OPT Health Educator Jobs
Health Educator roles qualify for OPT work authorization when the position requires a degree in public health, health education, community health, or a closely related field. STEM OPT extension is not available for this role. Standard OPT gives you 12 months, so employer fit and timeline matter from day one.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
THIS POSTING WILL BE USED FOR ONGOING RECRUITMENT AND MAY CLOSE AT ANY TIME. APPLICANT LISTS MAY BE SCREENED MORE THAN ONCE.
The New Mexico Department of Health (NMHealth) Northeast Region Public Health Office provides services and support to individuals and communities in 10 counties: Santa Fe, Rio Arriba, Los Alamos, Taos, San Miguel, Mora, Guadalupe, Colfax, Union, and Harding. This includes collaborating on STD/HIV and harm reduction with external partners such as individuals, non-profit entities, healthcare delivery systems, and local, state, federal, and Tribal governmental agencies.
ABOUT THE ROLE
The Regional HIV/STD Health Educator works with internal and external stakeholders to provide support for agency, program, regional, and local priorities and resources related to HIV, STD, hepatitis, harm reduction, and overdose prevention within the Northeast Region. This includes ensuring accurate federal (CDC) data on HIV prevalence and care, which supports funding for HIV services and prevention efforts, and distributing harm reduction supplies to partners throughout the Region to reduce the transmission of HIV and hepatitis C, and reduce opioid overdose deaths. The position also supports updates and reports for Regional leadership and the Communicable Disease Bureau related to challenges/successes, resource needs, and opportunities for collaboration, and integrates guidance into services. The position also works directly with community stakeholders, such as detention centers, treatment centers, healthcare providers, shelters, and others to raise awareness of conditions of public health importance, provide resources, plan and participate in outreaches, and address community concerns.
Responsibilities
Key responsibilities of the position include:
-
Providing training and technical assistance for Disease Prevention Team (DPT) staff to achieve individual, Regional, state, Tribal, and federal objectives related to HIV, STD, hepatitis, harm reduction, overdose prevention, and other infectious disease - such as ensuring high-quality case investigation and partner services, outreach efforts, and disease reporting by community providers;
-
Supporting DPT coordination of care for clients within NMDOH, community-based providers, and other health entities;
-
Ensuring quality and timeliness of monthly HIV Data entry, including through working with staff and partners to submit for review into the CDC data system;
-
Ordering, maintaining, and distributing harm reduction supplies to community partners to reduce disease transmission and prevent overdose deaths, and forwarding Harm Reduction data to the central program monthly; and,
-
Coordinating participation in community outreach events such as health fairs and Pride events to provide health education and disease prevention, including through HIV/STD testing and harm reduction.
CUSTOMERS
The Regional HIV/STD Health Educator serves community partners (such as shelters, FQHCs, schools, law enforcement, detention centers), public health offices, regional staff (Disease Prevention Team), programmatic staff (e.g., HIV/STD, pharmacy warehouse), as well as Tribal and federal partners (e.g., CDC).
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor's Degree in Public Health or Education and one (1) year of experience in a health-related field. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling five (5) years may substitute for the required education and experience.
EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS
-
Must possess and maintain a valid Driver's License.
-
Must possess and maintain a current Defensive Driving Course Certificate from the State of New Mexico or must pass and receive Defensive Driving Course Certification as a condition of continued employment.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Work is performed both in office settings, meetings, and in the field. This can include lifting materials up to 30 lbs (e.g., computer equipment, administrative supplies). Regular travel throughout the Northeast Region, as well as occasionally to other locations within and outside of New Mexico, is needed.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Do you know what Total Compensation is? Click here
Agency Contact Information: Abram Oliver (505) 709-5547 Email
For information on Statutory Requirements for this position, click the Classification Description link on the job advertisement.
Bargaining Unit Position
This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement and all terms/conditions of that agreement apply and must be adhered to.
INTRODUCTION
THIS POSTING WILL BE USED FOR ONGOING RECRUITMENT AND MAY CLOSE AT ANY TIME. APPLICANT LISTS MAY BE SCREENED MORE THAN ONCE.
The New Mexico Department of Health (NMHealth) Northeast Region Public Health Office provides services and support to individuals and communities in 10 counties: Santa Fe, Rio Arriba, Los Alamos, Taos, San Miguel, Mora, Guadalupe, Colfax, Union, and Harding. This includes collaborating on STD/HIV and harm reduction with external partners such as individuals, non-profit entities, healthcare delivery systems, and local, state, federal, and Tribal governmental agencies.
ABOUT THE ROLE
The Regional HIV/STD Health Educator works with internal and external stakeholders to provide support for agency, program, regional, and local priorities and resources related to HIV, STD, hepatitis, harm reduction, and overdose prevention within the Northeast Region. This includes ensuring accurate federal (CDC) data on HIV prevalence and care, which supports funding for HIV services and prevention efforts, and distributing harm reduction supplies to partners throughout the Region to reduce the transmission of HIV and hepatitis C, and reduce opioid overdose deaths. The position also supports updates and reports for Regional leadership and the Communicable Disease Bureau related to challenges/successes, resource needs, and opportunities for collaboration, and integrates guidance into services. The position also works directly with community stakeholders, such as detention centers, treatment centers, healthcare providers, shelters, and others to raise awareness of conditions of public health importance, provide resources, plan and participate in outreaches, and address community concerns.
Responsibilities
Key responsibilities of the position include:
-
Providing training and technical assistance for Disease Prevention Team (DPT) staff to achieve individual, Regional, state, Tribal, and federal objectives related to HIV, STD, hepatitis, harm reduction, overdose prevention, and other infectious disease - such as ensuring high-quality case investigation and partner services, outreach efforts, and disease reporting by community providers;
-
Supporting DPT coordination of care for clients within NMDOH, community-based providers, and other health entities;
-
Ensuring quality and timeliness of monthly HIV Data entry, including through working with staff and partners to submit for review into the CDC data system;
-
Ordering, maintaining, and distributing harm reduction supplies to community partners to reduce disease transmission and prevent overdose deaths, and forwarding Harm Reduction data to the central program monthly; and,
-
Coordinating participation in community outreach events such as health fairs and Pride events to provide health education and disease prevention, including through HIV/STD testing and harm reduction.
CUSTOMERS
The Regional HIV/STD Health Educator serves community partners (such as shelters, FQHCs, schools, law enforcement, detention centers), public health offices, regional staff (Disease Prevention Team), programmatic staff (e.g., HIV/STD, pharmacy warehouse), as well as Tribal and federal partners (e.g., CDC).
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor's Degree in Public Health or Education and one (1) year of experience in a health-related field. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling five (5) years may substitute for the required education and experience.
EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS
-
Must possess and maintain a valid Driver's License.
-
Must possess and maintain a current Defensive Driving Course Certificate from the State of New Mexico or must pass and receive Defensive Driving Course Certification as a condition of continued employment.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Work is performed both in office settings, meetings, and in the field. This can include lifting materials up to 30 lbs (e.g., computer equipment, administrative supplies). Regular travel throughout the Northeast Region, as well as occasionally to other locations within and outside of New Mexico, is needed.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Do you know what Total Compensation is? Click here
Agency Contact Information: Abram Oliver (505) 709-5547 Email
For information on Statutory Requirements for this position, click the Classification Description link on the job advertisement.
Bargaining Unit Position
This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement and all terms/conditions of that agreement apply and must be adhered to.
See all 213+ OPT Health Educator Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Health Educator
Lead with your degree field, not just your title
OPT authorization depends on your job being directly related to your degree. Frame your application around your public health or health education credentials explicitly. Employers unfamiliar with OPT need to see that connection clearly stated upfront.
Target employers with existing OPT or visa experience
Hospitals, county health departments, and nonprofits with international staff are more likely to understand OPT paperwork. First-time OPT employers can slow hiring significantly. Prioritize organizations that have hired international students before.
Clarify OPT requires no employer sponsorship cost
Many hiring managers assume international students require expensive visa sponsorship. OPT is employer-friendly: no filing fees, no lottery, and minimal administrative burden. Address this misconception early to prevent automatic screening.
Apply at least 90 days before your program end date
USCIS OPT applications can take 3 to 5 months to process. If you wait until graduation to apply, you risk a gap between your program end date and your Employment Authorization Document arrival. Start early.
Highlight community outreach and program development experience
Health Educator roles in government and nonprofit settings value demonstrated experience designing and delivering health programs. Internships, practicums, and CPT work all count. Quantify reach where possible, such as number of participants served.
Use Migrate Mate to find OPT-friendly Health Educator openings
Generic job boards do not filter for OPT compatibility. Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 students and surfaces Health Educator roles from employers open to OPT candidates, saving you time spent on positions that will not work.
Health Educator OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Health Educator job qualify for OPT work authorization?
Yes, if your degree is in public health, health education, community health, or a closely related field, a Health Educator role qualifies for OPT. The job must be directly related to your major. Roles at hospitals, nonprofits, government agencies, and universities routinely meet this standard.
Can Health Educators get a STEM OPT extension?
No. Health Education is classified under CIP code 51.2207, which is not on the STEM Designated Degree Program list. This means you are limited to the standard 12-month OPT period. Planning your job search and timeline around that 12-month window is critical, especially if you intend to pursue H-1B visa sponsorship afterward.
Do employers need to pay fees or file paperwork to hire me on OPT?
No employer fees or government filings are required during the OPT period itself. Your employer simply verifies your Employment Authorization Document and completes the standard I-9 process. This makes OPT significantly less burdensome than H-1B sponsorship, which involves attorney fees and USCIS filing costs.
How do I find Health Educator jobs that are open to OPT candidates?
Most general job boards do not indicate whether an employer is willing to hire international students on OPT. Migrate Mate is designed specifically for F-1 OPT students and surfaces Health Educator roles from employers already open to work authorization situations, reducing wasted applications on positions that screen out OPT candidates.
What happens to my OPT if I lose my Health Educator job?
You have a cumulative 90-day unemployment allowance during your OPT period. If you are unemployed for more than 90 days total, you fall out of status. Report any job changes to your DSO promptly, and document your job search activity. Finding a new qualifying role before hitting that limit is essential.