OPT IT Systems Specialist Jobs
IT Systems Specialist jobs are among the most OPT-friendly roles in tech, with consistent demand from mid-size companies and enterprises that regularly sponsor H-1B visas. Your F-1 OPT authorization covers full-time systems administration, infrastructure support, and IT operations work across virtually every industry sector.
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EEO Statement:
UNMC is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, including an equal opportunity employer of protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
Location Omaha, NE
Requisition Number: Staff_14999
Department Public Safety 50000755
Business Unit Business & Finance
Reg-Temp Full-Time Regular
Work Schedule Monday-Friday; 8:00AM - 4:30PM; Some evenings and weekends.
Remote/Telecommuting No remote/telecommuting opportunity
Position Summary
This position in the department is responsible for management and oversight of all public safety IT programs, processes and policies. Conducts needs assessments, fosters development and oversees support for public safety IT policies, strategies and staff.
Participates in the planning processes as related to public safety IT programs. Focuses on meeting project commitments including communications with departmental staff as well as University stakeholders.
Spends significant time on project management responsibilities. Leads or assists in the planning, implementation and introduction of projects for new systems and technologies. Some after hours and on call activity is required.
Position Details
Additional Information
Posting Category Operations
Working Title IT Public Safety Systems Manager
Job Title Information Technology Specialist
Salary Grade IT25S
Appointment Type B1 - REG MGR PROF SALARY
Salary Range $82,600 - $132,200/annual
Job Requisition Begin Date 09/17/2026
Application Review Date 10/01/2026
Review Date Information:
Initial application review will begin on the date provided in the field above. Applications received prior to this review date will be considered. Applications received after the review date may be considered.
Required Education: Bachelor's degree or equivalent
If any degree major/training is required, please specify the type. (NOTE: Concentration and minors are not equivalent to a major)
Computer Science, Information Systems or related field.
(Will consider eight years related education/experience)
Required Experience 4 years
If any experience is required, please specify what kind of experience:
Experience managing/directing IT infrastructure projects and operations to include managing, configuring/maintaining enterprise-level Windows-based systems.
(Will consider eight years related education/experience)
Required License No
If yes, what is the required licensure/certification?
Required Computer Applications: Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Outlook
Required Other Computer Applications:
Required Additional Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Advanced personal computer troubleshooting, software and hardware installation and experience with Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office
- Database skills such as importing/exporting data, writing SQL queries and ODBC data connectivity. Creating custom reports using Crystal Reports.
- Basic Microsoft Server administration of users, groups, and permissions.
- Installation, configuration, and troubleshooting of printers and print drivers.
- Basic HTML and web content authoring.
Preferred Education: Master's degree or equivalent
If any degree/training is preferred, please specify the type:
Computer Science, Information Systems or related filed
Preferred Experience:
Experience in configuration, troubleshooting, and maintenance of Lenel OnGuard physical security system,
Milestone XProtect security video system and GIS applications.
Rudimentary knowledge of dispatch and law enforcement reporting and body-worn camera systems.
Preferred License: Yes
If yes, what is the preferred licensure/certification?:
- Lenel OnGuard System Associate (LCA), Professional (LCE) or Expert (LCE).
- Physical Security Professional (PSP),
- Certified Protection Professional (CPP),
- Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP),
- Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA),
- A+ and Server + certifications
- Milestone Xprotect certification
Preferred Computer Applications:
Preferred Other Computer Applications: Extensive knowledge of hardware/software products, TCP/IP networking, and Microsoft SQL server applications.
Preferred Additional Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Requisition Details
EEO Statement:
UNMC is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, including an equal opportunity employer of protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
Location Omaha, NE
Requisition Number: Staff_14999
Department Public Safety 50000755
Business Unit Business & Finance
Reg-Temp Full-Time Regular
Work Schedule Monday-Friday; 8:00AM - 4:30PM; Some evenings and weekends.
Remote/Telecommuting No remote/telecommuting opportunity
Position Summary
This position in the department is responsible for management and oversight of all public safety IT programs, processes and policies. Conducts needs assessments, fosters development and oversees support for public safety IT policies, strategies and staff.
Participates in the planning processes as related to public safety IT programs. Focuses on meeting project commitments including communications with departmental staff as well as University stakeholders.
Spends significant time on project management responsibilities. Leads or assists in the planning, implementation and introduction of projects for new systems and technologies. Some after hours and on call activity is required.
Position Details
Additional Information
Posting Category Operations
Working Title IT Public Safety Systems Manager
Job Title Information Technology Specialist
Salary Grade IT25S
Appointment Type B1 - REG MGR PROF SALARY
Salary Range $82,600 - $132,200/annual
Job Requisition Begin Date 09/17/2026
Application Review Date 10/01/2026
Review Date Information:
Initial application review will begin on the date provided in the field above. Applications received prior to this review date will be considered. Applications received after the review date may be considered.
Required Education: Bachelor's degree or equivalent
If any degree major/training is required, please specify the type. (NOTE: Concentration and minors are not equivalent to a major)
Computer Science, Information Systems or related field.
(Will consider eight years related education/experience)
Required Experience 4 years
If any experience is required, please specify what kind of experience:
Experience managing/directing IT infrastructure projects and operations to include managing, configuring/maintaining enterprise-level Windows-based systems.
(Will consider eight years related education/experience)
Required License No
If yes, what is the required licensure/certification?
Required Computer Applications: Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Outlook
Required Other Computer Applications:
Required Additional Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Advanced personal computer troubleshooting, software and hardware installation and experience with Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office
- Database skills such as importing/exporting data, writing SQL queries and ODBC data connectivity. Creating custom reports using Crystal Reports.
- Basic Microsoft Server administration of users, groups, and permissions.
- Installation, configuration, and troubleshooting of printers and print drivers.
- Basic HTML and web content authoring.
Preferred Education: Master's degree or equivalent
If any degree/training is preferred, please specify the type:
Computer Science, Information Systems or related filed
Preferred Experience:
Experience in configuration, troubleshooting, and maintenance of Lenel OnGuard physical security system,
Milestone XProtect security video system and GIS applications.
Rudimentary knowledge of dispatch and law enforcement reporting and body-worn camera systems.
Preferred License: Yes
If yes, what is the preferred licensure/certification?:
- Lenel OnGuard System Associate (LCA), Professional (LCE) or Expert (LCE).
- Physical Security Professional (PSP),
- Certified Protection Professional (CPP),
- Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP),
- Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA),
- A+ and Server + certifications
- Milestone Xprotect certification
Preferred Computer Applications:
Preferred Other Computer Applications: Extensive knowledge of hardware/software products, TCP/IP networking, and Microsoft SQL server applications.
Preferred Additional Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
See all 584+ OPT IT Systems Specialist Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as an IT Systems Specialist
Target companies with active IT infrastructure teams
Mid-size companies with 200 to 2,000 employees often have lean IT teams and real hiring urgency. They are more likely to sponsor OPT and H-1B than large enterprises with rigid HR processes or small firms without legal budgets.
Align your degree to the systems specialist role
USCIS requires a direct connection between your degree field and the job duties. A computer science, information systems, or IT management degree maps cleanly to this role. Highlight coursework in networking, systems administration, or infrastructure in your application materials.
Certifications close the gap when your degree is adjacent
CompTIA A+, Network+, or Microsoft certifications signal hands-on competence to hiring managers. If your degree is in a related but not identical field, certifications strengthen the specialty occupation argument for your H-1B transition.
Communicate your OPT timeline proactively and clearly
Many hiring managers are unfamiliar with STEM OPT extensions. Tell them upfront that your authorization lasts up to three years if the role qualifies, reducing the urgency and cost of immediate H-1B sponsorship from their perspective.
Focus your applications on industries with dense IT hiring
Healthcare systems, financial services, higher education, and managed service providers hire IT Systems Specialists in high volume. These sectors also have established immigration sponsorship infrastructure, making the transition from OPT to H-1B more predictable.
Document your technical scope to support future sponsorship
Keep records of the systems you manage, tools you use, and problems you solve. Specific technical documentation strengthens specialty occupation evidence when your employer files your H-1B petition, especially for roles where job duties can appear generalist.
IT Systems Specialist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does an IT Systems Specialist role qualify for STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree, not just the job title. If you hold a STEM-designated degree such as computer science, information technology, or information systems, and the role involves substantive technical work, you can apply for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Your employer must also be E-Verify enrolled. Roles that are primarily administrative with light technical duties may face scrutiny, so make sure your offer letter reflects genuine IT responsibilities.
How do I find IT Systems Specialist jobs that sponsor OPT students?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically for OPT-friendly employers, so you are not sorting through roles that exclude visa holders. IT Systems Specialist positions on Migrate Mate are posted by companies with a documented history of sponsoring F-1 workers, which saves significant time compared to applying broadly and hitting dead ends after the interview stage.
Can my IT Systems Specialist job duties affect my H-1B eligibility later?
Yes, directly. USCIS evaluates whether an IT Systems Specialist position qualifies as a specialty occupation when your employer files an H-1B petition. Roles requiring a specific bachelor's degree in a technical field are more defensible than generalist IT support positions. Ask your employer to describe the role in terms of technical complexity, required expertise, and degree requirements when drafting your job description.
What happens if I lose my IT Systems Specialist job while on OPT?
F-1 OPT students have a 90-day unemployment buffer in total during their OPT period, or 150 days if approved for a STEM extension. If you lose your position, you need to report the change to your DSO promptly and begin searching immediately. Time spent unemployed counts toward that cap regardless of the reason for separation.
Does part-time IT systems work count toward my OPT authorization?
Post-completion OPT requires at least 20 hours of work per week to remain in valid status. A part-time IT Systems Specialist role at 20 or more hours qualifies, but anything below that puts your status at risk. Contract, freelance, and W-2 employment all count, provided the work is directly related to your degree field and you report it correctly to your DSO.