OPT Web Developer Jobs
Web Developer roles are among the most OPT-friendly positions in the U.S. job market. Most qualify as specialty occupations under a computer science or information systems degree, making them straightforward to sponsor. STEM OPT extension eligibility gives you up to three years of authorized work, which is enough runway for most employers to pursue H-1B visa sponsorship.
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Serves as Geisel’s specialist in search engine optimization (SEO) and generative/AI engine optimization (GEO), and as the primary point of hands-on WordPress support and training for departments and end users across the Geisel web.
Working under the direction of the Web Architect, audits and measures the discoverability and performance of the Geisel web (approximately 20,000 pages and 15,000 associated documents across a hybrid Apache/WordPress multisite/MariaDB environment), develops a prioritized, phased plan for improving search and AI visibility across subsites, and implements or oversees implementation of the resulting page-structure, content, metadata, and markup changes.
Continues Geisel’s WordPress training and page-building support for departments without dedicated web staff, balancing reactive, ticket-driven support work with proactive, planned optimization work, and reports progress to the Web Architect and Director of Communications.
Description
Required Qualifications - Education and Yrs Exp
Bachelors or equivalent combination of education and experience
Required Qualifications - Skills, Knowledge and Abilities
- Bachelor’s degree in a related field (marketing, communications, computer science, information science) or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- 2–4 years of experience in SEO, digital marketing analytics, or web development with meaningful SEO/optimization responsibility.
- Working knowledge of technical SEO fundamentals: site architecture, redirects/canonicalization, structured data/schema, crawlability, and page performance.
- Hands-on experience with standard SEO/analytics tooling (e.g., Google Search Console, Google Analytics, a site-crawling tool such as Screaming Frog, a rank-tracking/competitive-analysis tool).
- Working knowledge of WordPress administration, including theme/template structure and multisite environments, sufficient to make and support page-structure changes.
- Basic literacy in HTML/CSS; enough familiarity with PHP and Apache configuration (e.g., .htaccess, redirects) to work safely in a files-first hybrid environment without breaking existing static content.
- Strong consultative and training skills; ability to work effectively with non-technical department staff and translate technical recommendations into plain language.
- Solid project management skills; ability to plan and execute a phased, prioritized program of work across many stakeholders.
- Clear written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to produce documentation and training materials.
Preferred Qualifications
- Direct experience with generative/AI engine optimization (GEO) concepts and practice.
- Experience in a higher education or other large decentralized organization, where content ownership is distributed across many departments.
- Familiarity with MariaDB/MySQL-backed applications and multisite WordPress at scale (tens of thousands of pages).
- Experience with structured data/schema.org markup implementation.
Department Contact for Recruitment Inquiries
Timothy Good
Department Contact Phone Number
603-646-5123
Department Contact for Cover Letter and Title
Timothy Good, Web Architect, DMD
Equal Opportunity Employer
Dartmouth College is an equal opportunity employer under federal law. We prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, marital status, or any other legally protected status. Applications are welcome from all.
Background Check
Employment in this position is contingent upon consent to and successful completion of a pre-employment background check, which may include a criminal background check, reference checks, verification of work history, conduct review, and verification of any required academic credentials, licenses, and/or certifications, with results acceptable to Dartmouth College. A criminal conviction will not automatically disqualify an applicant from employment. Background check information will be used in a confidential, non-discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law.
Is driving a vehicle (e.g. Dartmouth vehicle or off road vehicle, rental car, personal car) an essential function of this job?
Yes
Special Instructions to Applicants
Dartmouth College has a Tobacco-Free Policy. Smoking and the use of tobacco-based products (including smokeless tobacco) are prohibited in all facilities, grounds, vehicles or other areas owned, operated or occupied by Dartmouth College with no exceptions. For details, please see our policy.
Key Accountabilities
Search & AI Visibility Strategy
- Conducts ongoing technical and content audits of the Geisel web using SEO/GEO tools (e.g., Google Search Console, Google Analytics, Screaming Frog, and a paid rank-tracking/competitive tool) to identify visibility gaps.
- Develops, in consultation with Geisel Communications, and maintains a prioritized roadmap of subsites/programs to address, based on criteria such as competitive pressure, current visibility gap, application/inquiry volume relative to capacity, and availability of departmental web staff.
- Stays current on evolving GEO practice (structured data, content designed for extraction/citation by AI answer engines, E-E-A-T signals) and adapts the roadmap as the discipline matures.
Percentage Of Time
20
Technical Implementation
- Implements approved page-structure changes: URL/redirect strategy, canonicalization, internal linking, heading structure, and page templates — working within the constraints of the files-first Apache/WordPress routing model.
- Implements structured data/schema markup and other technical GEO elements on priority pages.
- Diagnoses and resolves technical SEO issues (broken links, duplicate content, crawl/indexing problems, page speed) in coordination with the Web Architect for anything touching server configuration.
Percentage Of Time
25
Department & Content Collaboration
- Works directly with department stakeholders on priority subsites to plan and execute content and structural redesigns, including for departments without their own web staff.
- Advises content owners on writing and structuring content for both traditional search and AI-generated answers.
Percentage Of Time
15
WordPress Support & Training
- Provides day-to-day WordPress support to end users: troubleshooting, page building assistance, and guidance on the multisite environment.
- Develops and delivers training (documentation, mini-courses, office hours) for faculty, staff, and department editors on WordPress and content best practices.
- Builds out pages and simple sites on behalf of departments that lack the staff capacity to do so themselves.
Percentage Of Time
20
Measurement & Reporting
- Tracks and reports on organic search performance, AI-visibility indicators, and the impact of completed optimization projects.
- Provides regular updates to the Web Architect and Director of Communications on roadmap progress and results.
Percentage Of Time
10
Collaboration
- Works closely with the Web Architect on any change that touches site architecture, server configuration, or the applications layer (faculty profiles, recruitment system, forms).
- Works closely with Geisel Communications and Marketing staff to align optimization priorities with broader marketing goals and consistent presentation of content.
- Coordinates with Dartmouth’s central Web Strategy, Design, and Infrastructure department as needed.
Percentage Of Time
5
Professional Development
- Maintains current knowledge of SEO, GEO, and WordPress developments and shares relevant findings with the team.
Percentage Of Time
5
- Demonstrates professionalism and collegiality through actions, interactions, and communications with others appropriate to an environment that is welcoming to all.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Position Purpose
Serves as Geisel’s specialist in search engine optimization (SEO) and generative/AI engine optimization (GEO), and as the primary point of hands-on WordPress support and training for departments and end users across the Geisel web.
Working under the direction of the Web Architect, audits and measures the discoverability and performance of the Geisel web (approximately 20,000 pages and 15,000 associated documents across a hybrid Apache/WordPress multisite/MariaDB environment), develops a prioritized, phased plan for improving search and AI visibility across subsites, and implements or oversees implementation of the resulting page-structure, content, metadata, and markup changes.
Continues Geisel’s WordPress training and page-building support for departments without dedicated web staff, balancing reactive, ticket-driven support work with proactive, planned optimization work, and reports progress to the Web Architect and Director of Communications.
Description
Required Qualifications - Education and Yrs Exp
Bachelors or equivalent combination of education and experience
Required Qualifications - Skills, Knowledge and Abilities
- Bachelor’s degree in a related field (marketing, communications, computer science, information science) or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- 2–4 years of experience in SEO, digital marketing analytics, or web development with meaningful SEO/optimization responsibility.
- Working knowledge of technical SEO fundamentals: site architecture, redirects/canonicalization, structured data/schema, crawlability, and page performance.
- Hands-on experience with standard SEO/analytics tooling (e.g., Google Search Console, Google Analytics, a site-crawling tool such as Screaming Frog, a rank-tracking/competitive-analysis tool).
- Working knowledge of WordPress administration, including theme/template structure and multisite environments, sufficient to make and support page-structure changes.
- Basic literacy in HTML/CSS; enough familiarity with PHP and Apache configuration (e.g., .htaccess, redirects) to work safely in a files-first hybrid environment without breaking existing static content.
- Strong consultative and training skills; ability to work effectively with non-technical department staff and translate technical recommendations into plain language.
- Solid project management skills; ability to plan and execute a phased, prioritized program of work across many stakeholders.
- Clear written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to produce documentation and training materials.
Preferred Qualifications
- Direct experience with generative/AI engine optimization (GEO) concepts and practice.
- Experience in a higher education or other large decentralized organization, where content ownership is distributed across many departments.
- Familiarity with MariaDB/MySQL-backed applications and multisite WordPress at scale (tens of thousands of pages).
- Experience with structured data/schema.org markup implementation.
Department Contact for Recruitment Inquiries
Timothy Good
Department Contact Phone Number
603-646-5123
Department Contact for Cover Letter and Title
Timothy Good, Web Architect, DMD
Equal Opportunity Employer
Dartmouth College is an equal opportunity employer under federal law. We prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, marital status, or any other legally protected status. Applications are welcome from all.
Background Check
Employment in this position is contingent upon consent to and successful completion of a pre-employment background check, which may include a criminal background check, reference checks, verification of work history, conduct review, and verification of any required academic credentials, licenses, and/or certifications, with results acceptable to Dartmouth College. A criminal conviction will not automatically disqualify an applicant from employment. Background check information will be used in a confidential, non-discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law.
Is driving a vehicle (e.g. Dartmouth vehicle or off road vehicle, rental car, personal car) an essential function of this job?
Yes
Special Instructions to Applicants
Dartmouth College has a Tobacco-Free Policy. Smoking and the use of tobacco-based products (including smokeless tobacco) are prohibited in all facilities, grounds, vehicles or other areas owned, operated or occupied by Dartmouth College with no exceptions. For details, please see our policy.
Key Accountabilities
Search & AI Visibility Strategy
- Conducts ongoing technical and content audits of the Geisel web using SEO/GEO tools (e.g., Google Search Console, Google Analytics, Screaming Frog, and a paid rank-tracking/competitive tool) to identify visibility gaps.
- Develops, in consultation with Geisel Communications, and maintains a prioritized roadmap of subsites/programs to address, based on criteria such as competitive pressure, current visibility gap, application/inquiry volume relative to capacity, and availability of departmental web staff.
- Stays current on evolving GEO practice (structured data, content designed for extraction/citation by AI answer engines, E-E-A-T signals) and adapts the roadmap as the discipline matures.
Percentage Of Time
20
Technical Implementation
- Implements approved page-structure changes: URL/redirect strategy, canonicalization, internal linking, heading structure, and page templates — working within the constraints of the files-first Apache/WordPress routing model.
- Implements structured data/schema markup and other technical GEO elements on priority pages.
- Diagnoses and resolves technical SEO issues (broken links, duplicate content, crawl/indexing problems, page speed) in coordination with the Web Architect for anything touching server configuration.
Percentage Of Time
25
Department & Content Collaboration
- Works directly with department stakeholders on priority subsites to plan and execute content and structural redesigns, including for departments without their own web staff.
- Advises content owners on writing and structuring content for both traditional search and AI-generated answers.
Percentage Of Time
15
WordPress Support & Training
- Provides day-to-day WordPress support to end users: troubleshooting, page building assistance, and guidance on the multisite environment.
- Develops and delivers training (documentation, mini-courses, office hours) for faculty, staff, and department editors on WordPress and content best practices.
- Builds out pages and simple sites on behalf of departments that lack the staff capacity to do so themselves.
Percentage Of Time
20
Measurement & Reporting
- Tracks and reports on organic search performance, AI-visibility indicators, and the impact of completed optimization projects.
- Provides regular updates to the Web Architect and Director of Communications on roadmap progress and results.
Percentage Of Time
10
Collaboration
- Works closely with the Web Architect on any change that touches site architecture, server configuration, or the applications layer (faculty profiles, recruitment system, forms).
- Works closely with Geisel Communications and Marketing staff to align optimization priorities with broader marketing goals and consistent presentation of content.
- Coordinates with Dartmouth’s central Web Strategy, Design, and Infrastructure department as needed.
Percentage Of Time
5
Professional Development
- Maintains current knowledge of SEO, GEO, and WordPress developments and shares relevant findings with the team.
Percentage Of Time
5
- Demonstrates professionalism and collegiality through actions, interactions, and communications with others appropriate to an environment that is welcoming to all.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
See all 189+ OPT Web Developer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Web Developer Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Web Developer
Lead with your STEM OPT timeline
Tell employers upfront that your STEM OPT gives you up to three years of work authorization. Most web developer roles take 12 to 18 months to reach H-1B visa readiness, so your timeline removes the urgency that makes many employers hesitate.
Tie your degree directly to the role
OPT authorization requires your job to be related to your field of study. Frame your application to show the direct connection between your computer science, IT, or engineering degree and the web development work the employer needs done.
Target employers with active tech hiring
Companies that consistently hire software engineers and developers are far more likely to have immigration counsel on retainer and existing H-1B sponsorship infrastructure. Focus your search on employers with engineering teams, not one-off technical hires.
Highlight full-stack or specialized skills
Employers weigh sponsorship costs against how replaceable a candidate is. Deep expertise in React, Node.js, cloud infrastructure, or a niche framework makes you harder to replace locally, which directly improves your chances of securing sponsorship.
Address E-Verify requirements early
STEM OPT employers must be E-Verify participants. Confirm this before investing time in an application. Most mid-size and large tech employers already participate, but smaller startups and agencies sometimes do not, which would block STEM OPT approval.
Use your DSO to validate your job offer
Before accepting an offer, have your Designated School Official confirm the role qualifies under your program. A web developer position at an E-Verify employer in a directly related field is typically approvable, but validation prevents costly mistakes.
Web Developer OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do web developer jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Most web developer roles qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension if your degree is in a STEM-designated field such as computer science, information technology, or software engineering. The role must also be directly related to that degree, and the employer must be enrolled in E-Verify. A general business or communications degree would not qualify, even for a technical role.
How do I find web developer jobs that sponsor OPT?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters for employers willing to sponsor work authorization. General job boards don't surface sponsorship intent clearly, which wastes time on applications that go nowhere. Searching on Migrate Mate lets you focus on web developer roles at employers who have already indicated they can work with OPT candidates.
Can I work as a freelance or contract web developer on OPT?
Yes, OPT allows self-employment and contract work, but with strict conditions. You must be actively engaged in work related to your degree for at least 20 hours per week. For STEM OPT, self-employment is not permitted since there is no qualifying employer relationship to satisfy the E-Verify and training plan requirements. Short-term contract roles through a staffing agency with E-Verify enrollment can work for STEM OPT.
What happens to my OPT if I'm laid off from a web developer job?
You have a cumulative 90-day unemployment allowance on standard OPT, which extends to 150 days if you're on STEM OPT. The clock starts the day your employment ends. Actively tracking and minimizing unemployment time is critical. Returning to job searching immediately and documenting your efforts matters if USCIS ever reviews your record.
Does a web developer role count as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Web developer positions generally qualify as specialty occupations because they normally require at least a bachelor's degree in computer science, information systems, or a related technical field. However, USCIS scrutinizes job descriptions carefully. Vague titles like 'web developer' with broad, generalist duties have faced more RFEs in recent years. A role with specific technical requirements and a degree requirement written into the job description is on stronger footing.