OPT Hearing Officer Jobs
Hearing Officer roles fall squarely within the legal and administrative specialty occupation category, making them a strong fit for F-1 OPT authorization. Most positions require a law degree or related graduate credential. Your 12-month OPT window, or up to 36 months on STEM OPT if your degree qualifies, gives you real runway to pursue these roles.
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- APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED WITHOUT WORK EXPERIENCE OR A RESUME WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED. IF ATTACHING A RESUME - RESUME MUST INCLUDE UPDATED DATES OF EMPLOYMENT FOR EACH JOB (MONTH and YEAR) AND DETAILS OF WORK EXPERIENCE/JOB DUTIES*
Due to the available budget allocated for this position, the hiring rate will not exceed $31.19 per hour.
Interviews are anticipated to be conducted within two weeks of closing date.
Why does the job exist?
Employees in this Role will assist with conducting adjudicatory or administrative hearings; conduct pre-hearing interviews and research to assist in determining facts surrounding alleged disciplinary violations or rule infractions; and compose the documents needed prior to each hearing. The incumbent will also establish hearing dates; explain the issues and applicable rules, policies and laws to all parties involved; and may conduct minor level hearings or assist with Major Level Hearings when required.
How does it get done?
- Maintain and update Inmate files
- Establish Hearing dates
- Assists on Major hearing and conduct low level hearings with oversite.
- Meet with all parties involved to review allegations, rules and policies.
- Conduct pre-hearing interviews.
- Assist in researching alleged violations and provide informational documents for all hearings.
Who are the customers?
- New Mexico Corrections Department staff
Ideal Candidate
- New Mexico Corrections Department staff
Minimum Qualification
Bachelor's Degree in Public Administration, Political Science, Business Administration, Social Services, or Labor Relations and two (2) year of experience in conducting administrative hearings, employment placement, claims adjudication, and/or investigations. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling six (6) years may substitute for the required education and experience.
Employment Requirements
This position is designed safety sensitive. Employment is subject to pre-employment and random testing in accordance with all terms and conditions of Federal and State law, rules and regulations in relation to alcohol and/or drug testing. Must possess and maintain a valid New Mexico Driver's License. Pre-employment background check is required and conditional pending results.
Working Conditions
Work is performed in an adult prison environment, which includes daily contact with inmates. Willingness to work in a correctional facility, may be required to work odd hours, overtime, holidays, and weekends.
Supplemental Information
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Agency Contact Information: Aurora Padilla (575) 374-4005, or Aurora.Padilla@cd.nm.gov Email
For information on Statutory Requirements for this position, click the Classification Description link on the job advertisement.
Bargaining Unit Position
This position is not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.
Posting Details
- APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED WITHOUT WORK EXPERIENCE OR A RESUME WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED. IF ATTACHING A RESUME - RESUME MUST INCLUDE UPDATED DATES OF EMPLOYMENT FOR EACH JOB (MONTH and YEAR) AND DETAILS OF WORK EXPERIENCE/JOB DUTIES*
Due to the available budget allocated for this position, the hiring rate will not exceed $31.19 per hour.
Interviews are anticipated to be conducted within two weeks of closing date.
Why does the job exist?
Employees in this Role will assist with conducting adjudicatory or administrative hearings; conduct pre-hearing interviews and research to assist in determining facts surrounding alleged disciplinary violations or rule infractions; and compose the documents needed prior to each hearing. The incumbent will also establish hearing dates; explain the issues and applicable rules, policies and laws to all parties involved; and may conduct minor level hearings or assist with Major Level Hearings when required.
How does it get done?
- Maintain and update Inmate files
- Establish Hearing dates
- Assists on Major hearing and conduct low level hearings with oversite.
- Meet with all parties involved to review allegations, rules and policies.
- Conduct pre-hearing interviews.
- Assist in researching alleged violations and provide informational documents for all hearings.
Who are the customers?
- New Mexico Corrections Department staff
Ideal Candidate
- New Mexico Corrections Department staff
Minimum Qualification
Bachelor's Degree in Public Administration, Political Science, Business Administration, Social Services, or Labor Relations and two (2) year of experience in conducting administrative hearings, employment placement, claims adjudication, and/or investigations. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling six (6) years may substitute for the required education and experience.
Employment Requirements
This position is designed safety sensitive. Employment is subject to pre-employment and random testing in accordance with all terms and conditions of Federal and State law, rules and regulations in relation to alcohol and/or drug testing. Must possess and maintain a valid New Mexico Driver's License. Pre-employment background check is required and conditional pending results.
Working Conditions
Work is performed in an adult prison environment, which includes daily contact with inmates. Willingness to work in a correctional facility, may be required to work odd hours, overtime, holidays, and weekends.
Supplemental Information
Do you know what Total Compensation is? Click here
Agency Contact Information: Aurora Padilla (575) 374-4005, or Aurora.Padilla@cd.nm.gov Email
For information on Statutory Requirements for this position, click the Classification Description link on the job advertisement.
Bargaining Unit Position
This position is not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.
See all OPT Hearing Officer Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Hearing Officer
Target government agencies early
Federal and state agencies hire Hearing Officers regularly and often have structured onboarding timelines. Apply at least three months before your OPT start date so your work authorization is in place before the position begins.
Clarify your OPT dates upfront
Hearing Officer hiring processes can run 60 to 90 days. Share your OPT start and end dates with the recruiter early so neither side wastes time on a timeline that won't work before authorization expires.
Frame your degree field precisely
OPT authorization must be in a field directly related to your degree. Legal studies, public policy, and administrative law are strong qualifying fields for Hearing Officer roles. Be specific when explaining that connection in your application materials.
Ask about H-1B sponsorship intentions early
Government agencies vary in their ability to sponsor H-1B visas. Before investing heavily in a multi-round process, ask whether the agency has sponsored nonimmigrant visas before and whether the role is eligible for future sponsorship.
Emphasize adjudication and administrative law coursework
Hiring managers for Hearing Officer roles look for evidence of structured legal reasoning. Highlight relevant coursework, moot court experience, or clerkships that demonstrate your ability to evaluate evidence and apply regulatory frameworks.
Track your OPT unemployment days carefully
F-1 OPT students are limited to 90 days of unemployment, or 150 days on STEM OPT extension. A longer government hiring timeline can eat into that window, so apply early and keep a written record of your job search activity.
Hearing Officer OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Hearing Officer on F-1 OPT?
Yes, provided your degree is directly related to the role. Hearing Officer positions typically require a background in law, public administration, or a related field. OPT work authorization must be tied to your specific field of study, so a law or policy degree is the clearest qualifying path. Document the connection between your degree and the position before applying.
Do Hearing Officer employers typically sponsor visas after OPT ends?
It varies significantly. Federal administrative agencies can sometimes sponsor through the Schedule A or special hiring authorities, but many government positions cannot sponsor H-1B visas due to statutory restrictions on using appropriated funds. Quasi-judicial agencies and some state bodies have more flexibility. Research each employer's sponsorship history before accepting an offer, and ask directly during the offer stage.
Where can I find Hearing Officer jobs that are open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate is the best starting point. It surfaces roles from employers who have a demonstrated history of hiring international candidates on work authorization, which saves you from applying to positions where OPT isn't accepted. Filtering by OPT-friendly employers is especially useful for Hearing Officer roles, where government hiring rules around immigration sponsorship can vary widely by agency.
Does a three-year Australian or international law degree qualify me for Hearing Officer OPT work?
USCIS evaluates whether your degree is equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree or higher. A three-year law degree from a recognized international institution may qualify, but equivalency is assessed case by case. A credential evaluation from a NACES-approved organization can help establish equivalency if your employer or DSO raises questions about your degree's applicability to the role.
What happens to my OPT status if the Hearing Officer hiring process takes longer than expected?
Your 90-day unemployment clock runs from your OPT start date, not from when you receive an offer. If a government hiring process runs long, that time counts against your unemployment limit. Apply well before your OPT start date, maintain documentation of your active job search, and notify your DSO if you anticipate a gap. STEM OPT extension gives you an additional 150-day buffer if your degree qualifies.