STEM OPT IT Operations Specialist Jobs
IT Operations Specialist roles sit squarely within STEM OPT eligibility, drawing on degrees in computer science, information systems, and related fields. Your 24-month STEM OPT extension applies here, giving you up to 36 months total, provided your employer is enrolled in E-Verify and you file a completed I-983 training plan.
Find STEM OPT IT Operations Specialist JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 15+ IT Operations Specialist jobs










See all IT Operations Specialist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new IT Operations Specialist roles.
Get Access To All Jobs
At Fluor, we are proud to design and build projects and careers. We are committed to fostering a welcoming and collaborative work environment that encourages big-picture thinking, brings out the best in our employees, and helps us develop innovative solutions that contribute to building a better world together. If this sounds like a culture you would like to work in, you’re invited to apply for this role.
Job Description
The IT Security Operations Analyst is responsible for conducting comprehensive application risk assessments, with a particular focus on third-party risk analysis. This involves evaluating the security posture of external vendors, partners, and their applications to ensure they meet organizational standards and regulatory requirements. The analyst reviews contracts, Statements of Work (SOW), and Data Processing Agreements (DPAs) to identify potential risks associated with third-party access or data handling, and works closely with internal stakeholders to implement mitigation strategies. Additionally, the role manages Data Loss Prevention (DLP) activities using Microsoft Purview, which includes monitoring for unauthorized data transfers, configuring DLP policies to protect sensitive information, and responding to incidents where data security may be compromised. Through these efforts, the analyst helps maintain robust security controls and minimizes the risk of data breaches originating from both internal and external sources.
This position will collaborate with internal IT teams, internal customers, and outside vendors.
Responsibilities:
- Conduct thorough risk assessments of new and existing applications, identifying potential vulnerabilities and security gaps
- Analyze and interpret security assessment findings, and provide actionable recommendations to mitigate identified risks
- Collaborate with software development teams to implement security best practices and ensure secure coding standards are followed
- Stay up-to-date with the latest threats, vulnerabilities, industry trends, and integrate this knowledge into the risk assessment process
- Participate in security reviews to evaluate and validate the effectiveness of security controls
- Provide technical expertise and guidance to support incident response efforts related to application security incidents
- Review and validate contracts, Statements of Work (SOW), and Data Processing Agreements (DPAs)
- Develop and maintain DLP policy standards, reusable templates, naming conventions, and engineering runbooks
- Partner with Legal, Privacy, HR, Compliance, and Security teams to translate requirements into actionable DLP controls, evidence collection, and defensible audit artifacts
- Other duties as assigned
Basic Job Requirements
- Accredited four (4) year degree or global equivalent in applicable field of study and five (5) years of work-related experience or a combination of education and directly related experience equal to nine (9) years if non-degreed; some locations may have additional or different qualifications in order to comply with local requirements
- Ability to communicate effectively with audiences that include but are not limited to management, coworkers, clients, vendors, contractors, and visitors
- Job related technical knowledge necessary to complete the job
- Ability to learn and apply knowledge of applicable local, state/province, and federal/national statutes and guidelines
- Ability to attend to detail and work in a time-conscious and time-effective manner
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field
- Relevant industry certifications such as CISSP, CISM, or similar
- Proven experience (5 years) as an IT Security Analyst or similar role, with a focus on application security, Azure Active Directory, conditional access policies, and single sign-on (SSO) configurations
- Ability to effectively adapt to rapidly changing technology and apply it to business needs
- Demonstrated strong technical and non-technical communication skills, both oral and written
- Strong team-oriented interpersonal skills
- Strong understanding of software development processes and the ability to identify security issues in code and design
- Familiarity with OWASP Top Ten vulnerabilities and ability to assess and mitigate associated risks
- Proficiency in scripting or programming languages (e.g., Python, JavaScript, Java) is a plus
- Excellent communication skills to convey complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders
- Strong problem-solving skills
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, especially concerning note taking when evaluating applications and attending meetings
- Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner, set priorities, and meet deadlines
We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified individuals will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other criteria protected by governing law.
Benefits Statement: Fluor is proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to promote employee health, wellness, and financial security. Our offerings include medical, dental and vision plans, EAP, disability coverage, life insurance, AD&D, voluntary benefit plans, 401(k) with a company match, paid time off (personal, bereavement, sick, holidays) for salaried employees, paid sick leave per state requirement for craft employees, parental leave, and training and development courses.
Market Rate Statement: The market rate for the role is typically at the mid-point of the salary range; however, variations in final salary are determined by additional factors such as the candidate’s qualifications, relevant years of experience, geographic location, internal pay equity, and prevailing market conditions for the specific role.
Notice to Candidates: Background checks are carried out as part of any conditional offer made, including (but not limited to & role dependent) education, professional registration, employment, references, passport verifications and Global Watchlist screening.
To be Considered Candidates: Must be authorized to work in the country where the position is located.
Salary Range: $83,000.00 - $154,000.00
See all STEM OPT IT Operations Specialist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new STEM OPT IT Operations Specialist Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as an IT Operations Specialist
Verify your CIP code before applying
Check that your degree's Classification of Instructional Programs code maps to a STEM-designated field recognized by ICE. IT operations roles typically align with CIP codes under computer science or information technology, but your DSO confirms the exact match.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers
Ask hiring managers directly whether their company is enrolled in E-Verify before you advance past the first interview. An employer without active E-Verify enrollment cannot legally employ you on a STEM OPT extension, regardless of role or offer terms.
Target employers with active H-1B LCA filings
IT operations teams that have filed Labor Condition Applications with DOL for H-1B visa workers already have internal processes for sponsoring work authorization. Use Migrate Mate to filter for these employers and prioritize outreach to companies with demonstrated filing history in operations and infrastructure roles.
Build your I-983 training plan around the job description
Draft specific learning objectives tied to the actual IT operations duties in the job posting, such as incident response, system monitoring, or network administration. USCIS reviewers look for a direct connection between your STEM degree and the practical skills being developed on the job.
Use OFLC Wage Search to benchmark your offer
Look up the prevailing wage for IT Operations Specialist using the OFLC Wage Search before salary discussions. If an employer's offer falls below the DOL wage level for your metro area, that gap can create complications when the employer later files an LCA for your H-1B transition.
Track your cap-gap window if your OPT expires near October
If your STEM OPT end date falls before October 1 and your employer files an H-1B petition on your behalf, the cap-gap rule automatically extends your work authorization. Confirm with your DSO that your I-20 reflects the cap-gap extension so your employment record stays clean.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does an IT Operations Specialist role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes, if your underlying degree is in a STEM-designated field such as computer science, information technology, or information systems. The role itself must also provide practical training directly related to your degree. Your DSO will verify that your degree's CIP code appears on the SEVP STEM Designated Degree Program List before authorizing the extension on your I-20.
How do I confirm my employer is enrolled in E-Verify for my STEM OPT extension?
Ask your HR contact for the company's E-Verify Company ID or request a screenshot of their active enrollment status. E-Verify participation is a hard legal requirement for STEM OPT employers, and your DSO will need written confirmation before signing off on the I-983. Employers can self-verify their status through the E-Verify employer search tool maintained by DHS.
What goes into the I-983 training plan for an IT operations role?
The I-983 requires a detailed description of the specific skills, knowledge, and competencies you'll develop, along with how each connects to your STEM degree. For IT operations, that means documenting learning objectives around areas like systems administration, network infrastructure, incident management, or cloud operations, not just listing job duties. USCIS expects a clear and direct relationship between your coursework and your on-the-job training.
How do I find IT Operations Specialist jobs where employers already understand STEM OPT requirements?
Search Migrate Mate for IT operations roles filtered by employers with verified E-Verify enrollment and prior work authorization sponsorship history. Companies that have previously filed Labor Condition Applications for similar technical roles typically have HR teams that already understand the I-983 process, the 24-month extension timeline, and the employer reporting obligations under STEM OPT.
What are the employer reporting obligations during my STEM OPT period in this role?
Your employer must report material changes to your training plan, a reduction in your salary or hours that affects your practical training, and any termination or departure from the role to your DSO within five business days. You and your employer must also conduct formal I-983 evaluations at the midpoint and end of the authorized training period, which USCIS may audit.