OPT Training And Education Specialist Jobs
Training and Education Specialist roles are among the more OPT-friendly positions in the workforce development space, with strong demand from corporations, nonprofits, and government contractors. Most roles require a degree in education, instructional design, or a related field, and STEM OPT extension eligibility depends on your specific program classification.
Find OPT Training And Education Specialist JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 8+ Training And Education Specialist jobs










See all Training And Education Specialist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Training And Education Specialist roles.
Get Access To All Jobs
Lecturer III Health Education, Exercise Science, and Athletic Training (MSAT) Programs
Posting Number req38255
Employment Type Faculty
Faculty Type Lecturer
Hiring Department Health Exercise & Sports Science (353A)
Academic Location College of Education
Campus Main - Albuquerque, NM
Benefits Eligible The University of New Mexico provides a comprehensive package of benefits including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance. In addition, UNM offers educational benefits through the tuition remission and dependent education programs. See the Benefits home page for more information.
Position Summary
The University of New Mexico (UNM), located in Albuquerque, is the state’s flagship public research university. The Department of Health, Exercise & Sports Sciences in the College of Education and Human Sciences invites applications for a multidisciplinary Lecturer III position serving the Health Education, Exercise Science, and Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) programs, beginning August 2027.
Responsibilities:
The successful candidate will be expected to teach a 4/4 course load per academic year across the department’s Master of Science in Athletic Training, Exercise Science, and Health Education programs, divided among lower division, upper division, and graduate level course offerings. The successful candidate will also advise undergraduate and graduate students across these programs in pursuit of healthcare related careers. It is also expected that they will provide service to the program, department, college, university, and community.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
- PhD, EdD, or Doctorate in Kinesiology, Exercise Science, Health Education, Athletic Training (or Clinical Doctorate), or related field completed by the appointment start date.
- Ability to teach in two or more of the following: Athletic Training, Health Education, Exercise Science, and/or related field.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in Health Education, Kinesiology, Exercise Physiology, and/or Biomechanics.
- Experience teaching online courses including asynchronous, synchronous, and/or hybrid delivery.
- Demonstrated evidence-based teaching and learning strategies.
- Ability to advise and direct undergraduate and graduate students in Exercise Science, Health Education, and Athletic Training programs.
- BOC-Certified Athletic Trainer, Possesses or is eligible for State of New Mexico Athletic Trainer Licensure; National Provider Identifier (NPI) number.
- Demonstrated three to five or more years of clinical experience as a BOC-certified athletic trainer.
- Demonstrated contemporary expertise in athletic training.
- A demonstrated commitment to cultivate an understanding of the rich and varied cultures of New Mexico and to the success of the University's mission to serve local and global communities.
Application Instructions
Only applications submitted through the official UNMJobs site will be accepted. If you are viewing this job advertisement on a 3rd party site, please visit UNMJobs to submit an application.
A complete application packet will include:
1. A letter of application (2-3 pages) addressing your qualifications in relation to the required and preferred qualifications;
2. A current curriculum vitae;
3. A Teaching and Mentoring Statement: Your 3-4 page statement should include your philosophy and plans for teaching, mentoring and advising students, and service;
4. Transcripts of ALL collegiate coursework (readable, UNOFFICIAL copies will be accepted for the application only); official copies needed if selected for campus interview
5. Documentation of BOC certification, State of New Mexico Athletic Trainer Licensure (or eligibility), and NPI number, if applicable; a confirmation letter from your doctoral program or clinical supervisor may verify eligibility;
6. Contact information for three professional references who can speak to your teaching and professional qualifications. Applications should be submitted at: http://www.unm.edu/jobs/ Please refer to JR # For best consideration, complete application packets must be received by (30 days from posting date), and only application materials requested will be reviewed. Position will remain open until filled. UNM is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. Applicants who are appointed to a UNM faculty position are required to provide an official certification of successful completion of all degree requirements prior to their initial employment with UNM.
For Best Consideration
For best consideration, please apply by . This position will remain open until filled.
The University of New Mexico is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class.
See all OPT Training And Education Specialist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Training And Education Specialist Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Training And Education Specialist
Highlight instructional design tools in your resume
Employers hiring Training and Education Specialists want to see hands-on experience with tools like Articulate Storyline, Adobe Captivate, or LMS platforms. Listing these specifically signals you can contribute from day one without a long ramp-up period.
Target employers with established L&D departments
Large corporations, healthcare systems, and federal contractors typically have dedicated learning and development teams, which means structured onboarding and a higher likelihood of H-1B visa sponsorship after your OPT period ends. Smaller companies often lack that infrastructure.
Frame your OPT timeline proactively with employers
Bring up your work authorization early in conversations. Employers in training roles plan curriculum projects months out, so knowing your OPT end date helps them assess fit before investing in your onboarding and project assignments.
Pursue a STEM-adjacent degree path if possible
Instructional Technology and Learning Sciences programs often qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving you up to three years of work authorization. Confirm your CIP code with your DSO before applying to roles expecting longer tenure.
Build a portfolio of training materials you have created
A strong portfolio of e-learning modules, facilitator guides, or curriculum samples does more than a resume alone. Employers can immediately assess your skill level, reducing the perceived risk of sponsoring a candidate still navigating visa timelines.
Research which employers have previously filed H-1B petitions
Not all training departments sponsor visas, but many mid-size and enterprise employers do. Checking public H-1B disclosure data helps you prioritize applications toward companies with a real track record of sponsoring international employees in similar roles.
Training And Education Specialist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Training and Education Specialist roles qualify for OPT work authorization?
Yes, Training and Education Specialist positions qualify for OPT as long as the role is directly related to your field of study. If your degree is in education, instructional design, human resource development, or a closely related field, the work is considered authorized under standard OPT. Confirm the connection with your DSO if your degree is from an adjacent discipline.
Can I get a STEM OPT extension working as a Training and Education Specialist?
It depends on your degree's Classification of Instructional Programs code. Degrees in Instructional Technology, Educational Technology, or Learning Sciences often qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. A general Education degree typically does not. Check your degree's CIP code with your DSO before assuming eligibility, since employers in this field often expect tenure longer than 12 months.
Where can I find Training and Education Specialist jobs that are open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate lists Training and Education Specialist roles specifically filtered for F-1 OPT students, so you can browse opportunities without guessing which employers are open to candidates on work authorization. Searching there saves time compared to filtering general job boards that do not surface sponsorship-friendly employers reliably.
Do employers in this field commonly sponsor H-1B visas after OPT ends?
Sponsorship rates vary significantly. Large corporations with formal learning and development departments, federal contractors, and healthcare systems are more likely to sponsor than small nonprofits or community organizations. Focusing your search on employers with 500 or more employees and a dedicated HR or L&D function generally improves your odds of finding a path beyond OPT.
What counts as a qualifying job for OPT in the training and education field?
A qualifying OPT position must be directly related to your degree and at least 20 hours per week. For Training and Education Specialists, this typically includes roles involving curriculum development, employee onboarding programs, e-learning design, or facilitating corporate or academic training sessions. Volunteer work and unpaid internships can count toward the requirement but must still meet the field-of-study connection test.