Program Specialist Jobs for OPT Students
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 sponsorship.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
BAYADA Home Health Care has an immediate opening for a Program Specialist (Qualified Professional) in our State College, PA office. If you are looking for an exciting career opportunity in a growing industry, this could be the position for you!
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Program Specialist will:
- In collaboration with the Clinical Manager, act as internal case manager and advocate for clients in the Habilitation program
- Participate in Person-Centered Planning processes
- Collaborate with the client, family, Case Managers, Hab Techs and other teams to implement and evaluate client care needs and individual goals identified in the Person Centered/Individual Support Plan
- Make regular client visits, as per policy, to evaluate client progress and to monitor that client services are implemented according to the Person Centered/Individual Support Plan and the service definitions
- Evaluate the progress of goals identified in the Person Centered/Individual Support Plan
- Maintain ongoing communication with Case Managers/Care Coordinators
- Carry out supervision of Habilitation Technicians according to policy and procedure and as mandated by state regulation
- Participate in client specific orientations as directed by the Clinical Manager
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor degree is required
- Must be a Qualified Professional - minimum of 1 years of post degree experience with I/DD population
- Prior supervisory experience a plus
- Demonstrated record of successfully taking on increased responsibility
- Ambition to grow and advance beyond current position
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Why you'll love BAYADA:
- BAYADA Home Health Care offers the stability and structure of a national company with the values and culture of a family-owned business.
- Award-winning workplace: proud to be recognized by Newsweek’s Best Place to Work for Diversity, Newsweek’s Best Place to Work for Women, Newsweek’s Best Place to Work (overall), Newsweek’s Best Place to Work for Women and Families, Glassdoor Best Places to Work, Forbes Best Places to Work for Women
- Weekly pay
- Work life balance: Monday-Friday 8:30-5pm hours
- AMAZING culture: we are a mission driven nonprofit organization, focused around three core values of compassion, reliability, and excellence.
- Strong employee values and recognition: we utilize a BAYADA Celebrates page for daily recognition, along with Hero spotlights, Key Action of the Week meetings to connect back to our mission and celebrate staff, discounts/perks and partnerships, an Awards Weekend trip, and more.
- Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging: Join groups like our Women in Limitless Leadership Employee Resource Council, Lean In circles, Racial and Ethnic Diversity (RED) Council, Pride LGBTQIA+ Council, Military Community Network, Solutions and Accessibility for Equality (SAFE) Council, Fostering Acceptance Inspiring Trust and Harmony (F.A.I.T.H), and more.
- Growth opportunities: advancement opportunities, continued education opportunities, Udemy courses, webinars, and more
BENEFITS
BAYADA Home Health Care offers a comprehensive benefits plan that includes the following: Paid holidays, vacation and sick leave, vision, dental and medical health plans, employer paid life insurance, 401k with company match, direct deposit and employee assistance program.
EEO STATEMENT
As an accredited, regulated, certified, and licensed home health care provider, BAYADA complies with all state/local mandates. BAYADA is celebrating 50 years of compassion, excellence, and reliability. Learn more about our 50th anniversary celebration and how you can join in here. BAYADA Home Health Care, Inc., and its associated entities and joint venture partners, are Equal Opportunity Employers. All employment decisions are made on a non-discriminatory basis without regard to sex, race, color, age, disability, pregnancy or maternity, sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship status, military status, or any other similarly protected status in accordance with federal, state and local laws. Hence, we strongly encourage applications from people with these identities or who are members of other marginalized communities.
INTRODUCTION
BAYADA Home Health Care has an immediate opening for a Program Specialist (Qualified Professional) in our State College, PA office. If you are looking for an exciting career opportunity in a growing industry, this could be the position for you!
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Program Specialist will:
- In collaboration with the Clinical Manager, act as internal case manager and advocate for clients in the Habilitation program
- Participate in Person-Centered Planning processes
- Collaborate with the client, family, Case Managers, Hab Techs and other teams to implement and evaluate client care needs and individual goals identified in the Person Centered/Individual Support Plan
- Make regular client visits, as per policy, to evaluate client progress and to monitor that client services are implemented according to the Person Centered/Individual Support Plan and the service definitions
- Evaluate the progress of goals identified in the Person Centered/Individual Support Plan
- Maintain ongoing communication with Case Managers/Care Coordinators
- Carry out supervision of Habilitation Technicians according to policy and procedure and as mandated by state regulation
- Participate in client specific orientations as directed by the Clinical Manager
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor degree is required
- Must be a Qualified Professional - minimum of 1 years of post degree experience with I/DD population
- Prior supervisory experience a plus
- Demonstrated record of successfully taking on increased responsibility
- Ambition to grow and advance beyond current position
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Why you'll love BAYADA:
- BAYADA Home Health Care offers the stability and structure of a national company with the values and culture of a family-owned business.
- Award-winning workplace: proud to be recognized by Newsweek’s Best Place to Work for Diversity, Newsweek’s Best Place to Work for Women, Newsweek’s Best Place to Work (overall), Newsweek’s Best Place to Work for Women and Families, Glassdoor Best Places to Work, Forbes Best Places to Work for Women
- Weekly pay
- Work life balance: Monday-Friday 8:30-5pm hours
- AMAZING culture: we are a mission driven nonprofit organization, focused around three core values of compassion, reliability, and excellence.
- Strong employee values and recognition: we utilize a BAYADA Celebrates page for daily recognition, along with Hero spotlights, Key Action of the Week meetings to connect back to our mission and celebrate staff, discounts/perks and partnerships, an Awards Weekend trip, and more.
- Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging: Join groups like our Women in Limitless Leadership Employee Resource Council, Lean In circles, Racial and Ethnic Diversity (RED) Council, Pride LGBTQIA+ Council, Military Community Network, Solutions and Accessibility for Equality (SAFE) Council, Fostering Acceptance Inspiring Trust and Harmony (F.A.I.T.H), and more.
- Growth opportunities: advancement opportunities, continued education opportunities, Udemy courses, webinars, and more
BENEFITS
BAYADA Home Health Care offers a comprehensive benefits plan that includes the following: Paid holidays, vacation and sick leave, vision, dental and medical health plans, employer paid life insurance, 401k with company match, direct deposit and employee assistance program.
EEO STATEMENT
As an accredited, regulated, certified, and licensed home health care provider, BAYADA complies with all state/local mandates. BAYADA is celebrating 50 years of compassion, excellence, and reliability. Learn more about our 50th anniversary celebration and how you can join in here. BAYADA Home Health Care, Inc., and its associated entities and joint venture partners, are Equal Opportunity Employers. All employment decisions are made on a non-discriminatory basis without regard to sex, race, color, age, disability, pregnancy or maternity, sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship status, military status, or any other similarly protected status in accordance with federal, state and local laws. Hence, we strongly encourage applications from people with these identities or who are members of other marginalized communities.
How to Get Visa Sponsorship as a Program Specialist
Target organizations with active H-1B filing histories
Government agencies, nonprofits, and large consulting firms file H-1B 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.
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.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently 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.
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