Human Resources Specialist Jobs for OPT Students
Human Resources Specialist roles are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with degrees in HR, business, or organizational psychology. Most positions qualify as specialty occupations for OPT and STEM OPT extension purposes, and many large employers actively sponsor H-1B visas for HR professionals after OPT ends.
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This position supports the comprehensive delivery of human resources services within the Department of Pediatrics and the Stead Family Children’s Hospital. It coordinates and manages the full lifecycle of faculty and providers including recruitment, onboarding, credentialing, billing enrollment, compliance monitoring, faculty development, promotion, HR operations, and reporting. The position ensures that faculty, advanced practice providers, and licensed independent providers are practice‑ready, compliant with institutional and regulatory requirements, and fully supported throughout their academic and clinical careers. Success in this position requires strong organizational skills, sound policy interpretation, proficiency with HR and clinical systems, effective data management, and the ability to oversee multiple complex processes simultaneously. This job description outlines the role of two (2) HR Specialists who share the duties equitably.
Position Responsibilities
Faculty & Provider Recruitment
- Participate in faculty recruitment meetings with department leadership.
- May assist Senior HR Specialist with faculty recruitment processes as needed.
- Facilitate adjunct, secondary and visiting faculty appointments and reappointments.
Onboarding & HR Operations
- Coordinate onboarding and orientation for residents, fellows, faculty, staff, and providers.
- Maintain communication with new hires throughout onboarding and credentialing.
- Initiate and process HR workflow transactions (appointments, transfers, promotions, terminations, status changes).
- Facilitate system access, account setup, and operational readiness.
- Complete I-9 documentation, as needed.
- Maintain confidential personnel records.
- Monitor HR inbox and respond to or route inquiries appropriately.
- Respond to employment verification requests.
Provider Credentialing & Compliances
- Coordinate credentialing for faculty, ARNPs, PAs, and licensed independent providers.
- Identify appropriate start dates aligned with credentialing timelines; notify leadership of delays impacting start dates.
- Send credentialing packets; track completion and follow up as needed.
- Serve as primary liaison with the Clinical Staff Office (CSO).
- Facilitate FPPE, IPPE, and OPPE processes.
- Monitor re-credentialing cycles and privilege modifications.
- Review Interim Monitoring Reports and proactively track licensure/certification renewals.
- Resolve re-credentialing/licensing issues in collaboration with HR leadership.
- Maintain licensure documentation within the Compliance & Qualifications (CQ) system.
- Utilize CredentialStream effectively as departmental point of contact.
- Provide regular updates to divisions and escalate issues as necessary.
Provider Billing Enrollment
- Distribute and track billing enrollments and re-certifications.
- Ensure timely return of documentation to Patient Financial Services.
- Collaborate with Business Analyst to resolve billing-related issues.
Faculty Development & Annual Review
- Coordinate annual faculty review process (FRAP system).
- Ensure compliance with deadlines established by the Office of the Provost and Carver College of Medicine.
- Compile and disseminate Professional Metrics annually.
- Support mentoring program for junior faculty.
- Compile and review teaching evaluations.
- Provide guidance to faculty, PAC members, Vice Chairs, and DEO on development processes.
- Recommend process improvements.
- Coordinate and manage the process for change of academic track.
Faculty Promotion
- Coordinate faculty promotion processes consistent with University and CCOM policies.
- Conduct preliminary review of promotion materials and identify gaps.
- Troubleshoot Promotion & Tenure system issues.
- Coordinate promotion meetings, voting processes, and required documentation.
- Collaborate with secondary departments for joint appointments.
- Provide guidance and training to candidates and committee members.
Compliance with Policies, Laws & Regulations
- Monitor completion of required compliance elements.
- Prepare weekly compliance and delinquency reports.
- Follow up with employees regarding overdue or upcoming compliance items.
- Initiate or request extensions in CQ as appropriate.
- Partner with Employee Health, Health Care HR, and central offices to resolve issues.
- Coordinate job shadow requests in compliance with policy.
- Respond to compliance-related and professional metric inquiries.
Advising, Communication & Reporting
- Serve as resource for faculty, providers, and staff regarding HR processes and policies.
- Intake and triage HR-related inquiries.
- Provide assistance, guidance, and training to Division Program Coordinators and HR student employees.
- Develop and distribute communication materials regarding policy updates.
- Prepare comprehensive HR reports and ad hoc analyses.
- Participate in special projects, committee work, and training initiatives.
Education Requirements
A Bachelor's degree in Human Resources Management or Business Administration or related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Experience Requirements
- One to three years of related experience in human resources.
- Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
- Demonstrated ability to successfully balance multiple priorities and tasks simultaneously.
- Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office and computer software applications.
Position and Application Details
Successful candidates will be subject to a criminal background check and education/credential verification. Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check. Up to 5 professional references will be requested at a later step in the recruitment process.
This position is not eligible for university sponsorship for employment authorization.
In order to be considered for an interview, applicants must upload the following documents and mark them as a “Relevant File” to the submission:
- Resume
- Cover Letter
Job openings are posted for a minimum of 7 calendar days and may be removed from posting and filled any time after the original posting period has ended.
For additional questions, please contact Michelle Kroyman at michelle-kroymann@uiowa.edu
Benefits Highlights
- Fringe benefit package including paid vacation; sick leave; health, dental, life and disability insurance options; and generous employer contributions into retirement plans.
- The University of Iowa offers a generous benefits package, including paid vacation and paid sick leave. Complete information regarding the full benefits package may be viewed at: Benefits | University Human Resources - The University of Iowa (uiowa.edu)
This position is eligible for a combination of remote work and in-person (hybrid) work (after initial training period) within Iowa and will require a work arrangement form to be completed upon the start of your employment. Per policy, work arrangements will be reviewed annually, and must comply with the remote work program and related policies and employee travel policy when working at a remote location.

This position supports the comprehensive delivery of human resources services within the Department of Pediatrics and the Stead Family Children’s Hospital. It coordinates and manages the full lifecycle of faculty and providers including recruitment, onboarding, credentialing, billing enrollment, compliance monitoring, faculty development, promotion, HR operations, and reporting. The position ensures that faculty, advanced practice providers, and licensed independent providers are practice‑ready, compliant with institutional and regulatory requirements, and fully supported throughout their academic and clinical careers. Success in this position requires strong organizational skills, sound policy interpretation, proficiency with HR and clinical systems, effective data management, and the ability to oversee multiple complex processes simultaneously. This job description outlines the role of two (2) HR Specialists who share the duties equitably.
Position Responsibilities
Faculty & Provider Recruitment
- Participate in faculty recruitment meetings with department leadership.
- May assist Senior HR Specialist with faculty recruitment processes as needed.
- Facilitate adjunct, secondary and visiting faculty appointments and reappointments.
Onboarding & HR Operations
- Coordinate onboarding and orientation for residents, fellows, faculty, staff, and providers.
- Maintain communication with new hires throughout onboarding and credentialing.
- Initiate and process HR workflow transactions (appointments, transfers, promotions, terminations, status changes).
- Facilitate system access, account setup, and operational readiness.
- Complete I-9 documentation, as needed.
- Maintain confidential personnel records.
- Monitor HR inbox and respond to or route inquiries appropriately.
- Respond to employment verification requests.
Provider Credentialing & Compliances
- Coordinate credentialing for faculty, ARNPs, PAs, and licensed independent providers.
- Identify appropriate start dates aligned with credentialing timelines; notify leadership of delays impacting start dates.
- Send credentialing packets; track completion and follow up as needed.
- Serve as primary liaison with the Clinical Staff Office (CSO).
- Facilitate FPPE, IPPE, and OPPE processes.
- Monitor re-credentialing cycles and privilege modifications.
- Review Interim Monitoring Reports and proactively track licensure/certification renewals.
- Resolve re-credentialing/licensing issues in collaboration with HR leadership.
- Maintain licensure documentation within the Compliance & Qualifications (CQ) system.
- Utilize CredentialStream effectively as departmental point of contact.
- Provide regular updates to divisions and escalate issues as necessary.
Provider Billing Enrollment
- Distribute and track billing enrollments and re-certifications.
- Ensure timely return of documentation to Patient Financial Services.
- Collaborate with Business Analyst to resolve billing-related issues.
Faculty Development & Annual Review
- Coordinate annual faculty review process (FRAP system).
- Ensure compliance with deadlines established by the Office of the Provost and Carver College of Medicine.
- Compile and disseminate Professional Metrics annually.
- Support mentoring program for junior faculty.
- Compile and review teaching evaluations.
- Provide guidance to faculty, PAC members, Vice Chairs, and DEO on development processes.
- Recommend process improvements.
- Coordinate and manage the process for change of academic track.
Faculty Promotion
- Coordinate faculty promotion processes consistent with University and CCOM policies.
- Conduct preliminary review of promotion materials and identify gaps.
- Troubleshoot Promotion & Tenure system issues.
- Coordinate promotion meetings, voting processes, and required documentation.
- Collaborate with secondary departments for joint appointments.
- Provide guidance and training to candidates and committee members.
Compliance with Policies, Laws & Regulations
- Monitor completion of required compliance elements.
- Prepare weekly compliance and delinquency reports.
- Follow up with employees regarding overdue or upcoming compliance items.
- Initiate or request extensions in CQ as appropriate.
- Partner with Employee Health, Health Care HR, and central offices to resolve issues.
- Coordinate job shadow requests in compliance with policy.
- Respond to compliance-related and professional metric inquiries.
Advising, Communication & Reporting
- Serve as resource for faculty, providers, and staff regarding HR processes and policies.
- Intake and triage HR-related inquiries.
- Provide assistance, guidance, and training to Division Program Coordinators and HR student employees.
- Develop and distribute communication materials regarding policy updates.
- Prepare comprehensive HR reports and ad hoc analyses.
- Participate in special projects, committee work, and training initiatives.
Education Requirements
A Bachelor's degree in Human Resources Management or Business Administration or related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Experience Requirements
- One to three years of related experience in human resources.
- Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
- Demonstrated ability to successfully balance multiple priorities and tasks simultaneously.
- Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office and computer software applications.
Position and Application Details
Successful candidates will be subject to a criminal background check and education/credential verification. Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check. Up to 5 professional references will be requested at a later step in the recruitment process.
This position is not eligible for university sponsorship for employment authorization.
In order to be considered for an interview, applicants must upload the following documents and mark them as a “Relevant File” to the submission:
- Resume
- Cover Letter
Job openings are posted for a minimum of 7 calendar days and may be removed from posting and filled any time after the original posting period has ended.
For additional questions, please contact Michelle Kroyman at michelle-kroymann@uiowa.edu
Benefits Highlights
- Fringe benefit package including paid vacation; sick leave; health, dental, life and disability insurance options; and generous employer contributions into retirement plans.
- The University of Iowa offers a generous benefits package, including paid vacation and paid sick leave. Complete information regarding the full benefits package may be viewed at: Benefits | University Human Resources - The University of Iowa (uiowa.edu)
This position is eligible for a combination of remote work and in-person (hybrid) work (after initial training period) within Iowa and will require a work arrangement form to be completed upon the start of your employment. Per policy, work arrangements will be reviewed annually, and must comply with the remote work program and related policies and employee travel policy when working at a remote location.
How to Get Visa Sponsorship as a Human Resources Specialist
Target employers with dedicated HR departments
Large companies with 500 or more employees are far more likely to have established visa sponsorship processes. Smaller firms often lack the HR infrastructure to navigate sponsorship paperwork, making enterprise-level employers a more practical starting point for OPT students.
Frame your degree field clearly on every application
HR Specialist roles require a direct connection between your degree and the position. Explicitly name your major in your resume summary and cover letter so hiring managers can confirm OPT eligibility without guessing. Ambiguous applications get screened out faster.
Pursue roles with compliance or analytics components
HR Specialist positions involving employment law compliance, workforce analytics, or compensation analysis are more consistently classified as specialty occupations. These functions strengthen your OPT eligibility and make future H-1B sponsorship arguments easier for employers to support.
Ask about sponsorship before the final interview round
Raise the H-1B sponsorship question after receiving initial interest but before a formal offer. Framing it as a planning question rather than a demand signals professionalism and gives both sides time to assess fit without creating awkwardness at the offer stage.
Highlight any HR certifications you hold
Credentials like SHRM-CP or PHR signal professional commitment and reduce employer hesitation around OPT timelines. Certified candidates are perceived as lower hiring risks, which matters when employers are weighing the additional administrative effort of sponsoring a visa.
Track your OPT end date and plan the H-1B timeline early
H-1B registration opens in March each year with an April 1 start date. If your OPT expires before October, you may need a cap-gap extension to stay in status. Understanding this calendar helps you start sponsorship conversations with employers at the right time.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Do Human Resources Specialist jobs qualify as specialty occupations for OPT?
Most HR Specialist roles qualify as specialty occupations because they typically require at least a bachelor's degree in human resources, business administration, or a related field. Roles focused on HR generalist functions, talent acquisition, compensation analysis, or HR compliance consistently meet the specialty occupation standard. Roles that only require any bachelor's degree regardless of field may face more scrutiny, so targeting positions with a clear degree-field requirement strengthens your eligibility.
Can I use STEM OPT extension for an HR Specialist job?
STEM OPT extension is available if your underlying degree is in a STEM-designated field such as organizational psychology, management information systems, or data analytics, and your HR role involves applying those technical skills. A general HR or business administration degree does not qualify for STEM OPT. Students with STEM degrees should confirm their employer is E-Verify enrolled, which is required for STEM OPT.
Where can I find HR Specialist jobs that are open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters jobs by visa sponsorship openness, so you are not wasting applications on employers who will not consider OPT candidates. Browsing HR Specialist listings on Migrate Mate lets you see which companies have a history of sponsoring international candidates, saving significant time in your job search.
Do employers typically sponsor H-1B visas for HR Specialists after OPT ends?
Yes, many mid-size and large employers sponsor H-1B visas for HR Specialists, particularly at companies with global workforces or complex compliance environments where specialized HR expertise is valued. The legal and administrative cost of sponsorship is easier for employers to justify when the role is difficult to fill locally. Government agencies and nonprofits may offer cap-exempt H-1B alternatives worth exploring as well.
What should I do if an employer says they do not sponsor visas for HR roles?
First, clarify whether they mean they have never sponsored before or have a firm policy against it. Many employers say they do not sponsor simply because no prior candidate raised the issue. If sponsorship is genuinely off the table, focus your search on employers with established international hiring programs. HR roles at multinational corporations, consulting firms, and staffing companies tend to have more sponsorship infrastructure in place.
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