OPT Instructional Design Specialist Jobs
Instructional Design Specialist roles are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with backgrounds in education technology, curriculum development, or learning sciences. Your 12-month OPT window (up to 36 months on STEM OPT) gives you time to build a portfolio and secure an employer willing to sponsor long-term.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Are you passionate about high-quality adult education, career training, and student support? Do you enjoy working collaboratively with others? If so, then Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School (CRIPCS) is the place for you.
Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School (CRIPCS) is an adult charter school that delivers high-quality education, career training, and supportive services that enable adult immigrants to realize their dreams while strengthening our community and economy. When you join the team at CRIPCS you become part of a unique, performance-driven organization where students are the center of our work and excellence permeates.
The mission of Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School is to deliver high-quality education, career training, and supportive services that enable adult immigrants to realize their dreams while strengthening our community and economy.
Our organization's values guide our behavior:
- Integrity
- Respect
- Perseverance
- Compassion
- Inclusivity
- Collaboration
WHO WE ARE:
CRIPCS is the nation’s first adult charter school and a national model for high-quality adult education, career training, and student support. Our mission-driven team advances innovative, equity-centered solutions that empower adult immigrants and English language learners while strengthening our community and economy. Through our award-winning three-pronged model—foundational coursework, career certification, and comprehensive supports—and guided by our core values: Integrity, Respect, Perseverance, Compassion, Inclusivity, and Collaboration we advance our strategic priorities to empower our people and culture and build for the future.
ROLE SUMMARY:
Reporting to the Principal, the Instructional Coach leads professional development, training sessions, and ongoing instructional improvement efforts. This includes supporting the implementation of new initiatives and addressing identified instructional needs. The coach provides targeted support for new faculty in instructional delivery and orientation and also works with experienced faculty to strengthen areas of need.
CORE WORKSTREAMS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Plan and lead the annual August Teacher In-Service and collaborate with the Academic Leadership Team to coordinate school-wide faculty development workshops. Schedule additional professional development sessions throughout the academic year.
- Maintain accurate records and data related to instruction and professional development for use in various accountability reports.
- Provide one-on-one or small group coaching to teachers over the course of a semester or school year, focusing on best practice implementation and targeted support as identified by academic managers.
- Facilitate collaborative planning sessions to support lesson development, resource selection, and the use of student and instructional data.
- Model effective instructional strategies and develop related tools and materials to support classroom implementation.
- Promote reflective teaching practices by guiding faculty through self-assessment and ongoing feedback aligned with the school’s faculty evaluation process.
- Stay current on educational trends and initiatives, particularly in the areas of ESL, GED, Adult Education, Hybrid Learning, and Career Training/Workforce Development.
- Collaborate with various departments, including Curriculum, IT, Student Services, and Arts and Culture, to support school-wide goals and initiatives.
- Availability to work a split schedule (AM/EVE), two nights per week, in a hybrid setting (in person and virtual).
- Adherence to the feedback cycle.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
WHAT YOU’LL BRING:
- Experienced educator and instructional leader with a strong background in teacher coaching, faculty development, adult education, ESL/GED programming, and hybrid learning environments.
- Capable of leading school-wide professional development initiatives while providing individualized coaching that improves instructional effectiveness and student outcomes.
EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION AND OTHER EXPERIENCES:
- Master's degree in teaching or a related field, with a minimum of three years of experience teaching ESL and providing instructional support or training to educators; equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.
- Strong understanding of adult learning theory and familiarity with Workforce Development strategies.
- Proven ability to support faculty in the effective use of educational technology tools, including but not limited to Schoology, Zoom, Achieve3000, Smartboards, and Pearson platforms.
- Experience in designing and delivering professional development, as well as coaching educators.
- Knowledge of current educational trends and initiatives in ESL, GED, Adult Education, and Hybrid Learning models.
- Experience working with adult learners, particularly Adult English Language Learners.
- Ability to collaborate with external partners to deliver training that meets school or program needs.
- Strong oral and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate professionally and effectively.
- Self-motivated and capable of working independently with minimal supervision.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office and Google Workspace (G-Suite).
- Deep commitment to CRIPCS's core values and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) and ability to model those values in relationships with colleagues and partners.
- Must be able to provide proof of completed Covid-19 vaccination.
- To ensure that you understand the school’s commitment to our work and the expectations of all school community members is to advance Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging work.
- We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
WORK SCHEDULE:
- Ability to work AM/PM and PM/EVE shifts.
SALARY RANGE AND BENEFITS:
- A competitive annual starting salary range of $67,000.00 to $123,642.49 commensurate with experience.
- 46 total days of time off (a combination of paid holidays, vacation, sick, and personal time) per year. This number increases over time.
- A flexible, hybrid work schedule.
- Competitive health benefits and retirement match (up to 6% of the base salary).
- Deep investment in individualized professional development, inclusive of coaching, conference attendance, and tuition reimbursement.
Even if you don’t feel that all of the requested qualifications aren’t your current strengths, we still welcome you to apply. We invite all candidates of all backgrounds to apply.
Physical Requirements:
- Standing and presenting.
- Walking between classrooms and meetings.
- Extensive computer use.
- Occasional lifting of training materials.
- Working a hybrid schedule that includes evening hours.
DETAILS OF ROLE:
- FLSA CLASSIFICATION: NON-EXEMPT
- REPORTS TO: PRINCIPAL
- TYPE OF ROLE: 10.5 MONTHS
- MANAGES: N/A
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT:
Equal Employment Opportunity STATEMENT: Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing equal employment opportunity in recruitment, hiring, training and development, promotion, termination, compensation and all other terms, conditions and privileges of employment. In accordance with federal and DC laws, Carlos Rosario School does not discriminate with regard to employment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ethnicity, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, family responsibilities, political affiliation, disability, matriculation, veteran status, or other protected status under applicable law.
This position will be open until 08/28/2026.
INTRODUCTION
Are you passionate about high-quality adult education, career training, and student support? Do you enjoy working collaboratively with others? If so, then Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School (CRIPCS) is the place for you.
Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School (CRIPCS) is an adult charter school that delivers high-quality education, career training, and supportive services that enable adult immigrants to realize their dreams while strengthening our community and economy. When you join the team at CRIPCS you become part of a unique, performance-driven organization where students are the center of our work and excellence permeates.
The mission of Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School is to deliver high-quality education, career training, and supportive services that enable adult immigrants to realize their dreams while strengthening our community and economy.
Our organization's values guide our behavior:
- Integrity
- Respect
- Perseverance
- Compassion
- Inclusivity
- Collaboration
WHO WE ARE:
CRIPCS is the nation’s first adult charter school and a national model for high-quality adult education, career training, and student support. Our mission-driven team advances innovative, equity-centered solutions that empower adult immigrants and English language learners while strengthening our community and economy. Through our award-winning three-pronged model—foundational coursework, career certification, and comprehensive supports—and guided by our core values: Integrity, Respect, Perseverance, Compassion, Inclusivity, and Collaboration we advance our strategic priorities to empower our people and culture and build for the future.
ROLE SUMMARY:
Reporting to the Principal, the Instructional Coach leads professional development, training sessions, and ongoing instructional improvement efforts. This includes supporting the implementation of new initiatives and addressing identified instructional needs. The coach provides targeted support for new faculty in instructional delivery and orientation and also works with experienced faculty to strengthen areas of need.
CORE WORKSTREAMS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Plan and lead the annual August Teacher In-Service and collaborate with the Academic Leadership Team to coordinate school-wide faculty development workshops. Schedule additional professional development sessions throughout the academic year.
- Maintain accurate records and data related to instruction and professional development for use in various accountability reports.
- Provide one-on-one or small group coaching to teachers over the course of a semester or school year, focusing on best practice implementation and targeted support as identified by academic managers.
- Facilitate collaborative planning sessions to support lesson development, resource selection, and the use of student and instructional data.
- Model effective instructional strategies and develop related tools and materials to support classroom implementation.
- Promote reflective teaching practices by guiding faculty through self-assessment and ongoing feedback aligned with the school’s faculty evaluation process.
- Stay current on educational trends and initiatives, particularly in the areas of ESL, GED, Adult Education, Hybrid Learning, and Career Training/Workforce Development.
- Collaborate with various departments, including Curriculum, IT, Student Services, and Arts and Culture, to support school-wide goals and initiatives.
- Availability to work a split schedule (AM/EVE), two nights per week, in a hybrid setting (in person and virtual).
- Adherence to the feedback cycle.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
WHAT YOU’LL BRING:
- Experienced educator and instructional leader with a strong background in teacher coaching, faculty development, adult education, ESL/GED programming, and hybrid learning environments.
- Capable of leading school-wide professional development initiatives while providing individualized coaching that improves instructional effectiveness and student outcomes.
EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION AND OTHER EXPERIENCES:
- Master's degree in teaching or a related field, with a minimum of three years of experience teaching ESL and providing instructional support or training to educators; equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.
- Strong understanding of adult learning theory and familiarity with Workforce Development strategies.
- Proven ability to support faculty in the effective use of educational technology tools, including but not limited to Schoology, Zoom, Achieve3000, Smartboards, and Pearson platforms.
- Experience in designing and delivering professional development, as well as coaching educators.
- Knowledge of current educational trends and initiatives in ESL, GED, Adult Education, and Hybrid Learning models.
- Experience working with adult learners, particularly Adult English Language Learners.
- Ability to collaborate with external partners to deliver training that meets school or program needs.
- Strong oral and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate professionally and effectively.
- Self-motivated and capable of working independently with minimal supervision.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office and Google Workspace (G-Suite).
- Deep commitment to CRIPCS's core values and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) and ability to model those values in relationships with colleagues and partners.
- Must be able to provide proof of completed Covid-19 vaccination.
- To ensure that you understand the school’s commitment to our work and the expectations of all school community members is to advance Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging work.
- We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
WORK SCHEDULE:
- Ability to work AM/PM and PM/EVE shifts.
SALARY RANGE AND BENEFITS:
- A competitive annual starting salary range of $67,000.00 to $123,642.49 commensurate with experience.
- 46 total days of time off (a combination of paid holidays, vacation, sick, and personal time) per year. This number increases over time.
- A flexible, hybrid work schedule.
- Competitive health benefits and retirement match (up to 6% of the base salary).
- Deep investment in individualized professional development, inclusive of coaching, conference attendance, and tuition reimbursement.
Even if you don’t feel that all of the requested qualifications aren’t your current strengths, we still welcome you to apply. We invite all candidates of all backgrounds to apply.
Physical Requirements:
- Standing and presenting.
- Walking between classrooms and meetings.
- Extensive computer use.
- Occasional lifting of training materials.
- Working a hybrid schedule that includes evening hours.
DETAILS OF ROLE:
- FLSA CLASSIFICATION: NON-EXEMPT
- REPORTS TO: PRINCIPAL
- TYPE OF ROLE: 10.5 MONTHS
- MANAGES: N/A
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT:
Equal Employment Opportunity STATEMENT: Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing equal employment opportunity in recruitment, hiring, training and development, promotion, termination, compensation and all other terms, conditions and privileges of employment. In accordance with federal and DC laws, Carlos Rosario School does not discriminate with regard to employment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ethnicity, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, family responsibilities, political affiliation, disability, matriculation, veteran status, or other protected status under applicable law.
This position will be open until 08/28/2026.
See all 190+ OPT Instructional Design Specialist Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as an Instructional Design Specialist
Target employers with established L&D teams
Large corporations, universities, and healthcare systems typically have dedicated learning and development departments. These organizations hire instructional designers regularly and are more likely to have existing visa sponsorship infrastructure than small startups or solo consulting shops.
Lead with your e-learning tool expertise
Employers screening OPT candidates want proof you can contribute immediately. Highlighting hands-on experience with Articulate Storyline, Adobe Captivate, or Canvas LMS signals job-ready skills and reduces the hesitation some hiring managers feel about sponsorship timelines and onboarding investment.
Frame your degree field carefully on applications
STEM OPT eligibility depends on your degree classification. If your degree is in instructional technology, learning sciences, or educational technology, confirm it carries a STEM designation with your DSO before applying, as this significantly extends your authorized work period.
Apply to higher education institutions proactively
Colleges and universities are among the most OPT-friendly employers for instructional designers. They frequently hire for course development and faculty support roles, understand student visa timelines well, and often have in-house international HR processes that simplify the sponsorship conversation.
Build a public portfolio before reaching out
Sponsorship decisions often come down to demonstrable impact. A portfolio showing sample modules, storyboards, or completed courses gives hiring managers concrete evidence of your capabilities, making it easier to justify the investment in sponsoring your work authorization beyond OPT.
Browse OPT-friendly roles on Migrate Mate
Not all instructional design postings are open to OPT candidates. Migrate Mate filters jobs by sponsorship willingness, so you can focus your time on employers already prepared to work with F-1 students rather than discovering the limitation late in the interview process.
Instructional Design Specialist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does an Instructional Design Specialist role qualify for STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree, not the job title. If your degree is in instructional technology, educational technology, learning sciences, or a related STEM-designated field, you likely qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Degrees in general education or communications may not qualify. Confirm your CIP code with your DSO before applying to roles expecting a longer authorization window.
How hard is it to find instructional design employers willing to sponsor OPT?
It varies by sector. Large technology companies, healthcare systems, and universities sponsor instructional designers with reasonable frequency because they have recurring hiring needs and established HR processes. Smaller e-learning agencies and consulting firms are less predictable. Migrate Mate surfaces roles specifically filtered for OPT and sponsorship willingness, which cuts out a significant amount of guesswork during your job search.
Can I work as a freelance instructional designer on OPT?
Yes, self-employment is permitted on OPT as long as you are actively working in a role directly related to your degree field. You must be able to document the work and show it meets the employment reporting requirements your DSO tracks. Sporadic project work without a clear business structure can create compliance risk, so speak with your international student office before pursuing this path.
What visa options exist after OPT expires for instructional designers?
The H-1B visa is the most common path. Instructional Design Specialist roles can qualify as specialty occupations when the position requires a bachelor's degree in instructional design, educational technology, or a closely related field. Some candidates also explore the O-1A for individuals with demonstrated expertise. Employer sponsorship is required for both, so identifying a willing employer before your OPT ends is critical.
What should I include on my resume to stand out as an OPT candidate for this role?
Prioritize concrete deliverables over job duties. List specific tools you have used, including authoring platforms and LMS systems, alongside measurable outcomes like completion rates or learner feedback scores if available. Include your OPT authorization period and degree field clearly so employers can assess fit quickly. A link to a portfolio is strongly recommended, as it removes uncertainty about your skill level that a resume alone cannot resolve.