OPT Maintenance Specialist Jobs
Maintenance Specialist jobs on OPT are available across property management, manufacturing, and facilities sectors. Your 12-month OPT window is enough to build a strong employer record, and STEM extension eligibility depends on whether your degree falls under engineering or a related technical field.
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INTRODUCTION
Travels throughout District transporting materials/equipment in order to complete advanced preventative maintenance, inspections, repairs & installations: inspects, installs, maintains & repairs electrical wiring systems, fixtures, controls & equipment (e.g., motors; appliances; fans; transformers; heating & cooling equipment; bio safety fume hoods; laboratory equipment; roof top unit exhaust fans; fire & other alarm systems; elevators & switches; installs & replaces lighting fixtures, light bulbs, ballasts, switches & fuses); installs, modifies & repairs new & existing plumbing (e.g., unclogs commodes, sinks & sewage lines; replaces traps, valves & thermostats; maintains building facilities & equipment; checks pipes, plumbing & fixtures for signs of corrosion &/or checks & lubricates pumps & valves & changes filters); performs routine maintenance for back flow prevention systems & specialized plumbing (e.g., RO piping & acid resistant piping), operates polypropylene welder for RO water; performs minor repairs & routine preventative maintenance to HVAC & mechanical room equipment, security & life-safety systems & sustainable/green building technology systems (e.g., changes belts, fluids filters & lubricates equipment); operates, resets & monitors direct-digital automation controls for HVAC & mechanical equipment systems, & sustainable/green building technology systems; performs repairs to HVAC & mechanical room equipment, inspects boilers (e.g., cleans & repairs tubes; replaces gaskets; cleans scale & soot from boilers; inspects grates & combustion control equipment); operates low-pressure boilers, checks equipment for proper functioning & cleans & maintains boilers & related equipment (e.g., feed water waters; oil pumps; electric motors; turbines; air compressors; water regulators; gear boxes; fans; water softeners).
Performs rough & finished carpentry work to construct, repair & install wood products (e.g., cabinets; counter tops; play equipment; doors; shelves & bulletin boards); performs & inspects building maintenance repairs & alterations (e.g., remodels offices; builds partitions; repairs roofs, ceilings, stairs & floors); fabricates, repairs & installs door framing, casings, locks, keys & windows; replaces screen & window glass; installs window air conditioners & door closures; reads blueprints.
Performs other miscellaneous support duties (e.g., assists other trade workers; makes minor repairs on steam lines; digs ditches for pipe installation); operates miscellaneous equipment (e.g., snow & ice removal equipment; grass cutting grounds keeping equipment such as farm tractor; backhoe; fork lift; articulated boom equipment); installs, re-keys & programs security devices, locks & electronic door-entry systems. Performs support duties (e.g., cleans shop & work area; oils & cleans equipment; sharpens tools; repairs toilets; builds concrete forms; paints; moves furniture); maintains supply inventory & provides recommendations for improved efficiencies; completes logs & miscellaneous reports; operates personal computer to verify data &/or to produce &/or maintain electronic work records; independently makes decisions on how to efficiently perform assigned skilled advanced inspections, repairs, preventative maintenance & installations in timely manner; meets with agency personnel to gather information on maintenance problems; informs other state workers of maintenance plans; advises agency personnel on prevention of maintenance breakdowns.
Why Work for the State of Ohio
At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees*. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:
- Medical Coverage
- Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
- Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
- Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave
- Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)
- Public Retirement Systems (such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS) & Optional Deferred Compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation)
*Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors. The Agency Contact listed above will be able to provide specific benefits information for this position.
QUALIFICATIONS
Successful completion of post-secondary training in facilities maintenance technology, industrial trades technology or comparable training program; 3 yrs. exp. in construction/building maintenance that included carpentry, electrical, plumbing & HVAC. For positions in Department of Agriculture, successful completion of post-secondary training in facilities maintenance technology, industrial trades technology training program which must include training in polypropylene welding and basic commercial refrigeration systems; 3 yrs. exp. in basic laboratory equipment repairs such as autoclave, deionized water systems and laboratory exhaust hoods. Note: if position will be assigned to operate motorized equipment of size & type regulated by Sections 4506.1, 4506.03 & 4506.12 of Ohio Revised Code, applicant must also have valid commercial driver license; if required to operate state vehicle must have valid driver license.
Job Skills: Facilities Maintenance & Inspection
Supplemental Information
A structured interview will be given for this position.
ALL ANSWERS TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS MUST BE SUPPORTED BY THE WORK EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION PROVIDED ON YOUR CIVIL SERVICE APPLICATION.
The final candidate selected for this position will be required to undergo a criminal background check. An individual assessment of an applicant's prior criminal convictions will be made before excluding an applicant from consideration.
ADA Statement
Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.
Drug-Free Workplace
The State of Ohio is a drug-free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis). Please note, this position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug-Free Workplace Policy (HR-39), and as outlined in the posting.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Maintenance Specialist
Target employers with established visa programs
Large property management firms, hospital systems, and manufacturing companies are far more likely to have HR teams familiar with OPT work authorization. Smaller operations often lack the infrastructure to process the paperwork, even when they want to hire you.
Clarify your OPT timeline upfront
Tell hiring managers your authorization end date early in the process. Maintenance roles often involve multi-month onboarding and training periods, so employers need to know your timeline before they invest resources in bringing you on full time.
Confirm whether your degree qualifies for STEM OPT
If your degree is in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or a related STEM field, you may qualify for a 24-month STEM OPT extension. That dramatically expands your window and your appeal to employers evaluating long-term hiring decisions.
Highlight certifications relevant to the role
HVAC certifications, EPA 608, and OSHA 10 or 30 credentials signal technical readiness and reduce employer training costs. Listing these prominently on your resume can offset concerns about hiring someone on temporary work authorization.
Understand your reporting obligations before you start
Any change in employer, work address, or employment status must be reported to your DSO within 10 days. Maintenance roles can involve multi-site assignments, so confirm with your DSO how to handle work at multiple locations under a single employer authorization.
Ask about H-1B sponsorship before accepting an offer
Some facilities and engineering employers sponsor H-1B visas for maintenance professionals whose roles qualify as specialty occupations. Raising this before you accept gives you time to assess the employer's intent and avoid a dead end at the end of your OPT period.
Maintenance Specialist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Maintenance Specialist on F-1 OPT?
Yes, if the role is directly related to your degree field. A mechanical or electrical engineering degree supports Maintenance Specialist work authorization clearly. If your degree is in a less directly related field, your DSO can help you document the connection. OPT requires that your employment be related to your major area of study, so the degree-to-job match matters.
Do Maintenance Specialist jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
They can, but it depends on your degree. If you graduated with a degree on the STEM Designated Degree Program List, such as mechanical engineering or electrical engineering technology, and your employer can meet the formal training plan requirements, you may be eligible for a 24-month extension. Confirm your degree's STEM eligibility with your DSO before factoring it into your job search timeline.
Where can I find Maintenance Specialist jobs that are open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters for employers open to sponsoring or hiring candidates on work authorization. Searching there saves you the frustration of applying to roles where your status will be a barrier. Most general job boards don't filter by visa sponsorship, so you end up spending time on applications that go nowhere.
What happens if my Maintenance Specialist role involves working at multiple client sites?
Working at multiple locations under a single employer is generally permitted on OPT, but your employment must still be with one authorized employer. If the arrangement involves a staffing agency placing you at different client sites, make sure the agency is your employer of record on your EAD. Inform your DSO about the multi-site nature of the role so your SEVIS record is accurate.
Can I do a contract or temporary Maintenance Specialist job on OPT?
Yes, contract and temporary positions are permitted on OPT, including through staffing agencies, as long as the work relates to your degree. Self-employment is also allowed under OPT regulations. The key is that each engagement must be documented, and your DSO needs to record any employer changes in SEVIS within 10 days. Keep records of every placement and employer for your files.