OPT Program Assistant Jobs
Program Assistant roles are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students, particularly those with degrees in public administration, nonprofit management, education, or social sciences. Most positions qualify as professional employment under OPT guidelines. Your 12-month authorization window, or 24 months with a STEM extension, gives you time to build meaningful program experience.
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Get Access To All JobsSUMMARY
Function as Program Assistant (non-participant facing) within CAPS. Broad job duties include supporting research units within a research program in CAPS focused on regulatory and data management and research organization.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Under the direction of the faculty lead, maintain standard operating procedures for research implementation across the life span of a research project.
- Assist with audit completions for study related files, data base and log development and maintenance for new and existing studies.
- Assist with regulatory management under the supervision of the faculty lead for research submissions to the Institutional Review Board.
- Assist in organizing and preparing status reports, project reports, and other types of information regarding research activities.
- Assist in organizing action plans and research guidelines.
- Coordinate with study teams to maintain research procedures across the lifespan of a research protocol.
- Assist in maintaining community partnerships.
- Assist and work with Trainees (Summer students, apprentices, etc.)
- All other duties as assigned.
- Other duties as assigned.
KNOWLEDGE – SKILLS – ABILITIES
- Knowledge of quality control, customer service standards, information management, procedural process, and recordkeeping. Computer, technical, interpersonal, oral communication, listening, and patience skills.
QUALIFICATIONS
Appropriate experience may be substituted for education on an equivalent basis.
Minimum Required Education: Bachelors
Minimum Required Experience: No experience required.
Required Certification/Licensure(s): CITI Training within 90 days of hire
Physical Requirements
Work requires occasionally lifting moderate weight materials, standing, or walking continuously.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Work requires occasionally lifting moderate weight materials, standing, or walking continuously.
SENSORY ACUITY
Ability to detect and translate speech or other communication required. May occasionally require the ability to distinguish colors and perceive relative distances between objects.
WHY MCW?
- Outstanding Healthcare Coverage, including but not limited to Health, Vision, and Dental. Along with Flexible Spending options
- 403B Retirement Package
- Competitive Vacation and Paid Holidays offered
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Paid Parental Leave
- Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP)
- Pet Insurance
- On campus Fitness Facility, offering onsite classes
- Additional discounted rates on items such as: Select cell phone plans, local fitness facilities, Milwaukee recreation and entertainment etc.
For a brief overview of our benefits see: Benefits Overview
For a full list of positions see: MCW Careers
At MCW all of our endeavors, from our internal operations to our interactions with our partners, are driven by our shared organizational values: Caring – Collaborative – Curiosity – Inclusive – Integrity – Respect. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment that values diversity in backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives through merit-based processes and in alignment with all applicable laws. We believe that embracing human differences is critical to realize our vision of a healthier world, and we recognize that a healthy and thriving community starts from within. Our values define who we are, what we stand for and how we conduct ourselves at MCW. If you believe in embracing individuality and working together according to these principles to improve health for all, then MCW is the place for you. For more information, please visit our institutional website.
MCW as an Equal Opportunity Employer and Commitment to Non-Discrimination:
The Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to fostering an inclusive community of outstanding faculty, staff, and students, as well as ensuring equal educational opportunity, employment, and access to services, programs, and activities, without regard to an individual's race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, sex, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, predisposing genetic characteristic, or military status. Employees, students, applicants or other members of the MCW community (including but not limited to vendors, visitors, and guests) may not be subjected to harassment that is prohibited by law or treated adversely or retaliated against based upon a protected characteristic.
SUMMARY
Function as Program Assistant (non-participant facing) within CAPS. Broad job duties include supporting research units within a research program in CAPS focused on regulatory and data management and research organization.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Under the direction of the faculty lead, maintain standard operating procedures for research implementation across the life span of a research project.
- Assist with audit completions for study related files, data base and log development and maintenance for new and existing studies.
- Assist with regulatory management under the supervision of the faculty lead for research submissions to the Institutional Review Board.
- Assist in organizing and preparing status reports, project reports, and other types of information regarding research activities.
- Assist in organizing action plans and research guidelines.
- Coordinate with study teams to maintain research procedures across the lifespan of a research protocol.
- Assist in maintaining community partnerships.
- Assist and work with Trainees (Summer students, apprentices, etc.)
- All other duties as assigned.
- Other duties as assigned.
KNOWLEDGE – SKILLS – ABILITIES
- Knowledge of quality control, customer service standards, information management, procedural process, and recordkeeping. Computer, technical, interpersonal, oral communication, listening, and patience skills.
QUALIFICATIONS
Appropriate experience may be substituted for education on an equivalent basis.
Minimum Required Education: Bachelors
Minimum Required Experience: No experience required.
Required Certification/Licensure(s): CITI Training within 90 days of hire
Physical Requirements
Work requires occasionally lifting moderate weight materials, standing, or walking continuously.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Work requires occasionally lifting moderate weight materials, standing, or walking continuously.
SENSORY ACUITY
Ability to detect and translate speech or other communication required. May occasionally require the ability to distinguish colors and perceive relative distances between objects.
WHY MCW?
- Outstanding Healthcare Coverage, including but not limited to Health, Vision, and Dental. Along with Flexible Spending options
- 403B Retirement Package
- Competitive Vacation and Paid Holidays offered
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Paid Parental Leave
- Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP)
- Pet Insurance
- On campus Fitness Facility, offering onsite classes
- Additional discounted rates on items such as: Select cell phone plans, local fitness facilities, Milwaukee recreation and entertainment etc.
For a brief overview of our benefits see: Benefits Overview
For a full list of positions see: MCW Careers
At MCW all of our endeavors, from our internal operations to our interactions with our partners, are driven by our shared organizational values: Caring – Collaborative – Curiosity – Inclusive – Integrity – Respect. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment that values diversity in backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives through merit-based processes and in alignment with all applicable laws. We believe that embracing human differences is critical to realize our vision of a healthier world, and we recognize that a healthy and thriving community starts from within. Our values define who we are, what we stand for and how we conduct ourselves at MCW. If you believe in embracing individuality and working together according to these principles to improve health for all, then MCW is the place for you. For more information, please visit our institutional website.
MCW as an Equal Opportunity Employer and Commitment to Non-Discrimination:
The Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to fostering an inclusive community of outstanding faculty, staff, and students, as well as ensuring equal educational opportunity, employment, and access to services, programs, and activities, without regard to an individual's race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, sex, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, predisposing genetic characteristic, or military status. Employees, students, applicants or other members of the MCW community (including but not limited to vendors, visitors, and guests) may not be subjected to harassment that is prohibited by law or treated adversely or retaliated against based upon a protected characteristic.
See all 1,926+ OPT Program Assistant Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Program Assistant
Align your degree to the role
Program Assistant positions require a clear connection between your degree field and job duties. Highlight coursework in project coordination, policy, or community development. A direct degree-to-role match strengthens your OPT eligibility and makes your application more compelling to hiring managers.
Target mission-driven organizations early
Nonprofits, universities, and government-adjacent organizations hire Program Assistants regularly and tend to have more experience with OPT work authorization than private-sector employers. Focusing your search on these sectors reduces friction during the hiring process and improves your chances of a smooth onboarding.
Be transparent about your OPT timeline
Tell hiring managers upfront when your OPT expires and whether you qualify for a STEM extension. Program roles often involve multi-month projects, so employers want to know you can see a program cycle through. Clarity builds trust and avoids last-minute complications during the offer stage.
Emphasize coordination and administrative skills
Program Assistants are expected to manage schedules, track deliverables, and support multiple team members simultaneously. Concrete examples from internships, graduate assistantships, or campus organizations demonstrate these abilities clearly. Quantify your contributions wherever possible, even in academic or volunteer settings.
Apply before your OPT start date
You can interview and receive a job offer before your OPT authorization begins, but you cannot start work until your EAD card is valid. Begin your search at least two to three months before your program end date to avoid gaps between graduation and your first day of employment.
Prepare documentation your employer will need
Keep your EAD card, current I-20 with OPT authorization, and passport readily available. Many Program Assistant employers, especially in the nonprofit and education sectors, will request copies for HR compliance. Having a complete, organized packet ready signals professionalism and speeds up onboarding considerably.
Program Assistant OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Program Assistant jobs qualify as valid OPT employment?
Yes, in most cases. OPT employment must be directly related to your degree field. A Program Assistant role at a nonprofit, university, or government-affiliated organization typically qualifies for students with degrees in public administration, social work, education, or a related field. The key is documenting how the job duties connect to your academic coursework when required by your DSO.
Can I work as a Program Assistant while waiting for my EAD card to arrive?
No. You cannot begin working until your Employment Authorization Document is physically in hand and the start date on the card has passed. You can interview, sign an offer letter, and complete onboarding paperwork before your EAD arrives, but your first day of actual work must fall on or after the valid start date printed on the card.
How do I find Program Assistant jobs that are open to OPT students?
Browse Migrate Mate to find Program Assistant openings from employers who are familiar with or actively open to OPT work authorization. Many job postings on general boards don't specify OPT compatibility, which makes it easy to waste time on roles that won't move forward. Migrate Mate filters for OPT-friendly employers, which significantly reduces that friction.
Do Program Assistant roles qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Only if your degree is in a STEM-designated field and the employer is E-Verify enrolled. Program Assistant positions are most common in nonprofit, education, and public administration sectors, where STEM extensions are less frequently applicable. However, students with STEM degrees working in data, research program support, or technology-adjacent program roles may qualify. Confirm with your DSO before assuming eligibility.
What happens to my OPT status if my Program Assistant contract ends early?
Your OPT authorization period continues even if your employment ends, but you must report the job separation to your DSO within 10 days. OPT allows for up to 90 days of unemployment in total, though this resets to 150 days with an approved STEM extension. Starting your next job search immediately is important because unused unemployment days cannot be recovered once they accumulate.