OPT Program Specialist Jobs
Program Specialist roles sit squarely within the specialty occupation category, making them a strong fit for F-1 OPT students. Most positions require a degree in public administration, communications, or a related field. Your 12-month OPT window, or 24-month STEM extension if eligible, gives you enough runway to demonstrate value and pursue H-1B visa sponsorship.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
New Country Day Camp is an open-tent community that celebrates and sustains joyful, outdoor summer experiences where all can thrive. We maintain a proud legacy as a Jewish camp, comprised of a multicultural community, representing and celebrating the heartbeat of NYC. We build meaningful connections with ourselves, each other, and the natural world around us through innovative programming that is rooted in Jewish tradition and guided by universal values.
New Country Day Camp is a 7-week, outdoor summer camp for campers in kindergarten-8th grade. NCDC operates M-F, 8am-5pm, and provides transportation for staff and campers to and from our campgrounds on Staten Island via multiple locations throughout Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn. NCDC is a neurodiverse camp community, and all staff members are responsible for supporting neurodivergent and neurotypical campers and staff to have successful summers.
The Imagination Program Specialist is responsible for creating and implementing high-quality outdoor programming for New Country Day Camp. Campers in this program build worlds, invent characters, solve magical challenges, and bring stories to life through roleplay, collaborative adventures, creative design, and hands-on fantasy-inspired activities.
Salary: $200 per day
Responsibilities
Program Management
- Incorporate NCDC values and seasonal themes rooted in Jewish sensibilities into programming.
- Independently develop lesson plans, differentiated by age group and offering adaptations for a variety of needs and abilities. Submit lesson plans to supervisor by an agreed upon deadline for feedback.
- Execute 30 – 40-minute sessions for groups of up to 30 campers at a time, grouped by age and including varying needs and abilities.
- Develop and execute week-long, progressive, and comprehensive units for elective time. Elective sessions are 50 – 60 minutes long and include 10 – 40 campers at a time. Campers in elective units are in 4th – 6th grades and have a variety of needs and abilities.
- Assist in creating and implementing activities for kindergarteners and 1st graders for their independent playtime.
- Participate in and lead portions of weekly Shabbat celebrations.
- Be actively involved in the development and implementation of NCDC Maccabi Games (color war).
- Develop rainy day programming pre-camp and execute programming as needed over the summer.
Logistics
- Supervise campers and staff on a camp bus, riding the bus to and from camp, interacting with caregivers at drop-off and pick-up, conducting camper check-in and check-out on camp’s attendance database.
- Be responsible for overall cleanliness and organization of program spaces and supplies.
- Work with Operations Manager and Program Coordinator to order supplies for program units, as well as maintaining an organized inventory and balanced budget.
- Assist campers and counselors in pool changing rooms, lunch service, and other non-program spaces as assigned.
- Exhibit and maintain strong time management capabilities.
- Actively participate in NCDC’s sustainability and waste management efforts.
- Submit weekly elective programming written/photo content to Communications team for shareable family content.
- Communicate/consult as needed with Division Supervisors and Support Supervisors regarding camper needs and concerns.
- Provide additional support for counselors and campers outside of lesson time as needed and assigned, particularly on days when it is rainy and/or counselors are absent.
- Ensure the proper storage of all program equipment so that it is maintained in good repair, removing any unsuitable program equipment from use immediately.
Leadership and Supervision
- Task manage staff when attending your program spaces and 1 or 2 Counselors-in-Training who are assigned to work as assistants in your program.
- Model professional behavior for campers and other staff at all times.
- Attend required days of orientation and training, camp, and staff meetings during the camp season.
- Proactively solve problems and motivate colleagues as difficult moments present themselves throughout the camp season; encourage flexibility and understanding as means to achieve common goals.
- Establish and promote a commitment to the values, mission, and vision of New Country Day Camp.
- Develop clear roles for counselors during programming, with special attention paid to afternoon programming during elective periods.
- Conduct daily check-ins with direct supervisee(s) and attend a weekly check-in with supervisor, consultants, and colleagues.
- Learn and implement NCDC’s restorative approach to supervision and behavior management.
QUALIFICATIONS
- 3+ years of experience working with elementary school-age children.
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required.
- Professional-level experience in field related to the CCG program, such as outdoor education or culinary education.
- Previous experience as a supervisor or mentor.
- Excellent organizational and oral communication skills.
- Ability to successfully interact with children and colleagues of diverse cultural and social backgrounds.
- Fast learner with ability to work independently and collaboratively.
- Previous experience working with neurodivergent youth is a plus.
Limitations and Disclaimers
The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position.
EEO Info
Educational Alliance is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, marital status, disability status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
INTRODUCTION
New Country Day Camp is an open-tent community that celebrates and sustains joyful, outdoor summer experiences where all can thrive. We maintain a proud legacy as a Jewish camp, comprised of a multicultural community, representing and celebrating the heartbeat of NYC. We build meaningful connections with ourselves, each other, and the natural world around us through innovative programming that is rooted in Jewish tradition and guided by universal values.
New Country Day Camp is a 7-week, outdoor summer camp for campers in kindergarten-8th grade. NCDC operates M-F, 8am-5pm, and provides transportation for staff and campers to and from our campgrounds on Staten Island via multiple locations throughout Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn. NCDC is a neurodiverse camp community, and all staff members are responsible for supporting neurodivergent and neurotypical campers and staff to have successful summers.
The Imagination Program Specialist is responsible for creating and implementing high-quality outdoor programming for New Country Day Camp. Campers in this program build worlds, invent characters, solve magical challenges, and bring stories to life through roleplay, collaborative adventures, creative design, and hands-on fantasy-inspired activities.
Salary: $200 per day
Responsibilities
Program Management
- Incorporate NCDC values and seasonal themes rooted in Jewish sensibilities into programming.
- Independently develop lesson plans, differentiated by age group and offering adaptations for a variety of needs and abilities. Submit lesson plans to supervisor by an agreed upon deadline for feedback.
- Execute 30 – 40-minute sessions for groups of up to 30 campers at a time, grouped by age and including varying needs and abilities.
- Develop and execute week-long, progressive, and comprehensive units for elective time. Elective sessions are 50 – 60 minutes long and include 10 – 40 campers at a time. Campers in elective units are in 4th – 6th grades and have a variety of needs and abilities.
- Assist in creating and implementing activities for kindergarteners and 1st graders for their independent playtime.
- Participate in and lead portions of weekly Shabbat celebrations.
- Be actively involved in the development and implementation of NCDC Maccabi Games (color war).
- Develop rainy day programming pre-camp and execute programming as needed over the summer.
Logistics
- Supervise campers and staff on a camp bus, riding the bus to and from camp, interacting with caregivers at drop-off and pick-up, conducting camper check-in and check-out on camp’s attendance database.
- Be responsible for overall cleanliness and organization of program spaces and supplies.
- Work with Operations Manager and Program Coordinator to order supplies for program units, as well as maintaining an organized inventory and balanced budget.
- Assist campers and counselors in pool changing rooms, lunch service, and other non-program spaces as assigned.
- Exhibit and maintain strong time management capabilities.
- Actively participate in NCDC’s sustainability and waste management efforts.
- Submit weekly elective programming written/photo content to Communications team for shareable family content.
- Communicate/consult as needed with Division Supervisors and Support Supervisors regarding camper needs and concerns.
- Provide additional support for counselors and campers outside of lesson time as needed and assigned, particularly on days when it is rainy and/or counselors are absent.
- Ensure the proper storage of all program equipment so that it is maintained in good repair, removing any unsuitable program equipment from use immediately.
Leadership and Supervision
- Task manage staff when attending your program spaces and 1 or 2 Counselors-in-Training who are assigned to work as assistants in your program.
- Model professional behavior for campers and other staff at all times.
- Attend required days of orientation and training, camp, and staff meetings during the camp season.
- Proactively solve problems and motivate colleagues as difficult moments present themselves throughout the camp season; encourage flexibility and understanding as means to achieve common goals.
- Establish and promote a commitment to the values, mission, and vision of New Country Day Camp.
- Develop clear roles for counselors during programming, with special attention paid to afternoon programming during elective periods.
- Conduct daily check-ins with direct supervisee(s) and attend a weekly check-in with supervisor, consultants, and colleagues.
- Learn and implement NCDC’s restorative approach to supervision and behavior management.
QUALIFICATIONS
- 3+ years of experience working with elementary school-age children.
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required.
- Professional-level experience in field related to the CCG program, such as outdoor education or culinary education.
- Previous experience as a supervisor or mentor.
- Excellent organizational and oral communication skills.
- Ability to successfully interact with children and colleagues of diverse cultural and social backgrounds.
- Fast learner with ability to work independently and collaboratively.
- Previous experience working with neurodivergent youth is a plus.
Limitations and Disclaimers
The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position.
EEO Info
Educational Alliance is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, marital status, disability status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
See all 1,544+ OPT Program Specialist Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Program Specialist
Target organizations with active H-1B filing histories
Government agencies, nonprofits, and large consulting firms file H-1B visa petitions regularly for Program Specialist roles. Prioritizing employers with a track record of sponsorship puts you ahead before you even apply.
Align your degree field with the role's requirements
Program Specialist positions are specialty occupations only when the employer requires a specific degree field. Confirm that your degree in public policy, communications, or business directly matches the job description before applying.
Raise OPT authorization early in the process
Bring up your OPT status after receiving genuine interest, not before. Frame it clearly: you're authorized to work now, and your employer's only future obligation is H-1B filing if they choose to retain you long-term.
Track your OPT end date and plan around H-1B deadlines
H-1B registration opens each March for an October start. If your OPT expires before October, confirm your employer will file cap-gap paperwork to bridge the gap and keep you authorized to work continuously.
Demonstrate program impact with measurable outcomes
Program Specialist roles reward candidates who can show results. Quantify what you managed, coordinated, or improved. Concrete metrics make your case stronger and reassure sponsoring employers that the H-1B investment is worthwhile.
Pursue STEM OPT extension if your degree qualifies
If your degree is in a qualifying STEM field and the role involves data analysis, systems coordination, or technical program management, applying for the 24-month extension gives you two additional H-1B lottery opportunities.
Program Specialist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Program Specialist jobs qualify as specialty occupations for OPT and H-1B purposes?
Program Specialist roles qualify as specialty occupations when the employer requires a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific field such as public administration, business, or communications. Generic postings that accept any degree may not meet the specialty occupation standard, which matters both for OPT legitimacy and future H-1B eligibility. Review each job description carefully before applying.
How do I find Program Specialist jobs that sponsor OPT and H-1B visas?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically for OPT-friendly and visa-sponsoring employers, so you're not sorting through hundreds of postings from companies that won't work with international students. Program Specialist roles at government contractors, nonprofits, and consulting firms appear regularly. Searching on Migrate Mate saves significant time compared to manually vetting each employer's sponsorship history.
Can I work as a Program Specialist on STEM OPT if my degree isn't a traditional STEM field?
STEM OPT requires your degree to appear on the official DHS STEM designated degree program list. Fields like information systems, statistics, and data science qualify. Public administration and general communications typically do not. If your degree doesn't qualify, your standard 12-month OPT period applies, making it especially important to target employers willing to sponsor H-1B.
What should I do if my OPT expires before my H-1B start date of October 1?
If your employer files your H-1B petition before your OPT expires and your I-20 remains valid, cap-gap protection automatically extends your work authorization through September 30. This bridge period keeps you legally employed without any action on your part beyond ensuring your employer files on time during the March registration window.
Is a Program Specialist role at a nonprofit or government agency better for OPT sponsorship than a private employer?
Nonprofits and government agencies are often cap-exempt for H-1B purposes, meaning they can file petitions year-round without waiting for the annual lottery. For OPT students in Program Specialist roles, this is a meaningful advantage. You avoid lottery uncertainty entirely if your employer qualifies as a nonprofit research organization, higher education institution, or government entity.