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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GENERAL SERVICE
JOB ANNOUNCEMENT
Migrant Education Identification and Recruitment-Recruiter (Administrative Program Specialist 2)
$71,136 – $95,676 annually
Closes October 06, 2026
The Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) seeks to fill a Migrant Education Identification and Recruitment-Recruiter for the Title I, Part C Migrant Education Program. This full-time permanent position is based in Yakima, Washington. This position is eligible for remote work. We encourage interested candidates to visit the OSPI website to gain insight into our agency.
About OSPI and our initiatives
OSPI is the primary agency charged with overseeing public K–12 education in Washington state. Working with the state's 295 public school districts and 7 state-tribal education compact schools, OSPI allocates funding and provides tools, resources, and technical assistance so every student in Washington is provided a high-quality public education.
At OSPI, we recognize that our employees are the key to the success of the agency. We are committed to our work but value the balance with our personal lives. We demonstrate our commitment to employees by providing an environment that stimulates professional growth and values them for their expertise. OSPI is a great place to work and has several initiatives to help create a great working environment, including:
- We support a healthy work/life balance by offering flexible/alternative work schedules and mobile and telework options. (Depending on job duties and work location.)
- We have an Infant at Work Program that is based on long-term values of newborns and infant-parent bonding. Eligible employees who are new parents or legal guardians can bring their infant (six weeks to six months) when returning to work. (Depending on job duties and work location.)
- We value and are actively involved in promoting diversity, equity and inclusion within OSPI by way of cross-divisional, collaborative committee. The focus of the committee includes employee engagement and education; reinforcing OSPI values; and maximizing the value of diversity and identifying strategies for inclusion.
Vision, Mission, and Values
Vision: All students prepared for post-secondary pathways, careers, and civic engagement.
Mission: Transform K-12 education to a system that is centered on closing opportunity gaps and is characterized by high expectations for all students and educators. We achieve this by developing equity-based policies and supports that empower educators, families, and communities.
Values: Ensuring Equity, Collaboration and Service, Achieving Excellence through Continuous Improvement, Focus on the Whole Child
Equity
Each student, family, and community possesses strengths and cultural knowledge that benefits their peers, educators, and schools. Ensuring educational equity:
- Goes beyond equality; it requires education leaders to examine the ways current policies and practices result in disparate outcomes for our students of color, students living in poverty, students receiving special education and English Learner services, students who identify as LGBTQ+, and highly mobile student populations.
- Requires education leaders to develop an understanding of historical contexts; engage students, families, and community representatives as partners in decision-making; and actively dismantle systemic barriers, replacing them with policies and practices that ensure all students have access to the instruction and support they need to succeed in our schools.
Position Overview
The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction’s Title I, Part C Migrant Education Program will have a regional position in southwest Washington to actively identify and recruit eligible fishing and migratory children. The position will also provide technical assistance and training support to local educational agency recruiters within the region and collaborate statewide on student recruitment activities.
Staff will be located in the following county:
- Yakima
Key Responsibilities
- Identify and determine the eligibility of migratory children as outlined in federal regulations.
- Identify and recruit children in non-migrant-funded local educational agencies.
- Research non-migrant-funded districts and create a strategic recruitment plan.
- Assist with quality control activities regarding program eligibility verification, such as randomly re-interviewing families to ensure quality assurance.
- Develop and maintain a regional resource directory that may be used as a resource for migratory families as they migrate across the region.
- Provide technical assistance and participate in training regarding eligibility and effective recruitment practices.
- Participate in regional, state, and national professional development opportunities.
Required Qualifications:
- A bachelor's degree involving a major study in Ethnic Studies, Social Science, Social Work, or a related field and three (3) years of professional experience in migrant & farmworker services or a related field.
- OR
- Seven (7) years of professional experience in migrant & farmworker services or a related field.
- Bilingual/biliterate in English/Spanish.
- Currently located or willing to locate to Yakima County
- Willing and able to travel extensively throughout the state, including up to three times per month and for multiple days at a time, as required by this position
- Must have a valid Driver's license
Desired Qualifications:
- Experience working with migratory families.
- Intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.)
- Ability to initiate and perform job duties with minimal supervision.
- Ability to work evenings and weekends as required.
- Willing to maintain flexible working hours.
- Criminal Fingerprint/background clearance; Washington State Patrol and FBI
Compensation
The annual compensation for the position is $71,136 – $95,676 per year and depends upon experience, educational background and qualifications. Geographic differentials may be applied based on work location of successful candidate. Washington State offers a generous benefit package including health, dental and life insurance, retirement and an optional deferred compensation program. Please visit Health Care Authority for information regarding health benefits and the Department of Retirement Systems for retirement plan information. This is a general service position. This position is not represented by a bargaining unit.
Application Process
Those interested in this position must apply through Careers.wa.gov. Applications must include the following documents in MS Word and PDF format only:
- A letter of interest specifically addressing the qualifications listed in this announcement;
- A current résumé, and;
- A list of three or more professional references.
Please address any questions to:
Sal Salazar, Human Resources
Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction
600 Washington Street Southeast
Olympia, Washington 98504-7200
360-725-6278:** sal.salazar@k12.wa.us
Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format may contact the Human Resources Office at (360) 725-6270 or (360) 725-6066, or e-mail hroffice@k12.wa.us.
New Jobs Alert Service
OSPI offers a subscription service, which regularly notifies subscribers of new OSPI employment opportunities on careers.wa.gov. Subscribers are notified via text or email alert. If you are interested in this service, then please subscribe at this location.
OSPI is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from job seekers who will contribute to our diversity. OSPI provides equal access to all programs and services without discrimination based on sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation including gender expression or identity, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability. If you would like, please include your name and gender pronouns in your application, to ensure we address you appropriately throughout the application process. Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format may contact the human resource consultant listed in “Application Process.”
Description
GENERAL SERVICE
JOB ANNOUNCEMENT
Migrant Education Identification and Recruitment-Recruiter (Administrative Program Specialist 2)
$71,136 – $95,676 annually
Closes October 06, 2026
The Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) seeks to fill a Migrant Education Identification and Recruitment-Recruiter for the Title I, Part C Migrant Education Program. This full-time permanent position is based in Yakima, Washington. This position is eligible for remote work. We encourage interested candidates to visit the OSPI website to gain insight into our agency.
About OSPI and our initiatives
OSPI is the primary agency charged with overseeing public K–12 education in Washington state. Working with the state's 295 public school districts and 7 state-tribal education compact schools, OSPI allocates funding and provides tools, resources, and technical assistance so every student in Washington is provided a high-quality public education.
At OSPI, we recognize that our employees are the key to the success of the agency. We are committed to our work but value the balance with our personal lives. We demonstrate our commitment to employees by providing an environment that stimulates professional growth and values them for their expertise. OSPI is a great place to work and has several initiatives to help create a great working environment, including:
- We support a healthy work/life balance by offering flexible/alternative work schedules and mobile and telework options. (Depending on job duties and work location.)
- We have an Infant at Work Program that is based on long-term values of newborns and infant-parent bonding. Eligible employees who are new parents or legal guardians can bring their infant (six weeks to six months) when returning to work. (Depending on job duties and work location.)
- We value and are actively involved in promoting diversity, equity and inclusion within OSPI by way of cross-divisional, collaborative committee. The focus of the committee includes employee engagement and education; reinforcing OSPI values; and maximizing the value of diversity and identifying strategies for inclusion.
Vision, Mission, and Values
Vision: All students prepared for post-secondary pathways, careers, and civic engagement.
Mission: Transform K-12 education to a system that is centered on closing opportunity gaps and is characterized by high expectations for all students and educators. We achieve this by developing equity-based policies and supports that empower educators, families, and communities.
Values: Ensuring Equity, Collaboration and Service, Achieving Excellence through Continuous Improvement, Focus on the Whole Child
Equity
Each student, family, and community possesses strengths and cultural knowledge that benefits their peers, educators, and schools. Ensuring educational equity:
- Goes beyond equality; it requires education leaders to examine the ways current policies and practices result in disparate outcomes for our students of color, students living in poverty, students receiving special education and English Learner services, students who identify as LGBTQ+, and highly mobile student populations.
- Requires education leaders to develop an understanding of historical contexts; engage students, families, and community representatives as partners in decision-making; and actively dismantle systemic barriers, replacing them with policies and practices that ensure all students have access to the instruction and support they need to succeed in our schools.
Position Overview
The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction’s Title I, Part C Migrant Education Program will have a regional position in southwest Washington to actively identify and recruit eligible fishing and migratory children. The position will also provide technical assistance and training support to local educational agency recruiters within the region and collaborate statewide on student recruitment activities.
Staff will be located in the following county:
- Yakima
Key Responsibilities
- Identify and determine the eligibility of migratory children as outlined in federal regulations.
- Identify and recruit children in non-migrant-funded local educational agencies.
- Research non-migrant-funded districts and create a strategic recruitment plan.
- Assist with quality control activities regarding program eligibility verification, such as randomly re-interviewing families to ensure quality assurance.
- Develop and maintain a regional resource directory that may be used as a resource for migratory families as they migrate across the region.
- Provide technical assistance and participate in training regarding eligibility and effective recruitment practices.
- Participate in regional, state, and national professional development opportunities.
Required Qualifications:
- A bachelor's degree involving a major study in Ethnic Studies, Social Science, Social Work, or a related field and three (3) years of professional experience in migrant & farmworker services or a related field.
- OR
- Seven (7) years of professional experience in migrant & farmworker services or a related field.
- Bilingual/biliterate in English/Spanish.
- Currently located or willing to locate to Yakima County
- Willing and able to travel extensively throughout the state, including up to three times per month and for multiple days at a time, as required by this position
- Must have a valid Driver's license
Desired Qualifications:
- Experience working with migratory families.
- Intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.)
- Ability to initiate and perform job duties with minimal supervision.
- Ability to work evenings and weekends as required.
- Willing to maintain flexible working hours.
- Criminal Fingerprint/background clearance; Washington State Patrol and FBI
Compensation
The annual compensation for the position is $71,136 – $95,676 per year and depends upon experience, educational background and qualifications. Geographic differentials may be applied based on work location of successful candidate. Washington State offers a generous benefit package including health, dental and life insurance, retirement and an optional deferred compensation program. Please visit Health Care Authority for information regarding health benefits and the Department of Retirement Systems for retirement plan information. This is a general service position. This position is not represented by a bargaining unit.
Application Process
Those interested in this position must apply through Careers.wa.gov. Applications must include the following documents in MS Word and PDF format only:
- A letter of interest specifically addressing the qualifications listed in this announcement;
- A current résumé, and;
- A list of three or more professional references.
Please address any questions to:
Sal Salazar, Human Resources
Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction
600 Washington Street Southeast
Olympia, Washington 98504-7200
360-725-6278:** sal.salazar@k12.wa.us
Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format may contact the Human Resources Office at (360) 725-6270 or (360) 725-6066, or e-mail hroffice@k12.wa.us.
New Jobs Alert Service
OSPI offers a subscription service, which regularly notifies subscribers of new OSPI employment opportunities on careers.wa.gov. Subscribers are notified via text or email alert. If you are interested in this service, then please subscribe at this location.
OSPI is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from job seekers who will contribute to our diversity. OSPI provides equal access to all programs and services without discrimination based on sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation including gender expression or identity, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability. If you would like, please include your name and gender pronouns in your application, to ensure we address you appropriately throughout the application process. Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format may contact the human resource consultant listed in “Application Process.”
See all 295+ OPT Program Specialist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Program Specialist Jobs.
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.