OPT Government Jobs
Some federal and state government positions are open to OPT students, particularly research roles, internships, and civilian technical positions that do not require security clearances. Many government agencies, national laboratories, and federally funded research institutions are experienced with F-1 OPT hiring and some qualify as cap-exempt H-1B visa employers, which means they can sponsor outside the annual lottery.
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Get Access To All JobsGovernment Affairs Manager
Description -
The Federal Government Affairs Manager will develop and implement advocacy and lobbying efforts relative to HP Inc’s priority federal issues.
This role will involve coordination with HP’s business units and corporate work groups while being part of dynamic government affairs function in the US. The selected applicant will be responsible for advocating HP Inc.’s interests to, and managing relationships with, elected and appointed officials at the federal level, and engaging with all related stakeholders both internally and externally. The position reports to the Head of the Americas – Government Affairs & Public Policy.
Essential duties and responsibilities:
-
Strategic planning and implementation – Develop, maintain, and implement strategies and policy positions in support of HP’s portfolio. Regularly interface with internal HP stakeholders including business units, corporate work groups, market organizations, and other key functions to align on positions and advocacy plans, drive engagement, and develop and communicate policy priorities and positions to key constituencies. Anticipate the impact of government policies (both offensive and defensive) for the company; work closely with business leaders to identify government-related growth opportunities and develop and implement advocacy strategies for achieving growth goals and objectives.
-
Policy /Legislative/Regulatory analysis – Stay abreast of current trends and information to anticipate opportunities and risks that emerge. Identify proactive opportunities and develop related strategic plans relative to HP’s priorities and issues portfolio; evaluate pending legislation, policy and regulations on issues impacting HP and develop recommended responses and alternatives. Create documents to brief company executives on legislative and regulatory matters and provide guidance/recommendations as well as to communicate positions externally.
-
Relationship Building/Management – Foster and build positive relationships with strategically important government officials, opinion leaders, third-party agencies and other external stakeholders; influence public policy, monitor government initiatives and advocate for specific public policies to advance the company’s objectives. Engage with trade and advocacy associations to further advance lobbying and policy positions.
-
Management – Assist in managing outside consultants and other resources that support the legislative and regulatory agenda to drive strategy and assist with messaging, external outreach, and the development of relevant communications tools.
What you'll bring to the team:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university.
- Minimum 4-6+ years of experience at the federal level, including congressional and/or state legislative or agency staff, advocacy or lobbying position, and/or related work experience.
- Strong communications skills, including both written and verbal; exceptional listening skills.
- Technical: Depth of knowledge and expertise in government policies, legislation and regulatory processes, and political dynamics.
Disclaimer
This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed in this role. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, skills, responsibilities, knowledge, etc. These may be subject to change and additional functions may be assigned as needed by management.
The base pay range for this role is $130,000 to $170,000 annually with additional opportunities for pay in the form of bonus and/or equity (applies to US candidates only). Pay varies by work location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.
Benefits:
HP offers a comprehensive benefits package for this position, including:
- Health insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- Long term/short term disability insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible spending account
- Life insurance
Generous time off policies, including:
- 4-12 weeks fully paid parental leave based on tenure
- 11 paid holidays
- Additional flexible paid vacation and sick leave (US benefits overview)
The compensation and benefits information is accurate as of the date of this posting. The Company reserves the right to modify this information at any time, with or without notice, subject to applicable law.
LI-POST
Job -
Legal
Schedule -
Full time
Shift -
No shift premium (United States of America)
Travel -
25%
Relocation -
No
Equal Opportunity Employer (EEO) -
HP, Inc. provides equal employment opportunity to all employees and prospective employees, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, sexual orientation, age, disability, or status as a protected veteran, marital status, familial status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic predisposition or carrier status, uniformed service status, political affiliation or any other characteristic protected by applicable national, federal, state, and local law(s).
Please be assured that you will not be subject to any adverse treatment if you choose to disclose the information requested. This information is provided voluntarily. The information obtained will be kept in strict confidence.
For more information, review HP’s EEO Policy or read about your rights as an applicant under the law here: “Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal"
Government Affairs Manager
Description -
The Federal Government Affairs Manager will develop and implement advocacy and lobbying efforts relative to HP Inc’s priority federal issues.
This role will involve coordination with HP’s business units and corporate work groups while being part of dynamic government affairs function in the US. The selected applicant will be responsible for advocating HP Inc.’s interests to, and managing relationships with, elected and appointed officials at the federal level, and engaging with all related stakeholders both internally and externally. The position reports to the Head of the Americas – Government Affairs & Public Policy.
Essential duties and responsibilities:
-
Strategic planning and implementation – Develop, maintain, and implement strategies and policy positions in support of HP’s portfolio. Regularly interface with internal HP stakeholders including business units, corporate work groups, market organizations, and other key functions to align on positions and advocacy plans, drive engagement, and develop and communicate policy priorities and positions to key constituencies. Anticipate the impact of government policies (both offensive and defensive) for the company; work closely with business leaders to identify government-related growth opportunities and develop and implement advocacy strategies for achieving growth goals and objectives.
-
Policy /Legislative/Regulatory analysis – Stay abreast of current trends and information to anticipate opportunities and risks that emerge. Identify proactive opportunities and develop related strategic plans relative to HP’s priorities and issues portfolio; evaluate pending legislation, policy and regulations on issues impacting HP and develop recommended responses and alternatives. Create documents to brief company executives on legislative and regulatory matters and provide guidance/recommendations as well as to communicate positions externally.
-
Relationship Building/Management – Foster and build positive relationships with strategically important government officials, opinion leaders, third-party agencies and other external stakeholders; influence public policy, monitor government initiatives and advocate for specific public policies to advance the company’s objectives. Engage with trade and advocacy associations to further advance lobbying and policy positions.
-
Management – Assist in managing outside consultants and other resources that support the legislative and regulatory agenda to drive strategy and assist with messaging, external outreach, and the development of relevant communications tools.
What you'll bring to the team:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university.
- Minimum 4-6+ years of experience at the federal level, including congressional and/or state legislative or agency staff, advocacy or lobbying position, and/or related work experience.
- Strong communications skills, including both written and verbal; exceptional listening skills.
- Technical: Depth of knowledge and expertise in government policies, legislation and regulatory processes, and political dynamics.
Disclaimer
This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed in this role. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, skills, responsibilities, knowledge, etc. These may be subject to change and additional functions may be assigned as needed by management.
The base pay range for this role is $130,000 to $170,000 annually with additional opportunities for pay in the form of bonus and/or equity (applies to US candidates only). Pay varies by work location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.
Benefits:
HP offers a comprehensive benefits package for this position, including:
- Health insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- Long term/short term disability insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible spending account
- Life insurance
Generous time off policies, including:
- 4-12 weeks fully paid parental leave based on tenure
- 11 paid holidays
- Additional flexible paid vacation and sick leave (US benefits overview)
The compensation and benefits information is accurate as of the date of this posting. The Company reserves the right to modify this information at any time, with or without notice, subject to applicable law.
LI-POST
Job -
Legal
Schedule -
Full time
Shift -
No shift premium (United States of America)
Travel -
25%
Relocation -
No
Equal Opportunity Employer (EEO) -
HP, Inc. provides equal employment opportunity to all employees and prospective employees, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, sexual orientation, age, disability, or status as a protected veteran, marital status, familial status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic predisposition or carrier status, uniformed service status, political affiliation or any other characteristic protected by applicable national, federal, state, and local law(s).
Please be assured that you will not be subject to any adverse treatment if you choose to disclose the information requested. This information is provided voluntarily. The information obtained will be kept in strict confidence.
For more information, review HP’s EEO Policy or read about your rights as an applicant under the law here: “Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal"
See all 37+ OPT Government Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsOPT Job Search Tips for US Government Roles
Many federal roles require U.S. citizenship
A significant portion of U.S. federal government positions are restricted to U.S. citizens. Before investing time in a federal application, confirm the citizenship requirements in the job posting. State and local government roles often have broader eligibility.
Research and university positions under government grants are more accessible
Government-funded research roles at universities, national laboratories, and nonprofit research institutions are often open to OPT students. These positions are also frequently cap-exempt for H-1B visa purposes, giving you a longer-term path without lottery uncertainty.
National labs and federally funded research centers hire OPT students regularly
Institutions like Argonne, Oak Ridge, and the National Institutes of Health employ international researchers and graduates in STEM fields. Many of these roles qualify for STEM OPT and are with E-Verify employers by default.
State and local government agencies vary widely in eligibility requirements
Unlike federal roles, state and local government jobs don’t have a uniform citizenship requirement. Many are open to work-authorized candidates, including OPT students. Check the specific eligibility language in each posting rather than assuming.
Security clearance requirements apply to some government-adjacent roles
Roles at agencies handling sensitive information, including many defense and intelligence-adjacent positions, require clearances not available to non-citizens. Filtering these roles out early keeps your search focused on positions you can actually access.
Government contractor roles are often more accessible than direct federal roles
Companies contracting with the federal government in IT, engineering, and research frequently hire OPT students and have established sponsorship programs. These roles offer government-adjacent work without the citizenship barriers of direct federal employment.
Government OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can OPT students work for the U.S. federal government?
Some federal positions are open to F-1 OPT graduates, but many require U.S. citizenship or permanent residency, particularly roles in law enforcement, the military, national security, and positions requiring security clearances. Civilian research roles, technical positions at agencies like NASA, NOAA, and the EPA, and positions at federally funded national labs are more accessible. Reading the citizenship requirements in each job posting carefully before applying saves significant time.
Do national laboratories hire OPT students?
Many national laboratories affiliated with the Department of Energy and other agencies hire OPT students, particularly for research-oriented and technical roles. Positions at labs like Argonne, Oak Ridge, and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory that do not involve classified work are often open to international candidates. These institutions are typically cap-exempt H-1B employers, which is a significant advantage if you want to stay long-term without relying on the lottery.
Are state government jobs more accessible than federal jobs for OPT students?
State government agencies vary widely in their hiring policies for non-citizens. Some state agencies in technology, public health, engineering, and research regularly hire OPT candidates, while others have citizenship requirements. Checking the specific position's eligibility requirements directly and contacting the hiring agency with questions is the most reliable approach since policies differ by state and by agency.
What types of government-adjacent roles are most accessible for OPT students?
Research positions at university-affiliated labs, contracts with government contractors that do not require clearances, and technical roles at government-funded nonprofits and research institutions are among the most accessible. Many OPT students find that working for a private company with government contracts gives them exposure to government work without the citizenship restrictions that apply to direct federal employment.
Can a government agency sponsor my H-1B?
Some government entities can and do sponsor H-1B visas, particularly federally funded research institutions, public universities, and nonprofit research labs that qualify as cap-exempt employers. These organizations can file H-1B petitions year-round without being subject to the annual cap, which is a significant advantage over private sector sponsorship that depends on lottery selection. Direct federal agencies have different processes and use different visa pathways in some cases, so the details vary by organization.