STEM OPT Applications Specialist Jobs
Applications Specialist roles sit squarely in STEM-designated fields, making them eligible for the 24-month STEM OPT extension beyond your initial 12 months. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify to authorize your training period. A STEM degree in a qualifying CIP code, typically computer science, engineering, or information systems, is required to extend.
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Get Access To All JobsWHY UT SOUTHWESTERN?
With over 75 years of excellence in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, UT Southwestern is committed to excellence, innovation, teamwork, and compassion. As a world-renowned medical and research center, we strive to provide the best possible care, resources, and benefits for our valued employees. Ranked as the number 1 hospital in Dallas-Fort Worth according to U.S. News & World Report, we invest in you with opportunities for career growth and development to align with your future goals. Our highly competitive benefits package offers healthcare, PTO and paid holidays, on-site childcare, wage, merit increases and so much more. We invite you to be a part of the UT Southwestern team where you'll discover a culture of teamwork, professionalism, and a rewarding career!
JOB SUMMARY
Provides technical or operational support of information systems for client community and aides in development of systems capabilities in light of user needs. Coordinates and develops more efficient operational processing controls and functional enhancements. Experience in Phoenix Transplant, EpicCare Ambulatory, EpicCare Inpatient or EpicCare Inpatient Orders experience is highly desirable or a Certification in any other Epic Clinical Application will be considered. This position will function as a primary analyst for the Transplant and Disease Management clinics, Respiratory Therapy, Surgical Specialty, ICU and Med Surg units at Clements University Hospital, and other departments as assigned. The analyst will be expected to service, in a backup capacity any other departments/clinics supported by Epic EMR Team A (including Cardiology, Pulmonary, and Med/Surg units). The analyst will be expected to support/service, in a secondary or backup capacity any expansion to our service line programs, any new requests for UTSW satellite departments planned for the metroplex.
BENEFITS
UT Southwestern is proud to offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. Our benefits are designed to support your overall wellbeing, and include:
- PPO medical plan, available day one at no cost for full-time employee-only coverage
- 100% coverage for preventive healthcare-no copay
- Paid Time Off, available day one
- Retirement Programs through the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS)
- Paid Parental Leave Benefit
- Wellness programs
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Qualified Employer
Learn more about these and other UTSW employee benefits!
EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION
Required
Education
Bachelor's Degree in business administration, computer science, information systems, or related field.
Experience
3 years progressively responsible business systems and/or Information Technology project experience, with exposure to systems or project development and testing, installation, and training.
Applicants without the stated degree, but with significant additional Information Technology systems and project experience, may be considered.
JOB DUTIES
- Collects and interprets specifications required to develop new, and revise existing, software applications.
- Assists managers with development and implementation of operational plans for new and existing business applications, including preparation of user specifications.
- Coordinates testing of new applications and changes to existing applications to ensure integrity and quality of data while providing and/or assisting in training of system users.
- Compiles complete, concise, and comprehensive policies and operation procedures to assist in communicating Information Resources issues to applicable management staff.
- Assists in development of new administrative procedures required, utilizing new functionality resulting from system changes.
- Assists in developing and implementing business Information Resources strategies to improve operational processing and productivity.
- Responsible for monitoring development of specifications and establishing priorities for accomplishing design and testing of various projects.
- Reviews, develops, recommends, and implements activities related to assigned activity, program, or function.
- Maintains and tracks accounts assigned to projects or programs.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
SECURITY AND EEO STATEMENT
Security
This position is security-sensitive and subject to Texas Education Code 51.215, which authorizes UT Southwestern to obtain criminal history record information. To the extent this position requires the holder to research, work on, or have access to critical infrastructure as defined in Section 117.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code, the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the critical infrastructure is a minimum qualification to be hired and to continue to be employed in the position.
EEO
UT Southwestern Medical Center is committed to an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the University community. As an equal opportunity employer, UT Southwestern prohibits unlawful discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, or veteran status.
WHY UT SOUTHWESTERN?
With over 75 years of excellence in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, UT Southwestern is committed to excellence, innovation, teamwork, and compassion. As a world-renowned medical and research center, we strive to provide the best possible care, resources, and benefits for our valued employees. Ranked as the number 1 hospital in Dallas-Fort Worth according to U.S. News & World Report, we invest in you with opportunities for career growth and development to align with your future goals. Our highly competitive benefits package offers healthcare, PTO and paid holidays, on-site childcare, wage, merit increases and so much more. We invite you to be a part of the UT Southwestern team where you'll discover a culture of teamwork, professionalism, and a rewarding career!
JOB SUMMARY
Provides technical or operational support of information systems for client community and aides in development of systems capabilities in light of user needs. Coordinates and develops more efficient operational processing controls and functional enhancements. Experience in Phoenix Transplant, EpicCare Ambulatory, EpicCare Inpatient or EpicCare Inpatient Orders experience is highly desirable or a Certification in any other Epic Clinical Application will be considered. This position will function as a primary analyst for the Transplant and Disease Management clinics, Respiratory Therapy, Surgical Specialty, ICU and Med Surg units at Clements University Hospital, and other departments as assigned. The analyst will be expected to service, in a backup capacity any other departments/clinics supported by Epic EMR Team A (including Cardiology, Pulmonary, and Med/Surg units). The analyst will be expected to support/service, in a secondary or backup capacity any expansion to our service line programs, any new requests for UTSW satellite departments planned for the metroplex.
BENEFITS
UT Southwestern is proud to offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. Our benefits are designed to support your overall wellbeing, and include:
- PPO medical plan, available day one at no cost for full-time employee-only coverage
- 100% coverage for preventive healthcare-no copay
- Paid Time Off, available day one
- Retirement Programs through the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS)
- Paid Parental Leave Benefit
- Wellness programs
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Qualified Employer
Learn more about these and other UTSW employee benefits!
EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION
Required
Education
Bachelor's Degree in business administration, computer science, information systems, or related field.
Experience
3 years progressively responsible business systems and/or Information Technology project experience, with exposure to systems or project development and testing, installation, and training.
Applicants without the stated degree, but with significant additional Information Technology systems and project experience, may be considered.
JOB DUTIES
- Collects and interprets specifications required to develop new, and revise existing, software applications.
- Assists managers with development and implementation of operational plans for new and existing business applications, including preparation of user specifications.
- Coordinates testing of new applications and changes to existing applications to ensure integrity and quality of data while providing and/or assisting in training of system users.
- Compiles complete, concise, and comprehensive policies and operation procedures to assist in communicating Information Resources issues to applicable management staff.
- Assists in development of new administrative procedures required, utilizing new functionality resulting from system changes.
- Assists in developing and implementing business Information Resources strategies to improve operational processing and productivity.
- Responsible for monitoring development of specifications and establishing priorities for accomplishing design and testing of various projects.
- Reviews, develops, recommends, and implements activities related to assigned activity, program, or function.
- Maintains and tracks accounts assigned to projects or programs.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
SECURITY AND EEO STATEMENT
Security
This position is security-sensitive and subject to Texas Education Code 51.215, which authorizes UT Southwestern to obtain criminal history record information. To the extent this position requires the holder to research, work on, or have access to critical infrastructure as defined in Section 117.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code, the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the critical infrastructure is a minimum qualification to be hired and to continue to be employed in the position.
EEO
UT Southwestern Medical Center is committed to an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the University community. As an equal opportunity employer, UT Southwestern prohibits unlawful discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, or veteran status.
See all 207+ STEM OPT Applications Specialist Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as an Applications Specialist
Verify your CIP code before applying
Check that your degree's Classification of Instructional Programs code maps to a STEM-designated field on the USCIS STEM Designated Degree Program List. Applications Specialist roles often require computer science or information systems backgrounds, so a mismatch in your CIP code can disqualify your extension before it starts.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers
Ask your recruiter for the employer's E-Verify company ID or have HR confirm active enrollment status before signing. An employer not enrolled in E-Verify cannot legally employ you on STEM OPT, and switching employers mid-extension restarts your 60-day unemployment clock.
Use Migrate Mate to filter for STEM OPT employers
Search Applications Specialist roles on Migrate Mate to surface employers with verified E-Verify enrollment and active STEM OPT hiring history, so you're not manually vetting each employer's compliance status before reaching the offer stage.
Draft your I-983 training plan around measurable outcomes
Your training plan must show a direct connection between your STEM degree and the Applications Specialist duties you'll perform. Frame goals around specific technical skills you'll develop, such as system integration testing or enterprise software configuration, not broad job responsibilities. Your DSO reviews this document, and vague plans get returned.
Target employers with enterprise software licensing agreements
Companies holding multi-year contracts with SAP, Salesforce, or Oracle consistently need Applications Specialists and plan hiring 12 to 18 months in advance. Targeting employers mid-contract renewal, when headcount decisions are being finalized, puts you in front of structured hiring timelines rather than reactive backfills.
Align your offer start date with your OPT end date
If your H-1B visa cap-gap petition is pending when your 12-month OPT expires, your work authorization continues automatically through September 30. Coordinate your Applications Specialist start date so your employer files the I-983 amendment with USCIS before your OPT EAD end date to avoid any gap in authorized employment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does an Applications Specialist role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes, if your degree is in a STEM-designated field such as computer science, information systems, or software engineering, and the role involves applying that technical background directly. The job title alone doesn't determine eligibility, USCIS evaluates whether the duties of the Applications Specialist position connect to your specific degree field. Your DSO confirms this connection when approving your I-20 for the extension.
What does the E-Verify requirement mean for Applications Specialist job seekers?
Every employer who hires you on STEM OPT must be actively enrolled in E-Verify at the time you begin work. For Applications Specialist roles, which are common at mid-size software vendors and enterprise IT departments, enrollment status varies. Ask HR for the company's E-Verify employer ID before your final interview. Employers who aren't enrolled cannot be added to your I-983 training plan, and your DSO will not sign off on the extension.
What should the I-983 training plan include for an Applications Specialist position?
The I-983 must document specific goals that link your STEM degree to the daily responsibilities of the Applications Specialist role. Include measurable learning objectives such as configuring application modules, conducting user acceptance testing, or developing integration workflows. Generic descriptions like 'gain experience in software' are insufficient. Both you and your employer supervisor must sign, and your DSO reviews the plan for compliance before authorizing the STEM OPT extension.
How does cap-gap protection apply if I'm an Applications Specialist on STEM OPT?
If your employer files an H-1B cap-subject petition on your behalf before your STEM OPT EAD expires, cap-gap protection automatically extends your work authorization through September 30 of that fiscal year. You can continue working in your Applications Specialist role without interruption while USCIS adjudicates the petition. If your petition is not selected or is denied, your authorization ends and you must stop working. Track your EAD expiration and H-1B filing timeline carefully with your DSO.
Where can I find Applications Specialist jobs from employers who support STEM OPT?
Migrate Mate lists Applications Specialist roles filtered by employers with E-Verify enrollment and STEM OPT hiring experience, so you can focus your applications on companies already set up to support your work authorization. Searching by role title alongside STEM OPT eligibility filters saves time you'd otherwise spend researching each employer's compliance status independently before reaching the offer stage.