Government STEM OPT Jobs in Massachusetts
Government and public sector employers in Massachusetts, from state agencies in Boston to federal research facilities in Cambridge and Worcester, sponsor F-1 STEM OPT students in data science, engineering, cybersecurity, and policy analysis roles. Agencies and federally funded contractors, including MIT Lincoln Laboratory and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, have active STEM OPT hiring histories across the state.
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The City of Boston's Department of Innovation and Technology (DoIT) is seeking a Network Specialist to join our team. This is a foundational, junior-level role responsible for providing essential support to our senior Network Engineers in managing and maintaining the City's extensive network infrastructure.
The City of Boston relies on DoIT to connect over 360 facilities with a Wide Area Network (WAN) and provide full-stack Local Area Network (LAN) support to over 60 critical sites. You will be instrumental in the deployment and maintenance of thousands of wireless access points, routers, and switches. This position offers a fantastic opportunity to gain deep, hands-on experience with a diverse, enterprise-level network environment, directly impacting City services and operations.
Responsibilities
As a Network Specialist, you will be a vital part of the team, supporting the entire lifecycle of network equipment and projects. Your primary responsibilities will include:
- Network Deployment and Configuration: Assist with the configuration, staging, deployment, testing, and troubleshooting of network devices across the City's WAN and LAN infrastructure.
- Physical Infrastructure Support: Actively participate in wiring projects and installations. This involves working with Ethernet (Cat5e/6/6a), fiber optic cabling, and other physical connectivity technologies to ensure robust data transmission.
- Logistics and Inventory Management: Manage the moving, coordinating logistics, and physical racking of new and replacement network equipment (switches, routers, firewalls, servers) across City facilities. Maintain accurate inventory records and asset tracking.
- Monitoring and Maintenance: Perform routine health checks, proactive monitoring, and firmware maintenance on equipment from a variety of vendors.
- Documentation and Knowledge Transfer: Assist in creating and updating technical documentation, network diagrams, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and asset inventories to ensure continuity and knowledge sharing within the team.
- Incident Response: Provide Tier 1/2 support for network-related incidents, performing initial diagnostics and escalating complex or major issues to senior Network Engineers while maintaining clear communication with stakeholders.
Minimum Entrance Qualifications
- Education/Experience: Two (2) years of experience preferred. An Associate's degree may substitute for one (1) year of experience.
- Networking Knowledge: Foundational understanding of core networking concepts (TCP/IP, subnetting, switching, routing basics, wireless technologies). Familiarity with CCNA concepts is required.
- Physical Proficiency: Proven ability to work safely and efficiently in data closets and wiring environments. Ability to lift and move network equipment (up to 50 lbs) and utilize basic hand tools.
- Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to interact professionally and clearly with both technical colleagues and non-technical City staff.
- Soft Skills: A strong willingness to learn, adapt, and work collaboratively in a dynamic, high-stakes municipal environment.
The most successful candidate will possess the following attributes and experience:
- Broad Technology Experience or Interest: Exposure to or basic experience with networking equipment from diverse vendors such as Cisco, Juniper, Aruba, or Ciena.
- Adaptability to Specialized Equipment: A proven ability and enthusiasm to rapidly learn and adapt to specialized networking equipment and protocols beyond standard commercial offerings.
- Proactive Learner: Actively pursues knowledge and skills, perhaps demonstrated by in-progress certifications (e.g., CCNA, JNCIA, ACMA) or self-study in areas like network automation or cloud networking.
- Organizational Skills: Exceptional attention to detail and ability to coordinate complex logistics for equipment moves and deployments across multiple facilities.
- Public Sector Interest: Interest in or experience working within a municipal, public sector, or large-scale institutional environment.
BOSTON RESIDENCY REQUIRED
Terms:
Union/Salary Plan/Grade: SENA/MM1-6
Hours per week: 35 hours
The City of Boston is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We invite applications from all qualified individuals and do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other protected category.
Overview
The City of Boston's Department of Innovation and Technology (DoIT) is seeking a Network Specialist to join our team. This is a foundational, junior-level role responsible for providing essential support to our senior Network Engineers in managing and maintaining the City's extensive network infrastructure.
The City of Boston relies on DoIT to connect over 360 facilities with a Wide Area Network (WAN) and provide full-stack Local Area Network (LAN) support to over 60 critical sites. You will be instrumental in the deployment and maintenance of thousands of wireless access points, routers, and switches. This position offers a fantastic opportunity to gain deep, hands-on experience with a diverse, enterprise-level network environment, directly impacting City services and operations.
Responsibilities
As a Network Specialist, you will be a vital part of the team, supporting the entire lifecycle of network equipment and projects. Your primary responsibilities will include:
- Network Deployment and Configuration: Assist with the configuration, staging, deployment, testing, and troubleshooting of network devices across the City's WAN and LAN infrastructure.
- Physical Infrastructure Support: Actively participate in wiring projects and installations. This involves working with Ethernet (Cat5e/6/6a), fiber optic cabling, and other physical connectivity technologies to ensure robust data transmission.
- Logistics and Inventory Management: Manage the moving, coordinating logistics, and physical racking of new and replacement network equipment (switches, routers, firewalls, servers) across City facilities. Maintain accurate inventory records and asset tracking.
- Monitoring and Maintenance: Perform routine health checks, proactive monitoring, and firmware maintenance on equipment from a variety of vendors.
- Documentation and Knowledge Transfer: Assist in creating and updating technical documentation, network diagrams, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and asset inventories to ensure continuity and knowledge sharing within the team.
- Incident Response: Provide Tier 1/2 support for network-related incidents, performing initial diagnostics and escalating complex or major issues to senior Network Engineers while maintaining clear communication with stakeholders.
Minimum Entrance Qualifications
- Education/Experience: Two (2) years of experience preferred. An Associate's degree may substitute for one (1) year of experience.
- Networking Knowledge: Foundational understanding of core networking concepts (TCP/IP, subnetting, switching, routing basics, wireless technologies). Familiarity with CCNA concepts is required.
- Physical Proficiency: Proven ability to work safely and efficiently in data closets and wiring environments. Ability to lift and move network equipment (up to 50 lbs) and utilize basic hand tools.
- Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to interact professionally and clearly with both technical colleagues and non-technical City staff.
- Soft Skills: A strong willingness to learn, adapt, and work collaboratively in a dynamic, high-stakes municipal environment.
The most successful candidate will possess the following attributes and experience:
- Broad Technology Experience or Interest: Exposure to or basic experience with networking equipment from diverse vendors such as Cisco, Juniper, Aruba, or Ciena.
- Adaptability to Specialized Equipment: A proven ability and enthusiasm to rapidly learn and adapt to specialized networking equipment and protocols beyond standard commercial offerings.
- Proactive Learner: Actively pursues knowledge and skills, perhaps demonstrated by in-progress certifications (e.g., CCNA, JNCIA, ACMA) or self-study in areas like network automation or cloud networking.
- Organizational Skills: Exceptional attention to detail and ability to coordinate complex logistics for equipment moves and deployments across multiple facilities.
- Public Sector Interest: Interest in or experience working within a municipal, public sector, or large-scale institutional environment.
BOSTON RESIDENCY REQUIRED
Terms:
Union/Salary Plan/Grade: SENA/MM1-6
Hours per week: 35 hours
The City of Boston is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We invite applications from all qualified individuals and do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other protected category.
STEM OPT Government Job Roles in Massachusetts
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Search Government Jobs in MassachusettsGovernment STEM OPT Sponsorship Jobs in Massachusetts: Frequently Asked Questions
Which government employers in Massachusetts sponsor F-1 STEM OPT visas?
Federally funded research contractors operating in Massachusetts have the strongest STEM OPT sponsorship records in the government sector. MIT Lincoln Laboratory in Lexington, Draper Laboratory in Cambridge, and the MITRE Corporation's Bedford office regularly hire STEM OPT students in engineering and data roles. State agencies partnering with federally funded programs also participate, though sponsorship rates vary by department and position type.
Which cities in Massachusetts have the most government F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs?
Boston and Cambridge concentrate the largest share of government-adjacent STEM OPT opportunities, driven by federal agency offices, research labs, and defense contractors. Bedford, Lexington, and Hanscom Air Force Base create a secondary cluster in the Greater Boston corridor. Worcester has growing public-sector tech demand through state and federally contracted health and cybersecurity programs.
How do I find government F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs in Massachusetts?
Migrate Mate filters government and public sector roles by visa sponsorship type, including F-1 STEM OPT, across Massachusetts locations. You can search by agency type, role category, and city to surface employers with verified STEM OPT filing histories. This is more targeted than general job searches because it surfaces only employers who have actively sponsored STEM OPT candidates in the government sector.
What types of government roles typically qualify for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in Massachusetts?
Roles qualifying for STEM OPT in the government sector generally fall under STEM-designated STEM degree classifications, including software developers, data scientists, systems engineers, cybersecurity analysts, and biostatisticians. Policy analyst and program management roles qualify only when the position requires a STEM degree and the employer's training plan aligns with USCIS requirements. Positions at federally funded research and development centers often meet these criteria by design.
Are there state-specific considerations for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in Massachusetts government jobs?
Massachusetts employers participating in STEM OPT must be enrolled in E-Verify, which most large government contractors and state agencies already satisfy due to federal contracting requirements. The concentration of defense and biomedical research in Massachusetts means many government-adjacent employers are experienced with STEM OPT training plans. State agencies without federal contracts may have less familiarity with the process, so confirming E-Verify enrollment before applying is advisable.