STEM OPT Network Systems Administrator Jobs
Network Systems Administrator roles qualify for STEM OPT because they fall under computer and information science CIP codes recognized by ICE. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify, and your STEM degree unlocks a 24-month extension beyond your initial 12-month OPT, giving you up to 36 months of work authorization to build your U.S. career in network infrastructure.
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Get Access To All JobsSenior Systems Network Administrator
St. Ambrose University is seeking a Senior Systems Network Administrator at either our St. Ambrose campus in Davenport, IA or our Mount Mercy campus in Cedar Rapids, IA to manage and support the technology infrastructure that keeps our campuses connected. This role is responsible for maintaining secure, reliable server and network environments while helping advance technology solutions that support students, faculty, and staff.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage physical and virtual servers, storage systems, backups, and Windows Server environments.
- Administer and support Cisco and Aruba network infrastructure, including wired and wireless networks, VLANs, firewalls, VPNs, and IP management.
- Monitor system and network performance, security, and reliability.
- Provide Tier III technical support and troubleshoot complex infrastructure issues.
- Maintain documentation, policies, and operational procedures.
- Evaluate new technologies and recommend infrastructure improvements.
- Participate in an on-call rotation for occasional after-hours support.
Qualifications
- Two or more years of systems and/or network administration experience.
- Experience with Cisco and/or Aruba networking technologies.
- Knowledge of virtualization, Microsoft 365, Windows Server, and enterprise infrastructure tools.
- Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent communication, organizational, and customer service skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a collaborative environment.
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related field.
- Certifications such as CCNA, VCTA, Microsoft 365 Fundamentals, or CompTIA A+.
- Experience working in higher education.
Benefits:
- Competitive salary commensurate with experience.
- Comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, and retirement plans.
- Generous paid time off and holidays.
- Tuition Remission.
- Professional development opportunities.
- Supportive and collaborative work environment.
- Access to campus amenities, cultural events, and recreational facilities.
St. Ambrose University and its affiliate campuses, including Mount Mercy University in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, are an inclusive, Catholic, and diocesan community of learners. Together, we empower all members of our community to act courageously, to seek wisdom through faith and reason, to work for justice and mercy, and to lead lives of service. St. Ambrose University and its affiliated institutions within its Catholic higher education network are equal opportunity employers.
How to Apply:
Interested candidates should submit your resume, cover letter, and contact information for three professional references though our online application portal at https://stambroseuniv.applicantlist.com. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. #HEJ
Senior Systems Network Administrator
St. Ambrose University is seeking a Senior Systems Network Administrator at either our St. Ambrose campus in Davenport, IA or our Mount Mercy campus in Cedar Rapids, IA to manage and support the technology infrastructure that keeps our campuses connected. This role is responsible for maintaining secure, reliable server and network environments while helping advance technology solutions that support students, faculty, and staff.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage physical and virtual servers, storage systems, backups, and Windows Server environments.
- Administer and support Cisco and Aruba network infrastructure, including wired and wireless networks, VLANs, firewalls, VPNs, and IP management.
- Monitor system and network performance, security, and reliability.
- Provide Tier III technical support and troubleshoot complex infrastructure issues.
- Maintain documentation, policies, and operational procedures.
- Evaluate new technologies and recommend infrastructure improvements.
- Participate in an on-call rotation for occasional after-hours support.
Qualifications
- Two or more years of systems and/or network administration experience.
- Experience with Cisco and/or Aruba networking technologies.
- Knowledge of virtualization, Microsoft 365, Windows Server, and enterprise infrastructure tools.
- Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent communication, organizational, and customer service skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a collaborative environment.
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related field.
- Certifications such as CCNA, VCTA, Microsoft 365 Fundamentals, or CompTIA A+.
- Experience working in higher education.
Benefits:
- Competitive salary commensurate with experience.
- Comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, and retirement plans.
- Generous paid time off and holidays.
- Tuition Remission.
- Professional development opportunities.
- Supportive and collaborative work environment.
- Access to campus amenities, cultural events, and recreational facilities.
St. Ambrose University and its affiliate campuses, including Mount Mercy University in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, are an inclusive, Catholic, and diocesan community of learners. Together, we empower all members of our community to act courageously, to seek wisdom through faith and reason, to work for justice and mercy, and to lead lives of service. St. Ambrose University and its affiliated institutions within its Catholic higher education network are equal opportunity employers.
How to Apply:
Interested candidates should submit your resume, cover letter, and contact information for three professional references though our online application portal at https://stambroseuniv.applicantlist.com. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. #HEJ
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a Network Systems Administrator
Verify your CIP code before applying
Check that your degree's CIP code appears on the STEM OPT designated degree list maintained by ICE. Computer engineering, information science, and computer and information systems security codes all qualify. Confirm with your DSO before targeting roles.
Check E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers
Any employer hiring you on STEM OPT must be actively enrolled in E-Verify, not just registered. Search the E-Verify employer search tool directly to confirm enrollment status before you invest time in interviews or negotiate an offer.
Target employers with active government contracts
Federal contractors are required by law to use E-Verify for all new hires, making them structurally reliable STEM OPT employers. Network administration roles in defense IT, federal systems integrators, and managed service providers serving government agencies carry this built-in compliance.
Draft your I-983 training plan around specific network competencies
Your I-983 must list concrete learning objectives tied to your job duties, not generic language. For network systems roles, map objectives to skills like routing protocol configuration, network security monitoring, and infrastructure automation so USCIS reviewers can verify alignment with your STEM degree.
Use Migrate Mate to filter roles by E-Verify status
Searching broadly wastes time on employers who can't legally hire STEM OPT students. Migrate Mate filters Network Systems Administrator openings by verified E-Verify enrollment, so every application you send goes to an employer already set up to bring you on.
Negotiate your start date around DSO processing time
Your DSO must update your SEVIS record and issue a new I-20 before your STEM OPT extension becomes valid. That processing takes time, so align your offer letter start date with that window rather than accepting a date that leaves you in a gap.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Network Systems Administrator role qualify for STEM OPT?
Yes, if your employer classifies the role under a qualifying SOC code and your degree carries a CIP code on ICE's STEM OPT designated degree list. Degrees in computer engineering, information systems, computer science, and network and system administration typically qualify. Confirm the CIP code with your DSO and verify the job description reflects technical duties consistent with your field of study.
Does my employer need to be enrolled in E-Verify for STEM OPT?
Yes. E-Verify enrollment is a strict legal requirement for any employer hiring a STEM OPT student. Enrollment in E-Verify is not the same as being registered or having used it in the past. Confirm active enrollment through the E-Verify employer search before accepting an offer. Without it, you cannot lawfully work under the STEM OPT extension regardless of how the job is structured.
What goes into an I-983 training plan for a network systems role?
The I-983 must document specific learning objectives that connect your day-to-day duties to your STEM degree. For a Network Systems Administrator, that means listing concrete skills like firewall management, VPN configuration, network performance analysis, or cloud infrastructure deployment alongside the degree competencies they reinforce. Vague objectives like 'gain technical experience' are insufficient. Both you and your employer must sign the form, and your DSO reviews it before approving the extension.
What happens to my STEM OPT if my employer loses E-Verify enrollment?
If your employer's E-Verify enrollment lapses or is terminated after your STEM OPT begins, your authorization to work for that employer is no longer valid. USCIS requires continuous E-Verify enrollment throughout your entire STEM OPT period. You would need to find a new E-Verify-enrolled employer and update your SEVIS record through your DSO. Do not continue working for an employer that is no longer enrolled.
How do I find Network Systems Administrator jobs that accept STEM OPT?
Migrate Mate lists Network Systems Administrator openings filtered by employers who are enrolled in E-Verify and have a history of hiring international candidates. That filtering matters because it removes the step of having to verify eligibility manually for each application. Search Migrate Mate directly to see current openings matched to STEM OPT requirements.