Government OPT Jobs in New Mexico
Government F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in New Mexico are concentrated around federal agencies and national laboratories, including Sandia National Laboratories and Los Alamos National Laboratory, which regularly hire international researchers and engineers. Albuquerque and Santa Fe anchor most public-sector hiring, spanning roles in science, technology, policy, and public administration for students on active OPT or STEM OPT.
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INTRODUCTION
THIS POSTING WILL BE USED FOR ONGOING RECRUITMENT AND MAY CLOSE AT ANY TIME. APPLICANT LISTS MAY BE SCREENED MORE THAN ONCE.
Working as a Children's Medical Services Social Worker is all about making a real difference in the lives of families across New Mexico! You'll be part of the Family Health Bureau, which works hard to support women, children, and families by improving their health and well-being. From making sure babies and kids get the care they need, to guiding families with special healthcare needs, your role is essential in helping communities thrive. You'll also have the opportunity to bring in federal funding to support these programs, ensuring that everyone has access to top-notch services. Plus, you'll be part of a dedicated team that provides helpful guidance and oversight to health programs all across the state. It's a fulfilling, impactful job where you truly get to make a difference every day!
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Licensed social workers provide services to a multi-ethnic population of children and youth with special healthcare needs including, but not limited to, monolingual Spanish-speaking families and Native American clientele. Licensed social workers provide a safety net and assurance services for children and youth with special healthcare needs. Services and concerns are addressed at an individual, family, and systems level.
Licensed social workers assist families of children (ages 0-21) in developing a coordinated plan to meet the child's medical, social, and developmental needs. Service coordination consists of several components including: outreach and engagement of clients/families, providing a complete biopsychosocial assessment and periodic reassessment regarding client's/family's needs, the development and implementation of a service plan, the coordination and monitoring of service delivery and advocacy on behalf of the client including linkage to needed services. Additionally, the LBSW, LMSW or LCSW works collaboratively with medical, educational, vocational and human service providers. Additional goals/components include providing needed outreach to the immigrant and Native American/Pueblo communities. The licensed social worker provides quality assurance for billing and maximizes billing on care coordination, thereby producing revenue to support the program.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor's degree in Social Work (in accordance with NMAC 61-31-9) and two (2) years of experience in a social work setting such as social service agencies, healthcare, medical, educational settings, mental health, home health, hospice, developmental disabilities, and other relevant experience, working with patients, clients, providers, and families. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling six (6) years may substitute for the required education and experience.
EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS
Must possess and maintain a valid Driver's License.
Must possess and maintain a current Defensive Driving Course Certification from the State of New Mexico or must pass and receive Defensive Driving Course Certification as a condition of continued employment.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Services are provided in communities, clinics, auxiliary site settings, and in the homes of consumers to a diverse racial and ethnic population, many of whom do not speak English. Reaching and lifting up to fifty (50) pounds may be required. Potential exposure to communicable diseases. Travel to provide outreach and coverage, to attend meetings and training sessions, with the occasional overnight stay is required. Occasional work outside of traditional work schedule to provide outreach and coverage.
LOCATION
This position is housed out of the Farmington Public Health Office located at 355 S. Miller, Farmington, NM 87401.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
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Agency Contact Information: Liz Bearzi 505-554-9861 Email
For information on Statutory Requirements for this position, click the Classification Description link on the job advertisement.
Bargaining Unit Position
This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement and all terms/conditions of that agreement apply and must be adhered to.
OPT Government Job Roles in New Mexico
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Search Government Jobs in New MexicoGovernment OPT Sponsorship Jobs in New Mexico: Frequently Asked Questions
Which government employers in New Mexico sponsor F-1 OPT workers?
Sandia National Laboratories and Los Alamos National Laboratory are among the most active employers of F-1 OPT workers in New Mexico's public sector, hiring across engineering, computer science, and physical sciences. State agencies within New Mexico's Environment Department and Department of Information Technology also hire internationally trained graduates, though OPT eligibility and sponsorship capacity vary by agency, role, and current authorization period.
Which cities in New Mexico have the most government F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs?
Albuquerque and Santa Fe account for the largest share of government F-1 OPT roles in New Mexico. Albuquerque hosts Kirtland Air Force Base, Sandia National Laboratories, and several federal agency field offices. Santa Fe, as the state capital, concentrates state government positions. Los Alamos is a smaller but specialized hub driven almost entirely by the national laboratory and its contractor network.
What types of government roles typically qualify for F-1 OPT sponsorship in New Mexico?
Roles in research science, nuclear engineering, cybersecurity, data analysis, environmental science, and software development are the most common F-1 OPT-eligible positions within New Mexico government and federally funded institutions. Many qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension if the position falls under a STEM-designated Classification of Instructional Programs code, which USCIS maintains and updates annually.
How do I find government F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in New Mexico?
Migrate Mate lists government and public-sector positions in New Mexico that are open to F-1 OPT workers, filtered by employer OPT sponsorship history so you can focus on agencies and contractors that have hired international students before. Because federal and state government roles carry specific eligibility requirements, including security clearance considerations, filtering by employer type and location in Migrate Mate helps narrow your search efficiently.
Are there any state-specific considerations for F-1 OPT sponsorship in New Mexico's government sector?
Many of New Mexico's largest government employers, including the national laboratories, are federally funded and operate under Department of Energy contracts, which can introduce security clearance requirements that limit OPT eligibility for certain roles. Students should confirm whether a position requires a clearance before applying, as OPT authorization alone does not satisfy that requirement. State government roles typically do not carry clearance restrictions but may have citizenship preferences for specific titles.