STEM OPT Help Desk Technician Jobs
Help Desk Technician roles qualify for STEM OPT when your degree maps to an eligible CIP code in computer science, information technology, or a related field. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify, and the 24-month extension gives you up to 36 months total to build U.S. work experience while transitioning toward long-term sponsorship.
See All Help Desk Technician JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 20+ Help Desk Technician 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 Help Desk Technician jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Help Desk Technician roles.
Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Do you love helping people solve problems? Are you curious about how SMT’s data, graphics, and scoring systems operate behind the scenes? Do you do your best work in a fast-paced environment, customer service role?
If you answered yes, this is your opportunity to kickoff your career at SMT as a Help Desk Technician!
As part of our Help Desk team, you’ll provide support to SMT clients who rely on our software and hardware during live events, broadcasts and daily operations. You’ll partner with a collaborative group of technicians and report to the Durham Help Desk Manager.
This position requires some availability during nights, weekends, and holidays due to the nature of client operations and live event coverage.
This is a hybrid position required to report to our Durham, NC office.
What is Your Daily Impact at SMT?
As a Help Desk Technician you’ll be responsible for making some key plays here at SMT. Your impact will include:
- Identify, diagnose, and resolve Tier 1 issues for SMT clients.
- Clearly communicate solutions to end-users within SMT time standards and maintain up-to-date documentation.
- Use SMT’s internal systems to track calls, generate reports, and monitor daily help desk activity.
- Install software releases for remote clients according to deployment schedules.
- Monitor data moving to and from the Data Operations Center in Durham.
- Support studio and remote clients with stats, graphics equipment, and scoreboard interface troubleshooting.
- Collaborate with other technicians to ensure exceptional service delivery.
What Do You Bring to SMT?
Here are some of the key skills and experiences we are looking for in our future game-changing teammate:
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, IT, or related field — or equivalent industry experience.
- 1–2 years of customer support experience serving internal and external clients.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Problem-solving and analytical abilities.
- Basic knowledge of PC systems, Windows software, and networking concepts.
- Understanding of sports rules and terminology.
- Time management skills and ability to meet deadlines.
- Customer-focused approach and ability to thrive in a team-oriented, fast-paced environment.
What Can SMT Offer You?
Your work will directly contribute to the success of our SMT teams, driving innovation and changing the game of sports broadcast, events and data collection technology.
Often described as feeling like a start-up with a 40-year track record of serving sports leagues and broadcast partners, this team offers the chance to collaborate with experts in their fields, grow within the company and be valued for your contributions. You will get to see your work enjoyed by millions of fans across the world!
Featured benefits:
- Medical, dental and vision insurance
- Paid time off + 10 Company paid holidays
- Company Paid Life Insurance
- Short-term and long-term disability
- Flexible Spending and Health Savings Accounts
- Access to mental health services
- 401k
- Pet insurance and more
Who is SMT?
SMT is the leader in real-time data and graphics solutions for the biggest events in sports. From the famous Yellow First Down Line to leading-edge analytics, virtual enhancements and behind-the-scenes tools like video board production and talent prompters, SMT powers the fan experience across every screen and stadium.
For over 40 years, we’ve helped shape the broadcast and in-venue presentation of the Olympics, Super Bowls, Triple Crowns, tennis Grand Slams, golf majors, NASCAR, NHL, NBA, NCAA tournaments and more.
But we’re more than our tech: Our team thrives on the adrenaline of live sports. We travel together, work hard together and form lifelong bonds along the way. Whether we’re launching graphics during a game or hitting the lanes for our bowling league, we’ve got each other’s backs.
Are you ready to be a game changer? Learn more at SMT.com or follow us on social.
Are you ready to join the SMT Team and become a Game Changer?
Apply Now!
SMT provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. Please let us know when you apply if you need any assistance during the recruiting process due to a disability. SMT participates in E-Verify.
INTRODUCTION
Do you love helping people solve problems? Are you curious about how SMT’s data, graphics, and scoring systems operate behind the scenes? Do you do your best work in a fast-paced environment, customer service role?
If you answered yes, this is your opportunity to kickoff your career at SMT as a Help Desk Technician!
As part of our Help Desk team, you’ll provide support to SMT clients who rely on our software and hardware during live events, broadcasts and daily operations. You’ll partner with a collaborative group of technicians and report to the Durham Help Desk Manager.
This position requires some availability during nights, weekends, and holidays due to the nature of client operations and live event coverage.
This is a hybrid position required to report to our Durham, NC office.
What is Your Daily Impact at SMT?
As a Help Desk Technician you’ll be responsible for making some key plays here at SMT. Your impact will include:
- Identify, diagnose, and resolve Tier 1 issues for SMT clients.
- Clearly communicate solutions to end-users within SMT time standards and maintain up-to-date documentation.
- Use SMT’s internal systems to track calls, generate reports, and monitor daily help desk activity.
- Install software releases for remote clients according to deployment schedules.
- Monitor data moving to and from the Data Operations Center in Durham.
- Support studio and remote clients with stats, graphics equipment, and scoreboard interface troubleshooting.
- Collaborate with other technicians to ensure exceptional service delivery.
What Do You Bring to SMT?
Here are some of the key skills and experiences we are looking for in our future game-changing teammate:
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, IT, or related field — or equivalent industry experience.
- 1–2 years of customer support experience serving internal and external clients.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Problem-solving and analytical abilities.
- Basic knowledge of PC systems, Windows software, and networking concepts.
- Understanding of sports rules and terminology.
- Time management skills and ability to meet deadlines.
- Customer-focused approach and ability to thrive in a team-oriented, fast-paced environment.
What Can SMT Offer You?
Your work will directly contribute to the success of our SMT teams, driving innovation and changing the game of sports broadcast, events and data collection technology.
Often described as feeling like a start-up with a 40-year track record of serving sports leagues and broadcast partners, this team offers the chance to collaborate with experts in their fields, grow within the company and be valued for your contributions. You will get to see your work enjoyed by millions of fans across the world!
Featured benefits:
- Medical, dental and vision insurance
- Paid time off + 10 Company paid holidays
- Company Paid Life Insurance
- Short-term and long-term disability
- Flexible Spending and Health Savings Accounts
- Access to mental health services
- 401k
- Pet insurance and more
Who is SMT?
SMT is the leader in real-time data and graphics solutions for the biggest events in sports. From the famous Yellow First Down Line to leading-edge analytics, virtual enhancements and behind-the-scenes tools like video board production and talent prompters, SMT powers the fan experience across every screen and stadium.
For over 40 years, we’ve helped shape the broadcast and in-venue presentation of the Olympics, Super Bowls, Triple Crowns, tennis Grand Slams, golf majors, NASCAR, NHL, NBA, NCAA tournaments and more.
But we’re more than our tech: Our team thrives on the adrenaline of live sports. We travel together, work hard together and form lifelong bonds along the way. Whether we’re launching graphics during a game or hitting the lanes for our bowling league, we’ve got each other’s backs.
Are you ready to be a game changer? Learn more at SMT.com or follow us on social.
Are you ready to join the SMT Team and become a Game Changer?
Apply Now!
SMT provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. Please let us know when you apply if you need any assistance during the recruiting process due to a disability. SMT participates in E-Verify.
See all Help Desk Technician jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Help Desk Technician roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a Help Desk Technician
Verify your CIP code before applying
Check that your STEM degree's CIP code appears on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List. Information technology and computer science codes commonly support Help Desk roles, but applied vs. pure science distinctions can trip up eligibility at the DSO review stage.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers
Ask hiring managers directly whether the company is enrolled in E-Verify before you accept. STEM OPT requires it, and many smaller IT support shops or managed service providers are not enrolled, which disqualifies the placement regardless of how well the role fits your training plan.
Target employers with IT infrastructure teams
Help Desk roles at companies running internal IT departments are far more likely to file I-983 training plans than staffing agencies placing contractors. Search Migrate Mate to find employers with active STEM OPT and E-Verify compliance already in place for technical support positions.
Draft your I-983 around measurable learning objectives
Your training plan must connect daily help desk duties to STEM-field learning goals. Map ticket resolution workflows, system administration tasks, and troubleshooting protocols to specific technical competencies. Generic job descriptions get returned for revision by DSOs and delay your OPT start date.
Use O*NET to align your job title to STEM criteria
Pull the Help Desk Technician occupation profile from O*NET to confirm the role's technology and science task descriptions match your degree field. Employers sometimes title roles loosely, and the O*NET profile gives you sourced language to use when your DSO questions whether the position qualifies.
Ask about H-1B sponsorship timelines during interviews
STEM OPT gives you up to 36 months, but H-1B registration opens in March each year for an October 1 start. Ask whether the employer has sponsored H-1B petitions for IT support staff before, so you can plan around the cap-gap window without losing continuous work authorization.
Help Desk Technician jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Help Desk Technician JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Does a Help Desk Technician role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree's CIP code, not just the job title. If your degree is in computer science, information systems, or a related STEM field listed on the DHS Designated Degree Program List, and the Help Desk role involves applying that technical knowledge, your DSO can approve the STEM OPT extension. Roles that are purely administrative without a technical component may not qualify.
Does my Help Desk Technician employer need to be enrolled in E-Verify?
Yes. E-Verify enrollment is a hard requirement for STEM OPT, not a preference. Before signing an offer, ask the hiring manager or HR to confirm the company's E-Verify employer ID. If they can't provide it or say they'll enroll later, your DSO cannot approve the I-983 and your extension will be blocked. Use Migrate Mate to find Help Desk roles already filtered to E-Verify-enrolled employers.
What goes into the I-983 training plan for a Help Desk Technician?
The I-983 requires your employer to describe specific training goals tied to your STEM degree field, not just a job description. For Help Desk roles, that means documenting how ticket management systems, network troubleshooting, hardware diagnostics, or endpoint security work connect to your degree's technical competencies. Vague plans get rejected by DSOs. Your employer must also sign off that they have the capacity to provide that training.
What happens to my STEM OPT if my Help Desk Technician employer loses E-Verify status?
If your employer's E-Verify participation is terminated during your STEM OPT period, you lose authorization to continue working for them and must notify your DSO within five business days. USCIS requires you to either transfer to a new E-Verify-enrolled employer or face a gap in valid work authorization. This is why confirming active enrollment before accepting an offer matters, not just at hiring.
Can I use cap-gap to keep working as a Help Desk Technician while my H-1B is pending?
Yes, if your H-1B petition is filed before your STEM OPT EAD expires, cap-gap automatically extends your work authorization through September 30 of the fiscal year your H-1B is set to start. You can continue working in your Help Desk role without interruption, but your employer must have filed the H-1B petition on time. Check the USCIS cap-gap guidance to confirm your EAD extension is reflected correctly on your I-20.
See which Help Desk Technician employers are hiring and sponsoring visas right now.
Search Help Desk Technician Jobs