Regional Planner Jobs for OPT Students
Regional Planner roles qualify for OPT work authorization when tied to a degree in urban planning, geography, public policy, or a related field. Most positions are with government agencies or consulting firms that regularly hire international graduates. STEM OPT extension is not available for this role.
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Operations is at the heart of Amazon’s business. We are known for our speed, accuracy, and exceptional service. Our buildings deliver tens of thousands of products to hundreds of countries worldwide, every day. The Reliability & Maintenance Engineering (RME) team are the business partners that work tirelessly behind the scenes to make it happen. We drive continuous improvement and maintain all the robotics and material handling equipment (MHE) to ensure our customers are met with the Amazon smile. Come join us on our journey!
About the Role:
As the Regional Planner, you will be responsible for the overall asset management, work planning, and spare part inventory using APM (Asset Performance Management) software across a region/node of North American facilities. You will train new APM Administrators for your sites, maintain accurate parts/asset data and equipment hierarchy in the APM system, and implement standard workflows including work requests, preventive maintenance programs, project requests, and audits.
Key job responsibilities
Key job responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- You will develop and maintain precise equipment and spare parts metadata, ensuring accurate tracking and identification across facilities
- You will manage work order processes, including creation, planning, updating, and closure with meticulous attention to detail
- You will conduct comprehensive materials management, including inventory cycle counts, requisition generation, and critical spare parts management
- You will collaborate with maintenance leadership to implement new functionalities and standardized procedures
- You will travel domestically for up to 80% to provide escalation support and provide software training and Tier 1 Asset Performance Management (APM) support for your region
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- High school or equivalent
- Work a flexible schedule including weekends, nights, and holidays
- 3+ years of Computerized Maintenance Management System program experience
- 3+ years of maintenance planner/scheduler in industrial maintenance, manufacturing, or distribution industries experience
- 3+ years of advanced Microsoft Word and Excel experience
- Travel up to 25% of the time
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience using Microsoft Projects software
- Experience in material handling systems (MHS) installation, operation and maintenance
- Experience working in an analytical environment with cross-functional teams
Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.
Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.
COMPENSATION
- The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits.
LOCATION
USA, IN, Plainfield - 60,700.00 - 85,000.00 USD annually
DESCRIPTION
Operations is at the heart of Amazon’s business. We are known for our speed, accuracy, and exceptional service. Our buildings deliver tens of thousands of products to hundreds of countries worldwide, every day. The Reliability & Maintenance Engineering (RME) team are the business partners that work tirelessly behind the scenes to make it happen. We drive continuous improvement and maintain all the robotics and material handling equipment (MHE) to ensure our customers are met with the Amazon smile. Come join us on our journey!
About the Role:
As the Regional Planner, you will be responsible for the overall asset management, work planning, and spare part inventory using APM (Asset Performance Management) software across a region/node of North American facilities. You will train new APM Administrators for your sites, maintain accurate parts/asset data and equipment hierarchy in the APM system, and implement standard workflows including work requests, preventive maintenance programs, project requests, and audits.
Key job responsibilities
Key job responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- You will develop and maintain precise equipment and spare parts metadata, ensuring accurate tracking and identification across facilities
- You will manage work order processes, including creation, planning, updating, and closure with meticulous attention to detail
- You will conduct comprehensive materials management, including inventory cycle counts, requisition generation, and critical spare parts management
- You will collaborate with maintenance leadership to implement new functionalities and standardized procedures
- You will travel domestically for up to 80% to provide escalation support and provide software training and Tier 1 Asset Performance Management (APM) support for your region
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- High school or equivalent
- Work a flexible schedule including weekends, nights, and holidays
- 3+ years of Computerized Maintenance Management System program experience
- 3+ years of maintenance planner/scheduler in industrial maintenance, manufacturing, or distribution industries experience
- 3+ years of advanced Microsoft Word and Excel experience
- Travel up to 25% of the time
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience using Microsoft Projects software
- Experience in material handling systems (MHS) installation, operation and maintenance
- Experience working in an analytical environment with cross-functional teams
Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.
Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.
COMPENSATION
- The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits.
LOCATION
USA, IN, Plainfield - 60,700.00 - 85,000.00 USD annually
How to Get Visa Sponsorship as a Regional Planner
Target government agencies and MPOs
Metropolitan planning organizations and municipal planning departments hire regional planners regularly and are accustomed to employment verification requirements. Many have HR processes already familiar with OPT work authorization, making them lower-friction employers for F-1 students.
Align your degree field explicitly
Your OPT must be directly related to your degree. In cover letters and interviews, connect your coursework in urban planning, geography, or public policy to the specific planning functions listed in the job description. Vague connections raise flags during onboarding.
Apply early given your OPT timeline
Government and consulting hiring cycles run long, sometimes three to five months from posting to start date. Apply before your OPT start date if possible, so your authorization is active by the time an offer and onboarding paperwork are completed.
Highlight GIS and data skills prominently
Regional planners with ArcGIS, spatial analysis, or transportation modeling skills are in higher demand. Leading with these technical qualifications shifts conversations away from work authorization concerns and toward your immediate contribution to ongoing planning projects.
Understand your 90-day unemployment limit
OPT allows a maximum of 90 days of unemployment. If your job search runs long, document every application and interview carefully. Gaps between planning contracts or seasonal project work count against this limit, so maintain continuous employment where possible.
Ask about cap-exempt H-1B sponsors in planning
Some regional planning roles sit within universities, nonprofits, or government-affiliated research centers that qualify as cap-exempt H-1B sponsors. These employers can file year-round, giving you a post-OPT path that bypasses the annual lottery entirely.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Does a Regional Planner role qualify for OPT work authorization?
Yes, if your degree is in urban planning, geography, public policy, environmental studies, or a closely related field. USCIS requires a direct connection between your degree and your job duties. Regional planning roles typically involve land use analysis, transportation planning, or environmental review, which align well with those degree fields. If your degree is in an unrelated area, authorization is less straightforward.
Is STEM OPT extension available for Regional Planner positions?
No. Urban planning, public policy, and geography programs are generally not on the USCIS STEM designated degree list, so the 24-month STEM OPT extension does not apply. Your post-completion OPT period is limited to 12 months. Planning your job search and visa transition timeline around that 12-month window is important, particularly if you intend to pursue H-1B sponsorship after OPT.
Do Regional Planner employers typically sponsor H-1B visas?
Government agencies cannot sponsor H-1B visas directly, but many regional planning consulting firms do. Employers like AECOM, WSP, and Kimley-Horn have histories of H-1B filings for planning roles. When evaluating offers, ask HR directly about their sponsorship policy before your OPT expires. You can browse Regional Planner roles with sponsorship consideration on Migrate Mate.
Can I work as a Regional Planner on a contract or part-time basis during OPT?
Yes, with conditions. OPT allows part-time employment of at least 20 hours per week during post-completion OPT, and it can be with multiple employers simultaneously as long as each role is directly related to your degree. Contract and temporary project-based work counts, but unpaid or unrelated work does not satisfy OPT employment requirements and counts as unemployment time.
What should I include on my resume to improve my chances of getting a Regional Planner job on OPT?
Lead with technical planning skills: GIS software proficiency, familiarity with NEPA or CEQA review processes, transportation or land use modeling experience, and any capstone or thesis projects involving real planning scenarios. These qualifications are directly tied to daily job functions, which also reinforces the OPT degree-relatedness requirement. Quantify project outcomes where possible, such as the geographic scope or population affected by a plan you contributed to.
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