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.
See All OPT School Librarian JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 9+ School Librarian jobs
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
See all School Librarian Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new School Librarian roles.
Get Access To All JobsSchool Year: 2026-2027
Salary Range: 1-10 / $66,580 - $107,478
Our public school students need your expertise, passion and leadership.
We are looking for highly motivated and skilled talent to join our team at District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS). We seek individuals who are passionate about transforming the DC school system and making a significant difference in the lives of public school students, parents, principals, teachers, and central services employees.
DCPS serves 50,000 students in the nation's capital through the efforts of approximately 4,000 educators in 118 schools. As part of a comprehensive reform effort to become the preeminent urban school system in America, DCPS intends to have the highest-performing, best paid, most satisfied, and most honored educator force in the nation and a distinctive central services staff whose work supports and drives instructional excellence and significant achievement gains for DCPS students.
Position Overview
The School Librarian position is located in all public schools within the DCPS system. Situated at the center of national government, the goal of DCPS is to provide students with a quality education that prepares them to become future leaders, productive citizens, and individuals who are engaged in the life of the community. This position is a safety-sensitive position. As a result, throughout employment this position will be subject to the Employee Mandatory Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy.
This position has been designated as Safety Sensitive. Pursuant to section 410 of Chapter 4 of the D.C. Personnel Regulations; in addition to the general suitability screening, individuals applying for or occupying security sensitive positions are subject to the following checks and tests: Criminal background check; Sex Offender Registry check; Pre-employment drug and alcohol test; Traffic record check (as applicable); Reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol test; and Post-accident or incident drug and alcohol test.
The School Librarian will report to the Principal.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
The below statements are intended to describe the general nature and scope of work being performed by this position. This is not a complete listing of all responsibilities, duties, and/or skills required. Other duties may be assigned.
- Identifies and supports the learning and information needs of students and staff.
- Plans and works collaboratively with teachers to use appropriate resources that address curricular needs and learning goals.
- Leverages district curriculum (i.e., Cornerstones) or other strategies towards supporting a balanced approach to learning and library programs.
- Instructs students and staff in the effective use of the school library, its resources, and the current technologies necessary to access the resources and information.
- Incorporates information literacy into day-to-day instruction; and advocates and promotes reading and life-long learning through motivational activities.
- Adheres to and communicates copyright as well as other laws and guidelines pertaining to the distribution and ethical use of all resources.
- Advocates the principles of intellectual freedom; and works cooperatively with other libraries and agencies to share resources that enhance teaching and learning.
- Works with the principal and school leadership team to provide flexible access to school library resources to accommodate individuals and groups simultaneously.
- Organizes school library facilities and resources in a manner that supports the mission, goals, and objectives of DCPS schools and maximizes intellectual and physical access to resources.
- Encourages the widest possible use of print and electronic resources and services within the school library, throughout the school, and through remote access.
- Develops and implements an ongoing collection development and evaluation planning process, that focuses on a variety of formats and resources to meet diverse learning needs.
- Prepares budget requests, administers library budgets, and maintains appropriate records; and prepares and submits accurate reports as required.
- Evaluates and selects resources that build a collection addressing curricular needs and learning goals in collaboration with teachers, technology staff, and students.
- Evaluates the school library program on a continual basis according to accepted standards of quality; and adheres to established laws, policies, rules, and regulations.
- Interacts effectively with students, staff, administration, parents, and the community to promote and expand the school library media program; and serves as a technology leader for the school supporting online learning, digital content integration, and liaison with the district Educational Technology team at Central Office.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree.
- Masters degree in Library and Information Science. A Master’s degree in Education is acceptable, applicant must provide evidence of intent to complete required OSSE licensure course by applying and being admitted to an accredited graduate program in library science. Licensure will require this confirmation as part of the initial licensure application.
- Current K-12 School Librarian teaching credential through the DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education; or met the licensure requirements for the Standard School Librarian license for those candidates that already have a master's in education and two years of experience serving in a library setting; within 24 months of the initial DC OSSE school librarian license.
DCPS Values
- STUDENTS FIRST: We recognize students as whole children and put their needs first in everything we do.
- COURAGE: We have the audacity to learn from our successes and failures, to try new things, and to lead the nation as a proof point of PK-12 success.
- EQUITY: We work proactively to eliminate opportunity gaps by interrupting institutional bias and investing in effective strategies to ensure every student succeeds.
- EXCELLENCE: We work with integrity and hold ourselves accountable for exemplary outcomes, service, and interactions.
- TEAMWORK: We recognize that our greatest asset is our collective vision and ability to work collaboratively and authentically.
- JOY: We enjoy our collective work and will enthusiastically celebrate our success and each other.
We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to creating an inclusive, accessible workplace. We welcome and encourage applications from individuals with disabilities. Accommodation and/or application assistance is available upon request at all stages of the application and employment process. To request accommodation, please contact dcps.eeo-ada@k12.dc.gov.
School Year: 2026-2027
Salary Range: 1-10 / $66,580 - $107,478
Our public school students need your expertise, passion and leadership.
We are looking for highly motivated and skilled talent to join our team at District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS). We seek individuals who are passionate about transforming the DC school system and making a significant difference in the lives of public school students, parents, principals, teachers, and central services employees.
DCPS serves 50,000 students in the nation's capital through the efforts of approximately 4,000 educators in 118 schools. As part of a comprehensive reform effort to become the preeminent urban school system in America, DCPS intends to have the highest-performing, best paid, most satisfied, and most honored educator force in the nation and a distinctive central services staff whose work supports and drives instructional excellence and significant achievement gains for DCPS students.
Position Overview
The School Librarian position is located in all public schools within the DCPS system. Situated at the center of national government, the goal of DCPS is to provide students with a quality education that prepares them to become future leaders, productive citizens, and individuals who are engaged in the life of the community. This position is a safety-sensitive position. As a result, throughout employment this position will be subject to the Employee Mandatory Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy.
This position has been designated as Safety Sensitive. Pursuant to section 410 of Chapter 4 of the D.C. Personnel Regulations; in addition to the general suitability screening, individuals applying for or occupying security sensitive positions are subject to the following checks and tests: Criminal background check; Sex Offender Registry check; Pre-employment drug and alcohol test; Traffic record check (as applicable); Reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol test; and Post-accident or incident drug and alcohol test.
The School Librarian will report to the Principal.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
The below statements are intended to describe the general nature and scope of work being performed by this position. This is not a complete listing of all responsibilities, duties, and/or skills required. Other duties may be assigned.
- Identifies and supports the learning and information needs of students and staff.
- Plans and works collaboratively with teachers to use appropriate resources that address curricular needs and learning goals.
- Leverages district curriculum (i.e., Cornerstones) or other strategies towards supporting a balanced approach to learning and library programs.
- Instructs students and staff in the effective use of the school library, its resources, and the current technologies necessary to access the resources and information.
- Incorporates information literacy into day-to-day instruction; and advocates and promotes reading and life-long learning through motivational activities.
- Adheres to and communicates copyright as well as other laws and guidelines pertaining to the distribution and ethical use of all resources.
- Advocates the principles of intellectual freedom; and works cooperatively with other libraries and agencies to share resources that enhance teaching and learning.
- Works with the principal and school leadership team to provide flexible access to school library resources to accommodate individuals and groups simultaneously.
- Organizes school library facilities and resources in a manner that supports the mission, goals, and objectives of DCPS schools and maximizes intellectual and physical access to resources.
- Encourages the widest possible use of print and electronic resources and services within the school library, throughout the school, and through remote access.
- Develops and implements an ongoing collection development and evaluation planning process, that focuses on a variety of formats and resources to meet diverse learning needs.
- Prepares budget requests, administers library budgets, and maintains appropriate records; and prepares and submits accurate reports as required.
- Evaluates and selects resources that build a collection addressing curricular needs and learning goals in collaboration with teachers, technology staff, and students.
- Evaluates the school library program on a continual basis according to accepted standards of quality; and adheres to established laws, policies, rules, and regulations.
- Interacts effectively with students, staff, administration, parents, and the community to promote and expand the school library media program; and serves as a technology leader for the school supporting online learning, digital content integration, and liaison with the district Educational Technology team at Central Office.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree.
- Masters degree in Library and Information Science. A Master’s degree in Education is acceptable, applicant must provide evidence of intent to complete required OSSE licensure course by applying and being admitted to an accredited graduate program in library science. Licensure will require this confirmation as part of the initial licensure application.
- Current K-12 School Librarian teaching credential through the DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education; or met the licensure requirements for the Standard School Librarian license for those candidates that already have a master's in education and two years of experience serving in a library setting; within 24 months of the initial DC OSSE school librarian license.
DCPS Values
- STUDENTS FIRST: We recognize students as whole children and put their needs first in everything we do.
- COURAGE: We have the audacity to learn from our successes and failures, to try new things, and to lead the nation as a proof point of PK-12 success.
- EQUITY: We work proactively to eliminate opportunity gaps by interrupting institutional bias and investing in effective strategies to ensure every student succeeds.
- EXCELLENCE: We work with integrity and hold ourselves accountable for exemplary outcomes, service, and interactions.
- TEAMWORK: We recognize that our greatest asset is our collective vision and ability to work collaboratively and authentically.
- JOY: We enjoy our collective work and will enthusiastically celebrate our success and each other.
We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to creating an inclusive, accessible workplace. We welcome and encourage applications from individuals with disabilities. Accommodation and/or application assistance is available upon request at all stages of the application and employment process. To request accommodation, please contact dcps.eeo-ada@k12.dc.gov.
See all OPT School Librarian Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT School Librarian Jobs.
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.