OPT Professional Learning Specialist Jobs
Professional Learning Specialist jobs on OPT typically fall under education, instructional design, or organizational development. Most roles qualify as specialty occupations, supporting a smooth STEM OPT extension if your degree is in education technology, curriculum design, or a related field. Employers in K-12, higher education, and corporate training sectors regularly hire OPT-authorized candidates.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
New Mexico State University's Center for Learning and Professional Development is seeking an experienced manager to lead impactful programs that support the growth of faculty, staff, and the broader NMSU community. If you bring a background in training, organizational development, or continuing education, and a genuine interest in helping people reach their potential, this is a role worth exploring. NMSU offers competitive benefits, tuition assistance, and the chance to do work that genuinely matters to the communities of New Mexico.
POSITION DETAILS
Position Title: Manager, Center for Learning and Professional Development
College/Division: Administration and Finance
Department: 530350-CENTER FOR LEARNING & PROF. DEV.
Location: Las Cruces
Target Hourly/Salary Rate: $67,161.67 - $73,877.83
Appointment Full-time Equivalency: 1.0
FLSA Status: Exempt
Bargaining Unit Announcement: This is NOT a bargaining unit position with American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME).
Contingent Upon Funding: Not Applicable
Standard Work Schedule: Standard (M-F, 8-5)
JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Under the direction of the Associate Vice President/CHRO, this position manages the various programs, including but not limited to professional development events, workshop events, new employee onboarding and offboarding, and service excellence program and all other programming offered by the Center for Learning & Professional Development (CLPD). The incumbent assists the CHRO with ensuring the department’s goals and objectives are accomplished efficiently and effectively. The incumbent provides leadership and guidance to the department staff and may work closely with University leadership to help train, coach, and recognize employees. The incumbent provides feedback to the CHRO on the day-to-day performance of department staff. The incumbent manages the department’s workflow, projects, programs, events, and performance items to achieve the unit goals successfully. In addition, the incumbent conducts need assessments, designs curriculum, facilitates workshops live and online, and evaluates programs and learning for all staff employees. The incumbent will work closely with the CHRO to evolve the strategic direction of the department and expand the department’s learning and development opportunities for all faculty and staff. The incumbent values the unique and various attributes of the University employee and student community to help provide a connection between the employee and the Institution. The incumbent builds and nurtures relationships to create connecting and collaborative partnerships with all levels of the institution and fosters a learning culture and community for all faculty and staff.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Required Education and Experience:
Bachelor’s Degree in a related field, such as Human Resources, Education, Business Leadership, Management, Event Management, or Communications from a regionally accredited college and/or university or equivalent combination of education and experience.
3 years of related experience in Learning and Development, Talent Development, Performance Management, Human Resources, a related field, including 1-2 years of experience supervising others in a related field, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
1 year of LMS administrator experience.
6 months to 1 year of experience utilizing Workday or other HRIS Platform.
Equivalent Qualifications:
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Certificate in Learning and Development, Curriculum Development, Human Resources, or specific curriculum for adult education.
Certification in curriculum design or e-learning design curriculum.
4-5 years of experience in Learning and Development or Talent Development with adults.
2-3 years of experience supervising others.
1-2 years of experience in Higher Education.
2 years of experience utilizing MS Word at the intermediate to advanced skill level.
2 years of experience utilizing MS Excel at the intermediate to advanced skill level.
2 years of experience utilizing MS PowerPoint at the intermediate to advanced skill level.
1 year of experience utilizing Adobe Captivate or other e-learning design software.
WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL EFFORT
Environment: Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment.
Physical Effort: No or very limited physical effort required.
Lifting Requirements: Requires handling of average-weight objects up to 10 pounds or some standing or walking.
Risk: No or very limited exposure to physical risk.
Department Contact: Breanna Garza, (575) 646-7444 bgarza@nmsu.edu/Bill Dial, bdial@nmsu.edu
Internal or External Search: External - Open to all applicants
Closing at: Aug 14 2026 - 23:55 MDT
INTRODUCTION
New Mexico State University's Center for Learning and Professional Development is seeking an experienced manager to lead impactful programs that support the growth of faculty, staff, and the broader NMSU community. If you bring a background in training, organizational development, or continuing education, and a genuine interest in helping people reach their potential, this is a role worth exploring. NMSU offers competitive benefits, tuition assistance, and the chance to do work that genuinely matters to the communities of New Mexico.
POSITION DETAILS
Position Title: Manager, Center for Learning and Professional Development
College/Division: Administration and Finance
Department: 530350-CENTER FOR LEARNING & PROF. DEV.
Location: Las Cruces
Target Hourly/Salary Rate: $67,161.67 - $73,877.83
Appointment Full-time Equivalency: 1.0
FLSA Status: Exempt
Bargaining Unit Announcement: This is NOT a bargaining unit position with American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME).
Contingent Upon Funding: Not Applicable
Standard Work Schedule: Standard (M-F, 8-5)
JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Under the direction of the Associate Vice President/CHRO, this position manages the various programs, including but not limited to professional development events, workshop events, new employee onboarding and offboarding, and service excellence program and all other programming offered by the Center for Learning & Professional Development (CLPD). The incumbent assists the CHRO with ensuring the department’s goals and objectives are accomplished efficiently and effectively. The incumbent provides leadership and guidance to the department staff and may work closely with University leadership to help train, coach, and recognize employees. The incumbent provides feedback to the CHRO on the day-to-day performance of department staff. The incumbent manages the department’s workflow, projects, programs, events, and performance items to achieve the unit goals successfully. In addition, the incumbent conducts need assessments, designs curriculum, facilitates workshops live and online, and evaluates programs and learning for all staff employees. The incumbent will work closely with the CHRO to evolve the strategic direction of the department and expand the department’s learning and development opportunities for all faculty and staff. The incumbent values the unique and various attributes of the University employee and student community to help provide a connection between the employee and the Institution. The incumbent builds and nurtures relationships to create connecting and collaborative partnerships with all levels of the institution and fosters a learning culture and community for all faculty and staff.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Required Education and Experience:
Bachelor’s Degree in a related field, such as Human Resources, Education, Business Leadership, Management, Event Management, or Communications from a regionally accredited college and/or university or equivalent combination of education and experience.
3 years of related experience in Learning and Development, Talent Development, Performance Management, Human Resources, a related field, including 1-2 years of experience supervising others in a related field, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
1 year of LMS administrator experience.
6 months to 1 year of experience utilizing Workday or other HRIS Platform.
Equivalent Qualifications:
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Certificate in Learning and Development, Curriculum Development, Human Resources, or specific curriculum for adult education.
Certification in curriculum design or e-learning design curriculum.
4-5 years of experience in Learning and Development or Talent Development with adults.
2-3 years of experience supervising others.
1-2 years of experience in Higher Education.
2 years of experience utilizing MS Word at the intermediate to advanced skill level.
2 years of experience utilizing MS Excel at the intermediate to advanced skill level.
2 years of experience utilizing MS PowerPoint at the intermediate to advanced skill level.
1 year of experience utilizing Adobe Captivate or other e-learning design software.
WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL EFFORT
Environment: Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment.
Physical Effort: No or very limited physical effort required.
Lifting Requirements: Requires handling of average-weight objects up to 10 pounds or some standing or walking.
Risk: No or very limited exposure to physical risk.
Department Contact: Breanna Garza, (575) 646-7444 bgarza@nmsu.edu/Bill Dial, bdial@nmsu.edu
Internal or External Search: External - Open to all applicants
Closing at: Aug 14 2026 - 23:55 MDT
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Professional Learning Specialist
Clarify your OPT authorization upfront
When applying, state your OPT status and authorization end date clearly. Many hiring managers confuse OPT with H-1B visa sponsorship. A brief note explaining you're already work-authorized removes that friction before the first interview.
Target employers with established CPD programs
Organizations with dedicated professional development departments, such as large school districts, universities, and mid-to-large enterprises, are more accustomed to OPT candidates and more likely to initiate H-1B sponsorship after your OPT period ends.
Emphasize instructional design credentials
Certifications in instructional design, curriculum frameworks, or learning management systems strengthen your specialty occupation case. USCIS looks for field-specific qualifications, so credentials like ATD or Google for Education carry real weight here.
Align your degree field to the role description
A Professional Learning Specialist role is more defensible as a specialty occupation when your degree is in education, instructional technology, or organizational learning. Highlight that direct alignment in your resume and cover letter every time.
Pursue STEM OPT if your degree qualifies
If your degree in education technology, learning science, or a related STEM-designated field qualifies, the 24-month STEM OPT extension gives you significantly more runway to secure long-term sponsorship, so verify your CIP code with your DSO early.
Build relationships in professional learning communities
Networking within professional development associations and edtech communities connects you with hiring managers at sponsorship-friendly organizations. Peer relationships in these networks often surface unadvertised openings before they reach general job postings.
Professional Learning Specialist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Professional Learning Specialist role qualify as a specialty occupation for OPT purposes?
In most cases, yes. The role typically requires a bachelor's degree or higher in education, instructional design, curriculum development, or a related field, which satisfies the specialty occupation definition. Roles that list a general degree as sufficient can weaken the case, so review the job description carefully before applying.
Can I work as a Professional Learning Specialist on STEM OPT?
You can if your degree is in a STEM-designated field such as educational technology, learning science, or instructional systems design. Not all education degrees carry a STEM CIP code, so confirm your specific program's classification with your Designated School Official before assuming eligibility for the 24-month extension.
Which types of employers hire Professional Learning Specialists on OPT?
K-12 school districts, community colleges, universities, edtech companies, healthcare systems, and large corporate training departments all hire for this role. Organizations with structured professional development functions tend to be more familiar with OPT work authorization. Browse Migrate Mate to filter for employers actively open to OPT candidates in this field.
How should I explain my OPT status to employers hiring for this role?
Be direct and brief. State that you hold F-1 OPT authorization, include your authorization end date, and note whether you qualify for a STEM extension. Framing it as existing work authorization rather than a sponsorship request removes the most common employer hesitation and keeps the focus on your instructional qualifications.
Will a Professional Learning Specialist employer typically sponsor H-1B after OPT ends?
Sponsorship varies by employer size and HR capacity. Larger school districts, universities, and enterprise edtech companies are more likely to sponsor than small nonprofits or startups. The strongest leverage is demonstrating that your role genuinely requires a specialized degree, which makes the H-1B petition more straightforward for the employer to file.