OPT Job Coach Jobs
Job Coach roles involve guiding individuals through career planning, resume development, and job search strategies, work that typically requires a degree in counseling, psychology, education, or human resources. Most positions qualify as specialty occupations under OPT, giving F-1 students a clear path to authorized employment in this field.
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The Vermont Department of Labor is committed to improving the lives of Vermonters by connecting individuals with employment, education, training, and career opportunities. We are seeking a compassionate, organized, and results-oriented professional to join our team as a Job Center Specialist II.
As a Job Center Specialist II, you will provide individualized career coaching and case management services to help customers achieve their employment and training goals. Through one-on-one meetings, you will assess customer needs, develop employment and training plans, coordinate supportive services, monitor progress, and connect individuals with employers, education providers, and community resources. You will build strong relationships with customers while helping them identify their strengths, overcome barriers to employment, and achieve meaningful career outcomes.
Success in this role requires balancing direct customer service with community engagement, employer outreach, and accurate case documentation. You will collaborate with partner organizations, represent the Department at workshops, presentations, hiring events, and community activities, and responsibly administer workforce program funding in accordance with program requirements. Strong communication, organization, sound judgment, and the ability to manage a diverse caseload while meeting performance expectations are essential.
We are looking for someone who is committed to providing equitable, person-centered service to both youth and adults and believes everyone deserves the opportunity to succeed.
Occasional travel throughout the assigned service region is required. Applicants must possess a valid driver's license and have access to reliable personal transportation.
Who May Apply
This position, Job Center Specialist II (Job Requisition #55509), is open to all State employees and external applicants.
If you would like more information about this position, please contact Dean.Matweecha@vermont.gov
Please note that multiple positions in the same work location may be filled from this job posting.
Resumes will not be accepted via e-mail. You must apply online to be considered.
Environmental Factors
Interviews clients who are often under significant personal and financial burden, and who may exhibit significant stress and anxiety and may exhibit uncooperative or angry behaviors. It is expected that JCS II staff will engage all clients in a manner that exhibits professionalism, sensitivity, fairness, tact and diplomacy, and helps clients understand the services available to them through VDOL programs. Supportive attitude and actions are expected to be demonstrated in dealing with clients.
Position is assigned to a regional office location, but there is an expectation for travel between multiple regional locations as assigned by the Department. Will include travel to employers' worksites, schools/technical centers and community partner meetings. May be required to attend evening meetings as assigned by supervisor. Valid driver's license and private means of transportation is required.
Minimum Qualifications
Associate’s degree or higher in human resources field, public or business administration, or human services fields.
OR
Two (2) years or more experience in customer service, employment services, human services, human resources, or a closely related field.
Total Compensation
As a State employee you are offered a great career opportunity, but it's more than a paycheck. The State's total compensation package features an outstanding set of employee benefits that are worth about 30% of your total compensation, including:
- 80% State paid medical premium and a dental plan at no cost for employees and their families
- Work/Life balance: 12 paid holidays each year and a generous leave plan
- State Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FMLI)
- Two ways to save for your retirement: A State defined benefit pension plan and a deferred compensation 457(b) plan
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Flexible spending healthcare and childcare reimbursement accounts
- Low cost group life insurance
- Incentive-based Wellness Program
- Qualified Employer for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program
Want the specifics? Explore the Benefits of State Employment on our website.
Equal Opportunity Employer
The State of Vermont celebrates diversity, and is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect and meaningful inclusion that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The State does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, membership in an employee organization, family medical history or genetic information, or family or parental status. The State’s employment decisions are merit-based. Retaliatory adverse employment actions by the State are forbidden.
Overview
The Vermont Department of Labor is committed to improving the lives of Vermonters by connecting individuals with employment, education, training, and career opportunities. We are seeking a compassionate, organized, and results-oriented professional to join our team as a Job Center Specialist II.
As a Job Center Specialist II, you will provide individualized career coaching and case management services to help customers achieve their employment and training goals. Through one-on-one meetings, you will assess customer needs, develop employment and training plans, coordinate supportive services, monitor progress, and connect individuals with employers, education providers, and community resources. You will build strong relationships with customers while helping them identify their strengths, overcome barriers to employment, and achieve meaningful career outcomes.
Success in this role requires balancing direct customer service with community engagement, employer outreach, and accurate case documentation. You will collaborate with partner organizations, represent the Department at workshops, presentations, hiring events, and community activities, and responsibly administer workforce program funding in accordance with program requirements. Strong communication, organization, sound judgment, and the ability to manage a diverse caseload while meeting performance expectations are essential.
We are looking for someone who is committed to providing equitable, person-centered service to both youth and adults and believes everyone deserves the opportunity to succeed.
Occasional travel throughout the assigned service region is required. Applicants must possess a valid driver's license and have access to reliable personal transportation.
Who May Apply
This position, Job Center Specialist II (Job Requisition #55509), is open to all State employees and external applicants.
If you would like more information about this position, please contact Dean.Matweecha@vermont.gov
Please note that multiple positions in the same work location may be filled from this job posting.
Resumes will not be accepted via e-mail. You must apply online to be considered.
Environmental Factors
Interviews clients who are often under significant personal and financial burden, and who may exhibit significant stress and anxiety and may exhibit uncooperative or angry behaviors. It is expected that JCS II staff will engage all clients in a manner that exhibits professionalism, sensitivity, fairness, tact and diplomacy, and helps clients understand the services available to them through VDOL programs. Supportive attitude and actions are expected to be demonstrated in dealing with clients.
Position is assigned to a regional office location, but there is an expectation for travel between multiple regional locations as assigned by the Department. Will include travel to employers' worksites, schools/technical centers and community partner meetings. May be required to attend evening meetings as assigned by supervisor. Valid driver's license and private means of transportation is required.
Minimum Qualifications
Associate’s degree or higher in human resources field, public or business administration, or human services fields.
OR
Two (2) years or more experience in customer service, employment services, human services, human resources, or a closely related field.
Total Compensation
As a State employee you are offered a great career opportunity, but it's more than a paycheck. The State's total compensation package features an outstanding set of employee benefits that are worth about 30% of your total compensation, including:
- 80% State paid medical premium and a dental plan at no cost for employees and their families
- Work/Life balance: 12 paid holidays each year and a generous leave plan
- State Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FMLI)
- Two ways to save for your retirement: A State defined benefit pension plan and a deferred compensation 457(b) plan
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Flexible spending healthcare and childcare reimbursement accounts
- Low cost group life insurance
- Incentive-based Wellness Program
- Qualified Employer for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program
Want the specifics? Explore the Benefits of State Employment on our website.
Equal Opportunity Employer
The State of Vermont celebrates diversity, and is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect and meaningful inclusion that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The State does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, membership in an employee organization, family medical history or genetic information, or family or parental status. The State’s employment decisions are merit-based. Retaliatory adverse employment actions by the State are forbidden.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Job Coach
Highlight your counseling or advising coursework
Employers reviewing OPT candidates want to see your degree connects directly to the role. Reference specific courses in career development, counseling theory, or workforce psychology to reinforce that your education supports the specialty occupation requirement.
Apply early relative to your OPT start date
Job Coach hiring timelines can stretch four to eight weeks. Submitting applications two to three months before your OPT authorization begins gives employers enough runway to complete interviews and onboarding without feeling pressured by your work authorization start date.
Address OPT proactively in your cover letter
Briefly note your authorization period and that no sponsorship is required for your initial OPT duration. Many hiring managers misunderstand OPT as a sponsorship burden, correcting that assumption upfront removes a common reason applications get filtered out early.
Target nonprofit organizations and workforce development agencies
These employers regularly hire Job Coaches and are often more familiar with OPT work authorization than private sector companies. Workforce boards, career centers, and community organizations tend to have structured onboarding processes that accommodate OPT documentation requirements.
Quantify your advising or coaching experience concretely
Rather than listing responsibilities, show outcomes. How many clients did you support? What placement or goal-achievement rates did you help produce? Numbers give hiring managers a clear picture of your impact and distinguish you from candidates with similar academic backgrounds.
Clarify STEM OPT eligibility if your degree qualifies
If your degree falls under an approved STEM field such as psychology or organizational behavior, you may qualify for a 24-month STEM OPT extension. Mentioning this eligibility signals to employers that your work authorization window is substantially longer than the standard 12 months.
Job Coach OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Job Coach on OPT?
Yes. Job Coach roles typically qualify as specialty occupations under OPT because they require a degree in counseling, psychology, education, or a related field. Your degree must be directly related to the work you'll be performing. Positions at workforce agencies, university career centers, and nonprofit organizations are the most common qualifying employers for this role.
Do Job Coach employers typically understand OPT work authorization?
It varies by employer type. University career centers and workforce development organizations tend to be familiar with OPT since they work closely with international students and job seekers. Smaller private employers may be less familiar. A brief, clear explanation in your cover letter, noting that OPT requires no employer sponsorship and that you have an Employment Authorization Document, usually resolves any confusion quickly.
Where can I find Job Coach roles that are open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters job listings by visa authorization type, so you can browse Job Coach openings without manually screening each employer for OPT willingness. This saves significant time compared to applying broadly and encountering sponsorship-only positions after the fact.
Does a Job Coach role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree, not the job title. Job Coach roles themselves are not inherently classified as STEM. However, if your degree is in a STEM-designated field such as industrial-organizational psychology or certain behavioral science programs, you may qualify for the 24-month STEM extension. Check your degree's Classification of Instructional Programs code against the current STEM OPT designated degree program list to confirm.
What should I do if my Job Coach offer comes after my OPT start date?
OPT regulations require that you be employed, or actively engaged in a training opportunity, within 90 days of your program start date. If an offer is delayed, document any part-time coaching, volunteer advising, or training activities related to your field to maintain compliance. Contact your DSO promptly if you expect a gap, they can advise on reporting requirements and whether your situation remains within the 90-day unemployment limit.