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 JobsPRIMARY LOCATION
Exploration Avenue
DEPARTMENT
Biostatistics & Epidemiology
SHIFT
Day (United States of America)
SCHEDULE
Full time
WEEKLY HOURS
40
FTE
1
EMPLOYEE STATUS
Regular
EXPECTED STARTING PAY RANGE
$63,086.40 - $80,558.40
Starting pay is based on experience, skills, and equity; exceptions may apply for highly qualified candidates. Additional pay (e.g., shift, on‑call, or weekend differentials) and benefits may apply. Annual pay may vary based on FTE status.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
Project Management Coordination:
- Coordinate assigned projects including collaborating on project plans, budgets, and resource requirements.
- Identify and use appropriate project management tools and concepts (charters, scope management, budget management, risk/issue management, communications management).
- Develop and execute work plans.
- Set priorities for tasks based on importance and urgency.
- Track progress and prepare internal reports.
- Prepare documents to support project management and reporting.
- Prepare and distribute project communication to internal and external clients.
- Identify people, process and infrastructure needs and act as liaison to ensure appropriate systems and reporting are maintained in support of project requirements.
- Create work products and project deliverables, both independently and under direction of team members.
- Understand and meet expectations for deliverable quality and timeliness.
Project Management Leadership:
- Engage clients and stakeholders, negotiate project scope as needed, and communicate with client throughout the project.
- Identify resources needed, such as information, expertise, personnel, and instruments and problem-solve gaps.
- Lead project teams and direct work of others while assuming final responsibility for the result.
Data Analysis/Reporting:
- Perform primary and secondary data collection (e.g., literature reviews), summarize findings, draw appropriate conclusions, and effectively communicate results to team.
- Coordinate collection of data.
- Conduct/support qualitative and quantitative analysis of project data.
- Support and execute regulatory/reporting activities related to projects (e.g., IRB, updates/reports to funding agencies, etc.).
Communication & Relationship Management:
- Manage communication to and relationships with key project stakeholders.
- Compose, edit, and deliver written and verbal communications.
- Facilitate small group discussions.
- Keep team members appropriately informed.
Strategic Planning:
- Strategize with project, program and department leadership to develop plans to advance objectives.
- Work in collaboration to establish goals and objectives, prioritize key objectives and work with the team to meet the goals and objectives.
- Strategize and recommend infrastructure necessary to execute selected projects & processes.
Job Requirements
Bachelor's degree in a related field
4+ years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience
About us
At Cincinnati Children’s, we come to work with one goal: to make children’s health better. We believe in a holistic team approach, both in caring for patients and their families, and in advancing science and discovery. We strive to do better and find energy and inspiration in our shared purpose. If you want to be the best you can be, you can do it at Cincinnati Children’s.
Cincinnati Children's is:
- Recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 10 best Children's Hospitals in the nation for more than 15 years
- Consistently among the top 3 Children's Hospitals for National Institutes of Health (NIH) Funding
- Recognized as one of America’s Best Large Employers (2025), America’s Best Employers for New Grads (2025)
- One of the nation's America’s Most Innovative Companies as noted by Fortune
- Consistently certified as great place to work
- A Leading Disability Employer as noted by the National Organization on Disability
- Magnet® designated for the fourth consecutive time by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
We Embrace Innovation—Together. We believe in empowering our teams with the tools that help us work smarter and care better. That’s why we support the responsible use of artificial intelligence. By encouraging innovation, we’re creating space for new ideas, better outcomes, and a stronger future—for all of us.
Comprehensive job description provided upon request.
Cincinnati Children’s is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating an environment of dignity and respect for all our employees, patients, and families. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, genetic information, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status. EEO/Veteran/Disability
PRIMARY LOCATION
Exploration Avenue
DEPARTMENT
Biostatistics & Epidemiology
SHIFT
Day (United States of America)
SCHEDULE
Full time
WEEKLY HOURS
40
FTE
1
EMPLOYEE STATUS
Regular
EXPECTED STARTING PAY RANGE
$63,086.40 - $80,558.40
Starting pay is based on experience, skills, and equity; exceptions may apply for highly qualified candidates. Additional pay (e.g., shift, on‑call, or weekend differentials) and benefits may apply. Annual pay may vary based on FTE status.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
Project Management Coordination:
- Coordinate assigned projects including collaborating on project plans, budgets, and resource requirements.
- Identify and use appropriate project management tools and concepts (charters, scope management, budget management, risk/issue management, communications management).
- Develop and execute work plans.
- Set priorities for tasks based on importance and urgency.
- Track progress and prepare internal reports.
- Prepare documents to support project management and reporting.
- Prepare and distribute project communication to internal and external clients.
- Identify people, process and infrastructure needs and act as liaison to ensure appropriate systems and reporting are maintained in support of project requirements.
- Create work products and project deliverables, both independently and under direction of team members.
- Understand and meet expectations for deliverable quality and timeliness.
Project Management Leadership:
- Engage clients and stakeholders, negotiate project scope as needed, and communicate with client throughout the project.
- Identify resources needed, such as information, expertise, personnel, and instruments and problem-solve gaps.
- Lead project teams and direct work of others while assuming final responsibility for the result.
Data Analysis/Reporting:
- Perform primary and secondary data collection (e.g., literature reviews), summarize findings, draw appropriate conclusions, and effectively communicate results to team.
- Coordinate collection of data.
- Conduct/support qualitative and quantitative analysis of project data.
- Support and execute regulatory/reporting activities related to projects (e.g., IRB, updates/reports to funding agencies, etc.).
Communication & Relationship Management:
- Manage communication to and relationships with key project stakeholders.
- Compose, edit, and deliver written and verbal communications.
- Facilitate small group discussions.
- Keep team members appropriately informed.
Strategic Planning:
- Strategize with project, program and department leadership to develop plans to advance objectives.
- Work in collaboration to establish goals and objectives, prioritize key objectives and work with the team to meet the goals and objectives.
- Strategize and recommend infrastructure necessary to execute selected projects & processes.
Job Requirements
Bachelor's degree in a related field
4+ years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience
About us
At Cincinnati Children’s, we come to work with one goal: to make children’s health better. We believe in a holistic team approach, both in caring for patients and their families, and in advancing science and discovery. We strive to do better and find energy and inspiration in our shared purpose. If you want to be the best you can be, you can do it at Cincinnati Children’s.
Cincinnati Children's is:
- Recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 10 best Children's Hospitals in the nation for more than 15 years
- Consistently among the top 3 Children's Hospitals for National Institutes of Health (NIH) Funding
- Recognized as one of America’s Best Large Employers (2025), America’s Best Employers for New Grads (2025)
- One of the nation's America’s Most Innovative Companies as noted by Fortune
- Consistently certified as great place to work
- A Leading Disability Employer as noted by the National Organization on Disability
- Magnet® designated for the fourth consecutive time by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
We Embrace Innovation—Together. We believe in empowering our teams with the tools that help us work smarter and care better. That’s why we support the responsible use of artificial intelligence. By encouraging innovation, we’re creating space for new ideas, better outcomes, and a stronger future—for all of us.
Comprehensive job description provided upon request.
Cincinnati Children’s is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating an environment of dignity and respect for all our employees, patients, and families. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, genetic information, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status. EEO/Veteran/Disability
See all 181+ OPT Project Specialist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Project Specialist Jobs.
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.