OPT School Librarian Jobs
School Librarian jobs on OPT require a master's degree in library science (MLS or MLIS) in most states, which aligns well with STEM OPT extensions if your program qualifies. Public school positions often involve additional state licensure, so your 12-month OPT timeline matters when planning applications.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Working Title: AI & Research Services Librarian
Position Type: Administrative & Professional (Non-teaching Faculty)
Position Status: Full-Time
FLSA Status: Exempt: Not Eligible for Overtime
College/Division: JMU Libraries
Department: 100113 – Libraries
Pay Rate: Pay Range
Specify Range or Amount: $70,000 - $75,000
Beginning Review Date: 12/11/2026
About JMU:
Mission
We are a community committed to preparing students to be educated and enlightened citizens who lead productive and meaningful lives.
Vision
To be the national model for the engaged university: engaged with ideas and the world.
Who We Are
Situated in the heart of Virginia’s beautiful Shenandoah Valley, the city of Harrisonburg is a vibrant community with a population of approximately 52,000. Harrisonburg is conveniently located approximately 120 miles from Washington, D.C. and Richmond, VA.
JMU is a selective, public institution with a growing national reputation for offering experiences that lead to an outstanding education and supportive environment for students, faculty and staff. The student body includes approximately 21,000 undergraduate and 1,800 graduate students, with over 1,000 full-time instructional faculty.
JMU offers thriving programs in the liberal arts, science and technology, and professional disciplines at the undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels. JMU has achieved national recognition for the high quality of its academic programs, focus on maintaining strong student/faculty interaction, and innovative faculty research.
GENERAL INFORMATION
The AI & Research Services Librarian will shape how faculty, students, and research teams engage with artificial intelligence (AI) in research and scholarly communication. This position is designed to help researchers not only use AI, but use it responsibly, ethically, and effectively.
Reporting to the Associate Dean of Research & Scholarly Communications, this position will contribute to the development of AI research support services at JMU Libraries. In addition to providing consultation and instruction support to faculty, staff, and students engaging in research, this position will also support professional development in the Libraries.
This AI & Research Services Librarian will join a team focused on research infrastructure and open scholarship and be a close collaborator with liaison librarians and technologists within the Libraries. The successful candidate will contribute to the Libraries’ ongoing AI strategy and advise on the current AI landscape, particularly as it affects the research enterprise in higher education.
The Libraries welcomes applicants who can demonstrate a commitment to building equitable and welcoming environments. We are committed to encouraging dialogue, cultivating a sense of belonging, and celebrating a broad range of life experiences and perspectives.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
-
Provide consultations, training, and outreach to students and researchers on the application of AI, specifically generative AI and machine learning, in various research contexts.
-
Provide guidance on best practices for AI implementation, including algorithmic transparency and accountability, data privacy, and bias and harm mitigation.
-
Collaborate with Libraries colleagues on AI features or systems assessment and their impact on Libraries’ services, mission, or values.
-
Contribute to AI professional development programs for Libraries employees to ensure consistent knowledge about AI technologies and better support our users.
QUALIFICATIONS
Required:
-
Master's degree.
-
Direct experience with artificial intelligence systems, including generative AI and machine learning, including an understanding of how open and commercial models and agents work, and a critical appreciation for their strengths and limitations.
-
Demonstrated commitment to staying current with emerging trends and developments in AI, federal policies, and digital scholarship.
-
Familiarity with the ethical, legal, environmental, and social implications of AI, particularly in research contexts.
-
Demonstrated ability to teach or develop instructional materials including workshops, tutorials, or course-integrated sessions.
-
Excellent communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively with a broad range of stakeholders and communicate complex technology concepts to non-expert audiences.
-
Demonstrated commitment to building environments that are accessible and welcoming.
Additional Considerations:
-
Degree in library or information science, computer science, or a related field.
-
Working knowledge of LLM evaluation, local model installs, guardrails, agent deployment, MCP, and RAG concepts to scope and review projects.
-
Experience with programming languages and tools commonly used in AI, such as Python, R, markdown, and agent/MCP interfaces.
ADDITIONAL POSTING INFORMATION
JMU’s Dual Career and Community Resources Program is available for candidates that will be relocating to the area.
JMU offers excellent benefits which include paid vacation, sick, parental, and community service leave in addition to 19 paid holidays a year; affordable health insurance; retirement through the Virginia Retirement System. We also offer a work-life balance and integration program that is designed to support and enhance the overall wellbeing of our employees and a tuition assistance program that allows employees to have tuition waived for undergraduate and graduate level courses taken at JMU.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.
E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. James Madison University uses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.
EEO STATEMENT
James Madison University is committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive work and educational community that is free of all forms of discrimination. This institution does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status.
We promote access, inclusion and diversity for all students, faculty, staff, constituents and programs, believing that these qualities are foundational components of an outstanding education in keeping with our mission. The university is interested in candidates whose experience and qualifications support an ongoing commitment to this core quality.
Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity: (540) 568-6991.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance searching or applying for jobs please contact us at (540) 568-3597 or jobs@jmu.edu. You may also visit the JMU Human Resource Office, located at 752 Ott Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22807 and we will be happy to assist you.
INTRODUCTION
Working Title: AI & Research Services Librarian
Position Type: Administrative & Professional (Non-teaching Faculty)
Position Status: Full-Time
FLSA Status: Exempt: Not Eligible for Overtime
College/Division: JMU Libraries
Department: 100113 – Libraries
Pay Rate: Pay Range
Specify Range or Amount: $70,000 - $75,000
Beginning Review Date: 12/11/2026
About JMU:
Mission
We are a community committed to preparing students to be educated and enlightened citizens who lead productive and meaningful lives.
Vision
To be the national model for the engaged university: engaged with ideas and the world.
Who We Are
Situated in the heart of Virginia’s beautiful Shenandoah Valley, the city of Harrisonburg is a vibrant community with a population of approximately 52,000. Harrisonburg is conveniently located approximately 120 miles from Washington, D.C. and Richmond, VA.
JMU is a selective, public institution with a growing national reputation for offering experiences that lead to an outstanding education and supportive environment for students, faculty and staff. The student body includes approximately 21,000 undergraduate and 1,800 graduate students, with over 1,000 full-time instructional faculty.
JMU offers thriving programs in the liberal arts, science and technology, and professional disciplines at the undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels. JMU has achieved national recognition for the high quality of its academic programs, focus on maintaining strong student/faculty interaction, and innovative faculty research.
GENERAL INFORMATION
The AI & Research Services Librarian will shape how faculty, students, and research teams engage with artificial intelligence (AI) in research and scholarly communication. This position is designed to help researchers not only use AI, but use it responsibly, ethically, and effectively.
Reporting to the Associate Dean of Research & Scholarly Communications, this position will contribute to the development of AI research support services at JMU Libraries. In addition to providing consultation and instruction support to faculty, staff, and students engaging in research, this position will also support professional development in the Libraries.
This AI & Research Services Librarian will join a team focused on research infrastructure and open scholarship and be a close collaborator with liaison librarians and technologists within the Libraries. The successful candidate will contribute to the Libraries’ ongoing AI strategy and advise on the current AI landscape, particularly as it affects the research enterprise in higher education.
The Libraries welcomes applicants who can demonstrate a commitment to building equitable and welcoming environments. We are committed to encouraging dialogue, cultivating a sense of belonging, and celebrating a broad range of life experiences and perspectives.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
-
Provide consultations, training, and outreach to students and researchers on the application of AI, specifically generative AI and machine learning, in various research contexts.
-
Provide guidance on best practices for AI implementation, including algorithmic transparency and accountability, data privacy, and bias and harm mitigation.
-
Collaborate with Libraries colleagues on AI features or systems assessment and their impact on Libraries’ services, mission, or values.
-
Contribute to AI professional development programs for Libraries employees to ensure consistent knowledge about AI technologies and better support our users.
QUALIFICATIONS
Required:
-
Master's degree.
-
Direct experience with artificial intelligence systems, including generative AI and machine learning, including an understanding of how open and commercial models and agents work, and a critical appreciation for their strengths and limitations.
-
Demonstrated commitment to staying current with emerging trends and developments in AI, federal policies, and digital scholarship.
-
Familiarity with the ethical, legal, environmental, and social implications of AI, particularly in research contexts.
-
Demonstrated ability to teach or develop instructional materials including workshops, tutorials, or course-integrated sessions.
-
Excellent communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively with a broad range of stakeholders and communicate complex technology concepts to non-expert audiences.
-
Demonstrated commitment to building environments that are accessible and welcoming.
Additional Considerations:
-
Degree in library or information science, computer science, or a related field.
-
Working knowledge of LLM evaluation, local model installs, guardrails, agent deployment, MCP, and RAG concepts to scope and review projects.
-
Experience with programming languages and tools commonly used in AI, such as Python, R, markdown, and agent/MCP interfaces.
ADDITIONAL POSTING INFORMATION
JMU’s Dual Career and Community Resources Program is available for candidates that will be relocating to the area.
JMU offers excellent benefits which include paid vacation, sick, parental, and community service leave in addition to 19 paid holidays a year; affordable health insurance; retirement through the Virginia Retirement System. We also offer a work-life balance and integration program that is designed to support and enhance the overall wellbeing of our employees and a tuition assistance program that allows employees to have tuition waived for undergraduate and graduate level courses taken at JMU.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.
E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. James Madison University uses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.
EEO STATEMENT
James Madison University is committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive work and educational community that is free of all forms of discrimination. This institution does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status.
We promote access, inclusion and diversity for all students, faculty, staff, constituents and programs, believing that these qualities are foundational components of an outstanding education in keeping with our mission. The university is interested in candidates whose experience and qualifications support an ongoing commitment to this core quality.
Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity: (540) 568-6991.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance searching or applying for jobs please contact us at (540) 568-3597 or jobs@jmu.edu. You may also visit the JMU Human Resource Office, located at 752 Ott Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22807 and we will be happy to assist you.
See all 87+ OPT School Librarian Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in School Librarian
Verify state licensure requirements before applying
Public school librarian positions require a state-issued library media specialist license in most states. Research your target state's requirements early since the credentialing process can take months and must align with your OPT authorization period.
Target private and independent schools first
Private and independent schools generally don't require state licensure, making them faster to hire international candidates on OPT. They also have more hiring flexibility and often recruit year-round rather than following the rigid public school academic calendar.
Align your job search with the school hiring cycle
Most K-12 schools post librarian openings between February and May for fall positions. If your OPT start date falls outside this window, target university libraries, public libraries, or special libraries, which hire throughout the year.
Lead with your MLIS and any digital library experience
Schools increasingly need librarians who can manage digital collections, teach information literacy, and support learning management systems. Highlighting these technical skills alongside your degree makes you a stronger candidate and broadens which institutions will consider sponsoring you.
Ask directly about H-1B sponsorship during early conversations
School districts and library systems vary widely in their willingness to sponsor H-1B visas after OPT. Raising sponsorship early, before investing in a lengthy interview process, saves time and signals that you're planning your immigration status responsibly.
Consider university and academic library roles for longer runways
College and university libraries are more experienced with international hiring than K-12 schools and often support H-1B sponsorship. They're also cap-exempt employers, meaning petitions aren't subject to the annual H-1B lottery.
School Librarian OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a School Librarian role qualify for a STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree, not the job title. If you earned your MLIS from a program classified under a STEM-designated CIP code, you may qualify for a 24-month STEM OPT extension. Many MLIS programs are not STEM-designated, so confirm your program's CIP code with your DSO before assuming you're eligible.
Can I work as a school librarian at a public school on OPT without state licensure?
Most public school districts require a state library media specialist credential before you can work in a librarian role, and the licensing process often takes several months. Starting that process immediately after your OPT is authorized is important if you're targeting public schools. Private schools typically don't have this requirement, making them a more accessible entry point on OPT.
Will school districts sponsor H-1B visas after my OPT ends?
Some do, but it varies significantly. Larger urban school districts are more likely to have experience sponsoring international employees than smaller rural ones. University and college libraries are often a better bet because many qualify as cap-exempt H-1B employers, which removes the lottery risk entirely. Migrate Mate can help you identify which types of employers in this field have a track record of sponsorship.
How does the school hiring calendar affect my OPT job search as a librarian?
K-12 schools hire librarians primarily between February and May for positions that begin in August or September. If your OPT authorization starts outside this window, you may miss the main hiring cycle. University libraries, public libraries, and special libraries in corporate or nonprofit settings hire year-round and are worth targeting if your OPT timing doesn't align with the academic calendar.
What employment authorization documents will a school employer need from me on OPT?
Your employer will need your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card, which shows your work authorization start and end dates, along with your F-1 visa and passport for I-9 verification. Your DSO will also need to report your employer's details in SEVIS within 10 days of your start date. Keep a copy of your OPT approval notice and EAD accessible throughout your employment.