OPT Lead Designer Jobs
Lead Designer roles on OPT require demonstrating strategic design ownership, not just execution skills. Most positions qualify as specialty occupations under F-1 OPT work authorization. STEM OPT extension eligibility depends on your degree field, so confirm your CIP code with your DSO before applying.
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Lead Designer
Terms: Regular full-time position (40 hrs/week), with benefits. Overtime eligible.
Bargaining Unit: AFSCME Local 3300
Hiring Range: Communications Specialist, Range 6. The full range for this classification is $61,152 – $80,683 (Steps 1–15). The expected hiring range for this position is $61,152 – $73,070 (Steps 1–10), depending on qualifications and experience.
Job Classification and Range: Communications Specialist, Range 6 (working title: Lead Designer)
Department: Outreach and Communications
Reports To: Communications and Development Director
Base Schedule: Full-time, 40 hours per week (five 8-hour days). Employees work a consistent daily schedule with established start and end times, set in coordination with their supervisor — start times between 7:00 and 9:00 a.m. and end times between 3:30 and 5:30 p.m. Alternate schedules, such as four 10-hour days, may be approved in advance based on operational needs. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required.
Application Instructions
To apply for this position, please submit the following materials via our website at https://snohomishcd.org/employment:
- Cover letter stating why you are interested in this position
- CV or resume detailing your related experience
If you have questions about applying or need accommodation during the application process, contact Sally Cunningham at hr@snohomishcd.org or (360) 631-6736.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and will be accepted until the position is filled. Priority deadline for applications is Monday, November 16, 2026.
Position Summary
The Lead Designer develops and executes Snohomish Conservation District’s visual communications strategies. This role ensures creative and cohesive branding in print and digital design. The position is part of the Outreach and Communications Team which provides education, outreach, and communications support to all District programs – including Agriculture, Habitat, Forestry, Community Conservation, Youth Education, Outreach and Events, and District Operations. This position reports to the Communications and Development Director.
Duties
Essential Tasks
These are illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.
Design
- Design and produce content for print and electronic communications, including postcards, social media, newsletters, flyers, booklets, brochures, large-scale signage, and websites.
- Successfully manage multiple complex projects from design conception to production readiness.
- Oversee conformity to branding guide in all communications, outreach, and marketing materials to maintain consistent, high-quality design.
- Work with the Communications & Marketing Specialist to design the annual report.
Website & Outreach Support
- Responsible for the overall appearance and function of SCD websites.
- Help maintain shared websites, such as Better Ground.
- Understand and interpret website analytics for future digital marketing campaign development.
- Collaborate across teams to ensure the website remains updated with accurate, timely information.
- Support digital promotion of outreach events and programs through Eventbrite, website calendar, etc.
- Support and collaborate with the Communications and Marketing Specialist to review and proofread designs, revisions, and other documentation for friendly and understandable language.
- Support community outreach events, including staffing, coordinating event details, and capturing photos.
Qualifications
Required knowledge, skills, and abilities
- Bachelor’s degree in graphic design or a related field
- At least three years of professional experience in graphic design, branding, or a related field
- Knowledge of layouts, graphic fundamentals, typography, print, and web design
- Knowledge of search engine optimization (SEO) and answer engine optimization (AEO)
- Knowledge of Adobe PhotoShop, Illustrator, Sketch, InDesign, and other graphic design software
- Demonstrated illustration skills
- Experience supporting outreach events, including photography
- Demonstrated ability to translate purpose and tone into high-quality design within established SCD brand identity
- Strong attention to detail
Physical Requirements and Working Conditions
This position requires the ability to:
- Operate a computer almost constantly throughout a standard workday.
- Work outdoors in all weather conditions and on rough or uneven terrain.
- Sit or stand for long periods of time in a standard workday.
- Occasionally lift, pull, carry, push up to 40lbs, and to bend, twist, squat, kneel/crawl, and reach overhead.
- Occasionally work beyond an 8:00 am – 5:00 pm schedule or on the weekend.
- Drive a vehicle when travel is needed. Must hold a valid, unrestricted Washington State driver’s license (or have the ability to acquire upon hire).
Supplemental Information
Work Location
The District offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes:
- Medical, including vision, insurance coverage through Washington State PEBB. The District covers employee dependent’s medical premiums at 80%.
- Dental insurance coverage through Washington State PEBB for benefits-eligible employees. The District covers employee dependent’s dental premiums at 100%.
- A monthly contribution to a health reimbursement arrangement (HRA) plan through Voluntary Employees Beneficiary Association (VEBA) for employees who have non-District medical insurance coverage.
- Life Insurance through Washington State Health Care Authority (WSHCA), with coverage paid for by the District.
- Long Term Care coverage through the WA Cares Fund, with premiums paid by the District.
- Long Term Disability through WSHCA.
- Additional voluntary supplemental insurance opportunities are also available.
- Annual (vacation) leave accrued at a beginning rate of 9.33 hours per month, 8 hours of paid sick leave per month and 12 paid holidays each year plus 1 personal day. All PTO hours are prorated to FTE.
- Auto-enrollment into the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP), option to disenroll after hired.
- All employees are covered by standard State and Federal programs, including WA Paid Family Medical Leave, Unemployment Insurance, Workers' Compensation, Social Security, and Medicare.
- Employer-contributed retirement program through the State of Washington Employees’ Retirement System (PERS).
- Access to an Employee Assistance Program.
- Terms of compensation and benefits are set by the Board of Supervisors, pro-rated based upon FTE, and may be amended at any time.
We strive to work in partnership with all, to provide equitable and accessible programming on a nondiscriminatory basis, and to continually improve how we do so. All programs and services of the Snohomish Conservation District are offered on a nondiscriminatory basis, without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, or genetic information.
Description
Lead Designer
Terms: Regular full-time position (40 hrs/week), with benefits. Overtime eligible.
Bargaining Unit: AFSCME Local 3300
Hiring Range: Communications Specialist, Range 6. The full range for this classification is $61,152 – $80,683 (Steps 1–15). The expected hiring range for this position is $61,152 – $73,070 (Steps 1–10), depending on qualifications and experience.
Job Classification and Range: Communications Specialist, Range 6 (working title: Lead Designer)
Department: Outreach and Communications
Reports To: Communications and Development Director
Base Schedule: Full-time, 40 hours per week (five 8-hour days). Employees work a consistent daily schedule with established start and end times, set in coordination with their supervisor — start times between 7:00 and 9:00 a.m. and end times between 3:30 and 5:30 p.m. Alternate schedules, such as four 10-hour days, may be approved in advance based on operational needs. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required.
Application Instructions
To apply for this position, please submit the following materials via our website at https://snohomishcd.org/employment:
- Cover letter stating why you are interested in this position
- CV or resume detailing your related experience
If you have questions about applying or need accommodation during the application process, contact Sally Cunningham at hr@snohomishcd.org or (360) 631-6736.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and will be accepted until the position is filled. Priority deadline for applications is Monday, November 16, 2026.
Position Summary
The Lead Designer develops and executes Snohomish Conservation District’s visual communications strategies. This role ensures creative and cohesive branding in print and digital design. The position is part of the Outreach and Communications Team which provides education, outreach, and communications support to all District programs – including Agriculture, Habitat, Forestry, Community Conservation, Youth Education, Outreach and Events, and District Operations. This position reports to the Communications and Development Director.
Duties
Essential Tasks
These are illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.
Design
- Design and produce content for print and electronic communications, including postcards, social media, newsletters, flyers, booklets, brochures, large-scale signage, and websites.
- Successfully manage multiple complex projects from design conception to production readiness.
- Oversee conformity to branding guide in all communications, outreach, and marketing materials to maintain consistent, high-quality design.
- Work with the Communications & Marketing Specialist to design the annual report.
Website & Outreach Support
- Responsible for the overall appearance and function of SCD websites.
- Help maintain shared websites, such as Better Ground.
- Understand and interpret website analytics for future digital marketing campaign development.
- Collaborate across teams to ensure the website remains updated with accurate, timely information.
- Support digital promotion of outreach events and programs through Eventbrite, website calendar, etc.
- Support and collaborate with the Communications and Marketing Specialist to review and proofread designs, revisions, and other documentation for friendly and understandable language.
- Support community outreach events, including staffing, coordinating event details, and capturing photos.
Qualifications
Required knowledge, skills, and abilities
- Bachelor’s degree in graphic design or a related field
- At least three years of professional experience in graphic design, branding, or a related field
- Knowledge of layouts, graphic fundamentals, typography, print, and web design
- Knowledge of search engine optimization (SEO) and answer engine optimization (AEO)
- Knowledge of Adobe PhotoShop, Illustrator, Sketch, InDesign, and other graphic design software
- Demonstrated illustration skills
- Experience supporting outreach events, including photography
- Demonstrated ability to translate purpose and tone into high-quality design within established SCD brand identity
- Strong attention to detail
Physical Requirements and Working Conditions
This position requires the ability to:
- Operate a computer almost constantly throughout a standard workday.
- Work outdoors in all weather conditions and on rough or uneven terrain.
- Sit or stand for long periods of time in a standard workday.
- Occasionally lift, pull, carry, push up to 40lbs, and to bend, twist, squat, kneel/crawl, and reach overhead.
- Occasionally work beyond an 8:00 am – 5:00 pm schedule or on the weekend.
- Drive a vehicle when travel is needed. Must hold a valid, unrestricted Washington State driver’s license (or have the ability to acquire upon hire).
Supplemental Information
Work Location
The District offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes:
- Medical, including vision, insurance coverage through Washington State PEBB. The District covers employee dependent’s medical premiums at 80%.
- Dental insurance coverage through Washington State PEBB for benefits-eligible employees. The District covers employee dependent’s dental premiums at 100%.
- A monthly contribution to a health reimbursement arrangement (HRA) plan through Voluntary Employees Beneficiary Association (VEBA) for employees who have non-District medical insurance coverage.
- Life Insurance through Washington State Health Care Authority (WSHCA), with coverage paid for by the District.
- Long Term Care coverage through the WA Cares Fund, with premiums paid by the District.
- Long Term Disability through WSHCA.
- Additional voluntary supplemental insurance opportunities are also available.
- Annual (vacation) leave accrued at a beginning rate of 9.33 hours per month, 8 hours of paid sick leave per month and 12 paid holidays each year plus 1 personal day. All PTO hours are prorated to FTE.
- Auto-enrollment into the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP), option to disenroll after hired.
- All employees are covered by standard State and Federal programs, including WA Paid Family Medical Leave, Unemployment Insurance, Workers' Compensation, Social Security, and Medicare.
- Employer-contributed retirement program through the State of Washington Employees’ Retirement System (PERS).
- Access to an Employee Assistance Program.
- Terms of compensation and benefits are set by the Board of Supervisors, pro-rated based upon FTE, and may be amended at any time.
We strive to work in partnership with all, to provide equitable and accessible programming on a nondiscriminatory basis, and to continually improve how we do so. All programs and services of the Snohomish Conservation District are offered on a nondiscriminatory basis, without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, or genetic information.
See all 65+ OPT Lead Designer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Lead Designer Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Lead Designer
Frame your portfolio around business outcomes
Hiring managers for lead roles want to see how your design decisions drove measurable results. Pair every case study with metrics like conversion lift, user retention, or revenue impact to position yourself above execution-focused candidates.
Clarify your OPT timeline upfront
Lead Designer roles often involve onboarding ramp-up of 60 to 90 days. Make sure your remaining OPT authorization covers that period, and be transparent with employers about your timeline so they can plan for future sponsorship accordingly.
Target companies with existing design infrastructure
Startups without a dedicated design team often expect lead hires to build everything from scratch, which compresses your contribution window on OPT. Companies with established design systems let you demonstrate strategic impact faster within your authorization period.
Demonstrate cross-functional leadership in interviews
Lead Designer roles require influencing engineers, product managers, and stakeholders. Prepare specific examples of driving alignment across teams, managing design critique sessions, or advocating for user needs against competing business priorities during the interview process.
Confirm STEM OPT eligibility with your DSO early
Design roles under CIP codes like Human-Computer Interaction or Digital Communication may qualify for the 24-month STEM extension. Verifying this with your Designated School Official before accepting an offer protects you from unexpected authorization gaps.
Research each employer's history with visa sponsorship
Not all companies that hire on OPT will transition you to H-1B visa. Before committing to a role, ask recruiters directly about their sponsorship track record for design positions and whether they have an immigration attorney on retainer.
Lead Designer OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Lead Designer role qualify as a specialty occupation for OPT?
Yes, Lead Designer roles typically qualify as specialty occupations because they require at minimum a bachelor's degree in a directly related field such as graphic design, interaction design, or human-computer interaction. The degree requirement must apply to the specific role, not just be preferred. If the job posting says any bachelor's degree is acceptable, that can weaken the specialty occupation argument and cause complications with future H-1B sponsorship.
Can I work as a Lead Designer on OPT if my degree is in a non-design field?
It depends on the field. A computer science or psychology degree can support a Lead Designer role if your coursework covered HCI, UX research, or visual systems. A degree in an unrelated field is harder to justify. Your DSO can advise on whether your specific degree and the job description align for OPT authorization purposes.
Where can I find Lead Designer jobs that are open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate is the best place to search, since the job board is specifically built for F-1 OPT and visa-sponsored roles. Listings are filtered for employers open to work authorization, so you avoid wasting time on applications where sponsorship is a nonstarter. Browse Lead Designer roles on Migrate Mate to find employers already familiar with OPT hiring.
Does a Lead Designer role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It can, but it depends on your degree's CIP code, not your job title. Degrees in Human-Computer Interaction (CIP 11.0801), Information Technology (CIP 11.0103), or certain engineering programs can support a STEM extension for a design role. Degrees in fine arts or communication design typically do not qualify. Confirm your CIP code with your DSO before assuming you're eligible.
What should I know about H-1B sponsorship timelines when taking a Lead Designer role on OPT?
The H-1B lottery opens in March for an October 1 start date. If you start a Lead Designer role mid-year on OPT, your employer needs to register you in the lottery within your first few months of employment. Standard OPT gives you 12 months of work authorization, and a STEM extension can give you another 24 months if eligible, providing more runway if you miss a lottery cycle.