OPT Public Relations Specialist Jobs
Public Relations Specialist roles are widely available to F-1 OPT students with a degree in communications, PR, journalism, or a related field. Most positions qualify as specialty occupations, supporting both standard 12-month OPT and the 24-month STEM extension for qualifying programs. Agency and in-house roles are common entry points.
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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 291+ OPT Public Relations Specialist Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Public Relations Specialist
Lead with your degree field
PR Specialist roles require a direct tie between your degree and the position. Communications, journalism, and marketing degrees align cleanly. Highlight your specific major in your resume summary so hiring managers can confirm specialty occupation eligibility without guessing.
Target in-house corporate teams
Large corporations with dedicated communications departments are more likely to sponsor visas than boutique PR agencies. Fortune 500 companies have established HR and immigration infrastructure, making the OPT-to-H-1B visa transition more straightforward than at smaller firms.
Highlight measurable media results
Quantify your PR wins: placements secured, impressions generated, or coverage in named outlets. Concrete outcomes demonstrate professional-level impact and help justify specialty occupation classification, which matters when employers evaluate whether to support future visa sponsorship.
Apply before your OPT clock runs out
Start your job search at least three months before your OPT authorization ends. PR hiring timelines often run four to eight weeks, and you need buffer time to receive an offer, confirm sponsorship willingness, and file any necessary work authorization paperwork.
Ask about sponsorship during the second interview
Raise visa sponsorship after you have established genuine interest from the employer, typically in a second interview or after a strong first round. Frame it as a logistics question, not a request, and confirm whether the company has sponsored PR or communications roles previously.
Build a portfolio of published work
Press releases, media pitches, campaign recaps, and earned media links form a concrete portfolio that PR employers can evaluate quickly. A strong portfolio reduces hiring hesitation and signals the kind of specialized communications skill set that supports specialty occupation arguments.
Public Relations Specialist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Public Relations Specialist role qualify as a specialty occupation for OPT?
Yes, in most cases. USCIS generally recognizes Public Relations Specialist as a specialty occupation when the employer requires a bachelor's degree or higher in communications, public relations, journalism, or a closely related field. Roles where any degree is accepted regardless of field are less likely to qualify. Review the job description carefully before applying.
Can F-1 OPT students work at PR agencies or only in-house roles?
Both are valid. Agency positions and in-house corporate communications roles are open to F-1 OPT students as long as the work is directly related to your degree. Agency roles often offer faster-paced experience and diverse client exposure, while in-house positions tend to provide more stability and a clearer path to visa sponsorship after OPT ends.
How do I find Public Relations Specialist jobs that are open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and lists Public Relations Specialist roles from employers who are open to candidates on work authorization. Searching general job boards often returns postings that exclude international students without flagging it clearly. Migrate Mate filters for sponsorship-friendly employers, saving you time and reducing the risk of applying to roles that won't work for your visa status.
Do PR roles at nonprofit organizations count toward OPT employment requirements?
Yes. Nonprofit organizations are valid OPT employers as long as the role is directly related to your degree field and meets the minimum hours requirement, which is typically 20 hours per week for OPT to count as active employment. Many nonprofits have active communications teams, and the work often qualifies as a specialty occupation if a relevant degree is required.
What happens to my OPT if my PR employer does layoffs?
If you lose your job, your 60-day unemployment grace period starts immediately. During that window, you can continue job searching and accept a new offer without losing your OPT status. You must report the change to your DSO promptly. Exceeding 90 cumulative days of unemployment during the OPT period, or 60 days for STEM OPT, will terminate your authorization.