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.
Find OPT Program Assistant JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 781+ Program Assistant jobs
See all 781+ Program Assistant Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Program Assistant roles.
Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Work Where You Learn: Build Experience, Grow Skills, and Contribute to Your University Community. This position is available only to enrolled American University students. Most student positions at American University are eligible to use Federal Work Study (FWS) awards, with a few exceptions. FWS funds cannot be applied to janitorial, construction, partisan or sectarian positions. For information or questions regarding FWS funds, please contact American University's Office of Financial Aid. Important guidance for current American University employees: American University current employees, including those employed in student positions, must apply through their employee Workday account. If you are a current employee at American University, please log into your employee Workday account and select the Find Jobs report which will take you to our internal career listings. Applying outside of your employee Workday account may cause delays in a hire process.
DEPARTMENT
School of International Service
TIME TYPE
Part time
FLSA STATUS
Non-Exempt
SUMMARY
Job Description: The SIS Dean’s Advisory Council on Inclusive Excellence is appointed by the dean and charged to help the entire school move forward in building a community that welcomes and values differences and works to create a school where everyone has a sense of belonging. The SIS Director of Inclusive Excellence Initiatives seeks to hire an SIS graduate student to serve as the Council’s Program Assistant. This position will report to the Director of IE Initiatives and will help the Council through scheduling, communications, data collection and web support. The Assistant will be responsible for collecting information and progress on inclusive excellence initiatives being led by different entities within SIS and will help to share that information across the school. The Assistant will also write content for the SIS IE website to showcase relevant projects, information, and initiatives, including the SIS Voices Series that highlights alumni from all different backgrounds and career pathways. The Assistant will also have a major role supporting specific SIS IE initiatives. This will require communications with SIS leaders, students, and external partners, all of whom share SIS’s commitment to creating a professional field of international affairs that includes all voices. The Assistant will support the development of these initiatives through research, communications, evaluation and reporting, and ongoing support of new partners, projects, actions, and collaborations that result. A strong candidate will have contributed to initiatives that relate to working across difference and creating a sense of belonging for everyone in previous schools, workplaces, or here at AU and will demonstrate a solid interest in the deepening of such initiatives and supporting their implementation. This position would especially appeal to a person who likes to be part of the development of something new; takes initiative; and shows confidence by contributing ideas that can better a project. This position will have a hybrid schedule, working both remotely and on campus.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Collect information and progress on inclusive excellence initiatives being led by different entities within SIS.
- Help to share that information across the school.
- Write content for the SIS IE website to showcase relevant projects, information, and initiatives, including the SIS Voices Series that highlights alumni from all different backgrounds and career pathways.
- Other duties assigned.
POSITION TYPE/EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK
- Part-time.
- 20 hours per week.
SALARY RANGE
- $19.50 per hour.
REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- Current SIS Graduate Student.
- Excellent organizational skills.
- Excellent communication skills (phone, email, in-person).
- Strong writing skills.
- Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
- Ability to work in a team environment.
- Ability to work in multicultural environments.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and Word.
- Demonstrated attention to detail.
PREFERRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- Experience communicating with people at a variety of levels of an organization.
- Writing experience in the context of websites, blogs, social media, and for multiple audiences.
- Experience managing content on websites.
- Knowledge of survey tools and experience with data collection, analysis, and report-writing.
- Event planning experience.
- Proficiency with Canva or other flyer and invitation creation tools.
ADDITIONAL ELIGIBILITY QUALIFICATIONS
- Applications are being accepted for the 2026-27 academic year.
- Please include a cover letter with your application.
OTHER DETAILS
- This position is available only to enrolled American University students.
- Please note this job announcement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
- American University is an E-Verify employer.
- Visit https://www.american.edu/hr/ for additional information about American University employment and benefits.
CURRENT AMERICAN UNIVERSITY EMPLOYEES
American University current employees (including those employed in student positions) must apply through their employee Workday account. If you are a current employee at American University, please log into Workday and select the Find Jobs report which will take you to our internal career listings.
CONTACT US
For more information or assistance with the American University careers site, email theworkline@american.edu.
American University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, an individual’s genetic information or any other bases under federal or local laws (collectively "Protected Bases") in its programs and activities.
INTRODUCTION
Work Where You Learn: Build Experience, Grow Skills, and Contribute to Your University Community. This position is available only to enrolled American University students. Most student positions at American University are eligible to use Federal Work Study (FWS) awards, with a few exceptions. FWS funds cannot be applied to janitorial, construction, partisan or sectarian positions. For information or questions regarding FWS funds, please contact American University's Office of Financial Aid. Important guidance for current American University employees: American University current employees, including those employed in student positions, must apply through their employee Workday account. If you are a current employee at American University, please log into your employee Workday account and select the Find Jobs report which will take you to our internal career listings. Applying outside of your employee Workday account may cause delays in a hire process.
DEPARTMENT
School of International Service
TIME TYPE
Part time
FLSA STATUS
Non-Exempt
SUMMARY
Job Description: The SIS Dean’s Advisory Council on Inclusive Excellence is appointed by the dean and charged to help the entire school move forward in building a community that welcomes and values differences and works to create a school where everyone has a sense of belonging. The SIS Director of Inclusive Excellence Initiatives seeks to hire an SIS graduate student to serve as the Council’s Program Assistant. This position will report to the Director of IE Initiatives and will help the Council through scheduling, communications, data collection and web support. The Assistant will be responsible for collecting information and progress on inclusive excellence initiatives being led by different entities within SIS and will help to share that information across the school. The Assistant will also write content for the SIS IE website to showcase relevant projects, information, and initiatives, including the SIS Voices Series that highlights alumni from all different backgrounds and career pathways. The Assistant will also have a major role supporting specific SIS IE initiatives. This will require communications with SIS leaders, students, and external partners, all of whom share SIS’s commitment to creating a professional field of international affairs that includes all voices. The Assistant will support the development of these initiatives through research, communications, evaluation and reporting, and ongoing support of new partners, projects, actions, and collaborations that result. A strong candidate will have contributed to initiatives that relate to working across difference and creating a sense of belonging for everyone in previous schools, workplaces, or here at AU and will demonstrate a solid interest in the deepening of such initiatives and supporting their implementation. This position would especially appeal to a person who likes to be part of the development of something new; takes initiative; and shows confidence by contributing ideas that can better a project. This position will have a hybrid schedule, working both remotely and on campus.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Collect information and progress on inclusive excellence initiatives being led by different entities within SIS.
- Help to share that information across the school.
- Write content for the SIS IE website to showcase relevant projects, information, and initiatives, including the SIS Voices Series that highlights alumni from all different backgrounds and career pathways.
- Other duties assigned.
POSITION TYPE/EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK
- Part-time.
- 20 hours per week.
SALARY RANGE
- $19.50 per hour.
REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- Current SIS Graduate Student.
- Excellent organizational skills.
- Excellent communication skills (phone, email, in-person).
- Strong writing skills.
- Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
- Ability to work in a team environment.
- Ability to work in multicultural environments.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and Word.
- Demonstrated attention to detail.
PREFERRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- Experience communicating with people at a variety of levels of an organization.
- Writing experience in the context of websites, blogs, social media, and for multiple audiences.
- Experience managing content on websites.
- Knowledge of survey tools and experience with data collection, analysis, and report-writing.
- Event planning experience.
- Proficiency with Canva or other flyer and invitation creation tools.
ADDITIONAL ELIGIBILITY QUALIFICATIONS
- Applications are being accepted for the 2026-27 academic year.
- Please include a cover letter with your application.
OTHER DETAILS
- This position is available only to enrolled American University students.
- Please note this job announcement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
- American University is an E-Verify employer.
- Visit https://www.american.edu/hr/ for additional information about American University employment and benefits.
CURRENT AMERICAN UNIVERSITY EMPLOYEES
American University current employees (including those employed in student positions) must apply through their employee Workday account. If you are a current employee at American University, please log into Workday and select the Find Jobs report which will take you to our internal career listings.
CONTACT US
For more information or assistance with the American University careers site, email theworkline@american.edu.
American University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, an individual’s genetic information or any other bases under federal or local laws (collectively "Protected Bases") in its programs and activities.
See all 781+ OPT Program Assistant Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Program Assistant Jobs.
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.