OPT Security Operations Center Jobs
Security Operations Center jobs are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with degrees in cybersecurity, computer science, or information technology. Most SOC analyst roles qualify as STEM OPT extensions, giving you up to 36 months of work authorization to build experience in threat detection, incident response, and security monitoring.
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Get Access To All JobsAt Vitalant, the impact you make doing work that is purposeful, meaningful, and worthwhile is vital. As a member of our non-profit organization, you can be impact-inspired to provide vital clinical services to communities nationwide, vital products to those in need of a donor's generosity, or vital scientific research that advances blood safety worldwide.
Job Description:
At Vitalant, our mission is to save and improve lives through blood donation, research, and innovation—and maintaining a safe, secure environment is an important part of making that mission possible. As a Security Operations Center (SOC) Operator, you’ll play a critical role in protecting the people, facilities, donors, patients, and assets that support our work across the organization.
Based in the centralized Security Operations Center at our National Headquarters in Scottsdale, AZ, you’ll provide real-time monitoring, incident response, and operational support for Vitalant’s enterprise-wide physical security systems. You’ll monitor alerts, alarms, access control activity, and live video feeds while supporting the reliability and effectiveness of systems such as video surveillance, intrusion detection, environmental monitoring, and access control. Working closely with the National Security Manager, you’ll help maintain operational readiness, support regulatory requirements, and contribute to a safe and secure environment across Vitalant locations.
Compensation: $23 - $25/ hour
Hours: Thurs: 6:00 am – 1:00 pm; Fri, Sat, and Sun: 6:00 am – 2:30 pm
Location: This position will work on-site at our Scottsdale, AZ facility. Remote work is not available for this role.
SOC Operations & Monitoring
- Remotely monitors cameras, alarms, and security systems from a centralized media room while serving as the senior on-shift lead.
- Sit at the central monitoring position within the SOC to actively monitor and manage alerts and triggers.
- Monitor and operate enterprise access control, video surveillance (CCTV), intrusion detection, alarm, and environmental monitoring systems across all locations.
- Respond to alerts generated by cameras, monitors, and security management platforms (e.g., enterprise security management software and integrated monitoring solutions).
- Maintain continuous situational awareness using multi-screen alert dashboards, live video feeds, and system triggers.
- Support ongoing system enhancements, including new software phases and the addition of monitoring hardware that expands visibility at locations.
- Ensure proper documentation of system activity, events, alerts, and daily logs.
Security Monitoring & SOC Operations
- Sit at the central monitoring position within the Security Operations Center.
- Monitor and operate enterprise access control, CCTV, intrusion detection, alarm, and environmental monitoring systems.
- Respond to alerts and triggers generated by cameras, security management platforms, TV screen dashboards, and integrated monitoring systems.
- Maintain continuous situational awareness using multi-screen displays, live video feeds, and alert queues.
- Provide 24/7 monitoring support to all monitored facilities.
- Support ongoing system expansion efforts, including Phase 2 software deployments and the addition of new security hardware to increase site visibility.
- Accurately document system activity, alerts, incidents, and daily operational logs.
- Provide after-hours and emergency response support as required.
Incident Response & Investigation
- Respond to security incidents in real time and take appropriate action based on established procedures.
- Conduct preliminary investigations, including video review, access log analysis, and alarm validation.
- Gather and preserve relevant information and evidence for incident documentation.
- Prepare clear, accurate, and timely incident reports.
- Escalate critical incidents, system failures, or emerging risks to the National Security Manager and other leadership as required.
- Assist internal departments and emergency responders during security events.
System Oversight & Optimization
- Support the operational reliability and functionality of physical security systems and platforms.
- Identify system issues, performance concerns, or equipment malfunctions.
- Coordinate with IT, vendors, and security partners for troubleshooting and resolution.
- Assist with system testing, upgrades, hardware installations, and process improvements.
- Ensure compliance with organizational security policies, procedures, and applicable regulations.
Collaboration & Communication
- Partner with Facilities, IT, HR, Operations, and other internal stakeholders to support security operations.
- Communicate effectively across multiple platforms (radio, phone, reports, software systems).
- Maintain strict confidentiality of sensitive security, personnel, and operational information.
- Contribute to a professional, collaborative SOC team environment.
Performs all other duties, at the discretion of management, as assigned.
REQUIREMENTS
KNOWLEDGE/EDUCATION
Associates degree in Security Management, Criminal Justice, or a related field or equivalent combination of education and experience, preferred. Intermediate to expert-level knowledge and proficiency of physical security systems and platforms, required. Working knowledge of applicable federal, state, and municipal security regulations, required.
LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS
- Verkada Certified Engineer, preferred.
Experience
Two (2) years of experience in a SOC, centralized monitoring, or security operations environment, required. To Include:
- Experience in monitoring security systems within a centralized operations center environment.
- Experience with enterprise-level access control and video management systems.
Experience working in a 24/7 operational environment, preferred. Prior law enforcement or military experience, preferred. Experience working in healthcare, critical infrastructure, or regulated environments, preferred. Verkada platform experience, preferred.
SKILLS/ABILITIES
- Strong situational awareness and attention to detail.
- Ability to assess alerts and incidents quickly and accurately.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Strong judgment and ability to follow procedures under pressure.
- Proficiency with security monitoring platforms and Microsoft Office tools.
- Ability to work assigned shifts and respond to urgent or emergency situations.
Location:
9305 East Via de Ventura Scottsdale, AZ 85258
Job Category:
Corporate
Contact Information: careers@vitalant.org
If you are impact-inspired to help others, and making a difference is vital for you, you'll experience a career built on purpose, a company created to care, and a team committed to lead - together.
At Vitalant, the impact you make doing work that is purposeful, meaningful, and worthwhile is vital. As a member of our non-profit organization, you can be impact-inspired to provide vital clinical services to communities nationwide, vital products to those in need of a donor's generosity, or vital scientific research that advances blood safety worldwide.
Job Description:
At Vitalant, our mission is to save and improve lives through blood donation, research, and innovation—and maintaining a safe, secure environment is an important part of making that mission possible. As a Security Operations Center (SOC) Operator, you’ll play a critical role in protecting the people, facilities, donors, patients, and assets that support our work across the organization.
Based in the centralized Security Operations Center at our National Headquarters in Scottsdale, AZ, you’ll provide real-time monitoring, incident response, and operational support for Vitalant’s enterprise-wide physical security systems. You’ll monitor alerts, alarms, access control activity, and live video feeds while supporting the reliability and effectiveness of systems such as video surveillance, intrusion detection, environmental monitoring, and access control. Working closely with the National Security Manager, you’ll help maintain operational readiness, support regulatory requirements, and contribute to a safe and secure environment across Vitalant locations.
Compensation: $23 - $25/ hour
Hours: Thurs: 6:00 am – 1:00 pm; Fri, Sat, and Sun: 6:00 am – 2:30 pm
Location: This position will work on-site at our Scottsdale, AZ facility. Remote work is not available for this role.
SOC Operations & Monitoring
- Remotely monitors cameras, alarms, and security systems from a centralized media room while serving as the senior on-shift lead.
- Sit at the central monitoring position within the SOC to actively monitor and manage alerts and triggers.
- Monitor and operate enterprise access control, video surveillance (CCTV), intrusion detection, alarm, and environmental monitoring systems across all locations.
- Respond to alerts generated by cameras, monitors, and security management platforms (e.g., enterprise security management software and integrated monitoring solutions).
- Maintain continuous situational awareness using multi-screen alert dashboards, live video feeds, and system triggers.
- Support ongoing system enhancements, including new software phases and the addition of monitoring hardware that expands visibility at locations.
- Ensure proper documentation of system activity, events, alerts, and daily logs.
Security Monitoring & SOC Operations
- Sit at the central monitoring position within the Security Operations Center.
- Monitor and operate enterprise access control, CCTV, intrusion detection, alarm, and environmental monitoring systems.
- Respond to alerts and triggers generated by cameras, security management platforms, TV screen dashboards, and integrated monitoring systems.
- Maintain continuous situational awareness using multi-screen displays, live video feeds, and alert queues.
- Provide 24/7 monitoring support to all monitored facilities.
- Support ongoing system expansion efforts, including Phase 2 software deployments and the addition of new security hardware to increase site visibility.
- Accurately document system activity, alerts, incidents, and daily operational logs.
- Provide after-hours and emergency response support as required.
Incident Response & Investigation
- Respond to security incidents in real time and take appropriate action based on established procedures.
- Conduct preliminary investigations, including video review, access log analysis, and alarm validation.
- Gather and preserve relevant information and evidence for incident documentation.
- Prepare clear, accurate, and timely incident reports.
- Escalate critical incidents, system failures, or emerging risks to the National Security Manager and other leadership as required.
- Assist internal departments and emergency responders during security events.
System Oversight & Optimization
- Support the operational reliability and functionality of physical security systems and platforms.
- Identify system issues, performance concerns, or equipment malfunctions.
- Coordinate with IT, vendors, and security partners for troubleshooting and resolution.
- Assist with system testing, upgrades, hardware installations, and process improvements.
- Ensure compliance with organizational security policies, procedures, and applicable regulations.
Collaboration & Communication
- Partner with Facilities, IT, HR, Operations, and other internal stakeholders to support security operations.
- Communicate effectively across multiple platforms (radio, phone, reports, software systems).
- Maintain strict confidentiality of sensitive security, personnel, and operational information.
- Contribute to a professional, collaborative SOC team environment.
Performs all other duties, at the discretion of management, as assigned.
REQUIREMENTS
KNOWLEDGE/EDUCATION
Associates degree in Security Management, Criminal Justice, or a related field or equivalent combination of education and experience, preferred. Intermediate to expert-level knowledge and proficiency of physical security systems and platforms, required. Working knowledge of applicable federal, state, and municipal security regulations, required.
LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS
- Verkada Certified Engineer, preferred.
Experience
Two (2) years of experience in a SOC, centralized monitoring, or security operations environment, required. To Include:
- Experience in monitoring security systems within a centralized operations center environment.
- Experience with enterprise-level access control and video management systems.
Experience working in a 24/7 operational environment, preferred. Prior law enforcement or military experience, preferred. Experience working in healthcare, critical infrastructure, or regulated environments, preferred. Verkada platform experience, preferred.
SKILLS/ABILITIES
- Strong situational awareness and attention to detail.
- Ability to assess alerts and incidents quickly and accurately.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Strong judgment and ability to follow procedures under pressure.
- Proficiency with security monitoring platforms and Microsoft Office tools.
- Ability to work assigned shifts and respond to urgent or emergency situations.
Location:
9305 East Via de Ventura Scottsdale, AZ 85258
Job Category:
Corporate
Contact Information: careers@vitalant.org
If you are impact-inspired to help others, and making a difference is vital for you, you'll experience a career built on purpose, a company created to care, and a team committed to lead - together.
See all 35+ OPT Security Operations Center Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Security Operations Center Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Security Operations Center
Target employers with an active E-Verify enrollment
STEM OPT extension requires your employer to be E-Verify enrolled. Confirm this before accepting an offer. Most mid-size and enterprise security teams already use E-Verify, so it's rarely a dealbreaker if you ask early.
Get certified before you apply
CompTIA Security+, Google Cybersecurity Certificate, or CEH certification signals you're job-ready. SOC hiring managers use certifications as a filter, especially for entry-level analysts. It also strengthens your STEM OPT eligibility documentation.
Highlight hands-on tools experience in your resume
Name the specific platforms you've used: Splunk, CrowdStrike, Microsoft Sentinel, Wireshark. SOC teams hire for immediate productivity. Concrete tool experience shortens onboarding and makes OPT sponsorship feel lower-risk to hiring managers.
Frame your academic projects as real SOC experience
Capstone projects, CTF competitions, and university security labs translate directly. Describe them in resume language: incidents triaged, alerts analyzed, vulnerabilities identified. Hiring managers reviewing OPT candidates weigh project experience heavily.
Apply to MSSPs and consulting firms, not just direct employers
Managed security service providers hire SOC analysts at scale and frequently sponsor OPT students. They process more OPT paperwork than most companies, so HR teams are already familiar with STEM extension requirements and timelines.
Security Operations Center OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Security Operations Center jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes, most SOC analyst roles qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension if your degree is in a STEM-designated field such as cybersecurity, computer science, or information systems. Combined with your initial 12-month OPT, that gives you up to 36 months of work authorization. Your employer must be E-Verify enrolled to approve the extension.
What degree fields support OPT eligibility for SOC analyst positions?
Cybersecurity, computer science, information technology, electrical engineering, and information assurance are the most common qualifying fields. Some employers also accept degrees in computer information systems or network engineering. The key is that your degree program appears on SEVP's STEM Designated Degree Program list, which your DSO can confirm.
How do I find Security Operations Center jobs that sponsor OPT students?
Browse Migrate Mate to find SOC roles from employers actively open to OPT work authorization. Many job listings on Migrate Mate are filtered specifically for F-1 students, so you avoid applying to positions where OPT isn't considered. Managed security service providers and large enterprise IT teams tend to have the most OPT-friendly hiring processes.
Can I work a SOC role that requires a security clearance on OPT?
Positions requiring a U.S. government security clearance are generally not available to F-1 OPT students because clearance eligibility requires U.S. citizenship or permanent residency. Focus your search on commercial SOC roles at private companies, financial institutions, healthcare organizations, and MSSPs, where clearance is not a requirement.
What should I include in my training plan for the STEM OPT extension as a SOC analyst?
Your Form I-983 training plan should connect your SOC responsibilities directly to your degree coursework. Include specifics: threat analysis maps to coursework in network security, log review connects to data analysis coursework, and incident response relates to applied cybersecurity studies. Your employer supervisor signs off, so choose someone who understands your daily technical work.