OPT Policy Analyst Jobs
Policy Analyst roles qualify for OPT work authorization when the position requires a bachelor's degree or higher in public policy, political science, economics, or a related field. Most employers in government agencies, think tanks, and nonprofits are experienced with OPT and STEM OPT extension timelines. Your 12-month OPT clock starts on your authorized start date.
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Get Access To All JobsJoin the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and be part of a team committed to creating a positive impact in the lives of fellow Texans. At HHSC, your contributions matter, and we support you at each stage of your life and work journey. Our comprehensive benefits package includes 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees, a defined benefit pension plan, generous time off benefits, numerous opportunities for career advancement and more. Explore more details on the Benefits of Working at HHS webpage.
Functional Title: LTCR Provider Investigations Policy and Rules Specialist VI
Job Title: Program Specialist VI
Agency: Health & Human Services Comm
Department: APS Provider Investigations
Posting Number: 19211
Closing Date: 08/21/2026
Posting Audience: Internal and External
Occupational Category: Community and Social Services
Salary Range: $6,520.63 - $8,304.83
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-23
Shift: Day
Telework: Eligible for Telework
Travel: Up to 20%
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Full Time/Part Time: Full time
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt
Facility Location:
Job Location City: AUSTIN
Job Location Address: 14000 SUMMIT DR
Other Locations: Austin; Abilene; Alamo; Alice; Alpine; Alvin; Amarillo; Anahuac; Andrews; Angleton; Anson; Aransas Pass; Archer City; Arlington; Athens; Atlanta; Bacliff; Ballinger; Bandera; Bastrop; Bay City; Baytown; Beaumont; Bedford; Beeville; Bellville; Big Spring; Boerne; Bonham; Borger; Bowie; Brady; Breckenridge; Brenham; Brownfield; Brownsville; Brownwood; Bryan; Burnet; Caldwell; Cameron; Canton; Canutillo; Carlsbad; Carrizo Springs; Carrollton; Carthage; Center; Centerville; Childress; Clarksville; Cleburne; Cleveland; Coldspring; Columbus; Conroe; Copperas Cove; Corpus Christi; Corsicana; Crockett; Crosby; Crystal City; Cuero; Cypress; Daingerfield; Dallas; Decatur; Del Rio; Denton; Dickinson; Dumas; Duncanville; Eagle Pass; Eastland; Edinburg; El Paso; Elgin; Elsa; Ennis; Fabens; Falfurrias; Floresville; Fort Stockton; Fort Worth; Fredericksburg; Gainesville; Galveston; Garland; Gatesville; Georgetown; Giddings; Gilmer; Goliad; Gonzales; Graham; Granbury; Grand Prairie; Grapevine; Greenville; Hallettsville; Hamilton; Harlingen; Haskell; Hearne; Hemphill; Hempstead; Henderson; Hereford; Hillsboro; Hondo; Houston; Humble; Huntsville; Hurst; Irving; Jacksonville; Jasper; Johnson City; Jourdanton; Karnes City; Katy; Kaufman; Kerrville; Killeen; Kingsville; Kingwood; Kirbyville; La Grange; Lake Jackson; Lake Worth; Lamesa; Lampasas; Lancaster; Laredo; Levelland; Lewisville; Liberty; Linden; Littlefield; Livingston; Llano; Lockhart; Longview; Lubbock; Lufkin; Lumberton; Madisonville; Marble Falls; Marfa; Marlin; Marshall; Mcallen; Mckinney; Mercedes; Meridian; Mesquite; Mexia; Midland; Mineola; Mineral Wells; Mission; Monahans; Mount Pleasant; Mount Vernon; Nacogdoches; Navasota; New Boston; New Braunfels; Odessa; Orange; Palestine; Pampa; Paris; Pasadena; Pearland; Pearsall; Pecos; Perryton; Pharr; Pittsburg; Plainview; Plano; Pollok; Port Arthur; Port Lavaca; Presidio; Quitman; Raymondville; Refugio; Richardson; Richmond; Rio Grande City; Robstown; Rockwall; Rosenberg; Round Rock; Rowlett; Rusk; San Angelo; San Antonio; San Benito; San Juan; San Marcos; San Saba; Schertz; Seguin; Seminole; Seymour; Sherman; Silsbee; Sinton; Snyder; Socorro; Sonora; South Houston; Stephenville; Sugar Land; Sulphur Springs; Sweetwater; Taylor; Temple; Terrell; Texarkana; Texas City; The Woodlands; Tomball; Trinity; Tyler; Uvalde; Van Horn; Vernon; Victoria; Waco; Washington; Watauga; Waxahachie; Weatherford; Webster; Weslaco; Wharton; Wichita Falls; Woodville; Zapata
MOS Codes: 16GX, 60C0, 611X, 612X, 63G0, 641X, 712X, 86M0, 8U000, OS, OSS, PERS, YN, YNS
Job Description:
THIS POSITION CAN BE FILLED ANYWHERE IN THE STATE OF TEXAS.
The Program Specialist VI works under the general supervision of the Intellectual or Developmental Disability and Provider Investigations programs policy and rules manager within Long-term Care Regulation (LTCR). The Program Specialist VI specializes in and supports programs that investigate abuse, neglect, and exploitation of children, young adults with disabilities, and individuals with disabilities or mental health diagnoses. The Program Specialist VI develops policies, procedures, handbooks, manuals, presentations, and other policy deliverables associated primarily with Provider Investigations and may assist with other programs. This position serves as an expert on current and proposed LTCR program policy to internal and external stakeholders, including members of the public, providers, associations, and HHS staff for Provider Investigations.
The Program Specialist VI provides highly advanced assessments of complex information and other technical assistance to internal and external stakeholders. The position also analyzes proposed legislation and manages activities associated with implementation of legislative and major agency initiatives. The Program Specialist VI reviews handbooks, manuals, and other documents for accuracy and assesses the impact of proposed policy documents. The position also frequently represents the LTCR policy and rules team at meetings with federal and state agencies and at meetings with providers and advocacy groups. While this is not a supervisory position, the employee may train, lead, assign, and/or prioritize the work of others, which may include serving in a team lead capacity.
The Program Specialist VI is expected to maintain current knowledge in assigned program areas by reviewing literature, attending meetings or seminars, and communicating with other professionals in the field. The position may participate in or lead the development and promulgation of rules and make external presentations related to assigned programs.
Market Rate Salary for this position is $6,520.63
Essential Job Functions:
- Develops and maintains rules, policies, procedures, handbooks, and manuals.
- Provides high-level technical assistance for a program; and creates efficiencies where opportunities occur.
- Tracks, monitors, plans, coordinates, and schedules activities on a highly complex level to ensure deadlines and deliverable requirements are met.
- Provides rule and policy interpretation and other complex technical assistance to internal and external stakeholders related to state and federal policies, procedures, rules, regulations, standards, and requirements.
- Provides or verifies information and addresses questions and issues raised by stakeholders.
- Analyzes the potential effects of court rulings and proposed legislation on agency operations.
- Monitors changes in legislation and manages implementation initiatives to ensure that the agency complies with legislative mandates.
- Plans, attends, and facilitates public and internal meetings.
- Develops and conducts agency and public presentations.
- Participates in or leads the development and promulgation of rules, including external presentations related to assigned programs.
- Serves as the lead on implementing and managing complex program and agency initiatives.
- May serve as a lead or acting manager providing direction to others.
Knowledge Skills Abilities:
- Knowledge of project management, leadership, and organizational development principles.
- Knowledge of LTCR programs, policies, and service delivery processes.
- Knowledge of policy and rule development processes.
- Knowledge of facilitation skills and principles.
- Knowledge of Provider Investigations policy and processes.
- Knowledge of Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS) programs and abuse, neglect, and exploitation investigation processes.
- Ability to independently plan and organize the work of self and others.
- Ability to prioritize and organize workloads.
- Ability to gather, assemble, correlate, and analyze facts.
- Knowledge of problem-solving processes to produce solutions to complex problems.
- Ability to communicate effectively professionally both orally and in writing through consulting, presentations, and concise reports.
- Ability to research, develop and evaluate policies, processes and procedures, and to implement them.
- Ability to use computer databases to analyze and solve problems.
- Skill in development of complex strategic and operational reports, including statistical analysis and the determination of relational associations within data, utilizing various databases and software to report the information.
- Knowledge of basic business operations and the working of organizations, specifically HHS agencies, along with mature business skills.
- Ability to provide excellent customer service and demonstrate diplomacy in dealings with others.
- Strong written and oral communication skills required.
Registration or Licensure Requirements:
NA
Initial Selection Criteria:
- Either three (3) years of experience working in Long-term Care Regulation or 3 years of experience working in an HHS, DSHS, or DFPS program analyzing legislation and writing administrative rule or policy.
- Experience leading complex business activities such as managing projects or developing policy or technical initiatives demonstrated in duties and responsibilities of previous employment.
- Experience dealing with a wide variety of stakeholder groups.
- Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university is preferred.
Additional Information:
Candidates will be assessed through a writing exercise to determine if an interview will be granted.
Not all candidates who meet initial screening criteria will be interviewed.
This position may be located in any HHSC LTCR office statewide.
Review our Tips for Success when applying for jobs at DFPS, DSHS and HHSC.
Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, and Veterans:
Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For more information please see the Texas State Auditor’s Job Descriptions, Military Crosswalk and Military Crosswalk Guide at Texas State Auditor's Office - Job Descriptions.
ADA Accommodations:
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHSC and DSHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.
Pre-Employment Checks and Work Eligibility:
Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.
HHSC uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. Download the I-9 Form.
Telework Disclaimer:
This position may be eligible for telework. Please note, all HHS positions are subject to state and agency telework policies in addition to the discretion of the direct supervisor and business needs.
Join the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and be part of a team committed to creating a positive impact in the lives of fellow Texans. At HHSC, your contributions matter, and we support you at each stage of your life and work journey. Our comprehensive benefits package includes 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees, a defined benefit pension plan, generous time off benefits, numerous opportunities for career advancement and more. Explore more details on the Benefits of Working at HHS webpage.
Functional Title: LTCR Provider Investigations Policy and Rules Specialist VI
Job Title: Program Specialist VI
Agency: Health & Human Services Comm
Department: APS Provider Investigations
Posting Number: 19211
Closing Date: 08/21/2026
Posting Audience: Internal and External
Occupational Category: Community and Social Services
Salary Range: $6,520.63 - $8,304.83
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-23
Shift: Day
Telework: Eligible for Telework
Travel: Up to 20%
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Full Time/Part Time: Full time
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt
Facility Location:
Job Location City: AUSTIN
Job Location Address: 14000 SUMMIT DR
Other Locations: Austin; Abilene; Alamo; Alice; Alpine; Alvin; Amarillo; Anahuac; Andrews; Angleton; Anson; Aransas Pass; Archer City; Arlington; Athens; Atlanta; Bacliff; Ballinger; Bandera; Bastrop; Bay City; Baytown; Beaumont; Bedford; Beeville; Bellville; Big Spring; Boerne; Bonham; Borger; Bowie; Brady; Breckenridge; Brenham; Brownfield; Brownsville; Brownwood; Bryan; Burnet; Caldwell; Cameron; Canton; Canutillo; Carlsbad; Carrizo Springs; Carrollton; Carthage; Center; Centerville; Childress; Clarksville; Cleburne; Cleveland; Coldspring; Columbus; Conroe; Copperas Cove; Corpus Christi; Corsicana; Crockett; Crosby; Crystal City; Cuero; Cypress; Daingerfield; Dallas; Decatur; Del Rio; Denton; Dickinson; Dumas; Duncanville; Eagle Pass; Eastland; Edinburg; El Paso; Elgin; Elsa; Ennis; Fabens; Falfurrias; Floresville; Fort Stockton; Fort Worth; Fredericksburg; Gainesville; Galveston; Garland; Gatesville; Georgetown; Giddings; Gilmer; Goliad; Gonzales; Graham; Granbury; Grand Prairie; Grapevine; Greenville; Hallettsville; Hamilton; Harlingen; Haskell; Hearne; Hemphill; Hempstead; Henderson; Hereford; Hillsboro; Hondo; Houston; Humble; Huntsville; Hurst; Irving; Jacksonville; Jasper; Johnson City; Jourdanton; Karnes City; Katy; Kaufman; Kerrville; Killeen; Kingsville; Kingwood; Kirbyville; La Grange; Lake Jackson; Lake Worth; Lamesa; Lampasas; Lancaster; Laredo; Levelland; Lewisville; Liberty; Linden; Littlefield; Livingston; Llano; Lockhart; Longview; Lubbock; Lufkin; Lumberton; Madisonville; Marble Falls; Marfa; Marlin; Marshall; Mcallen; Mckinney; Mercedes; Meridian; Mesquite; Mexia; Midland; Mineola; Mineral Wells; Mission; Monahans; Mount Pleasant; Mount Vernon; Nacogdoches; Navasota; New Boston; New Braunfels; Odessa; Orange; Palestine; Pampa; Paris; Pasadena; Pearland; Pearsall; Pecos; Perryton; Pharr; Pittsburg; Plainview; Plano; Pollok; Port Arthur; Port Lavaca; Presidio; Quitman; Raymondville; Refugio; Richardson; Richmond; Rio Grande City; Robstown; Rockwall; Rosenberg; Round Rock; Rowlett; Rusk; San Angelo; San Antonio; San Benito; San Juan; San Marcos; San Saba; Schertz; Seguin; Seminole; Seymour; Sherman; Silsbee; Sinton; Snyder; Socorro; Sonora; South Houston; Stephenville; Sugar Land; Sulphur Springs; Sweetwater; Taylor; Temple; Terrell; Texarkana; Texas City; The Woodlands; Tomball; Trinity; Tyler; Uvalde; Van Horn; Vernon; Victoria; Waco; Washington; Watauga; Waxahachie; Weatherford; Webster; Weslaco; Wharton; Wichita Falls; Woodville; Zapata
MOS Codes: 16GX, 60C0, 611X, 612X, 63G0, 641X, 712X, 86M0, 8U000, OS, OSS, PERS, YN, YNS
Job Description:
THIS POSITION CAN BE FILLED ANYWHERE IN THE STATE OF TEXAS.
The Program Specialist VI works under the general supervision of the Intellectual or Developmental Disability and Provider Investigations programs policy and rules manager within Long-term Care Regulation (LTCR). The Program Specialist VI specializes in and supports programs that investigate abuse, neglect, and exploitation of children, young adults with disabilities, and individuals with disabilities or mental health diagnoses. The Program Specialist VI develops policies, procedures, handbooks, manuals, presentations, and other policy deliverables associated primarily with Provider Investigations and may assist with other programs. This position serves as an expert on current and proposed LTCR program policy to internal and external stakeholders, including members of the public, providers, associations, and HHS staff for Provider Investigations.
The Program Specialist VI provides highly advanced assessments of complex information and other technical assistance to internal and external stakeholders. The position also analyzes proposed legislation and manages activities associated with implementation of legislative and major agency initiatives. The Program Specialist VI reviews handbooks, manuals, and other documents for accuracy and assesses the impact of proposed policy documents. The position also frequently represents the LTCR policy and rules team at meetings with federal and state agencies and at meetings with providers and advocacy groups. While this is not a supervisory position, the employee may train, lead, assign, and/or prioritize the work of others, which may include serving in a team lead capacity.
The Program Specialist VI is expected to maintain current knowledge in assigned program areas by reviewing literature, attending meetings or seminars, and communicating with other professionals in the field. The position may participate in or lead the development and promulgation of rules and make external presentations related to assigned programs.
Market Rate Salary for this position is $6,520.63
Essential Job Functions:
- Develops and maintains rules, policies, procedures, handbooks, and manuals.
- Provides high-level technical assistance for a program; and creates efficiencies where opportunities occur.
- Tracks, monitors, plans, coordinates, and schedules activities on a highly complex level to ensure deadlines and deliverable requirements are met.
- Provides rule and policy interpretation and other complex technical assistance to internal and external stakeholders related to state and federal policies, procedures, rules, regulations, standards, and requirements.
- Provides or verifies information and addresses questions and issues raised by stakeholders.
- Analyzes the potential effects of court rulings and proposed legislation on agency operations.
- Monitors changes in legislation and manages implementation initiatives to ensure that the agency complies with legislative mandates.
- Plans, attends, and facilitates public and internal meetings.
- Develops and conducts agency and public presentations.
- Participates in or leads the development and promulgation of rules, including external presentations related to assigned programs.
- Serves as the lead on implementing and managing complex program and agency initiatives.
- May serve as a lead or acting manager providing direction to others.
Knowledge Skills Abilities:
- Knowledge of project management, leadership, and organizational development principles.
- Knowledge of LTCR programs, policies, and service delivery processes.
- Knowledge of policy and rule development processes.
- Knowledge of facilitation skills and principles.
- Knowledge of Provider Investigations policy and processes.
- Knowledge of Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS) programs and abuse, neglect, and exploitation investigation processes.
- Ability to independently plan and organize the work of self and others.
- Ability to prioritize and organize workloads.
- Ability to gather, assemble, correlate, and analyze facts.
- Knowledge of problem-solving processes to produce solutions to complex problems.
- Ability to communicate effectively professionally both orally and in writing through consulting, presentations, and concise reports.
- Ability to research, develop and evaluate policies, processes and procedures, and to implement them.
- Ability to use computer databases to analyze and solve problems.
- Skill in development of complex strategic and operational reports, including statistical analysis and the determination of relational associations within data, utilizing various databases and software to report the information.
- Knowledge of basic business operations and the working of organizations, specifically HHS agencies, along with mature business skills.
- Ability to provide excellent customer service and demonstrate diplomacy in dealings with others.
- Strong written and oral communication skills required.
Registration or Licensure Requirements:
NA
Initial Selection Criteria:
- Either three (3) years of experience working in Long-term Care Regulation or 3 years of experience working in an HHS, DSHS, or DFPS program analyzing legislation and writing administrative rule or policy.
- Experience leading complex business activities such as managing projects or developing policy or technical initiatives demonstrated in duties and responsibilities of previous employment.
- Experience dealing with a wide variety of stakeholder groups.
- Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university is preferred.
Additional Information:
Candidates will be assessed through a writing exercise to determine if an interview will be granted.
Not all candidates who meet initial screening criteria will be interviewed.
This position may be located in any HHSC LTCR office statewide.
Review our Tips for Success when applying for jobs at DFPS, DSHS and HHSC.
Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, and Veterans:
Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For more information please see the Texas State Auditor’s Job Descriptions, Military Crosswalk and Military Crosswalk Guide at Texas State Auditor's Office - Job Descriptions.
ADA Accommodations:
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHSC and DSHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.
Pre-Employment Checks and Work Eligibility:
Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.
HHSC uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. Download the I-9 Form.
Telework Disclaimer:
This position may be eligible for telework. Please note, all HHS positions are subject to state and agency telework policies in addition to the discretion of the direct supervisor and business needs.
See all 93+ OPT Policy Analyst Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Policy Analyst
Target employers with federal contract experience
Government contractors, consulting firms, and federally funded research organizations hire policy analysts regularly and tend to have HR teams familiar with OPT authorization. These employers are less likely to be caught off guard by your work authorization timeline.
Lead with your degree field, not just your visa status
Policy analyst roles require a specific academic background in economics, public policy, or political science. Frame your qualifications around your degree match first. This positions you as a qualified candidate before the conversation about work authorization even starts.
Address your OPT end date proactively with a plan
If your OPT expires within the year, come prepared with a clear explanation of H-1B visa sponsorship timelines and the cap-subject lottery cycle. Employers respect candidates who understand the process and can explain what the transition requires from them.
Use your thesis or capstone as a portfolio piece
Policy analyst hiring decisions often hinge on writing samples and analytical depth. A well-executed policy memo or thesis demonstrates research and communication skills that directly match job requirements. Submit it alongside your resume whenever the application allows.
Focus applications on think tanks and nonprofits early
Mission-driven organizations in the policy space often have longer hiring cycles and are open to candidates on OPT. Applying three to four months before your ideal start date gives these employers enough runway to move through their process comfortably.
Search Migrate Mate for policy analyst roles filtered by OPT sponsorship
Migrate Mate surfaces policy analyst jobs at employers actively open to OPT and visa sponsorship. Filtering by work authorization type saves significant time compared to manually vetting each posting for sponsorship willingness before applying.
Policy Analyst OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do policy analyst jobs qualify for STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree, not the job title. If your degree is in a STEM-designated field, such as economics, statistics, or data science, you may qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Public policy and political science degrees are generally not STEM-designated. Check your degree's CIP code with your DSO before assuming you qualify.
How do I find policy analyst employers who are open to hiring OPT students?
Migrate Mate lists policy analyst roles at employers who have indicated openness to OPT and visa sponsorship, so you are not wasting time on postings that will screen you out at the authorization question. Government contractors, research nonprofits, and consulting firms with federal clients tend to be the most OPT-experienced employers in this field.
Can I work as a policy analyst at a federal government agency on OPT?
Most federal agencies require employees to be U.S. citizens, which makes direct federal employment off-limits for OPT students. However, federally funded research institutes, think tanks with government contracts, and state and local government agencies operate under different hiring rules and regularly employ international students on OPT.
Does a policy analyst role count as a qualifying OPT job?
Yes, provided the position requires a degree in a field directly related to your major. A policy analyst role tied to your economics, public policy, or political science degree satisfies USCIS requirements for OPT employment. The work must be directly related to your degree field, not just adjacent to it. Your DSO should confirm the connection before you accept an offer.
What should I do if a policy analyst employer asks about work authorization during the application process?
Be straightforward. State that you are currently authorized to work on OPT and specify your authorization end date. If you are eligible for a STEM extension or plan to pursue H-1B sponsorship, mention it briefly so the employer can assess long-term fit. Employers who work with federal agencies and contractors often have legal teams that handle OPT situations routinely.