STEM OPT IT Systems Specialist Jobs
IT Systems Specialist roles qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension when your degree falls under an eligible CIP code in computer science, information technology, or a related STEM field. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify and sign a Form I-983 training plan before your extension begins.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
The University of Maryland, Baltimore School of Dentistry (UMSOD) is seeking an IT Systems Administrator, Sr. This position will provide senior-level administration, maintenance, security, and support of the organization's on-premises and cloud infrastructure, including Azure, VMware, Hyper-V, Veeam backup/disaster recovery, Windows Server, Active Directory, and enterprise systems to ensure reliable, secure, and uninterrupted IT services.
Benefits: Exempt Regular
UMB offers a comprehensive benefits package that prioritizes wellness, work/life balance, and professional development, along with additional exciting perks that employees can take advantage of. This position participates in a retirement program (pension or optional retirement plan/ORP) that must be selected and is effective on your date of hire. Exempt regular staff receive a generous PAID leave package that includes over 4 weeks of vacation accrued each year, 15 paid holidays, 3 personal leave, unlimited accrual of sick time, and comprehensive health insurance; professional learning and development programs; tuition remission for employees and their dependents at any University System of Maryland school; and flexible work schedules and teleworking options (if applicable per job).
UMB is a public university and constituent institution of the University System of Maryland. All employees are expected to work primarily physically within the State of Maryland.
PRIMARY DUTIES:
-
Working independently or overseeing a team the senior position has a lead role in the installation, support, and maintenance of servers, storage systems, or operating systems. Leads in the planning of and responds to service outages and infrastructure problems. Configuration and programming for systems-related projects. Using the latest technologies in high-throughput and high-performance computers and enterprise class storage systems develops computational infrastructures.
-
Infrastructure Engineering and Virtualization Leadership
-
Serve as the primary administrator and technical lead for the organization's virtualization platforms, including VMware vSphere/vCenter and Microsoft Hyper-V environments, ensuring availability, performance, scalability, and lifecycle management of enterprise systems.
-
Backup and Disaster Recovery Responsibilities
-
Administer and maintain enterprise backup and disaster recovery solutions, including Veeam Backup & Replication, backup validation, recovery testing, storage management, and business continuity planning.
-
Cloud Migration and Hybrid Infrastructure
-
Participate in the design, implementation, and support of hybrid cloud solutions, including Microsoft Azure infrastructure, identity integration, disaster recovery, and modernization initiatives.
-
Oversees and performs operating systems administration, development, installation, maintenance, and upgrade for assigned department(s), such duties as adding/deleting users, setting up/changing workstations/servers, backing up and recovery of data, data archiving, security, and installing/restoring data.
-
Follows established policy and recommends process changes for operating system policies that would ensure security and integrity or lead to increased efficiency for users, applications, operating systems management, etc. Assist in the evaluation and acquisition of new technologies and products.
-
Makes recommendations for upgrades to hardware and software based on existing operations, pending needs and available budget. Advises on new applications to be developed.
-
Responsible for interfacing with other campus technologists and department team members to ensure integration of systems and applications are succinct.
-
Provide technical support for the client workstations and resolves system and program issues for all applications utilized by the staff, including the upgrading of operating systems to support new applications.
-
Frequently has team leadership responsibilities and provides training to other IT professionals.
-
Performs other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Bachelors in Information Technology, Computer Science, Systems Administration, Computer Engineering, or a related field.
Experience: Four (4) years’ experience with proficient knowledge of at least two (2) operating systems, such as: Windows, Mac OS, and Unix/Linux (Red Hat/Suse/Solaris/AIX/HPUX). Supervisory Experience: N/A
Preferred Experience:
- VMware vSphere/vCenter administration
- Microsoft Hyper-V
- Windows Server administration
- Active Directory and Group Policy
- Azure infrastructure and identity services
- Veeam Backup & Replication
- Enterprise storage solutions
- Security patching and vulnerability remediation
- Microsoft Defender or equivalent endpoint security platforms
- Disaster recovery and business continuity planning
Experience supporting highly available production environments in healthcare, higher education, research, or similarly complex enterprise organizations preferred.
Certification/Licensure: N/A
Other: Except for qualifications established by law, additional related experience and formal education in which one has gained the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for full performance of the work of the job class may be substituted for the education or experience requirement on a year-for-year basis with 30 undergraduate college credits being equivalent to one year of related experience. In instances where specific education and/or experience is required only directly related education and/or experience may be substituted.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
Knowledge of position requirements. Knowledge of all applicable requirements, regulations, and laws. Skill in effective use of applicable technology/systems. Ability to effectively communicate both verbal and written thoughts, ideas, and facts. Ability to work cooperatively with others and independently. Ability to demonstrate, understand, apply, and adhere to the UMB Core Values of Respect and Integrity, Well-being and Sustainability, Equity and Justice, and Innovation and Discovery.
Hiring Range: $104,000 - $116,000, Commensurate with education and experience
UMB is committed to cultivating a diverse and inclusive workforce and is proud to be an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, ancestry or national origin, sex, pregnancy or related conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, physical or mental disability, marital status, protected veteran's status, or any other legally protected classification.
If you anticipate needing a reasonable accommodation for a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), during any part of the employment process, please submit a UMB Job Applicant Accommodation Request. You may also contact leave_and_accom@umaryland.edu. Please note that only inquiries concerning an ADA request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address.
The University of Maryland, Baltimore prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates. Individuals may report concerns or questions to the Title IX Coordinator. Read the UMB Notice of Non-Discrimination for more information.
Job
: Reg or CII Exempt Staff - E0776G
Employee Class : Exempt Regular
Full Time/Part Time: Full-Time
Shift
: Day Job
Financial Disclosure: No
Organization
: School of Dentistry - Information Technology
Job Posting
: Sep 17, 2026
Unposting Date
: Oct 2, 2026, 10:59:00 PM
INTRODUCTION
The University of Maryland, Baltimore School of Dentistry (UMSOD) is seeking an IT Systems Administrator, Sr. This position will provide senior-level administration, maintenance, security, and support of the organization's on-premises and cloud infrastructure, including Azure, VMware, Hyper-V, Veeam backup/disaster recovery, Windows Server, Active Directory, and enterprise systems to ensure reliable, secure, and uninterrupted IT services.
Benefits: Exempt Regular
UMB offers a comprehensive benefits package that prioritizes wellness, work/life balance, and professional development, along with additional exciting perks that employees can take advantage of. This position participates in a retirement program (pension or optional retirement plan/ORP) that must be selected and is effective on your date of hire. Exempt regular staff receive a generous PAID leave package that includes over 4 weeks of vacation accrued each year, 15 paid holidays, 3 personal leave, unlimited accrual of sick time, and comprehensive health insurance; professional learning and development programs; tuition remission for employees and their dependents at any University System of Maryland school; and flexible work schedules and teleworking options (if applicable per job).
UMB is a public university and constituent institution of the University System of Maryland. All employees are expected to work primarily physically within the State of Maryland.
PRIMARY DUTIES:
-
Working independently or overseeing a team the senior position has a lead role in the installation, support, and maintenance of servers, storage systems, or operating systems. Leads in the planning of and responds to service outages and infrastructure problems. Configuration and programming for systems-related projects. Using the latest technologies in high-throughput and high-performance computers and enterprise class storage systems develops computational infrastructures.
-
Infrastructure Engineering and Virtualization Leadership
-
Serve as the primary administrator and technical lead for the organization's virtualization platforms, including VMware vSphere/vCenter and Microsoft Hyper-V environments, ensuring availability, performance, scalability, and lifecycle management of enterprise systems.
-
Backup and Disaster Recovery Responsibilities
-
Administer and maintain enterprise backup and disaster recovery solutions, including Veeam Backup & Replication, backup validation, recovery testing, storage management, and business continuity planning.
-
Cloud Migration and Hybrid Infrastructure
-
Participate in the design, implementation, and support of hybrid cloud solutions, including Microsoft Azure infrastructure, identity integration, disaster recovery, and modernization initiatives.
-
Oversees and performs operating systems administration, development, installation, maintenance, and upgrade for assigned department(s), such duties as adding/deleting users, setting up/changing workstations/servers, backing up and recovery of data, data archiving, security, and installing/restoring data.
-
Follows established policy and recommends process changes for operating system policies that would ensure security and integrity or lead to increased efficiency for users, applications, operating systems management, etc. Assist in the evaluation and acquisition of new technologies and products.
-
Makes recommendations for upgrades to hardware and software based on existing operations, pending needs and available budget. Advises on new applications to be developed.
-
Responsible for interfacing with other campus technologists and department team members to ensure integration of systems and applications are succinct.
-
Provide technical support for the client workstations and resolves system and program issues for all applications utilized by the staff, including the upgrading of operating systems to support new applications.
-
Frequently has team leadership responsibilities and provides training to other IT professionals.
-
Performs other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Bachelors in Information Technology, Computer Science, Systems Administration, Computer Engineering, or a related field.
Experience: Four (4) years’ experience with proficient knowledge of at least two (2) operating systems, such as: Windows, Mac OS, and Unix/Linux (Red Hat/Suse/Solaris/AIX/HPUX). Supervisory Experience: N/A
Preferred Experience:
- VMware vSphere/vCenter administration
- Microsoft Hyper-V
- Windows Server administration
- Active Directory and Group Policy
- Azure infrastructure and identity services
- Veeam Backup & Replication
- Enterprise storage solutions
- Security patching and vulnerability remediation
- Microsoft Defender or equivalent endpoint security platforms
- Disaster recovery and business continuity planning
Experience supporting highly available production environments in healthcare, higher education, research, or similarly complex enterprise organizations preferred.
Certification/Licensure: N/A
Other: Except for qualifications established by law, additional related experience and formal education in which one has gained the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for full performance of the work of the job class may be substituted for the education or experience requirement on a year-for-year basis with 30 undergraduate college credits being equivalent to one year of related experience. In instances where specific education and/or experience is required only directly related education and/or experience may be substituted.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
Knowledge of position requirements. Knowledge of all applicable requirements, regulations, and laws. Skill in effective use of applicable technology/systems. Ability to effectively communicate both verbal and written thoughts, ideas, and facts. Ability to work cooperatively with others and independently. Ability to demonstrate, understand, apply, and adhere to the UMB Core Values of Respect and Integrity, Well-being and Sustainability, Equity and Justice, and Innovation and Discovery.
Hiring Range: $104,000 - $116,000, Commensurate with education and experience
UMB is committed to cultivating a diverse and inclusive workforce and is proud to be an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, ancestry or national origin, sex, pregnancy or related conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, physical or mental disability, marital status, protected veteran's status, or any other legally protected classification.
If you anticipate needing a reasonable accommodation for a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), during any part of the employment process, please submit a UMB Job Applicant Accommodation Request. You may also contact leave_and_accom@umaryland.edu. Please note that only inquiries concerning an ADA request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address.
The University of Maryland, Baltimore prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates. Individuals may report concerns or questions to the Title IX Coordinator. Read the UMB Notice of Non-Discrimination for more information.
Job
: Reg or CII Exempt Staff - E0776G
Employee Class : Exempt Regular
Full Time/Part Time: Full-Time
Shift
: Day Job
Financial Disclosure: No
Organization
: School of Dentistry - Information Technology
Job Posting
: Sep 17, 2026
Unposting Date
: Oct 2, 2026, 10:59:00 PM
See all 372+ STEM OPT IT Systems Specialist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new STEM OPT IT Systems Specialist Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as an IT Systems Specialist
Verify your CIP code before applying
Check your degree's CIP code against the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List before targeting IT Systems Specialist roles. Computer Science (11.0101) and Information Technology (11.0103) are commonly eligible, but your specific program title on your I-20 controls what USCIS approves.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers
Ask recruiters directly whether the company is enrolled in E-Verify before you get to the offer stage. You can cross-check by searching the E-Verify employer search tool. An employer not enrolled cannot legally hire you on STEM OPT, regardless of their intent to sponsor.
Use Migrate Mate to filter E-Verify employers
Searching broadly for IT Systems Specialist roles wastes time on employers who can't hire you. Migrate Mate filters listings by E-Verify enrollment status so you're only seeing roles where your STEM OPT authorization is actually usable from day one.
Negotiate your I-983 training plan before your start date
The I-983 must define specific learning objectives tied to your STEM degree, not just your job duties. Get your hiring manager to outline measurable technical training goals during the offer stage so your DSO can approve the plan before your extension period begins.
Target employers with existing H-1B filing history
IT Systems Specialist roles at employers who have filed H-1B visa LCAs with the DOL signal an established immigration infrastructure. Pull LCA disclosure data through the OFLC Wage Search to identify which employers have filed for this occupation code and understand their prevailing wage commitments.
Time your OPT extension application to your program end date
File your STEM OPT extension application with USCIS up to 90 days before your initial OPT expires. Late filing means a gap in work authorization. Your DSO must recommend the extension in SEVIS before you can submit, so start that internal process at least 120 days out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does an IT Systems Specialist role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes, if your underlying degree is in an eligible STEM field such as computer science, information technology, computer engineering, or information systems, and the role maps to your degree program. USCIS evaluates whether the job directly relates to your STEM degree, not just the job title. Check that your I-20 lists a CIP code on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List before filing.
Does my employer need to be enrolled in E-Verify to hire me on STEM OPT?
Yes, E-Verify enrollment is a legal requirement for any employer hiring a STEM OPT student. The employer must be actively enrolled, not just registered. You can verify enrollment through the E-Verify employer search tool before accepting an offer. If the employer is not enrolled, they cannot participate in your STEM OPT extension, regardless of their willingness to support you. Migrate Mate surfaces only E-Verify-enrolled employers so you can skip this manual check.
What goes into the I-983 training plan for an IT Systems Specialist?
The I-983 must describe a formal training program that connects your on-the-job responsibilities to your STEM degree's learning objectives. For an IT Systems Specialist, this typically includes documented goals around systems administration, network infrastructure, security protocols, or enterprise software relevant to your degree field. Generic job descriptions don't satisfy the requirement. Your employer and DSO must both sign off before your extension period starts, and USCIS can audit compliance at any point.
What is cap-gap and does it apply to IT Systems Specialist roles?
Cap-gap automatically extends your OPT work authorization if your employer files an H-1B petition for you before your OPT expires and your lottery registration is selected. It bridges the period between your OPT end date and October 1, when the H-1B takes effect. Cap-gap applies to any role, including IT Systems Specialist, as long as you're maintaining valid F-1 status. USCIS publishes cap-gap guidance annually covering exact authorization conditions.
How do I find IT Systems Specialist employers who support STEM OPT?
Filter by E-Verify enrollment first, then look for employers with a track record of hiring international students. DOL LCA disclosure data via the OFLC Wage Search shows which employers have filed for IT Systems Specialist or related occupation codes, indicating existing immigration processes. O*NET profiles this occupation under SOC code 15-1244, which helps you confirm role alignment with your degree. Migrate Mate combines these filters so you can identify qualifying employers directly.