Nonprofit OPT Jobs in New York
New York is one of the most active states for nonprofit F-1 OPT sponsorship, with major employers including the United Nations, Human Rights Watch, Robin Hood Foundation, and hundreds of community organizations concentrated in New York City, Albany, and Buffalo. Roles in program management, research, communications, and policy analysis regularly appear with OPT-eligible sponsorship across the state.
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Sanctuary for Families is New York’s leading service provider and advocate for survivors of domestic violence, sex trafficking and related forms of gender violence. Every year, Sanctuary empowers thousands of adults and children to move from fear and abuse to safety and stability, transforming lives through a comprehensive range of services. We provide a range of wrap-around services to help survivors rebuild their lives in the aftermath of abuse, and work to end gender violence through three key strategies: direct services, outreach and training, and systems-change advocacy. Our services are available in 12 locations throughout New York City.
Position overview
Sanctuary for Families seeks an experienced family law attorney to provide legal consultations and pro se services to Queens Family Justice Center clients who need assistance with family offense, custody/visitation, and child/spousal support proceedings, as well as matrimonial matters. The Consultation Attorney will provide civil legal screenings and legal consultations, assist pro se clients by drafting family law petitions and other filings, represent a small caseload of clients, and coordinate and conduct Sanctuary’s pro se clinics. The Consultation Attorney will provide technical assistance to FJC partner agencies, conduct community outreach, training and education in Queens, actively engage in advocacy committees and task forces, and collaborate with other agencies to advocate for systemic change. They will coordinate and supervise staff attorneys, project assistants, pro bono attorneys, interns, and volunteers. The Consultation Attorney will work out of our Queens Family Justice Center office and will report to the Director and Senior Program Director of the Family Law Project at the Queens Family Justice Center.
Responsibilities
- Provides initial civil legal screenings and any necessary follow-up legal consultations to clients seeking family law assistance, including drafting of pro se petitions and other filings
- In collaboration with the Director and Senior Program Director, creates, implements, coordinates and conducts ongoing family law legal clinics to assist clients in drafting pro se petitions for Family and Supreme Courts.
- Collaborates with FJC family law projects across the five FJC’s to create, implement and coordinate pro se services and clinics and collaborates with other SFF legal projects.
- Coordinates and supervises staff attorneys, project assistants, pro bono attorneys, interns, and volunteers.
- In collaboration with the Director and Senior Program Director recruits, selects, hires, and onboards project assistants.
- Assists Director and Senior Program Director with performance evaluation of staff.
- Together with Director and Senior Program Director, participates in internal management audits and reviews, and designs and implements program improvements using outcome-based evaluations, among other tools
- Provides direct representation to a limited number of clients in family law matters, including matrimonial, family offense, custody and visitation, and child and spousal support cases.
- Provides other advocacy as needed, including the criminal legal and child protective systems.
- Facilitates clients’ access to intra-agency and outside resources, and administers provision of direct financial assistance and donations to clients.
- Provides technical assistance to FJC partner agencies.
- Conducts community outreach, training and education.
- Actively engages in advocacy committees and task forces, and collaborates with other agencies to advocate for systemic change.
- Participates in interagency conferences and legal/bar association committee meetings to keep abreast of developments in the areas of pro bono, domestic violence, and legal remedies for victims of domestic violence.
- Performs any other department or agency-related duties or special projects as directed by supervisor.
Requirements
- J.D. degree
- Admission to the NY Bar
- 3 or more years of relevant family law experience required
- Fluency in a community language including Mandarin, Korean, Arabic, Haitian-Creole, Spanish and Russian preferred but not required
- Strong lawyering, advocacy, and leadership skills
- Enjoy working collaboratively and be comfortable speaking in public
- Highly motivated to provide zealous, knowledgeable, culturally competent, and empathic legal advocacy to domestic violence victims
- Ability to work well with people from diverse communities and backgrounds
Budgeted Salary: $83,000 - $89,000 per year
Work position is Full-time, Salaried/Exempt
Work schedule is currently Hybrid; must be able to meet job location schedule obligation
Benefits:
- Health, Dental and Vision Insurance
- Employer-paid life insurance
- Employer retirement contribution
- Paid time off (Holidays, Vacation, Personal, Sick)
- Generous Leave Policy
- Flexible spending account / Health savings account
- Student loan assistance
- Tuition reimbursement program
- Gym reimbursement program
- Wellness program and rewards
Sanctuary for Families is a welcoming workplace. All qualified applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunities without discrimination because of race, creed (religion), color, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, military status, age, disability, predisposing genetic characteristics, marital status or domestic violence victim status, and other categories protected under Federal, New York state or New York city laws.
Survivors of gender-based violence are strongly encouraged to apply.
About us
Sanctuary for Families is New York’s leading service provider and advocate for survivors of domestic violence, sex trafficking and related forms of gender violence. Every year, Sanctuary empowers thousands of adults and children to move from fear and abuse to safety and stability, transforming lives through a comprehensive range of services. We provide a range of wrap-around services to help survivors rebuild their lives in the aftermath of abuse, and work to end gender violence through three key strategies: direct services, outreach and training, and systems-change advocacy. Our services are available in 12 locations throughout New York City.
Position overview
Sanctuary for Families seeks an experienced family law attorney to provide legal consultations and pro se services to Queens Family Justice Center clients who need assistance with family offense, custody/visitation, and child/spousal support proceedings, as well as matrimonial matters. The Consultation Attorney will provide civil legal screenings and legal consultations, assist pro se clients by drafting family law petitions and other filings, represent a small caseload of clients, and coordinate and conduct Sanctuary’s pro se clinics. The Consultation Attorney will provide technical assistance to FJC partner agencies, conduct community outreach, training and education in Queens, actively engage in advocacy committees and task forces, and collaborate with other agencies to advocate for systemic change. They will coordinate and supervise staff attorneys, project assistants, pro bono attorneys, interns, and volunteers. The Consultation Attorney will work out of our Queens Family Justice Center office and will report to the Director and Senior Program Director of the Family Law Project at the Queens Family Justice Center.
Responsibilities
- Provides initial civil legal screenings and any necessary follow-up legal consultations to clients seeking family law assistance, including drafting of pro se petitions and other filings
- In collaboration with the Director and Senior Program Director, creates, implements, coordinates and conducts ongoing family law legal clinics to assist clients in drafting pro se petitions for Family and Supreme Courts.
- Collaborates with FJC family law projects across the five FJC’s to create, implement and coordinate pro se services and clinics and collaborates with other SFF legal projects.
- Coordinates and supervises staff attorneys, project assistants, pro bono attorneys, interns, and volunteers.
- In collaboration with the Director and Senior Program Director recruits, selects, hires, and onboards project assistants.
- Assists Director and Senior Program Director with performance evaluation of staff.
- Together with Director and Senior Program Director, participates in internal management audits and reviews, and designs and implements program improvements using outcome-based evaluations, among other tools
- Provides direct representation to a limited number of clients in family law matters, including matrimonial, family offense, custody and visitation, and child and spousal support cases.
- Provides other advocacy as needed, including the criminal legal and child protective systems.
- Facilitates clients’ access to intra-agency and outside resources, and administers provision of direct financial assistance and donations to clients.
- Provides technical assistance to FJC partner agencies.
- Conducts community outreach, training and education.
- Actively engages in advocacy committees and task forces, and collaborates with other agencies to advocate for systemic change.
- Participates in interagency conferences and legal/bar association committee meetings to keep abreast of developments in the areas of pro bono, domestic violence, and legal remedies for victims of domestic violence.
- Performs any other department or agency-related duties or special projects as directed by supervisor.
Requirements
- J.D. degree
- Admission to the NY Bar
- 3 or more years of relevant family law experience required
- Fluency in a community language including Mandarin, Korean, Arabic, Haitian-Creole, Spanish and Russian preferred but not required
- Strong lawyering, advocacy, and leadership skills
- Enjoy working collaboratively and be comfortable speaking in public
- Highly motivated to provide zealous, knowledgeable, culturally competent, and empathic legal advocacy to domestic violence victims
- Ability to work well with people from diverse communities and backgrounds
Budgeted Salary: $83,000 - $89,000 per year
Work position is Full-time, Salaried/Exempt
Work schedule is currently Hybrid; must be able to meet job location schedule obligation
Benefits:
- Health, Dental and Vision Insurance
- Employer-paid life insurance
- Employer retirement contribution
- Paid time off (Holidays, Vacation, Personal, Sick)
- Generous Leave Policy
- Flexible spending account / Health savings account
- Student loan assistance
- Tuition reimbursement program
- Gym reimbursement program
- Wellness program and rewards
Sanctuary for Families is a welcoming workplace. All qualified applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunities without discrimination because of race, creed (religion), color, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, military status, age, disability, predisposing genetic characteristics, marital status or domestic violence victim status, and other categories protected under Federal, New York state or New York city laws.
Survivors of gender-based violence are strongly encouraged to apply.
OPT Nonprofit Job Roles in New York
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Search Nonprofit Jobs in New YorkNonprofit OPT Sponsorship Jobs in New York: Frequently Asked Questions
Which nonprofit organizations in New York sponsor F-1 OPT visas?
Large internationally focused nonprofits in New York City, including the United Nations Development Programme, International Rescue Committee, and Human Rights Watch, have established OPT sponsorship track records. Foundations such as the Ford Foundation and Robin Hood Foundation also hire OPT students. Sponsorship availability varies by role, budget cycle, and organizational capacity, so confirming with each employer's HR team is always necessary.
Which cities in New York have the most nonprofit F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs?
New York City accounts for the overwhelming majority of nonprofit F-1 OPT opportunities in the state, driven by its concentration of international NGOs, foundations, and advocacy organizations. Albany sees demand from policy-focused nonprofits and associations tied to state government. Buffalo and Rochester have smaller but active nonprofit sectors, particularly in community development, healthcare access, and education-focused organizations.
What types of nonprofit roles typically qualify for F-1 OPT sponsorship in New York?
Roles that align directly with a student's degree field are the strongest candidates for OPT authorization. Common qualifying positions in New York nonprofits include program coordinator, policy analyst, communications associate, data analyst, grants researcher, and social work associate. Roles requiring specialized skills in public health, international relations, economics, or data science tend to fit the practical training requirement most clearly.
How do I find nonprofit F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in New York?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for international students on F-1 OPT seeking sponsored roles, and its job board filters by visa type, industry, and state. For nonprofit F-1 OPT jobs in New York, filtering by the nonprofit and social services category in New York on Migrate Mate surfaces employers that have actively sponsored OPT workers. This saves significant time compared to manually screening postings that rarely disclose sponsorship policies upfront.
Are there any New York-specific considerations for F-1 OPT sponsorship in the nonprofit sector?
New York nonprofits operating with government contracts or grants sometimes face additional hiring compliance requirements that can complicate OPT sponsorship timelines. Students should also be aware that STEM OPT extension eligibility depends on degree field, not industry, so a public health or data-focused role at a nonprofit can qualify if the underlying degree is on the STEM designated degree program list maintained by ICE.