Government Jobs in California with F-1 OPT Sponsorship
Government F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in California span federal agencies, state departments, and public universities across Sacramento, Los Angeles, and the Bay Area. Employers like the California Department of Technology, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and UC system campuses regularly bring on OPT candidates in policy, data, engineering, and research roles supporting California's large public sector.
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Get Access To All JobsCompany Description
Announcement reopened on 04/01/2026 to allow for more applications.
Application Opening: 03/19/2026
Application Filing Deadline: 04/15/2026
Annual Salary: $88,374 - $121,030
* Recruitment ID: TPV-3434-162680 (RTF0162679-01148853)
APPOINTMENT TYPE: Provisional (TPV)
This is not a permanent appointment. A provisional appointee must participate and be successful in a Civil Service examination for this classification and be selected through an open competitive process in order to be considered for permanent appointment. Provisional appointments may not exceed three (3) years.
WHO ARE WE?
San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC)
Headquartered in San Francisco, we have 2,300 employees operating across eight counties serving more than 2.7 million customers in the San Francisco Bay Area – 24 hours per day, 365 days per year.
Our Mission:
To provide our customers with high quality, efficient, and reliable water, power, and wastewater services in a manner that values environmental and community interests and sustains the resources entrusted to our care.
Our Vision:
We are an innovative utility leader, recognized for excellent results in service, safety, stewardship, and inclusiveness. We are an award-winning and industry-leading utilities organization committed to our customers, community interests, and the environment.
Job Description
Under general supervision, performs duties involving the maintenance and removal of trees and other vegetation and performs related duties as required. The essential functions of this class include climbing up trees and/or using aerial lift equipment to reach dead, damaged or unwanted limbs or tree tops for removal and pruning, or for purposes of complete tree removal; performing various types of rigging with cranes, skitters, tractors and other heavy equipment; preparing brush for disposal, operating chipper and driving aerial lift equipment vehicles, heavy loader trucks or other required vehicles. Nature of the work involves exposure to a high risk of physical injury to the employee and constant vigilance to public safety. Positions in this job code require considerable physical demands, manual dexterity with frequent exposure to arduous and disagreeable working conditions, including inclement weather.
Essential Functions:
- Assesses and evaluates condition of trees and other vegetation; maintains tree inventories.
- Climbs trees and removes dead, diseased or otherwise damaged or unwanted limbs or tree tops; prunes, fells and cuts up trees; piles trimmings for pick up and disposal.
- Performs various types of rigging in connection with this work; operates chain and hand saws, aerial ladder truck, chipper, and other equipment.
- Drives heavy equipment.
- Performs related duties as assigned.
Nature of the work:
This work involves exposure to a high risk of physical injury to the employee and constant vigilance to public safety. Positions in this job code require considerable physical demands, manual dexterity with frequent exposure to arduous and disagreeable working conditions, including inclement weather.
Qualifications
Education: Possession of a high school diploma or equivalent (GED or High School Proficiency Examination).
Experience: Three (3) years of verified journey-level experience as a tree work professional. Duties must have included climbing trees of considerable height for the purpose of removing tree limbs, treetops or entire tree in accordance with safety standards. Experience in pruning trees from a ladder is not qualifying experience.
AND
License and Certification:
- Possession of a valid California Class C driver’s license at the time of application;
- Possession of a valid California Class B driver’s license with no air brakes restriction is required upon completion of the probationary period.
Substitution: Successful completion of an Arborist Technician Apprenticeship Program approved and registered with the California Division of Apprenticeship Standards. Applicants must meet the minimum qualification requirement by the final filing date unless otherwise noted.
Desirable Qualifications:
The stated desirable qualifications may be considered at the end of the selection process when candidates are referred for hiring.
- Possession of Class B license, AND
- Possession of Arborist Technician certification through the International Society of Arboriculture or ability to obtain certification within 18 months of appointment.
Verification of Education and Experience:
Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. Education verification information on verifying foreign education credits or degree equivalency can be found at https://sfdhr.org/how-verify-education-requirements
Note:
Falsifying one’s education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City and County of San Francisco. All work experience, education, training and other information substantiating how you meet the minimum qualifications must be included on your application by the filing deadline. Information submitted after the filing deadline will not be considered in determining whether you meet the minimum qualifications. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed City and County of San Francisco application. Applications completed improperly may be cause for ineligibility, disqualification or may lead to lower scores.
Safety Sensitive Position Requirements:
The City and County of San Francisco’s Substance Abuse Policy, in compliance with the Department of Transportation Omnibus Transportation Employer Testing Act of 1991 employing the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) regulations, requires drug and alcohol testing for employees in “safety-sensitive” positions. This Class 3434 Arborist Technician position qualifies as “safety-sensitive” as defined by the FMCSA and FTA regulations. The selected applicants for “safety-sensitive” positions will be required to pass a Pre-Employment drug test prior to appointment and shall be subject to Random, Post-Accident, Reasonable Suspicion, Return-To-Duty, and Follow-Up testing during employment. Prior to appointment to an FMCSA “safety-sensitive” position, each applicant who has participated in a DOT drug and alcohol testing program within the immediately preceding three (3) years will be required to sign a consent form authorizing the City to contact his/her prior employers concerning his/her drug and alcohol test history.
How To Apply
Applications for City and County of San Francisco jobs are only accepted through an online process. Visit https://careers.smartrecruiters.com/CityAndCountyOfSanFrancisco1/ and begin the application process.
- Select the “Apply Now” button and follow instructions on the screen
Applicants may be contacted by email about this recruitment and, therefore, it is their responsibility to ensure that their registered email address is accurate and updated. Also, applicants must ensure that email from CCSF is not blocked on their computer by a spam filter. To prevent blocking, applicants should set up their email to accept CCSF mail from the following addresses (@sfgov.org, @sfdpw.org, @sfport.com, @flysfo.com, @sfwater.org, @sfdph.org, @asianart.org, @sfmta.com, @sfpl.org, @dcyf.org, @first5sf.org, @famsf.org, @ccsf.edu, @smartalerts.info, and @smartrecruiters.com).
Applicants will receive a confirmation email that their online application has been received in response to every announcement for which they file. Applicants should retain this confirmation email for their records.
Failure to receive this email means that the online application was not submitted or received.
Job Analyst Information:
If you have any questions regarding this recruitment or application process, please contact the job analyst at ymirabueno@sfwater.org.
The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.
Company Description
Announcement reopened on 04/01/2026 to allow for more applications.
Application Opening: 03/19/2026
Application Filing Deadline: 04/15/2026
Annual Salary: $88,374 - $121,030
* Recruitment ID: TPV-3434-162680 (RTF0162679-01148853)
APPOINTMENT TYPE: Provisional (TPV)
This is not a permanent appointment. A provisional appointee must participate and be successful in a Civil Service examination for this classification and be selected through an open competitive process in order to be considered for permanent appointment. Provisional appointments may not exceed three (3) years.
WHO ARE WE?
San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC)
Headquartered in San Francisco, we have 2,300 employees operating across eight counties serving more than 2.7 million customers in the San Francisco Bay Area – 24 hours per day, 365 days per year.
Our Mission:
To provide our customers with high quality, efficient, and reliable water, power, and wastewater services in a manner that values environmental and community interests and sustains the resources entrusted to our care.
Our Vision:
We are an innovative utility leader, recognized for excellent results in service, safety, stewardship, and inclusiveness. We are an award-winning and industry-leading utilities organization committed to our customers, community interests, and the environment.
Job Description
Under general supervision, performs duties involving the maintenance and removal of trees and other vegetation and performs related duties as required. The essential functions of this class include climbing up trees and/or using aerial lift equipment to reach dead, damaged or unwanted limbs or tree tops for removal and pruning, or for purposes of complete tree removal; performing various types of rigging with cranes, skitters, tractors and other heavy equipment; preparing brush for disposal, operating chipper and driving aerial lift equipment vehicles, heavy loader trucks or other required vehicles. Nature of the work involves exposure to a high risk of physical injury to the employee and constant vigilance to public safety. Positions in this job code require considerable physical demands, manual dexterity with frequent exposure to arduous and disagreeable working conditions, including inclement weather.
Essential Functions:
- Assesses and evaluates condition of trees and other vegetation; maintains tree inventories.
- Climbs trees and removes dead, diseased or otherwise damaged or unwanted limbs or tree tops; prunes, fells and cuts up trees; piles trimmings for pick up and disposal.
- Performs various types of rigging in connection with this work; operates chain and hand saws, aerial ladder truck, chipper, and other equipment.
- Drives heavy equipment.
- Performs related duties as assigned.
Nature of the work:
This work involves exposure to a high risk of physical injury to the employee and constant vigilance to public safety. Positions in this job code require considerable physical demands, manual dexterity with frequent exposure to arduous and disagreeable working conditions, including inclement weather.
Qualifications
Education: Possession of a high school diploma or equivalent (GED or High School Proficiency Examination).
Experience: Three (3) years of verified journey-level experience as a tree work professional. Duties must have included climbing trees of considerable height for the purpose of removing tree limbs, treetops or entire tree in accordance with safety standards. Experience in pruning trees from a ladder is not qualifying experience.
AND
License and Certification:
- Possession of a valid California Class C driver’s license at the time of application;
- Possession of a valid California Class B driver’s license with no air brakes restriction is required upon completion of the probationary period.
Substitution: Successful completion of an Arborist Technician Apprenticeship Program approved and registered with the California Division of Apprenticeship Standards. Applicants must meet the minimum qualification requirement by the final filing date unless otherwise noted.
Desirable Qualifications:
The stated desirable qualifications may be considered at the end of the selection process when candidates are referred for hiring.
- Possession of Class B license, AND
- Possession of Arborist Technician certification through the International Society of Arboriculture or ability to obtain certification within 18 months of appointment.
Verification of Education and Experience:
Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. Education verification information on verifying foreign education credits or degree equivalency can be found at https://sfdhr.org/how-verify-education-requirements
Note:
Falsifying one’s education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City and County of San Francisco. All work experience, education, training and other information substantiating how you meet the minimum qualifications must be included on your application by the filing deadline. Information submitted after the filing deadline will not be considered in determining whether you meet the minimum qualifications. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed City and County of San Francisco application. Applications completed improperly may be cause for ineligibility, disqualification or may lead to lower scores.
Safety Sensitive Position Requirements:
The City and County of San Francisco’s Substance Abuse Policy, in compliance with the Department of Transportation Omnibus Transportation Employer Testing Act of 1991 employing the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) regulations, requires drug and alcohol testing for employees in “safety-sensitive” positions. This Class 3434 Arborist Technician position qualifies as “safety-sensitive” as defined by the FMCSA and FTA regulations. The selected applicants for “safety-sensitive” positions will be required to pass a Pre-Employment drug test prior to appointment and shall be subject to Random, Post-Accident, Reasonable Suspicion, Return-To-Duty, and Follow-Up testing during employment. Prior to appointment to an FMCSA “safety-sensitive” position, each applicant who has participated in a DOT drug and alcohol testing program within the immediately preceding three (3) years will be required to sign a consent form authorizing the City to contact his/her prior employers concerning his/her drug and alcohol test history.
How To Apply
Applications for City and County of San Francisco jobs are only accepted through an online process. Visit https://careers.smartrecruiters.com/CityAndCountyOfSanFrancisco1/ and begin the application process.
- Select the “Apply Now” button and follow instructions on the screen
Applicants may be contacted by email about this recruitment and, therefore, it is their responsibility to ensure that their registered email address is accurate and updated. Also, applicants must ensure that email from CCSF is not blocked on their computer by a spam filter. To prevent blocking, applicants should set up their email to accept CCSF mail from the following addresses (@sfgov.org, @sfdpw.org, @sfport.com, @flysfo.com, @sfwater.org, @sfdph.org, @asianart.org, @sfmta.com, @sfpl.org, @dcyf.org, @first5sf.org, @famsf.org, @ccsf.edu, @smartalerts.info, and @smartrecruiters.com).
Applicants will receive a confirmation email that their online application has been received in response to every announcement for which they file. Applicants should retain this confirmation email for their records.
Failure to receive this email means that the online application was not submitted or received.
Job Analyst Information:
If you have any questions regarding this recruitment or application process, please contact the job analyst at ymirabueno@sfwater.org.
The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.
Job Roles in Government in California
See all 568+ Government California jobs
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Which government employers in California sponsor F-1 OPT workers?
Federal agencies with a significant California presence, including NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, the Department of Defense installations, and NOAA's West Coast offices, have hired F-1 OPT candidates. At the state level, the California Department of Technology and California Environmental Protection Agency have brought on OPT workers. The University of California and California State University systems are among the most active public employers hiring international students on OPT.
Which cities in California have the most government F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs?
Sacramento concentrates the highest volume of state government roles, as it is the state capital and home to most California agency headquarters. Los Angeles and the surrounding region host major federal installations and public university campuses. San Francisco and Oakland offer city and county government positions alongside federal offices. San Jose and Berkeley have strong public-sector research and technology roles tied to nearby university and federal lab activity.
What types of government roles typically qualify for F-1 OPT sponsorship in California?
Roles in data analysis, software engineering, environmental science, public health, urban planning, and research tend to align well with OPT eligibility because they directly connect to STEM or professional degree fields. Policy analyst and program coordinator positions at state agencies have also hired OPT candidates when the role relates to the applicant's field of study. Eligibility depends on whether the work directly relates to the degree that authorized the OPT period.
How do I find government F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in California?
Migrate Mate lists government F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in California in one place, so you can filter specifically by visa type and industry without sorting through roles that don't apply to your status. Government positions in California move quickly, particularly at state agencies and federal offices with active hiring cycles. Checking Migrate Mate regularly and setting up filters for California government roles gives you the best view of what is currently available.
Are there any California-specific considerations for F-1 OPT in government roles?
Many federal government positions in California require security clearances, which can complicate or restrict hiring of F-1 OPT holders depending on the clearance level required. State government roles generally do not carry the same clearance requirements, making them more accessible. California's public universities operate under different hiring frameworks than state agencies and often have established processes for employing international students on OPT, particularly in research and technical departments.
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