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.
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Get Access To All JobsJob ID: JR-108521
Entity: Brown University Health
Location Name: Corporate Headquarters
City, State: Providence, RI
Work Type: FULL TIME
Hours Per Week: 40
Shift: Day
Posted Date: 8/3/2026
SUMMARY
Reporting to the Manager of Service Operations, the IT Operations Engineer is responsible for expert level knowledge of Brown University Health’s server and network environment. Responsible for all operational aspects of maintaining Brown University Health datacenter systems including Windows Server, Linux, VMware ESX, Citrix XenApp. Design and implementation of systems to manage application and systems monitoring. Brown University Health employees are expected to successfully role model the organization's values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence as these values guide our everyday actions with patients, customers and one another.
In addition to our values, all employees are expected to demonstrate the core Success Factors which tell us how we work together and how we get things done. The core Success Factors include:
- Instill Trust and Value Differences
- Patient and Community Focus and Collaborate
Responsibilities
- Provides support to other engineers and analysts within the team.
- Develop and document processes for maintaining security, high availability, for system management, application content management, and performance management/monitoring.
- Individual is responsible for performance management and reporting on all enterprise-wide servers within Brown University Health.
- Provides support for Infrastructure projects and personnel.
- Server patch management including maintenance and required platform upgrades.
- Server and file backup and recovery.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology or IT Security is preferred.
- Industry certification on management and operation of at least one of: Cisco UCS, Citrix XenApp, Azure, AWS, Windows Server, Cisco networking and VMWare.
- Some experience with Cloud technologies, preferably Azure, AWS, GCP.
Experience:
- Two or more years increasingly responsible related work experience in server systems management and operations in an enterprise environment.
- Experience should demonstrate knowledge in the following focus areas:
- High availability
- Security design, including embedded security/performance intelligence.
- Change management processes for all devices.
- Oversees configuration and firmware/software/hardware installation and operational process for enterprise-wide appliances.
- Responsible for consolidation and reporting of performance and capacity enterprise wide.
- Server disaster recovery
- TCP/IP including IPv6.
- Project management experience.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills.
- Ability to document technical solutions to meet business needs.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY
None
PAY RANGE
$86,382.40 - $142,542.40
LOCATION
Corporate Headquarters - 15 LaSalle Square Providence, Rhode Island 02903
WORK TYPE
M-F 8am-4:30pm
WORK SHIFT
Day
DAILY HOURS
8 hours
DRIVING REQUIRED
No
Brown University Health is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and maintaining a work environment free from all forms of unlawful discrimination and harassment.
Job ID: JR-108521
Entity: Brown University Health
Location Name: Corporate Headquarters
City, State: Providence, RI
Work Type: FULL TIME
Hours Per Week: 40
Shift: Day
Posted Date: 8/3/2026
SUMMARY
Reporting to the Manager of Service Operations, the IT Operations Engineer is responsible for expert level knowledge of Brown University Health’s server and network environment. Responsible for all operational aspects of maintaining Brown University Health datacenter systems including Windows Server, Linux, VMware ESX, Citrix XenApp. Design and implementation of systems to manage application and systems monitoring. Brown University Health employees are expected to successfully role model the organization's values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence as these values guide our everyday actions with patients, customers and one another.
In addition to our values, all employees are expected to demonstrate the core Success Factors which tell us how we work together and how we get things done. The core Success Factors include:
- Instill Trust and Value Differences
- Patient and Community Focus and Collaborate
Responsibilities
- Provides support to other engineers and analysts within the team.
- Develop and document processes for maintaining security, high availability, for system management, application content management, and performance management/monitoring.
- Individual is responsible for performance management and reporting on all enterprise-wide servers within Brown University Health.
- Provides support for Infrastructure projects and personnel.
- Server patch management including maintenance and required platform upgrades.
- Server and file backup and recovery.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology or IT Security is preferred.
- Industry certification on management and operation of at least one of: Cisco UCS, Citrix XenApp, Azure, AWS, Windows Server, Cisco networking and VMWare.
- Some experience with Cloud technologies, preferably Azure, AWS, GCP.
Experience:
- Two or more years increasingly responsible related work experience in server systems management and operations in an enterprise environment.
- Experience should demonstrate knowledge in the following focus areas:
- High availability
- Security design, including embedded security/performance intelligence.
- Change management processes for all devices.
- Oversees configuration and firmware/software/hardware installation and operational process for enterprise-wide appliances.
- Responsible for consolidation and reporting of performance and capacity enterprise wide.
- Server disaster recovery
- TCP/IP including IPv6.
- Project management experience.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills.
- Ability to document technical solutions to meet business needs.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY
None
PAY RANGE
$86,382.40 - $142,542.40
LOCATION
Corporate Headquarters - 15 LaSalle Square Providence, Rhode Island 02903
WORK TYPE
M-F 8am-4:30pm
WORK SHIFT
Day
DAILY HOURS
8 hours
DRIVING REQUIRED
No
Brown University Health is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and maintaining a work environment free from all forms of unlawful discrimination and harassment.
See all 40+ STEM OPT IT Operations Specialist Jobs
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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.