OPT Jobs in Arkansas
Arkansas's F-1 OPT job market is concentrated in healthcare, agriculture technology, retail supply chain, and logistics, with the strongest employer density in Little Rock, Fayetteville, and Bentonville. Major corporations headquartered here actively hire OPT candidates across engineering, data, and business functions.
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Get Access To All JobsDate: Jun 12, 2026
Req ID: 57933
Location:
North Little Rock, AR, US, 72114
Category: DEPT OF COMMUNITY CORRECTION
Anticipated Starting Salary: $43,088.00
Position Number: 22083767
County: Pulaski
Posting End Date: June 19, 2026
Anticipated Starting Salary: $40,088.00
Location: Area 7 - North Little Rock
The mission of the Department of Corrections is to be a public safety resource for Arkansas families by providing professional management solutions and evidence-based rehabilitative initiatives for offenders.
All DOC positions are designated as Safety Sensitive Positions and are subject to random drug testing pursuant to the Secretarial Directive governing Personnel Drug Testing. Medical marijuana usage, as defined in Amendment 93 of the Arkansas Constitution, prohibits Personnel in a Safety-Sensitive Position from the use of medical marijuana even if they are qualifying patients under the amendment and/or hold a registry identification card. Department Personnel are prohibited from the use or possession of a medicinal marijuana card pursuant to this policy and state law.
Position Information
Job Series: Administrative Support – Independent
Classification: Career Placement Specialist
Class Code: PAS06I
Pay Grade: SGS04
Salary Range: $43,088 - $63,770
Job Summary
The Career Placement Specialist plays a key role in helping individuals in Arkansas identify and secure employment opportunities. This position is responsible for providing career counseling, facilitating job placement services, and guiding clients through the process of finding suitable work that aligns with their skills and career goals. The Career Placement Specialist works closely with job seekers, employers, and various state and local resources to ensure that individuals are matched with appropriate job opportunities, while also supporting their long-term career development.
Primary Responsibilities
- Conduct assessments to understand the needs, skills, and goals of individuals seeking employment.
- Provide career counseling services to guide clients through the job search process, including resume writing, interview preparation, and job search strategies.
- Assist clients in identifying career pathways, educational opportunities, and job training programs that match their skill sets and career aspirations.
- Match job seekers with appropriate job openings by considering their skills, qualifications, and interests.
- Act as a liaison between job seekers and employers, providing support and advocacy during the hiring process.
- Coordinate and collaborate with workforce development agencies, educational institutions, and community-based organizations to provide job seekers with resources and training opportunities.
- Organize and facilitate job fairs, workshops, and hiring events to connect job seekers with potential employers.
- Provide ongoing support to placed individuals to ensure successful employment and career advancement.
- Address any issues related to job retention, such as workplace challenges or skills development, and provide resources as needed.
Knowledge and Skills
- Workforce development principles and practices.
- Employment laws, regulations, and labor market trends in Arkansas.
- Local, state, and federal programs and resources related to employment and career services.
- Job search tools and techniques, including resume writing, interview preparation, and job networking strategies.
- Career development tools and job training programs available within the state.
- Ability to develop and maintain relationships with a variety of stakeholders, including employers, training providers, and government agencies.
- Ability to remain motivated, adaptable, and client-focused in a fast-paced environment.
- Organizational skills to manage multiple cases and job placement efforts simultaneously.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and career placement software or databases.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in human services, business administration, psychology, social work, or a related field preferred. At least two years of professional experience in career counseling, workforce development, job placement, or a related field.
Licensure/Certifications
N/A OTHER JOB RELATED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE MAY BE SUBSTITUTED FOR ALL OR PART OF THESE BASIC REQUIREMENTS, EXCEPT FOR CERTIFICATION OR LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS, UPON APPROVAL OF THE QUALIFICATIONS REVIEW COMMITTEE.
The State of Arkansas is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, citizenship, national origin, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by law.
Date: Jun 12, 2026
Req ID: 57933
Location:
North Little Rock, AR, US, 72114
Category: DEPT OF COMMUNITY CORRECTION
Anticipated Starting Salary: $43,088.00
Position Number: 22083767
County: Pulaski
Posting End Date: June 19, 2026
Anticipated Starting Salary: $40,088.00
Location: Area 7 - North Little Rock
The mission of the Department of Corrections is to be a public safety resource for Arkansas families by providing professional management solutions and evidence-based rehabilitative initiatives for offenders.
All DOC positions are designated as Safety Sensitive Positions and are subject to random drug testing pursuant to the Secretarial Directive governing Personnel Drug Testing. Medical marijuana usage, as defined in Amendment 93 of the Arkansas Constitution, prohibits Personnel in a Safety-Sensitive Position from the use of medical marijuana even if they are qualifying patients under the amendment and/or hold a registry identification card. Department Personnel are prohibited from the use or possession of a medicinal marijuana card pursuant to this policy and state law.
Position Information
Job Series: Administrative Support – Independent
Classification: Career Placement Specialist
Class Code: PAS06I
Pay Grade: SGS04
Salary Range: $43,088 - $63,770
Job Summary
The Career Placement Specialist plays a key role in helping individuals in Arkansas identify and secure employment opportunities. This position is responsible for providing career counseling, facilitating job placement services, and guiding clients through the process of finding suitable work that aligns with their skills and career goals. The Career Placement Specialist works closely with job seekers, employers, and various state and local resources to ensure that individuals are matched with appropriate job opportunities, while also supporting their long-term career development.
Primary Responsibilities
- Conduct assessments to understand the needs, skills, and goals of individuals seeking employment.
- Provide career counseling services to guide clients through the job search process, including resume writing, interview preparation, and job search strategies.
- Assist clients in identifying career pathways, educational opportunities, and job training programs that match their skill sets and career aspirations.
- Match job seekers with appropriate job openings by considering their skills, qualifications, and interests.
- Act as a liaison between job seekers and employers, providing support and advocacy during the hiring process.
- Coordinate and collaborate with workforce development agencies, educational institutions, and community-based organizations to provide job seekers with resources and training opportunities.
- Organize and facilitate job fairs, workshops, and hiring events to connect job seekers with potential employers.
- Provide ongoing support to placed individuals to ensure successful employment and career advancement.
- Address any issues related to job retention, such as workplace challenges or skills development, and provide resources as needed.
Knowledge and Skills
- Workforce development principles and practices.
- Employment laws, regulations, and labor market trends in Arkansas.
- Local, state, and federal programs and resources related to employment and career services.
- Job search tools and techniques, including resume writing, interview preparation, and job networking strategies.
- Career development tools and job training programs available within the state.
- Ability to develop and maintain relationships with a variety of stakeholders, including employers, training providers, and government agencies.
- Ability to remain motivated, adaptable, and client-focused in a fast-paced environment.
- Organizational skills to manage multiple cases and job placement efforts simultaneously.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and career placement software or databases.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in human services, business administration, psychology, social work, or a related field preferred. At least two years of professional experience in career counseling, workforce development, job placement, or a related field.
Licensure/Certifications
N/A OTHER JOB RELATED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE MAY BE SUBSTITUTED FOR ALL OR PART OF THESE BASIC REQUIREMENTS, EXCEPT FOR CERTIFICATION OR LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS, UPON APPROVAL OF THE QUALIFICATIONS REVIEW COMMITTEE.
The State of Arkansas is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, citizenship, national origin, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by law.
Search F-1 OPT Jobs by Industry in Arkansas
Tips for Finding OPT Jobs in Arkansas
Target Bentonville's retail tech ecosystem
Walmart's global headquarters draws dozens of suppliers and tech vendors to Bentonville. Many actively hire OPT candidates in data analytics, supply chain, and software roles. Concentrating your search in this corridor improves your odds significantly.
Leverage university career centers early
University of Arkansas and Arkansas State University have established employer pipelines with regional companies familiar with OPT authorization. Career fairs and on-campus recruiting events often surface employers already experienced with F-1 OPT paperwork.
Prioritize employers with existing OPT track records
Search Migrate Mate to filter Arkansas job postings by employers who have previously sponsored F-1 OPT workers. Employers with prior experience are far more likely to understand the process and move quickly on offers.
Align your STEM designation if eligible
STEM OPT extends your authorization from 12 to 36 months. Roles in computer science, engineering, and biology qualify. Arkansas employers in healthcare IT and agtech are particularly receptive to STEM OPT candidates given the longer runway.
Research healthcare system employers directly
Arkansas Children's Hospital, UAMS, and Baptist Health regularly hire across clinical research, health informatics, and administrative functions. These large systems have dedicated HR teams familiar with work authorization, making them more predictable sponsorship partners.
Factor in start date timelines when applying
OPT authorization must be active before your first day of work. Apply at least 90 days before your intended start date and confirm employers understand OPT lead times. Use Migrate Mate to identify roles with flexible or future-dated start windows.
See all 1,160+ F-1 OPT jobs in Arkansas
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Get Access To All JobsF-1 OPT Jobs in Arkansas: Frequently Asked Questions
Which industries in Arkansas sponsor the most F-1 OPT visas?
Healthcare, retail and supply chain technology, agriculture technology, and information technology are the leading industries for F-1 OPT sponsorship in Arkansas. The concentration of Walmart and its supplier network in Northwest Arkansas creates particularly strong demand for OPT candidates in data, logistics, and software engineering roles.
Which cities in Arkansas have the most F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs?
Bentonville and the broader Northwest Arkansas metro area lead the state, driven by Walmart's headquarters and its ecosystem of technology and logistics vendors. Little Rock follows as the state capital with strong healthcare, government contracting, and financial services employers. Fayetteville, home to the University of Arkansas, also has consistent OPT hiring across tech and research roles.
What types of roles typically qualify for F-1 OPT sponsorship in Arkansas?
Roles must be directly related to your field of study and require practical application of your degree. In Arkansas, qualifying roles commonly include software developer, data analyst, supply chain analyst, clinical research coordinator, mechanical engineer, and health informatics specialist. Positions that are purely administrative or unrelated to your academic program generally do not qualify under OPT rules.
How do I find F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in Arkansas?
Migrate Mate lets you filter job listings specifically by visa type and state, so you can surface Arkansas employers who have posted roles open to F-1 OPT candidates without manually screening hundreds of listings. Combining that with outreach to university career centers and direct applications to large regional employers like Walmart, UAMS, and Dillard's gives you the most complete coverage.
Are there any Arkansas-specific considerations I should know about for F-1 OPT sponsorship?
Arkansas does not impose state-level work authorization requirements beyond federal OPT rules, so the standard USCIS authorization process applies. One practical consideration is that many Arkansas employers outside of Northwest Arkansas and Little Rock are small or mid-sized businesses with limited experience processing OPT authorization. It is worth confirming early in the application process that the employer's HR team is familiar with the requirements and your authorized start date.