Government OPT Jobs in Maryland
Maryland's government sector offers F-1 OPT candidates strong opportunities across federal agencies, defense contractors, and public research institutions concentrated in the Washington D.C. corridor. Employers like the National Institutes of Health, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, and federal contractors in Bethesda and Silver Spring regularly hire international graduates in technical, scientific, and policy-oriented roles during OPT status.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
The Maryland Commission on Civil Rights (MCCR) is the agency responsible for enforcement of anti-discrimination and civil rights laws for the State of Maryland. MCCR is charged with investigating and administratively processing complaints that allege discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations and the State's commercial non-discrimination policy.
GRADE
20
LOCATION OF POSITION
Maryland Commission on Civil Rights
William Donald Schaefer Tower
6 Saint Paul Street
Baltimore, MD 21202
POSITION DUTIES
The main purpose of this position is to implement State Government Title 20 Human Relations of the Annotated Code of Maryland. This position will assist the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights' General Counsel in fulfilling the statutory duties described in SGA, §20-206 (d)-(e) of the Annotated Code of Maryland, primarily by providing legal representation for the Agency in all legal and administrative proceedings, including public hearings, administrative appeals, State and federal court proceedings; to provide legal advice to Agency staff; and to assist the General Counsel in other special projects.
This is a Special Appointment position and serves at the pleasure of the Appointing Authority.
- Litigating agency cases at public hearings, before the appeal board of the Commission and in the state and federal courts (in housing discrimination cases, this position may require litigating before a jury in State circuit court) but are not limited to: Preparing and filing statements of charges, pre-hearing motions, pleadings, papers, and legal memoranda, etc.
- Investigating cases, interviewing witnesses, gathering documents and filing discovery requests.
- Advocating at public hearings, court hearings and trials including examining/cross examining lay and expert witnesses, presenting evidence and oral arguments.
- Negotiating and drafting settlement agreements. Litigating in other court actions including subpoena enforcement, injunctions and defending the Agency.
- Conducting legal research and preparing in-house legal memoranda and advisory opinions.
- Providing assistance in special projects as assigned and in legislative functions such as bill drafting, testimony preparation, legal analysis of bills and regulation drafting.
- Assisting in the supervision and training of less experienced Attorneys and provide training for Commission staff and other interested parties.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education: A Juris Doctor degree or equivalent degree from an accredited school of law.
Experience: Experience as a practicing Attorney.
Notes:
- Candidates must be a member of the Maryland Bar at the time of appointment.
- The above requirements are set by the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights in accordance with State Government Article, Title 20 Human Relations of the Annotated Code of Maryland.
- Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in judge advocate general classification or judge advocate general specialty codes in the general attorney field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience and education.
DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Litigation experience.
SELECTION PROCESS
Please make sure that you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment. All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date. We will not consider information submitted after this date. Successful candidates will be placed on the eligible (employment) list for at least one year.
EXAMINATION PROCESS
The evaluation may consist of a rating of your education, training, and experience related to the requirements of the position. It is important that you provide complete and accurate information on your application. Please report all experience and education that is related to this position.
BENEFITS
STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS
FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS
Online applications are highly recommended. However, if you are unable to apply online, the paper application and supplemental questionnaire may be submitted to: Department of Budget and Management, Recruitment and Examination Division, 301 W. Preston St., Baltimore, MD 21201. Paper application materials must be received in our office by the closing date for the recruitment. No postmarks will be accepted.
For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact the DBM Recruitment and Examination Division at Application.Help@maryland.gov or 410-767-4850, MD TTY Relay Service 1-800-735-2258.
We thank our Veterans for their service to our country.
People with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.
As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruitment, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State's diversity.
INTRODUCTION
The Maryland Commission on Civil Rights (MCCR) is the agency responsible for enforcement of anti-discrimination and civil rights laws for the State of Maryland. MCCR is charged with investigating and administratively processing complaints that allege discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations and the State's commercial non-discrimination policy.
GRADE
20
LOCATION OF POSITION
Maryland Commission on Civil Rights
William Donald Schaefer Tower
6 Saint Paul Street
Baltimore, MD 21202
POSITION DUTIES
The main purpose of this position is to implement State Government Title 20 Human Relations of the Annotated Code of Maryland. This position will assist the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights' General Counsel in fulfilling the statutory duties described in SGA, §20-206 (d)-(e) of the Annotated Code of Maryland, primarily by providing legal representation for the Agency in all legal and administrative proceedings, including public hearings, administrative appeals, State and federal court proceedings; to provide legal advice to Agency staff; and to assist the General Counsel in other special projects.
This is a Special Appointment position and serves at the pleasure of the Appointing Authority.
- Litigating agency cases at public hearings, before the appeal board of the Commission and in the state and federal courts (in housing discrimination cases, this position may require litigating before a jury in State circuit court) but are not limited to: Preparing and filing statements of charges, pre-hearing motions, pleadings, papers, and legal memoranda, etc.
- Investigating cases, interviewing witnesses, gathering documents and filing discovery requests.
- Advocating at public hearings, court hearings and trials including examining/cross examining lay and expert witnesses, presenting evidence and oral arguments.
- Negotiating and drafting settlement agreements. Litigating in other court actions including subpoena enforcement, injunctions and defending the Agency.
- Conducting legal research and preparing in-house legal memoranda and advisory opinions.
- Providing assistance in special projects as assigned and in legislative functions such as bill drafting, testimony preparation, legal analysis of bills and regulation drafting.
- Assisting in the supervision and training of less experienced Attorneys and provide training for Commission staff and other interested parties.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education: A Juris Doctor degree or equivalent degree from an accredited school of law.
Experience: Experience as a practicing Attorney.
Notes:
- Candidates must be a member of the Maryland Bar at the time of appointment.
- The above requirements are set by the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights in accordance with State Government Article, Title 20 Human Relations of the Annotated Code of Maryland.
- Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in judge advocate general classification or judge advocate general specialty codes in the general attorney field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience and education.
DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Litigation experience.
SELECTION PROCESS
Please make sure that you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment. All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date. We will not consider information submitted after this date. Successful candidates will be placed on the eligible (employment) list for at least one year.
EXAMINATION PROCESS
The evaluation may consist of a rating of your education, training, and experience related to the requirements of the position. It is important that you provide complete and accurate information on your application. Please report all experience and education that is related to this position.
BENEFITS
STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS
FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS
Online applications are highly recommended. However, if you are unable to apply online, the paper application and supplemental questionnaire may be submitted to: Department of Budget and Management, Recruitment and Examination Division, 301 W. Preston St., Baltimore, MD 21201. Paper application materials must be received in our office by the closing date for the recruitment. No postmarks will be accepted.
For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact the DBM Recruitment and Examination Division at Application.Help@maryland.gov or 410-767-4850, MD TTY Relay Service 1-800-735-2258.
We thank our Veterans for their service to our country.
People with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.
As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruitment, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State's diversity.
OPT Government Job Roles in Maryland
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Search Government Jobs in MarylandGovernment OPT Sponsorship Jobs in Maryland: Frequently Asked Questions
Which government employers in Maryland sponsor F-1 OPT workers?
Federal agencies and contractors with a significant presence in Maryland are among the most active OPT employers in the government sector. The National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology in Gaithersburg regularly hire F-1 OPT holders. Large defense and government contractors such as Leidos, Booz Allen Hamilton, and SAIC also maintain substantial Maryland operations and have established patterns of hiring international graduates.
Which cities in Maryland have the most government F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs?
The Montgomery County corridor, particularly Bethesda, Rockville, and Gaithersburg, concentrates the highest density of government and federal contractor OPT positions due to proximity to D.C. federal agencies. Greenbelt and College Park benefit from the NASA Goddard and University of Maryland nexus. Baltimore also offers opportunities through federal health agencies, the Social Security Administration headquarters, and state government offices hiring in administrative and technical roles.
What types of government roles typically qualify for F-1 OPT sponsorship in Maryland?
Roles that align directly with a graduate's degree field are most commonly approved under F-1 OPT in Maryland's government sector. These include data analyst, public health researcher, software engineer, environmental scientist, policy analyst, and cybersecurity specialist positions. STEM OPT extension eligibility is particularly relevant here, as many federal agency and contractor roles in IT, engineering, and the life sciences meet the STEM designation requirements, allowing eligible graduates up to 36 months of work authorization.
How do I find government F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in Maryland?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for international students and graduates seeking visa-friendly government roles, including F-1 OPT positions in Maryland. Listings are filtered by visa sponsorship type and industry, so you can search directly for government sector employers in Maryland who have hired OPT workers rather than sorting through general job boards. Using Migrate Mate alongside your university's international student office resources gives you the most targeted approach for government F-1 OPT opportunities in the state.
Are there any Maryland-specific considerations for F-1 OPT in the government sector?
Security clearance requirements are a significant factor for many Maryland government and contractor roles. F-1 OPT holders are generally not eligible for U.S. security clearances, which restricts access to certain positions at defense agencies and classified contractors. However, a large share of Maryland federal agency roles, particularly in public health, research, and data science, do not require clearances. It's also worth noting that Maryland's proximity to D.C. means some federal employers post Maryland-based positions through both state and federal hiring systems.