Program Specialist Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Rhode Island
Program specialist visa sponsorship jobs in Rhode Island are concentrated in Providence, with employers like Brown University, Lifespan Health System, and state government agencies regularly sponsoring international candidates. The state's strong healthcare, higher education, and nonprofit sectors drive consistent demand for program coordination and management expertise.
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About the Role
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Rhode Island (BBBSRI) is seeking an energetic, youth-centered, and highly organized Site and Specialty Programs Coordinator to support and facilitate school and site-based mentoring programs across Rhode Island.
We're looking for an energetic, youth-centered, and highly organized Site and Specialty Programs Coordinator to facilitate and support school- and site-based mentoring programs across Rhode Island.
This role is a strong fit for someone who genuinely enjoys working with young people, building partnerships with schools and community organizations, and designing programming that is engaging and developmentally sound. You'll help carry day-to-day program implementation while creating safe, structured spaces where youth grow socially, emotionally, and academically.
No two days look the same. One day you might facilitate a group session; the next, coordinate volunteers at a school site or plan enrichment activities. The ideal candidate is adaptable, relationship-driven, organized, and passionate about youth development.
Program Coordination & Facilitation
- Facilitate site-based mentoring sessions, group activities, workshops, and enrichment programming
- Build positive relationships with youth, mentors, caregivers, school staff, and community partners
- Support recruitment, enrollment, scheduling, and engagement efforts for youth and volunteers
- Create and implement youth-centered curriculum, activities, and program plans aligned with program goals
- Ensure programming is engaging, inclusive, structured, and developmentally appropriate
- Monitor attendance, participation, and overall program quality across sites
- Support mentorship activities focused on leadership development, social-emotional learning, academics, career readiness, STEM, arts, and community engagement
Youth Engagement & Support
- Create welcoming, safe, and supportive environments for youth participants
- Provide ongoing Match Support through regular communication, relationship monitoring, problem-solving, and guidance to help ensure safe, healthy, and consistent mentoring relationships
- Encourage positive peer interaction, teamwork, communication, and emotional growth
- Help identify youth needs and communicate concerns appropriately with leadership and program staff
- Maintain appropriate boundaries, professionalism, and youth safety standards at all times
- Serve as a positive role model and mentor presence for participating youth
Organization & Communication
- Maintain accurate records, attendance, notes, and program documentation
- Coordinate logistics, schedules, materials, and communication for program sessions and events
- Collaborate closely with the Program Team to ensure consistency and high-quality implementation
- Assist with special events, community engagement opportunities, and program outings as needed
- Communicate effectively and professionally with schools, families, volunteers, and community partners
Adaptability & Problem-Solving
- Respond calmly and effectively to changing schedules, site needs, and youth dynamics
- Troubleshoot challenges related to participation, engagement, transportation, or logistics
- Learn quickly and incorporate feedback to strengthen program delivery and youth outcomes
- Support multiple program sites and initiatives simultaneously while maintaining attention to detail
Ideal Candidate is Someone Who:
- Enjoys working directly with youth and building authentic relationships
- Is engaging, energetic, patient, and approachable
- Can facilitate groups and manage youth dynamics confidently and professionally
- Is organized and able to balance multiple priorities and schedules
- Brings creativity and enthusiasm to programming and curriculum development
- Is dependable, flexible, and solution-oriented
- Understands the importance of professionalism, communication, and youth safety
- Is passionate about mentorship, youth development, and community impact
Required Qualifications
- 2–5 years of experience working with youth, schools, mentoring programs, camps, afterschool programs, or community-based programming
- Experience facilitating youth groups, workshops, or enrichment activities
- Strong communication and relationship-building skills
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple responsibilities and changing priorities
- Strong organizational and documentation skills
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and technology platforms
- Reliable transportation and ability to travel to program sites throughout Rhode Island
- Proven professionalism, reliability, and ability to work collaboratively
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience creating curriculum, lesson plans, or youth programming
- Experience in mentoring, nonprofit, education, behavioral health, or youth-serving organizations
- Bilingual or multilingual abilities are a plus
- Experience working with diverse youth populations and communities
Important to Know
- This role requires flexibility and comfort working in school and community settings
- Some evening programming and occasional weekend events is required
- Relationship-building, communication, and professionalism are essential
- Youth safety and confidentiality are non-negotiable
Application Process
Please submit the following to HR@Bigsri.org with the subject: Site-Based Program Coordinator Application
- Resume
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A brief cover letter or paragraph answering the following:
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Why are you interested in working with youth through mentoring and site-based programming?
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Describe a time you facilitated a group activity, workshop, or youth program. What made it successful?
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Do you build relationships and engagement with youth who may initially be hesitant to participate?
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What strengths would you bring to a fast-paced, youth-centered program environment?
Optional: Include a written letter of recommendation.
Applications that do not include these responses will not be considered.
Pay: $49,000.00 - $52,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Employee discount
- Flexible schedule
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Professional development assistance
- Retirement plan
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Experience:
- working with youth, schools, mentoring programs: 2 years (Required)
Work Location: In person
Program Specialist Job Roles in Rhode Island
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Search Program Specialist Jobs in Rhode IslandProgram Specialist Jobs in Rhode Island: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies sponsor visas for program specialists in Rhode Island?
Brown University, Rhode Island Hospital, Care New England, and the Rhode Island School of Design are among the more active sponsors for program specialist roles in the state. State and federal agencies operating in Providence also hire program specialists and have established pathways for sponsoring H-1B visa and other work visas, particularly for roles requiring specialized academic or healthcare administration backgrounds.
Which visa types are most common for program specialist roles in Rhode Island?
The H-1B is the most common visa category for program specialist positions in Rhode Island, particularly at universities and hospitals that qualify as cap-exempt H-1B employers. This means institutions like Brown University or Lifespan can file H-1B petitions year-round without being subject to the annual lottery. Some research-focused roles may also see J-1 visa exchange visitor placements, depending on employer type and program structure.
Which cities in Rhode Island have the most program specialist sponsorship jobs?
Providence accounts for the large majority of program specialist sponsorship activity in Rhode Island, driven by its concentration of universities, hospital systems, and nonprofit organizations. East Providence and Cranston have some employer presence through healthcare and social services organizations. For roles outside Providence, Newport occasionally has openings through defense-adjacent institutions and research organizations with federal ties.
How to find program specialist visa sponsorship jobs in Rhode Island?
Migrate Mate filters program specialist jobs specifically by visa sponsorship eligibility, so you can search Rhode Island openings without sorting through roles that won't support international candidates. Because many Rhode Island program specialist positions are at universities or hospital systems, it's worth filtering by employer type on Migrate Mate to prioritize cap-exempt organizations, which can sponsor H-1B visas outside the annual lottery cycle.
Are there state-specific considerations for program specialists seeking visa sponsorship in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island's relatively small size means the sponsoring employer pool is narrower than in larger states, so targeting the right sectors matters. Higher education and healthcare are the most active industries for program specialist sponsorship here. Brown University and its affiliated research centers are particularly relevant, as are Lifespan and Care New England on the healthcare side. Prevailing wage requirements still apply, and employers must file a Labor Condition Application with the Department of Labor before sponsoring an H-1B.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored program specialist jobs in Rhode Island?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.