OPT Project Specialist Jobs
Project Specialist roles on OPT typically fall under business operations, program management, or consulting, and they qualify as specialty occupation positions when they require a relevant bachelor's degree. Your 12-month OPT window starts on your employment start date, so securing a role before graduation keeps your timeline intact.
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Get Access To All JobsAt Houston Methodist, the Project Specialist position provides analytical and specialized technical support to department management as well as basic financial tracking of department expenditures, processing of invoices as appropriate. This position is responsible for specific moderately complex, project-oriented assignments which include leading, coordinating and completing projects related to operational activities. The Project Specialist position must be resourceful in seeking solutions, be pro-active and have the ability to handle multiple projects at one time with extreme attention to detail. This position works under the guidance and direction of management and is accountable for high-level clerical support functions, project work and compliance activities including analysis, implementation, coordination, and reporting of project activities initiated by or assigned to department. Additionally, this position serves as a resource in facilitating the implementation and/or rollout of initiatives and tracks to ensure implementation is meeting scheduled milestones.
FLSA STATUS
Exempt
QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Bachelor’s degree
Experience
Two years experience in related discipline to include one year of project management experience
SKILLS AND ABILITIES
- Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through ongoing skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations
- Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security
- Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles
- Strong analytical and interpersonal skills
- Advanced spreadsheet skills (i.e. creating pivot tables, performing v-lookups, and managing large data sets). Intermediate word-processing and presentation software skills
- Strong project and time management skills
- Initiative - Exhibits resourcefulness, independent action and judgment that are position appropriate. Evaluates, selects and acts on various methods and strategies for solving problems and meeting objectives
- Professional handling of exposure to confidential/sensitive information
- Demonstrates flexibility and adaptability in the face of changing demands
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Facilitates open, professional (verbal, nonverbal, written) communication to achieve mutual understanding. Communication to promote both work efforts and problem resolution is clear and professional, providing the highest quality service during every customer and patient encounter.
- Participates in, and may direct, problem definition and resolution activities. Maintains customer confidence and protects operations by keeping information confidential.
- Effectively communicates with key contacts to obtain information that relates to strategic initiatives as highlighted by management. Presents information to management to support decision-making.
- Collaborates to foster healthy relationships in the work environment such as mitigation of conflict. Contributes to improvement of department scores for employee engagement on department scorecard.
SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Conserves management's time by reading, researching, collecting and analyzing information. Composes complex confidential correspondence for administrative purposes. Prepares materials for formal or informational presentations.
- Coordinates meetings relevant to project scope. Prepares meeting minutes and meeting materials as requested. Performs administrative and operational activities of a complex nature as appropriate. Maintains confidential documents, prepares agendas for matters of consideration at meetings, establishes priorities and deadlines for completion of projects, and works with co-workers in overflow of work and responsibilities.
- Serves as support to interprofessional workgroups throughout all HM entities. Assists during internal audits and other audits as appropriate. Works in collaboration with other entity operations staff to ensure synergy in duties and reporting.
QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Responsible for the management and completion of projects within the department, tracking and documenting data management, project progress and maintaining accurate project record files. Updates actual progress and forecasts remaining work schedule.
- Performs data management and analysis with little supervision. Conducts data analysis and creates reports and spreadsheets using various software, based on project needs or deliverables, in order to track project benchmarks and make recommendations for change. Utilizes technology resources for assigned projects.
- Ensures quality and timely execution of project deliverables. Coordinates multiple deadlines related to project scope, requiring resources including but not limited to reports and presentations. Thoroughly tracks all metrics related to activities and maintains associated paperwork, files and calendar documentation.
FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Uses resources efficiently; does not waste supplies. Self-motivated to independently manage time effectively and prioritize daily tasks. Utilizes time efficiently and helps other team members.
- Assists in the preparation, tracking, and projection of annual operating budget and other department activities. Provides support in development and monitoring of system operations and project budget, as appropriate.
- Provides monthly reports and works with applicable departments (e.g. MARS, Finance, etc.) to verify department transactional accuracy, as assigned.
GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Identifies and assumes responsibility of own learning needs, consults with team experts and seeks continuing education opportunities to meet those needs. Completes and updates the individual development plan (IDP) on an ongoing basis. Ensures own career discussions occur with appropriate management.
- Offers innovative solutions through participation in performance improvement projects and activities. Follows up on action items to ensure completion of assignments.
SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS
WORK ATTIRE
- Uniform: No
- Scrubs: No
- Business professional: Yes
- Other (department approved): No
ON-CALL
- Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. Disaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.
- On Call No
TRAVEL
Travel specifications may vary by department
- May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area Yes
- May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No
Houston Methodist is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
At Houston Methodist, the Project Specialist position provides analytical and specialized technical support to department management as well as basic financial tracking of department expenditures, processing of invoices as appropriate. This position is responsible for specific moderately complex, project-oriented assignments which include leading, coordinating and completing projects related to operational activities. The Project Specialist position must be resourceful in seeking solutions, be pro-active and have the ability to handle multiple projects at one time with extreme attention to detail. This position works under the guidance and direction of management and is accountable for high-level clerical support functions, project work and compliance activities including analysis, implementation, coordination, and reporting of project activities initiated by or assigned to department. Additionally, this position serves as a resource in facilitating the implementation and/or rollout of initiatives and tracks to ensure implementation is meeting scheduled milestones.
FLSA STATUS
Exempt
QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Bachelor’s degree
Experience
Two years experience in related discipline to include one year of project management experience
SKILLS AND ABILITIES
- Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through ongoing skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations
- Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security
- Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles
- Strong analytical and interpersonal skills
- Advanced spreadsheet skills (i.e. creating pivot tables, performing v-lookups, and managing large data sets). Intermediate word-processing and presentation software skills
- Strong project and time management skills
- Initiative - Exhibits resourcefulness, independent action and judgment that are position appropriate. Evaluates, selects and acts on various methods and strategies for solving problems and meeting objectives
- Professional handling of exposure to confidential/sensitive information
- Demonstrates flexibility and adaptability in the face of changing demands
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Facilitates open, professional (verbal, nonverbal, written) communication to achieve mutual understanding. Communication to promote both work efforts and problem resolution is clear and professional, providing the highest quality service during every customer and patient encounter.
- Participates in, and may direct, problem definition and resolution activities. Maintains customer confidence and protects operations by keeping information confidential.
- Effectively communicates with key contacts to obtain information that relates to strategic initiatives as highlighted by management. Presents information to management to support decision-making.
- Collaborates to foster healthy relationships in the work environment such as mitigation of conflict. Contributes to improvement of department scores for employee engagement on department scorecard.
SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Conserves management's time by reading, researching, collecting and analyzing information. Composes complex confidential correspondence for administrative purposes. Prepares materials for formal or informational presentations.
- Coordinates meetings relevant to project scope. Prepares meeting minutes and meeting materials as requested. Performs administrative and operational activities of a complex nature as appropriate. Maintains confidential documents, prepares agendas for matters of consideration at meetings, establishes priorities and deadlines for completion of projects, and works with co-workers in overflow of work and responsibilities.
- Serves as support to interprofessional workgroups throughout all HM entities. Assists during internal audits and other audits as appropriate. Works in collaboration with other entity operations staff to ensure synergy in duties and reporting.
QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Responsible for the management and completion of projects within the department, tracking and documenting data management, project progress and maintaining accurate project record files. Updates actual progress and forecasts remaining work schedule.
- Performs data management and analysis with little supervision. Conducts data analysis and creates reports and spreadsheets using various software, based on project needs or deliverables, in order to track project benchmarks and make recommendations for change. Utilizes technology resources for assigned projects.
- Ensures quality and timely execution of project deliverables. Coordinates multiple deadlines related to project scope, requiring resources including but not limited to reports and presentations. Thoroughly tracks all metrics related to activities and maintains associated paperwork, files and calendar documentation.
FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Uses resources efficiently; does not waste supplies. Self-motivated to independently manage time effectively and prioritize daily tasks. Utilizes time efficiently and helps other team members.
- Assists in the preparation, tracking, and projection of annual operating budget and other department activities. Provides support in development and monitoring of system operations and project budget, as appropriate.
- Provides monthly reports and works with applicable departments (e.g. MARS, Finance, etc.) to verify department transactional accuracy, as assigned.
GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Identifies and assumes responsibility of own learning needs, consults with team experts and seeks continuing education opportunities to meet those needs. Completes and updates the individual development plan (IDP) on an ongoing basis. Ensures own career discussions occur with appropriate management.
- Offers innovative solutions through participation in performance improvement projects and activities. Follows up on action items to ensure completion of assignments.
SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS
WORK ATTIRE
- Uniform: No
- Scrubs: No
- Business professional: Yes
- Other (department approved): No
ON-CALL
- Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. Disaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.
- On Call No
TRAVEL
Travel specifications may vary by department
- May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area Yes
- May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No
Houston Methodist is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
See all 1,169+ OPT Project Specialist Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Project Specialist
Target employers with active H-1B sponsorship history
Companies that have sponsored H-1B workers before are far more likely to do it again. Prioritizing these employers from the start means your OPT role is more likely to convert into long-term sponsorship before your 12 months expire.
Clarify your OPT authorization timeline upfront
Bring up your OPT status early in the interview process, not at the offer stage. Most hiring managers appreciate transparency, and it filters out employers who won't sponsor before you invest time in multi-round interviews.
Quantify project outcomes on your resume
Project Specialists are evaluated on delivery. Showing measurable results, like reduced timelines, cost savings, or stakeholder satisfaction rates, makes your application stand out and demonstrates the kind of value employers find worth sponsoring long-term.
Pursue PMP or CAPM certification if you're pre-graduation
Holding or actively pursuing a recognized project management credential signals professional seriousness. Many employers equate certification with reduced onboarding costs, which strengthens the business case for sponsoring you after OPT.
Negotiate a start date that aligns with your EAD card
You cannot legally begin work until your Employment Authorization Document is in hand and your start date matches or follows the date printed on it. Confirm the exact date with your DSO before accepting any offer.
Project Specialist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Project Specialist role qualify as a specialty occupation for OPT and H-1B purposes?
It depends on how the role is defined. A Project Specialist position qualifies as a specialty occupation when the employer requires a bachelor's degree in a specific field, such as business administration, engineering, or information systems. Generic job postings that say 'any degree' or list no degree requirement can create problems during H-1B adjudication. Review the job description carefully before applying.
Can I work as a Project Specialist on OPT while my H-1B is pending?
Yes, if your employer files an H-1B petition before your OPT expires and you receive a timely filed receipt notice, cap-gap protection extends your OPT work authorization automatically through September 30 of that year. If your H-1B is selected in the lottery and approved, your status changes on October 1. Confirm your specific dates with your designated school official.
What should I report to my DSO when I start a Project Specialist job on OPT?
You must report your employer name, employer address, job title, and start date to your DSO within 10 days of starting work. The DSO then updates your SEVIS record. Failing to report on time is a common compliance mistake that can jeopardize your status. Keep a copy of your employment offer letter to reference when submitting this information.
Where can I find Project Specialist jobs that are open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students, so every job listed is relevant to your work authorization status. Searching there filters out the noise of general job boards where OPT eligibility is rarely stated clearly. You can browse Project Specialist openings by industry, location, and employer sponsorship history in one place.
Does Project Specialist work on OPT count toward STEM OPT extension eligibility?
Only if your degree is on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List and the employer is enrolled in E-Verify. Project management and operations roles can qualify under STEM OPT when the underlying degree is in a qualifying field like information technology, industrial engineering, or management information systems. Confirm your degree's CIP code with your international student office before applying for the extension.