STEM OPT Jobs in South Carolina
South Carolina's manufacturing corridor, growing advanced manufacturing hub in Greenville-Spartanburg, and research institutions in Columbia make it a practical state for F-1 STEM OPT holders. Automotive suppliers, aerospace firms, and tech-adjacent employers across the Upstate region actively file for STEM OPT workers.
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Classification Title IT Technician III
Classification Code AM72
Pay Grade TEC05
Subject to Drug/Alcohol Testing Guidelines No
Subject to Credit Check No
Internal Title IT Network Support Specialist
Department Information Technology Services
Position Type PCLS - Slotted Classified
Full or Part Time Full-Time
Basis 12 mo.
Hours per week 37.5 hours per week
Normal Work Schedule Monday - Thursday 8am-5pm and Friday 8am-12:30pm
Job Details
IT Network Support Specialist
Coastal Carolina University is currently accepting applications for the following full-time position: IT Network Support Specialist in the Office of Information Technology Services.
The IT Network Support Specialist performs maintenance and supports both campus and remote-campus network (including wired and wireless), cable and telecommunication infrastructure services. This position will analyze, test, troubleshoot, and evaluate existing network systems, such as local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), cloud networks, and other data communication networks.
How to Apply: Interested candidates may apply online at https://jobs.coastal.edu/postings/122577. Applicants must submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three (3) professional references. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until position is filled.
Required Qualifications:
A bachelor’s degree in information technology systems, computer science, or related field and experience in information technology systems or related area. Relevant experience may be substituted for bachelor’s degree on a year-for-year basis. A valid SC Driver’s License.
Preferred Qualifications
A minimum of two (2) years’ network experience.
Duties include, but are not limited to:
- Performs campus cabling infrastructure activities, including installing local area network equipment and software, IP TV, telecommunication, television cabling and wiring activities; maintaining equipment; performing systems maintenance on equipment and systems. Installs, terminates, repairs and certifies network cabling. Performs primary network system administration on network systems/servers as needed including NACs, switches, routers, and wireless controllers equipment.
- Monitors campus network system to ensure optimal operation. Use tracking system to log requests; monitors progress, tracks problem resolution, identifies patterns of failure, research bug fixes and implements solutions; communicates with manager regarding unresolved problems.
- Assists supervisor by contributing input to improve operational procedures, processes, and standards. Utilizes University/ITS/individual resources and time effectively to accomplish tasks and projects. Provides customer service to all constituents, including but not limited to, faculty, staff, students, visitors and the community at large.
- Maintains current knowledge of network wiring standards as well as national, state, and local fire codes. Maintains current knowledge of cable wiring.
- Maintains effective technical documentation on hardware and software network configuration and adheres to change control policies.
IT Technician III (AM72/61121640/FTE-S01190P), full-time position with benefits. SC State Pay Grade: TEC05. Salary range: $58,854.00 (midpoint) – $82,416.00 (midpoint). Normal work hours are Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Friday 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Must be flexible to meet the special scheduling needs of the university. Employee may have to work events outside of normal operating hours. They will be given notice well ahead of time to prepare for the schedule change, and this will not exceed their normal 37.5 hours.
Coastal Carolina University is a public comprehensive liberal arts institution located in Conway, South Carolina, just nine miles from the Atlantic coastal resort city of Myrtle Beach. Coastal Carolina University enrolls over 12,000 students from 48 states and 53 nations. The University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award the baccalaureate and master’s degrees of national and/or regional significance in the arts and sciences, business, humanities, education, and health and human services, a specialist degree in instructional technology, and PhD degrees in marine science: coastal and marine systems science and education sciences.
The University provides equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship status, national origin, or because an employee or applicant for employment is an individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, an Armed Forces service medal veteran, a recently separated veteran, or an active-duty wartime or campaign badge veteran, or other “protected veteran,” as defined by law. Coastal Carolina University is an EO/AA employer.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Knowledge of Cisco switches and Meraki wireless equipment. Employee must have good working knowledge of network architecture. In addition, knowledge of computer system analysis, design, testing, debugging and maintenance techniques. Employee must have the ability to learn new technologies and solve end user problems. Employee must work courteously and patiently with peers and patrons. Experience and working knowledge of fiber optics and related equipment. Professional certifications such as Network + or Cisco are highly desirable.
Posting Detail Information
Posting Number FTE-S01190P
Number of Vacancies 1
Desired Start Date 10/15/2026
Job Open Date 09/11/2026
Open Until Filled Yes
Special Instructions to Applicants
Quicklink for Posting https://jobs.coastal.edu/postings/122577
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Tips for Finding STEM OPT Jobs in South Carolina
Verify your role qualifies under O*NET
Before applying, confirm your job title maps to a STEM-designated STEM degree classification using O*NET. Roles in quality engineering, data analysis, and advanced manufacturing in Greenville frequently qualify, but generic titles like 'coordinator' often do not.
Target E-Verify enrolled employers in South Carolina
STEM OPT authorization requires your employer to be enrolled in E-Verify. Filter your search to confirmed E-Verify participants, especially in the Upstate manufacturing corridor where supplier networks around BMW and Boeing attract engineering and operations roles.
Search employer filing history on Migrate Mate
Use Migrate Mate to filter South Carolina employers by STEM OPT filing activity. Companies in Columbia's tech sector and Greenville's advanced manufacturing cluster appear with verified DOL Labor Condition Application data, so you can target active sponsors directly.
Negotiate your I-983 training plan early
The I-983 training plan must be signed before your STEM OPT extension begins. Raise it during the offer stage, not after signing. South Carolina manufacturers and engineering firms often have HR teams unfamiliar with this form, so come prepared with a draft.
Use the OFLC Wage Search to validate your offer
STEM OPT regulations require you receive the same pay as similarly situated U.S. workers. Cross-check your offered wage against the OFLC Wage Search for your occupation and Columbia or Greenville metro area before accepting any offer.
File your STEM OPT extension 90 days before OPT expires
USCIS allows you to apply up to 90 days before your current OPT end date. Filing within that window lets you begin STEM OPT on your expiration date. Missing it means a gap in work authorization that South Carolina employers cannot bridge retroactively.
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Get Access To All JobsF-1 STEM OPT Jobs in South Carolina: Frequently Asked Questions
Which industries in South Carolina sponsor the most F-1 STEM OPT visas?
Advanced manufacturing, automotive supply chain, aerospace, and engineering services are the leading F-1 STEM OPT sponsors in South Carolina. The Upstate region around Greenville and Spartanburg drives most activity due to the concentration of Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers serving automotive and aerospace manufacturers. Life sciences and technology firms in Columbia also file regularly.
Which cities in South Carolina have the most F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs?
Greenville and Spartanburg together form the densest concentration of STEM OPT sponsoring employers in the state, anchored by the automotive and aerospace supply chain. Columbia has activity in government contracting, technology, and healthcare IT. Charleston is growing in aerospace manufacturing and logistics technology, with Boeing's presence supporting a broader supplier ecosystem.
What types of roles typically qualify for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in South Carolina?
Qualifying roles must map to a STEM-designated STEM degree classification recognized by the Department of Homeland Security. In South Carolina, this commonly includes quality engineers, manufacturing engineers, data analysts, software developers, industrial engineers, and supply chain analysts. Confirm your specific job title against the official STEM OPT designated degree list before accepting an offer.
How do I find F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs in South Carolina?
Migrate Mate shows South Carolina employers with verified DOL Labor Condition Application filing history, filtered by visa type and occupation. This lets you identify active STEM OPT sponsors in the Upstate and Midlands regions without manually searching government disclosure files. Prioritize employers already enrolled in E-Verify, which is a legal requirement for STEM OPT authorization.
Are there any state-specific considerations for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in South Carolina?
South Carolina has no state-level work authorization registry, but many Upstate manufacturers operate under federal contracts that carry E-Verify mandates, making them structurally ready for STEM OPT hires. HR teams at smaller Tier 2 suppliers may be unfamiliar with the I-983 training plan requirement, so candidates who arrive with a prepared draft often accelerate the onboarding process.