OPT Learning And Development Specialist Jobs
Learning and Development Specialist roles are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with degrees in education, organizational psychology, human resources, or instructional design. Most roles qualify as specialty occupations for OPT authorization, and employers in corporate training, healthcare, and tech actively hire candidates on OPT.
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About the Office of the Massachusetts State Treasurer and Receiver General (“Treasury”)
Our mission is to manage and safeguard the State's public deposits and investments through sound business practices for the exclusive benefits of our citizens, and perform these duties with integrity, excellence, and leadership. Additionally, we strive to provide economic opportunity, stability, and security for every Massachusetts resident.
We are committed to excellence in recruiting, hiring, and retaining diverse and qualified individuals. We value a culture of diversity and professionalism in the workplace and strongly believe that our workforce should reflect our community.
Purpose of the Job
This position will support the Massachusetts State Retirement Board (MSRB) who administers a defined benefit pension plan, governed by Massachusetts General Law Chapter 32, for all eligible Commonwealth employees, retirees, and eligible employees from other authorized entities. The MSRB has locations in Boston and Springfield, Massachusetts. The HR Department is seeking a Learning & Development Specialist to join our Training Team. The Learning & Development Specialist is responsible for designing, implementing, and evaluating training programs that enhance employee skills, knowledge, and performance. This role involves a combination of remote and in-office work, requiring the ability to work collaboratively with MSRB staff and managers to develop and deliver training content.
Essential Functions and Responsibilities:
Training Development & Delivery:
- Develop a strong understanding of MSRB operations, business processes, and systems to create accurate, job-relevant training.
- Develop accessible virtual and self-paced learning using clear navigation, readable visuals, alternative text, captions, and transcripts as appropriate.
- Develop and deliver engaging classroom, virtual, and self-paced training using instructional design principles and adult learning theory.
- Configure and facilitate virtual training sessions using interactive tools and technology, troubleshoot routine technical issues, and prepare supporting materials and backup plans to ensure effective delivery.
- Create facilitator guides, participant materials, presentations, eLearning modules, software demonstrations, and step-by-step job aids.
- Review and test training materials and technology before delivery to ensure accuracy, functionality, and a positive learner experience.
- Independently manage assigned training projects from planning through delivery, ensuring accuracy, quality, and timely completion with minimal supervision.
- Administer and maintain assigned Learning Management System (LMS) functions, including course publishing, enrollments, training assignments, completion tracking, reporting, and troubleshooting routine learner and system issues.
Needs Analysis & Evaluation:
- Develop surveys, knowledge checks, and skill assessments using MS Office software to evaluate learning, behavioral changes, and use of workplace applications.
- Collaborate with managers, subject matter experts, and department representatives to identify learning needs, performance gaps, and appropriate training solutions.
- Analyze learner feedback, assessment results, and training data to identify opportunities for improvement and recommend changes to learning programs.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
- N/A
Qualifications
Preferred Skills and Attributes:
- Bachelor’s degree in instructional design, education, educational technology, or a related field preferred.
- At least one (1) to three (3) years of relevant experience in Learning & Development, Instructional Design, or technical training, including independently completing learning projects; equivalent education and demonstrated practical experience may be considered.
- Practical knowledge of instructional design methods, such as ADDIE, and adult learning principles, including alignment of objectives, instruction, practice, and assessment.
Required Skills and Competencies:
- Strong instructional writing, editing, proofreading, presentation, and facilitation skills.
- Strong organizational skills and judgment, including prioritizing competing assignments, managing revisions, and recognizing when to seek clarification or escalate issues.
- Ability to collaborate effectively with employees at all organizational levels and incorporate feedback while maintaining instructional quality.
- Commitment to maintaining current knowledge of learning technologies and effective training practices.
Technology Skills:
- Proficiency in Microsoft 365, including Word document formatting and review, PowerPoint slide masters and multimedia, Outlook scheduling, and Teams collaboration.
- Working proficiency in Excel and survey tools such as Microsoft Forms, including organizing data, using basic formulas, calculating completion and response rates, and preparing charts and summaries.
- Proficiency in OneDrive and SharePoint file sharing, permissions within assigned access, coauthoring, and version control.
- Experience independently developing and publishing interactive eLearning using Articulate 360, Adobe Captivate, Easygenerator, or an equivalent authoring tool, including SCORM publishing and testing where applicable.
- Practical LMS administration and reporting experience; Cornerstone experience preferred.
- Proficiency with Teams or Zoom for interactive virtual delivery and participant support.
- Ability to capture and annotate screenshots, record software demonstrations and narration, and edit video, audio, and graphics using tools such as Snagit, Camtasia, Clipchamp, Canva, or equivalents.
- Experience with Salesforce, OnBase, MARIS, or comparable business systems preferred.
Additional Information
- Hybrid Work Environment: This role involves both remote and in-office work. The employee will be expected to work in-office for the majority of the time for in-person meetings or training sessions.
- Travel: Occasional travel may be required for in-person training or meetings (if applicable).
Physical Requirements:
- Ability to lift up to 10 lbs.
- Ability to sit for extended periods of time.
Hybrid Work Environment:
All new hires at the Office of the State Treasurer and Receiver General (Treasury) will go through an In-Office Orientation Period consisting of a combination of virtual, in-person and on-the-job training so as to assimilate you to the Treasury’s culture and work environment. Following the initial In-Office Orientation Period a gradual transition to hybrid work will take place over the first 3–8 weeks of employment.
The hybrid work environment will consist of two (2) days in the office each week, with one of these days being either a Monday or a Friday. There will be an additional (1) day in the office per month for a mandatory in person department meeting.
An Equal Opportunity Employer:
The Office of the State Treasurer and Receiver General is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law.
Employment Eligibility Regarding Family Members:
Please note that the Office of the State Treasurer and Receiver General will not consider family members of current employees as eligible for employment. Family members shall include an employee’s spouse, brother, sister, children, stepchildren, parents, stepparents, sister/brother-in-law, daughter/son-in-law or an individual residing in an employee’s household.
Official Title: Learning & Development Spec
Primary Location
: United States-Massachusetts-Boston-1 Ashburton Place
Job
: Human Resources
Agency
: Off of State Treas & Rec Genrl
Schedule
: Full-time
Shift
: Day
Job Posting
: Nov 5, 2026, 11:59:37 AM
Number of Openings
: 1
Salary
: 60,000.00 - 72,000.00 Yearly
If you have Diversity, Affirmative Action or Equal Employment Opportunity questions or need a Reasonable Accommodation, please contact Diversity Officer / ADA Coordinator: Swee Lin Wong - 6173679333
Potentially Eligible for a Hybrid Work Schedule: Yes
See all 52+ OPT Learning And Development Specialist Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Learning And Development Specialist
Frame your degree as a direct match
L&D roles require a bachelor's degree in a specific field like instructional design, education, or HR to qualify as a specialty occupation. Lead your application by connecting your exact degree to the job's training and curriculum development requirements.
Highlight instructional design tools you know
Employers hiring on OPT want candidates who can contribute immediately. Proficiency in tools like Articulate Storyline, Adobe Captivate, or LMS platforms such as Workday Learning signals you're ready to build training content from day one.
Target industries with high training demand
Healthcare systems, financial services firms, and large technology companies maintain dedicated L&D teams and are more accustomed to sponsoring international talent. These employers hire L&D specialists regularly and often have established OPT and H-1B visa processes.
Address OPT duration proactively in your cover letter
STEM OPT extension is not available for most L&D roles unless your employer is E-Verify enrolled and your degree qualifies. Be upfront about your OPT end date and mention your timeline clearly so employers can plan for H-1B sponsorship.
Use your capstone or internship projects as proof
L&D hiring managers respond to evidence of real training outcomes. Bring specific examples from coursework, internships, or campus projects showing you designed a curriculum, facilitated a workshop, or improved a training program with measurable results.
Browse OPT-friendly L&D roles on Migrate Mate
Not every L&D job listing makes OPT eligibility clear upfront. Migrate Mate filters for employers who sponsor work visas, saving you time and making it easier to identify companies genuinely open to hiring F-1 OPT candidates for training roles.
Learning And Development Specialist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Learning and Development Specialist roles qualify as specialty occupations for OPT?
Most Learning and Development Specialist positions qualify as specialty occupations because they typically require a bachelor's degree or higher in instructional design, education, organizational development, or a related field. The key is that the job description must require a specific degree, not just any bachelor's degree. If the posting says 'bachelor's preferred' rather than 'required,' that can weaken your case for OPT authorization and future H-1B sponsorship.
Can I use my STEM OPT extension as a Learning and Development Specialist?
It depends on your undergraduate or graduate degree. STEM OPT extension is only available if your degree is on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List. Degrees in instructional technology or educational technology may qualify, but degrees in general education, HR, or organizational psychology typically do not. Your employer must also be E-Verify enrolled. Check your degree's CIP code with your DSO before assuming you qualify for the 24-month extension.
Which employers hire Learning and Development Specialists on OPT?
Large healthcare networks, financial institutions, consulting firms, and technology companies are the most consistent hirers of L&D specialists on OPT. These organizations run structured training programs, have dedicated HR and talent development teams, and are more familiar with work authorization requirements than smaller companies. Migrate Mate lists L&D roles specifically from employers open to sponsoring F-1 OPT candidates, which narrows your search considerably.
What happens to my OPT authorization if I switch from a training role to a different L&D function?
OPT requires that your employment be directly related to your major area of study. Moving between L&D functions, such as from facilitating training to designing e-learning content, is generally fine as long as the new role still connects to your degree. However, shifting into a general HR generalist or project management role with no training component could put your OPT compliance at risk. Always confirm changes with your DSO before accepting a new position or title.
How should I explain my OPT status to L&D hiring managers who are unfamiliar with it?
Keep it simple and focus on what matters to them: you're authorized to work in the U.S. right now, your authorization lasts through your OPT end date, and no employer action is required to hire you during that period. If they ask about long-term sponsorship, explain that the H-1B process begins about a year before your OPT expires, giving the company time to prepare. Most L&D hiring managers respond well when you frame it as a straightforward timeline rather than a legal complication.