continuity. Mention your OPT authorization upfront and frame the H-1B visa cap-gap as a manageable bridge. Coming prepared with a clear timeline shows professionalism and reduces the hiring manager's perceived risk.
Focus on companies with existing H-1B sponsorship history
Large financial institutions, consulting firms, and multinational corporations have established immigration infrastructure. Employers who have sponsored before are far less likely to be deterred by the process and already work with immigration counsel.
Emphasize cross-cultural and multilingual compliance value
International compliance teams often need professionals who understand foreign regulatory environments. If you have experience with non-U.S. frameworks, GDPR, or anti-corruption laws in your home country, position that as a direct asset to global compliance functions.
Ethics And Compliance OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can F-1 OPT students legally work in ethics and compliance roles?
Yes. Ethics and compliance roles fall within business, finance, legal operations, and risk management, all of which are recognized fields for OPT employment. Your work must be directly related to your degree field. A business, law, accounting, or public policy degree typically satisfies this requirement. If your specific degree field is unclear, consult your DSO before accepting an offer.
Do ethics and compliance jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree, not the job title. If you hold a STEM-designated degree, such as data analytics, information systems, or a quantitative discipline, and your compliance role involves meaningful use of those skills, you may qualify. Compliance roles in financial risk modeling, cybersecurity compliance, or data governance are stronger candidates than traditional policy or HR compliance positions. Your DSO confirms eligibility based on your CIP code.
How hard is it to find ethics and compliance employers willing to sponsor OPT students?
Large employers in finance, healthcare, and consulting routinely sponsor international candidates and are the most realistic targets. Smaller firms or nonprofits often lack immigration infrastructure and are less likely to proceed through the H-1B process. Migrate Mate filters for OPT-friendly compliance employers, which saves significant time compared to applying broadly and screening manually after the fact.
What compliance roles are most accessible to OPT students with limited U.S. work experience?
Compliance analyst, regulatory affairs coordinator, and AML analyst roles are common entry points that do not require years of U.S. experience. Many large banks and consulting firms hire compliance analysts directly from graduate programs. These roles offer structured training and are more likely to come with H-1B sponsorship support, since the employer is investing in your development from the start.
What should I do if my OPT expires before my H-1B is approved?
If your employer files your H-1B petition before your OPT expires, the cap-gap rule extends your work authorization automatically through September 30 of that year. You can continue working without interruption. If October 1 arrives before USCIS approves your petition, you may need to stop working temporarily. Discuss the timeline with your employer's immigration counsel as early as possible in the process.