OPT Jobs in North Dakota
North Dakota's F-1 OPT job market centers on agriculture technology, energy, engineering, and healthcare, with Fargo and Bismarck hosting the highest concentration of sponsoring employers. The state's expanding tech sector and university research partnerships create steady demand for OPT-eligible graduates across STEM disciplines.
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Get Access To All JobsBuilding Location:
32nd Avenue Building
Department:
3013400 SURGERY - 32ND HOSP
Job Description:
Join a surgical team that’s growing, innovating, and shaping the future of patient care in the region. Essentia Health Fargo is seeking a Certified Surgical Technologist who is passionate about excellence in the operating room and thrives in a collaborative, high performance environment. This CST works four 10-hour shifts weekly, 6:30 am to 5:00 pm. Weekday, weekend, and holiday call rotations are required. A $10,000 sign-on bonus and relocation assistance are available.
Education Qualifications:
* Graduate of an accredited Surgical Technologist program.
About Essentia Health:
We are a top-rated employer offering work-life balance, long term career stability, opportunities for growth, and work you can be passionate about! Our mission guides us every day: We are called to make a healthy difference in people’s lives. This calling resonates deeply for our caregivers and our colleagues working behind the scenes, who all bring high-quality, compassionate care to the patients we are privileged to serve. We are like nowhere else: https://vimeo.com/284233541
What You'll Do:
Functions under the supervision of an RN in providing technical interventions in the Operating Room to patients of all ages. They are also responsible for tasks relating to instrumentation, equipment, prosthesis, and supplies. May perform other duties as assigned by the department.
As a CST at Essentia Health Fargo, you will play a critical role in supporting surgeons, nurses, and the entire perioperative team. You’ll work with advanced technology, diverse specialties, and a culture that values teamwork, continuous learning, and professional growth. Key responsibilities include:
Prepare operating rooms, instruments, and equipment for surgical procedures
Anticipate surgeon needs and maintain sterile technique throughout procedures
Collaborate closely with RNs, anesthesia, and surgical providers
Support a wide range of specialties, including general, plastics, ortho, neuro, ENT, Urology, OB/GYN, and more
Contribute to quality, safety, and process improvement initiatives
Participate in ongoing education and skill development opportunities
What We’re Looking For
A candidate who meets the listed education & certification requirements
Strong communication, teamwork, and critical-thinking skills
Commitment to patient safety and high-quality care
Ability to adapt in a fast-paced, dynamic surgical environment
Why Choose Essentia Health Fargo?
Opportunities for advancement, specialty training, and cross-training
Supportive leadership and a culture that invests in your growth
Access to cutting-edge surgical technology and expanding service lines
A mission-driven organization focused on making a healthy difference in people’s lives
Employees scheduled 24+ hours weekly enjoy these benefits:
Health Insurance and HSA or FSA accounts
Dental and Vision insurances
Supplemental insurances - critical illness, accident, & hospital indemnity
Paid short-term disability, long-term disability, and basic life insurance
Supplemental Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment insurance
Tuition Reimbursement
PTO accrual and 7 paid holidays per year
Paid parental leave after one year
Adoption assistance after one year
Bereavement & Jury Duty (all regularly scheduled employees)
All employees, including casual, enjoy these benefits:
Take Charge (employee wellness program)
Guidance Resources (free confidential counseling)
Employee discount program
401(k) retirement account (traditional & Roth)
* 401(k) matching & discretionary contributions (subject to service requirements)
Ready to Make an Impact?
Join a team where your expertise matters, your growth is supported, and your work changes lives every day.
Apply now and build your future with Essentia Health Fargo.
Licensure/Certification Qualifications:
Certification as a surgical technologist within one year of hire.
Unlicensed Assistive Personnel (UAP) with the North Dakota Board of Nursing upon hire.
* AHA Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification within 1 month of hire.
FTE:
1
Possible Remote/Hybrid Option:
Shift Rotation:
Day Rotation (United States of America)
Shift Start Time:
6:30 am
Shift End Time:
5:00 pm
Weekends:
On-call
Holidays:
Yes
Call Obligation:
Yes
Union:
Compensation Range:
$28.40 - $42.60
Employee Benefits at Essentia Health: At Essentia Health, we’re committed to supporting your well-being, growth, and work-life balance. Our comprehensive benefits include medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, along with supplemental options to fit your needs. We offer a 401(k) plan with employer contributions to help you plan for the future, and we invest in your professional development through training, tuition reimbursement, and educational programs. To help you thrive both at work and at home, we provide flexible scheduling, generous time off, and wellness resources focused on your physical, mental, and emotional health. Please note that benefit eligibility may vary. For full details, refer to your benefit summary or contact our HR Service Center at (218) 576-0000.
Building Location:
32nd Avenue Building
Department:
3013400 SURGERY - 32ND HOSP
Job Description:
Join a surgical team that’s growing, innovating, and shaping the future of patient care in the region. Essentia Health Fargo is seeking a Certified Surgical Technologist who is passionate about excellence in the operating room and thrives in a collaborative, high performance environment. This CST works four 10-hour shifts weekly, 6:30 am to 5:00 pm. Weekday, weekend, and holiday call rotations are required. A $10,000 sign-on bonus and relocation assistance are available.
Education Qualifications:
* Graduate of an accredited Surgical Technologist program.
About Essentia Health:
We are a top-rated employer offering work-life balance, long term career stability, opportunities for growth, and work you can be passionate about! Our mission guides us every day: We are called to make a healthy difference in people’s lives. This calling resonates deeply for our caregivers and our colleagues working behind the scenes, who all bring high-quality, compassionate care to the patients we are privileged to serve. We are like nowhere else: https://vimeo.com/284233541
What You'll Do:
Functions under the supervision of an RN in providing technical interventions in the Operating Room to patients of all ages. They are also responsible for tasks relating to instrumentation, equipment, prosthesis, and supplies. May perform other duties as assigned by the department.
As a CST at Essentia Health Fargo, you will play a critical role in supporting surgeons, nurses, and the entire perioperative team. You’ll work with advanced technology, diverse specialties, and a culture that values teamwork, continuous learning, and professional growth. Key responsibilities include:
Prepare operating rooms, instruments, and equipment for surgical procedures
Anticipate surgeon needs and maintain sterile technique throughout procedures
Collaborate closely with RNs, anesthesia, and surgical providers
Support a wide range of specialties, including general, plastics, ortho, neuro, ENT, Urology, OB/GYN, and more
Contribute to quality, safety, and process improvement initiatives
Participate in ongoing education and skill development opportunities
What We’re Looking For
A candidate who meets the listed education & certification requirements
Strong communication, teamwork, and critical-thinking skills
Commitment to patient safety and high-quality care
Ability to adapt in a fast-paced, dynamic surgical environment
Why Choose Essentia Health Fargo?
Opportunities for advancement, specialty training, and cross-training
Supportive leadership and a culture that invests in your growth
Access to cutting-edge surgical technology and expanding service lines
A mission-driven organization focused on making a healthy difference in people’s lives
Employees scheduled 24+ hours weekly enjoy these benefits:
Health Insurance and HSA or FSA accounts
Dental and Vision insurances
Supplemental insurances - critical illness, accident, & hospital indemnity
Paid short-term disability, long-term disability, and basic life insurance
Supplemental Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment insurance
Tuition Reimbursement
PTO accrual and 7 paid holidays per year
Paid parental leave after one year
Adoption assistance after one year
Bereavement & Jury Duty (all regularly scheduled employees)
All employees, including casual, enjoy these benefits:
Take Charge (employee wellness program)
Guidance Resources (free confidential counseling)
Employee discount program
401(k) retirement account (traditional & Roth)
* 401(k) matching & discretionary contributions (subject to service requirements)
Ready to Make an Impact?
Join a team where your expertise matters, your growth is supported, and your work changes lives every day.
Apply now and build your future with Essentia Health Fargo.
Licensure/Certification Qualifications:
Certification as a surgical technologist within one year of hire.
Unlicensed Assistive Personnel (UAP) with the North Dakota Board of Nursing upon hire.
* AHA Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification within 1 month of hire.
FTE:
1
Possible Remote/Hybrid Option:
Shift Rotation:
Day Rotation (United States of America)
Shift Start Time:
6:30 am
Shift End Time:
5:00 pm
Weekends:
On-call
Holidays:
Yes
Call Obligation:
Yes
Union:
Compensation Range:
$28.40 - $42.60
Employee Benefits at Essentia Health: At Essentia Health, we’re committed to supporting your well-being, growth, and work-life balance. Our comprehensive benefits include medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, along with supplemental options to fit your needs. We offer a 401(k) plan with employer contributions to help you plan for the future, and we invest in your professional development through training, tuition reimbursement, and educational programs. To help you thrive both at work and at home, we provide flexible scheduling, generous time off, and wellness resources focused on your physical, mental, and emotional health. Please note that benefit eligibility may vary. For full details, refer to your benefit summary or contact our HR Service Center at (218) 576-0000.
Tips for Finding OPT Jobs in North Dakota
Target STEM-heavy industries first
North Dakota's strongest F-1 OPT demand comes from agricultural technology, petroleum engineering, civil engineering, and software development. Focusing your search on these fields puts you in front of employers already familiar with OPT authorization requirements and STEM OPT extensions.
Leverage North Dakota State University and UND connections
NDSU in Fargo and the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks have established employer pipelines specifically for international graduates. Attending career fairs hosted by these universities connects you directly with regional employers who have sponsored OPT students before.
Search Fargo and Bismarck employer clusters
Fargo hosts the largest concentration of technology and professional services employers in the state. Bismarck is the center for energy, government contracting, and healthcare. Targeting employers physically based in these metros improves your odds of finding OPT-familiar hiring managers.
Use Migrate Mate to filter by OPT-sponsoring employers
Browsing Migrate Mate's job board lets you filter for North Dakota roles at employers with an active OPT sponsorship history, saving you time spent cold-applying to companies unfamiliar with F-1 OPT work authorization and STEM extension eligibility.
Approach agricultural technology and precision farming employers early
North Dakota is a national leader in precision agriculture. Companies developing crop monitoring, data analytics, and farm automation tools actively recruit STEM graduates and tend to be more experienced with OPT sponsorship than employers in other local industries.
Clarify your OPT start date and STEM extension eligibility upfront
Many North Dakota employers outside major metros are unfamiliar with OPT timelines. Stating your authorized start date and whether your degree qualifies for the 24-month STEM OPT extension early in conversations reduces confusion and increases your chances of moving forward.
See all 465+ F-1 OPT jobs in North Dakota
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new F-1 OPT jobs in North Dakota.
Get Access To All JobsF-1 OPT Jobs in North Dakota: Frequently Asked Questions
Which industries in North Dakota sponsor the most F-1 OPT visas?
Agricultural technology, energy and petroleum engineering, civil and structural engineering, healthcare, and software development are the industries with the highest F-1 OPT sponsorship activity in North Dakota. The state's economy is heavily tied to agriculture and energy, so STEM graduates with backgrounds in those fields find the most receptive employers. Technology companies in Fargo's growing tech corridor also represent a consistent source of OPT sponsorship.
Which cities in North Dakota have the most F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs?
Fargo is the clear leader, driven by its technology sector, financial services firms, and proximity to NDSU. Bismarck, as the state capital, concentrates energy industry employers, government contractors, and healthcare systems that sponsor OPT candidates. Grand Forks has sponsorship activity tied to the University of North Dakota's research and aerospace programs. Outside these three cities, F-1 OPT sponsorship opportunities become limited.
What types of roles typically qualify for F-1 OPT sponsorship in North Dakota?
Roles that qualify are those directly related to your field of study. In North Dakota, that commonly includes software engineers, data analysts, agricultural scientists, petroleum engineers, civil engineers, healthcare professionals, and environmental scientists. The position must constitute practical training in your degree field. Roles that are generalist in nature or have no clear connection to a STEM or specialty degree are unlikely to meet F-1 OPT requirements.
How do I find F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in North Dakota?
Migrate Mate's job board is built specifically for international students on F-1 OPT, letting you search North Dakota roles filtered by employers with sponsorship history. Beyond that, NDSU and UND career services maintain employer relationships with regional companies experienced in OPT hiring. Directly contacting engineering firms, agricultural technology companies, and Fargo-based tech employers also produces results, especially when you clearly communicate your OPT authorization and STEM extension eligibility.
Are there any North Dakota-specific considerations for F-1 OPT sponsorship?
North Dakota has a smaller overall employer base than coastal states, so many companies outside Fargo and Bismarck have limited experience processing OPT work authorization. Being prepared to explain OPT requirements clearly to HR departments unfamiliar with the process is important. The state's strong agricultural and energy economy means STEM OPT extension eligibility is a genuine advantage, as most qualifying roles fall under STEM degree categories recognized by the Department of Homeland Security.