OPT Public Relations Jobs
Public Relations roles qualify for F-1 OPT work authorization when the position requires a degree in communications, PR, journalism, or a related field. Most PR jobs fall under specialty occupation criteria, making them strong candidates for H-1B visa sponsorship after OPT. Your 12-month standard OPT period can extend to 36 months with a STEM-adjacent degree in certain cases.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
THIS POSTING WILL BE USED FOR ONGOING RECRUITMENT AND MAY CLOSE AT ANY TIME. APPLICANT LISTS MAY BE SCREENED MORE THAN ONCE.
All positions at the NM Public Education Department are based in Santa Fe.
MISSION: EQUITY, EXCELLENCE AND RELEVANCE - The New Mexico Public Education Department partners with educators, communities, and families to ensure that ALL students are healthy, secure in their identity, and holistically prepared for college, career, and life.
VISION: ROOTED IN OUR STRENGTHS - Students in New Mexico are engaged in a culturally and linguistically responsive educational system that meets the social, emotional, and academic needs of ALL students.
ABOUT THE JOB
The PED Public Information and Communications Office
The Public Education Department strives to meet the needs of all students, educators and constituents of New Mexico by offering open and transparent communications surrounding our agency's work. The Public Information and Communications Office handles media communications, public relations and requests for public information. Additionally, the Communications Office produces, edits and supports the development of several communications products and publications.
To ensure your application can be fully considered, please provide a complete application and/or resume that includes:
- Dates of employment for each position, including month and year.
- Detailed descriptions of your work experience and job duties.
- Transcripts if a degree is listed on your application. Unofficial transcripts are accepted.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Public Relations Coordinator collaborates with the Communications Manager and Public Information Office (PIO) to develop and implement a digital media and PR strategy to engage families, educators, and other education partners with the agency. This key position on the communications team is critical in managing and increasing brand awareness and in helping to convey and further the mission, vision, and goals of the agency via its various channels to reach a variety of constituents in order to promote transparency, convey a positive image for the agency, and establish the agency as the primary source of information about education in New Mexico.
This position will have key responsibilities in developing and executing strategies for public relations and marketing through the agency's various digital channels. These strategies should be designed with transparency and to convey critical and helpful information to all NMPED constituent groups.
This position will:
- design, schedule, post, monitor and report on branded digital media campaigns as well as posts, web content, and video;
- coordinate, shoot, and edit photographs and video and other digital media within the branding framework;
- update and improve web content via a content management system;
- quickly and efficiently create branded graphics to support various initiatives, campaigns, and programs;
- provide analytics to the PIO, Communications Manager, communications team, NMPED Cabinet, and other partners as needed;
- incorporate strategies and insights to best engage the public;
- assist the communications team in designing and delivering digital assets as needed during events, school visits, and other field work; and
- monitor brand compliance across the agency ensuring that all divisions and bureaus are coherent in their branding and messaging.
- Draft press releases and stories to support agency messaging, edit press releases and other Communications Bureau and agency materials. In addition, they may be responsible for assisting in the coordination of education, awards, and outreach programs.
CUSTOMERS
Educators, families, district and charter school staff, administrators, decisionmakers, legislators, educational experts, child and family advocates, other state agencies, the Office of the Governor, and the public at large.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Associates Degree in Publications, Journalism, Communications, Public Relations, Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing, and/or related field and one (1) year of experience in public relations, mass communications, television, radio, print media, emergency communications, and/or emergency management. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling three (3) years may substitute for the required education and experience.
EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS
Must possess and maintain a valid Driver's License. Must possess and maintain a current Defensive Driving Course Certificate from the State of New Mexico or must pass and receive Defensive Driving Course Certification within six (6) months of date of hire as a condition of continued employment.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Office setting, exposure to Visual/Video Display terminal (VDT) and extensive personal computer and telephone usage with extended periods of sitting. Must be able to lift 25 lbs. Travel required.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Do you know what Total Compensation is? Click here
Agency Contact Information: Dr. Janelle Taylor Garcia, 505/ 709-5543 or Email
For information on Statutory Requirements for this position, click the Classification Description link on the job advertisement.
Bargaining Unit Position
This position is not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.
INTRODUCTION
THIS POSTING WILL BE USED FOR ONGOING RECRUITMENT AND MAY CLOSE AT ANY TIME. APPLICANT LISTS MAY BE SCREENED MORE THAN ONCE.
All positions at the NM Public Education Department are based in Santa Fe.
MISSION: EQUITY, EXCELLENCE AND RELEVANCE - The New Mexico Public Education Department partners with educators, communities, and families to ensure that ALL students are healthy, secure in their identity, and holistically prepared for college, career, and life.
VISION: ROOTED IN OUR STRENGTHS - Students in New Mexico are engaged in a culturally and linguistically responsive educational system that meets the social, emotional, and academic needs of ALL students.
ABOUT THE JOB
The PED Public Information and Communications Office
The Public Education Department strives to meet the needs of all students, educators and constituents of New Mexico by offering open and transparent communications surrounding our agency's work. The Public Information and Communications Office handles media communications, public relations and requests for public information. Additionally, the Communications Office produces, edits and supports the development of several communications products and publications.
To ensure your application can be fully considered, please provide a complete application and/or resume that includes:
- Dates of employment for each position, including month and year.
- Detailed descriptions of your work experience and job duties.
- Transcripts if a degree is listed on your application. Unofficial transcripts are accepted.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Public Relations Coordinator collaborates with the Communications Manager and Public Information Office (PIO) to develop and implement a digital media and PR strategy to engage families, educators, and other education partners with the agency. This key position on the communications team is critical in managing and increasing brand awareness and in helping to convey and further the mission, vision, and goals of the agency via its various channels to reach a variety of constituents in order to promote transparency, convey a positive image for the agency, and establish the agency as the primary source of information about education in New Mexico.
This position will have key responsibilities in developing and executing strategies for public relations and marketing through the agency's various digital channels. These strategies should be designed with transparency and to convey critical and helpful information to all NMPED constituent groups.
This position will:
- design, schedule, post, monitor and report on branded digital media campaigns as well as posts, web content, and video;
- coordinate, shoot, and edit photographs and video and other digital media within the branding framework;
- update and improve web content via a content management system;
- quickly and efficiently create branded graphics to support various initiatives, campaigns, and programs;
- provide analytics to the PIO, Communications Manager, communications team, NMPED Cabinet, and other partners as needed;
- incorporate strategies and insights to best engage the public;
- assist the communications team in designing and delivering digital assets as needed during events, school visits, and other field work; and
- monitor brand compliance across the agency ensuring that all divisions and bureaus are coherent in their branding and messaging.
- Draft press releases and stories to support agency messaging, edit press releases and other Communications Bureau and agency materials. In addition, they may be responsible for assisting in the coordination of education, awards, and outreach programs.
CUSTOMERS
Educators, families, district and charter school staff, administrators, decisionmakers, legislators, educational experts, child and family advocates, other state agencies, the Office of the Governor, and the public at large.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Associates Degree in Publications, Journalism, Communications, Public Relations, Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing, and/or related field and one (1) year of experience in public relations, mass communications, television, radio, print media, emergency communications, and/or emergency management. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling three (3) years may substitute for the required education and experience.
EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS
Must possess and maintain a valid Driver's License. Must possess and maintain a current Defensive Driving Course Certificate from the State of New Mexico or must pass and receive Defensive Driving Course Certification within six (6) months of date of hire as a condition of continued employment.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Office setting, exposure to Visual/Video Display terminal (VDT) and extensive personal computer and telephone usage with extended periods of sitting. Must be able to lift 25 lbs. Travel required.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Do you know what Total Compensation is? Click here
Agency Contact Information: Dr. Janelle Taylor Garcia, 505/ 709-5543 or Email
For information on Statutory Requirements for this position, click the Classification Description link on the job advertisement.
Bargaining Unit Position
This position is not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.
See all 292+ OPT Public Relations Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Public Relations
Target agencies with established immigration programs
Large PR agencies like Edelman, Weber Shandwick, and Ketchum have HR infrastructure to support visa sponsorship. Smaller boutique agencies rarely have legal resources to sponsor, so prioritize firms with 200-plus employees.
Frame your international background as a PR asset
Bilingual skills and cross-cultural fluency are genuinely valuable in PR, especially for clients targeting international markets. Lead with this in your cover letter and interviews rather than treating your visa status as a liability to explain.
Understand your OPT authorization timeline before applying
Your OPT EAD card must be valid before you start work. Apply at least 90 days before your program end date. PR hiring timelines can be fast, so knowing your exact authorization window prevents offers from expiring.
Build a portfolio that demonstrates measurable outcomes
PR employers sponsoring OPT students want to see impact, not just tasks. Quantify results where possible: media placements secured, impressions earned, campaign reach. Concrete outcomes make sponsorship conversations easier to justify internally.
Ask about sponsorship directly but strategically
Raise the sponsorship question after receiving a verbal offer, not during initial screening. Phrase it as a process question: ask whether the company has sponsored H-1B visas before, which signals you know the system and are not a risky unknown.
Use Migrate Mate to find PR roles open to OPT candidates
Searching general job boards surfaces many roles that will not consider OPT students. Migrate Mate filters specifically for positions where employers are open to sponsorship, saving you from applying to roles that will not move forward.
Public Relations OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Public Relations jobs qualify as specialty occupations for H-1B sponsorship?
Most PR roles qualify as specialty occupations because they typically require at minimum a bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, journalism, or marketing. USCIS has approved H-1B petitions for PR specialists, account managers, and communications coordinators at agencies and in-house teams. Roles that accept any degree regardless of field are harder to support, so job titles with clear educational requirements strengthen the case.
Can I work in Public Relations on OPT if my degree is in a related field like marketing or journalism?
Yes. OPT authorizes you to work in a role directly related to your degree field, and PR has recognized overlap with communications, journalism, marketing, and even political science. Your OPT authorization documents your specific degree, so as long as the PR role connects to that field, you're in compliance. If you're unsure whether a role qualifies, confirm with your DSO before accepting an offer.
How do I find PR employers who are open to sponsoring OPT students?
The most efficient approach is to search Migrate Mate, which surfaces PR roles from employers who are open to OPT and visa sponsorship rather than filtering you out at the application stage. Beyond that, DOL LCA disclosure data shows which companies have filed H-1B petitions for PR roles in the past, giving you a concrete list of historically sponsoring employers to prioritize.
What happens to my OPT authorization if I'm laid off from a PR job?
F-1 OPT includes a 60-day unemployment grace period. If your PR role ends unexpectedly, you have 60 days to find new employment in a qualifying role before your OPT status is jeopardized. During this period, report any job change to your DSO immediately. If you don't secure a new position within the grace period, you'll need to depart the U.S. or explore a change of status.
Does freelance or contract PR work count toward my OPT employment requirement?
Yes, self-employment and contract work count toward OPT as long as the work is directly related to your degree field and you can document it. For PR, this means freelance media relations, content strategy, or communications consulting work qualifies. You'll need to maintain records showing the nature of the work, hours, and how it connects to your degree, since your DSO may ask for documentation.