Government OPT Jobs in Massachusetts
Massachusetts is one of the strongest states for government F-1 OPT jobs, with major employers including federal agencies in Boston, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Technology Services, and research-adjacent public institutions. Boston, Cambridge, and Springfield concentrate the most opportunities, particularly in policy analysis, data science, public health, and IT roles that align with STEM OPT extensions.
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PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT DESCRIPTION:
The Recovery Services Bureau (RSB) provides comprehensive programs and resources designed to reduce the harms associated with substance use, support recovery, and prevent substance use among youth. RSB operates across the continuum of care, offering outreach and engagement, harm reduction and drug user health services, overdose prevention and naloxone distribution, treatment navigation and referrals, residential treatment, recovery support services, community prevention, and other supports for individuals and families.
With 150 staff working across over 10 programs, RSB serves individuals at different stages of substance use and recovery throughout Boston. The Mattapan Campus is home to several residential substance use disorder treatment programs that provide structured treatment and support to individuals and families.
Harm reduction principles and practices are integrated throughout RSB’s programs and levels of care, recognizing that people may enter services with different needs, goals, and experiences. Through its programs, partnerships, and services, RSB works to reduce overdose and other substance-related harms, improve access to care, strengthen pathways to recovery, and reinforce the message that recovery is possible.
Duties
Works to help BPHC advance as an antiracist organization by meeting or exceeding the standards set by the Boston Public Health Commission’s Anti-Racism Policy.
Human Resources
- Works closely with the Boston Public Health Commission’s (BPHC) Human Resources (HR) department and Office of Labor and Employment (OLE) to ensure RSB staff are in compliance with BPHC policies.
- Investigates reports of policy violations involving RSB staff and management. This includes conducting fact-finding witness interviews, collecting supporting evidence, and providing a written summary with recommendations.
- Communicates with staff regarding compliance with policy requirements, including but not limited, to annual influenza vaccination requirement, annual residency verification requirement, annual policy distributions, and other matters involving personnel administration.
- Works with HR Recruiting team and payroll team as needed regarding RSB matters.
- Represents assigned Bureaus at internal employee hearings and external unemployment hearings.
- Supports Human Resources in reviewing and responding to requests for reasonable accommodations.
- Serves as the RSB information officer and liaison to HR and OLE.
Office of Labor and Employment
- Conduct investigations of alleged violations of BPHC policy, including the Anti-Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation policy, when assigned.
- Ensures RSB compliance with applicable collective bargaining agreements.
- Assists the Labor and Employment and General Counsel offices in gathering information related to internal investigations.
- Serves as a management representative on labor-management committees as assigned.
- Attends grievance and arbitration hearings, and represents management in grievance and arbitration process, including but not limited to hearing and adjustment of employee grievances.
Staff Training /Professional Development
- Works with RSB directors and managers to identify and provide training for program staff.
- Partners with HR to oversee staff compliance and tracking of required trainings.
- Develop system for monitoring up-to-date records of required licenses and certifications.
- Trains, assists, or ensures training RSB staff on applicable BPHC policies and procedures as needed including the BPHC’s Anti-Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation and Sexual Harassment Policies.
- Participates and helps coordinate RSB New Employee Orientation with RSB Leadership.
Other
- Expected to exercise sound judgment and professional discretion to support RSB management and staff.
- Participates in committees and in special projects regarding RSB personnel, as assigned.
- Make and recommend management and personnel decisions for, including but not limited to promotion, transfer and assignment of staff, and imposition of discipline.
- Perform other duties as required.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Knowledge of or willingness to learn about the role of public health in addressing racism, the social determinants of health, and inequities in health outcomes as well as strategies to advance racial justice and health equity.
- Bachelor's degree and 4-6 years of relevant managerial experience or a Master's degree in human resources, MBA, MPA may be substituted for 2 years of experience.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Experience in unionized work environments and proficient understanding of collective bargaining agreements.
- Experience with HR investigations to review violations of internal policies and procedures.
- Ability to interact sensitively and professionally with persons from diverse cultural, socio-economic, educational and professional backgrounds.
- Ability to develop and manage administrative policies and procedures that maximize effectiveness and efficiency of direct service programs.
- Demonstrated experience working in urban environments and with diverse client and provider populations.
- Prior experience working with local, state and/or federal government.
- Knowledge of Boston community and neighborhoods is desirable.
- Able to follow directions and work harmoniously with staff.
- Bilingual and bicultural skills are desirable.
- Experience in crisis management a plus.
- Strong analytic skills.
- Previous experience in Microsoft Office and HRIS database.
LOCATION
- City of Boston residency is required; Allston, Back Bay, Bay Village, Beacon Hill, Brighton, Charlestown, Chinatown, Dorchester, Downtown, East Boston, Fenway-Kenmore, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain, Mattapan, Mid-Dorchester, Mission Hill, North End, Roslindale, Roxbury, South Boston, South End, West End, West Roxbury, Wharf district.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
- A Criminal Offenders Records Information request must be completed for this position. However, a record is not an automatic bar to employment but is reviewed in relation to the job applied for.
- Certain immunizations will be recommended and/or required prior to commencement of employment duties.
- Any position that requires an advanced degree will be subject to education verification.
- Certain positions at the BPHC may be Grant Funded.
- The Boston Public Health Commission is an EEO Employer and all applicants meeting the minimum requirements are eligible to apply.
- Certain positions at the BPHC may require Child Protective Service Background verification.
- The advertised shift and schedule are subject to change at the department's discretion.
SCHEDULE
- 35 hours/week, Monday – Friday, 9 AM - 5 PM
COMPENSATION
- $85,000 - $95,000 annually
OPT Government Job Roles in Massachusetts
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Search Government Jobs in MassachusettsGovernment OPT Sponsorship Jobs in Massachusetts: Frequently Asked Questions
Which government employers in Massachusetts sponsor F-1 OPT visas?
Federal agencies with significant Massachusetts presences, including the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA Boston Healthcare System), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (New England District), and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, have hired F-1 OPT workers. State agencies like MassTech and the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs also post roles that accommodate OPT authorization, particularly in STEM-designated fields.
Which cities in Massachusetts have the most government F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs?
Boston concentrates the largest share of government F-1 OPT roles, driven by its federal office presence, public health agencies, and proximity to research institutions. Cambridge hosts policy and research-oriented public sector positions, often connected to federally funded programs. Worcester and Springfield have smaller but consistent clusters of state government roles in public administration, IT, and social services that periodically accommodate OPT candidates.
What types of government roles typically qualify for F-1 OPT sponsorship in Massachusetts?
Roles in data analysis, cybersecurity, public health research, environmental science, and IT infrastructure are common qualifying positions because they align with STEM OPT extension eligibility, giving employers a 36-month authorization window. Policy analyst and program coordinator positions may qualify under standard 12-month OPT if the degree field directly matches the role. Government contracting firms operating in Massachusetts also regularly hire OPT candidates for technical positions supporting federal clients.
How do I find government F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in Massachusetts?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for international students and filters government F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in Massachusetts by employer, role type, and OPT eligibility, saving significant research time. Beyond Migrate Mate, it helps to target federal contractors headquartered in the Boston metro area, as they frequently hire OPT candidates for technically oriented government support roles and are generally more experienced with the authorization process than smaller state agencies.
Are there any Massachusetts-specific considerations for F-1 OPT in the government sector?
Massachusetts state government positions may require security clearance background checks that can complicate or extend the OPT hiring timeline, since clearance processing does not pause when OPT expires. Federal agency roles in Massachusetts are also subject to the government-wide hiring freeze exceptions, meaning OPT candidates should verify a position's funding status before investing significant time in the application. STEM OPT extension candidates benefit from Massachusetts's concentration of federally funded research environments.