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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Marsh
Description:
We are seeking a talented individual to join our Government Human Services Consulting (GHSC) team, part of our People & Investments business at Marsh. This role can be based in Atlanta, Minneapolis, Phoenix, Seattle, or DC and offers a hybrid work arrangement, requiring a minimum of three days per week in the office.
The Government Healthcare Provider Rate Consultant partners with state governments and internal teams to examine financial reports in order to understand emerging Medicaid health care experience as well as the financial performance of managed care organization and interacts with credentialed actuaries and financial executives to ensure Medicaid dollars are being utilized efficiently. We specialize in assisting government-sponsored programs in becoming more efficient purchasers of health services. We bring the best critical thinkers forward in helping our clients address their issues.
We will count on you to:
- Perform comprehensive analysis of health care, financial and other detail data using spreadsheet and database management software, with most time spent in Excel
- Work with client and team project managers to clearly define the scope, timelines and deliverable(s) of the project; ensure development and proposes essential project documents, including the budget and work plans
- Assist in the development of reports, spreadsheets, and presentations
- Ensure regular communication with client to review project status and expectations; provide expertise and insight to the client and team to solve potential problems within the project; manage scope of project, budget and timelines
- Thrive and be motivated by an environment that embraces AI and technology-enabled tools
What you need to have:
- BA/BS degree in economics, finance, accounting, business analytics, mathematics, statistics, or a related analytical major
- 3+ years of healthcare financial analysis experience, rate analysis, and provider payment modeling
- Ability to work on team projects and initiatives in a dynamic environment
- Strong Microsoft Excel skills, including experience using formulas and functions to organize, analyze and interpret data with a strong desire to work in complex financial forecasting models
What makes you stand out?
- Medicaid program experience
- Knowledge of data analysis, project management, and presentation design
- Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills
- Intellectual curiosity
- Ability to work collaboratively on a team
- Flexibility to respond to changing client needs
- Superior organizational skills and strong attention to detail
- Creative problem-solving abilities
- Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment
Why join our team:
- We help you be your best through professional development opportunities, interesting work and supportive leaders.
- We foster a vibrant and inclusive culture where you can work with talented colleagues to create new solutions and have an impact on colleagues, clients, and communities.
- Our scale enables us to provide a range of career opportunities, as well as benefits and rewards to enhance your well-being.
Marsh (NYSE: MRSH) is a global leader in risk, reinsurance and capital, people and investments, and management consulting, advising clients in 130 countries. With annual revenue of over $27 billion and more than 95,000 colleagues, Marsh helps build the confidence to thrive through the power of perspective. For more information, visit marsh.com, or follow us on LinkedIn and X.
Marsh is committed to embracing a diverse, inclusive and flexible work environment. We aim to attract and retain the best people and embrace diversity of age background, disability, ethnic origin, family duties, gender orientation or expression, marital status, nationality, parental status, personal or social status, political affiliation, race, religion and beliefs, sex/gender, sexual orientation or expression, skin color, veteran status (including protected veterans), or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. If you have a need that requires accommodation, please let us know by contacting reasonableaccommodations@marsh.com.
Marsh is committed to hybrid work, which includes the flexibility of working remotely and the collaboration, connections and professional development benefits of working together in the office. All Marsh colleagues are expected to be in their local office or working onsite with clients at least three days per week. Office-based teams will identify at least one “anchor day” per week on which their full team will be together in person.
The applicable base salary range for this role is $68,500 to $137,000. The base pay offered will be determined on factors such as experience, skills, training, location, certifications, education, and any applicable minimum wage requirements. Decisions will be determined on a case-by-case basis. In addition to the base salary, this position may be eligible for performance-based incentives.
We are excited to offer a competitive total rewards package which includes health and welfare benefits, tuition assistance, 401K savings and other retirement programs as well as employee assistance programs.
Company:
Marsh
Description:
We are seeking a talented individual to join our Government Human Services Consulting (GHSC) team, part of our People & Investments business at Marsh. This role can be based in Atlanta, Minneapolis, Phoenix, Seattle, or DC and offers a hybrid work arrangement, requiring a minimum of three days per week in the office.
The Government Healthcare Provider Rate Consultant partners with state governments and internal teams to examine financial reports in order to understand emerging Medicaid health care experience as well as the financial performance of managed care organization and interacts with credentialed actuaries and financial executives to ensure Medicaid dollars are being utilized efficiently. We specialize in assisting government-sponsored programs in becoming more efficient purchasers of health services. We bring the best critical thinkers forward in helping our clients address their issues.
We will count on you to:
- Perform comprehensive analysis of health care, financial and other detail data using spreadsheet and database management software, with most time spent in Excel
- Work with client and team project managers to clearly define the scope, timelines and deliverable(s) of the project; ensure development and proposes essential project documents, including the budget and work plans
- Assist in the development of reports, spreadsheets, and presentations
- Ensure regular communication with client to review project status and expectations; provide expertise and insight to the client and team to solve potential problems within the project; manage scope of project, budget and timelines
- Thrive and be motivated by an environment that embraces AI and technology-enabled tools
What you need to have:
- BA/BS degree in economics, finance, accounting, business analytics, mathematics, statistics, or a related analytical major
- 3+ years of healthcare financial analysis experience, rate analysis, and provider payment modeling
- Ability to work on team projects and initiatives in a dynamic environment
- Strong Microsoft Excel skills, including experience using formulas and functions to organize, analyze and interpret data with a strong desire to work in complex financial forecasting models
What makes you stand out?
- Medicaid program experience
- Knowledge of data analysis, project management, and presentation design
- Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills
- Intellectual curiosity
- Ability to work collaboratively on a team
- Flexibility to respond to changing client needs
- Superior organizational skills and strong attention to detail
- Creative problem-solving abilities
- Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment
Why join our team:
- We help you be your best through professional development opportunities, interesting work and supportive leaders.
- We foster a vibrant and inclusive culture where you can work with talented colleagues to create new solutions and have an impact on colleagues, clients, and communities.
- Our scale enables us to provide a range of career opportunities, as well as benefits and rewards to enhance your well-being.
Marsh (NYSE: MRSH) is a global leader in risk, reinsurance and capital, people and investments, and management consulting, advising clients in 130 countries. With annual revenue of over $27 billion and more than 95,000 colleagues, Marsh helps build the confidence to thrive through the power of perspective. For more information, visit marsh.com, or follow us on LinkedIn and X.
Marsh is committed to embracing a diverse, inclusive and flexible work environment. We aim to attract and retain the best people and embrace diversity of age background, disability, ethnic origin, family duties, gender orientation or expression, marital status, nationality, parental status, personal or social status, political affiliation, race, religion and beliefs, sex/gender, sexual orientation or expression, skin color, veteran status (including protected veterans), or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. If you have a need that requires accommodation, please let us know by contacting reasonableaccommodations@marsh.com.
Marsh is committed to hybrid work, which includes the flexibility of working remotely and the collaboration, connections and professional development benefits of working together in the office. All Marsh colleagues are expected to be in their local office or working onsite with clients at least three days per week. Office-based teams will identify at least one “anchor day” per week on which their full team will be together in person.
The applicable base salary range for this role is $68,500 to $137,000. The base pay offered will be determined on factors such as experience, skills, training, location, certifications, education, and any applicable minimum wage requirements. Decisions will be determined on a case-by-case basis. In addition to the base salary, this position may be eligible for performance-based incentives.
We are excited to offer a competitive total rewards package which includes health and welfare benefits, tuition assistance, 401K savings and other retirement programs as well as employee assistance programs.
See all 76+ 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.