CPT Jobs in Washington DC
Washington DC's concentration of federal agencies, international organizations, policy think tanks, and NGOs makes it one of the most F-1 CPT-friendly markets in the country. Government affairs, public policy, international development, and tech roles generate strong CPT demand across the District and surrounding metro corridors.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
American University is a student-centered research institution located in Washington, DC, with highly-ranked schools and colleges, internationally-renowned faculty, and a reputation for creating meaningful change in the world. Learn more about American University.
Department
College of Arts & Sciences
Time Type
Part time
Job Type
Temporary (Fixed Term)
FLSA Status
Non-Exempt
Work Modality
Union: Excluded
Job Description
Summary
The Research Associate will oversee the day-to-day operations of an urban heat field study conducted in partnership with the DC Department of Transportation. The position combines field leadership with project coordination responsibilities, serving as the primary operational point of contact between the research team, the Principal Investigator, and external stakeholders. The ideal candidate has prior experience managing field research campaigns, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to handle logistics and public-facing communication in a professional manner. Availability for two short sessions in summer 2026 is preferred, though candidates available for only one session will also be considered.
Essential Functions
-
Planning Field Work:
Coordinate the overall field measurement campaign, including scheduling field days, managing site routing, and ensuring all equipment and personnel are prepared and in place.
Serve as the on-the-ground point person during field operations, resolving logistical issues as they arise.
Oversee instrument deployment and data collection across multiple field teams, ensuring protocol adherence and data quality.
Perform and supervise instrument calibration, setup, and maintenance throughout the measurement period.
Complete field survey forms and oversee data download and backup at the end of each field day. -
Leading Field Work:
Supervise graduate and undergraduate field research assistants during field sessions.
Provide direction, training, and on-site support to field team members.
Communicate field day status, staffing needs, and data quality issues to the Principal Investigator in a timely manner.
Serve as the primary point of contact for members of the public encountered during field operations, including residents, passersby, and local business owners.
Liaise professionally with law enforcement and other officials as needed during street-based data collection on public roadways.
Communicate with DDOT and other project stakeholders on operational and logistical matters as directed by the PI. -
Organizing Data from Field:
Track project expenditures and assist with budget monitoring.
Assist with report preparation, data organization, and other project deliverables as needed.
Supervisory Responsibility
Indirectly supervises a team of up to 16 students.
Competencies
- Managing Talent.
- Developing Plans.
- Collaborative Leadership.
- Managing Performance.
Position Type/Expected Hours Of Work
- Part-time.
- Up to 27 hours per week.
- Temporary position.
- This position is grant funded, to be hired from late June to early September, 21st, 2026.
- Continuation of the program/position is contingent upon external funding.
Salary Range
$24.00 per hour.
Required Education And Experience
Bachelor's degree or equivalent.
Less than 1 year of relevant experience.
Preferred Education And Experience
Master's degree or equivalent.
Additional Eligibility Qualifications
Should have experience measuring climate and surface energy balance quantities in the field.
Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Benefits
Click here to learn about American University's unique benefit options.
Other Details
- Hiring offers for this position are contingent on successful completion of a background check.
- Employees in staff positions at American University must deliver their services to the university from either the District of Columbia, Maryland, or Virginia, or perform work on-site at the university.
- Please note this job announcement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
- American University is an E-Verify employer.
Current American University Employees
American University current employees must apply through their employee Workday account. If you are a current employee at American University, please log into Workday and select the Find Jobs report which will take you to our internal career listings.
Contact Us
For more information or assistance with the American University careers site, email theworkline@american.edu.
American University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, an individual’s genetic information or any other bases under federal or local laws (collectively "Protected Bases") in its programs and activities.
INTRODUCTION
American University is a student-centered research institution located in Washington, DC, with highly-ranked schools and colleges, internationally-renowned faculty, and a reputation for creating meaningful change in the world. Learn more about American University.
Department
College of Arts & Sciences
Time Type
Part time
Job Type
Temporary (Fixed Term)
FLSA Status
Non-Exempt
Work Modality
Union: Excluded
Job Description
Summary
The Research Associate will oversee the day-to-day operations of an urban heat field study conducted in partnership with the DC Department of Transportation. The position combines field leadership with project coordination responsibilities, serving as the primary operational point of contact between the research team, the Principal Investigator, and external stakeholders. The ideal candidate has prior experience managing field research campaigns, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to handle logistics and public-facing communication in a professional manner. Availability for two short sessions in summer 2026 is preferred, though candidates available for only one session will also be considered.
Essential Functions
-
Planning Field Work:
Coordinate the overall field measurement campaign, including scheduling field days, managing site routing, and ensuring all equipment and personnel are prepared and in place.
Serve as the on-the-ground point person during field operations, resolving logistical issues as they arise.
Oversee instrument deployment and data collection across multiple field teams, ensuring protocol adherence and data quality.
Perform and supervise instrument calibration, setup, and maintenance throughout the measurement period.
Complete field survey forms and oversee data download and backup at the end of each field day. -
Leading Field Work:
Supervise graduate and undergraduate field research assistants during field sessions.
Provide direction, training, and on-site support to field team members.
Communicate field day status, staffing needs, and data quality issues to the Principal Investigator in a timely manner.
Serve as the primary point of contact for members of the public encountered during field operations, including residents, passersby, and local business owners.
Liaise professionally with law enforcement and other officials as needed during street-based data collection on public roadways.
Communicate with DDOT and other project stakeholders on operational and logistical matters as directed by the PI. -
Organizing Data from Field:
Track project expenditures and assist with budget monitoring.
Assist with report preparation, data organization, and other project deliverables as needed.
Supervisory Responsibility
Indirectly supervises a team of up to 16 students.
Competencies
- Managing Talent.
- Developing Plans.
- Collaborative Leadership.
- Managing Performance.
Position Type/Expected Hours Of Work
- Part-time.
- Up to 27 hours per week.
- Temporary position.
- This position is grant funded, to be hired from late June to early September, 21st, 2026.
- Continuation of the program/position is contingent upon external funding.
Salary Range
$24.00 per hour.
Required Education And Experience
Bachelor's degree or equivalent.
Less than 1 year of relevant experience.
Preferred Education And Experience
Master's degree or equivalent.
Additional Eligibility Qualifications
Should have experience measuring climate and surface energy balance quantities in the field.
Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Benefits
Click here to learn about American University's unique benefit options.
Other Details
- Hiring offers for this position are contingent on successful completion of a background check.
- Employees in staff positions at American University must deliver their services to the university from either the District of Columbia, Maryland, or Virginia, or perform work on-site at the university.
- Please note this job announcement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
- American University is an E-Verify employer.
Current American University Employees
American University current employees must apply through their employee Workday account. If you are a current employee at American University, please log into Workday and select the Find Jobs report which will take you to our internal career listings.
Contact Us
For more information or assistance with the American University careers site, email theworkline@american.edu.
American University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, an individual’s genetic information or any other bases under federal or local laws (collectively "Protected Bases") in its programs and activities.
Search F-1 CPT Jobs by Industry in Washington DC
Tips for Finding CPT Jobs in Washington DC
Target federal contractors and policy organizations first
Washington DC's employer base is dominated by government contractors, think tanks, and international organizations like the World Bank and IMF. These institutions regularly bring on F-1 CPT interns for policy research, data analysis, and communications roles with established international hiring processes.
Align your CPT start date with your university's academic calendar
DC employers, especially government-adjacent organizations, plan internship cycles well in advance. Confirming your CPT authorization dates before outreach signals professionalism and gives employers the lead time they need to process onboarding paperwork without delays.
Leverage your university's DC connections
Universities with Washington DC campuses or satellite offices, including American University and Georgetown, maintain employer pipelines specifically built around CPT. Check your international student office for employer lists and direct referral programs before sourcing independently.
Use Migrate Mate to filter for CPT-verified employers
Finding employers open to F-1 CPT in DC can be time-consuming when searching general boards. Migrate Mate filters jobs by visa type, letting you focus on organizations that have a documented track record of sponsoring CPT students in the DC market.
Network within DC's international student community
Washington DC hosts one of the largest international student populations in the country. University career fairs, professional associations like SAIS alumni networks, and student-run policy groups regularly connect CPT-eligible students with employers who understand work authorization requirements.
Confirm that your role qualifies as directly related to your major
CPT eligibility requires the position to be integral to your degree program. In DC, roles at advocacy organizations or nonprofits can be compelling but may need a formal curriculum linkage letter. Confirm this requirement with your DSO before accepting any offer.
See all 71+ F-1 CPT jobs in Washington DC
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new F-1 CPT jobs in Washington DC.
Get Access To All JobsF-1 CPT Jobs in Washington DC: Frequently Asked Questions
Which industries in Washington DC sponsor the most F-1 CPT visas?
Government contracting, international development, public policy research, and nonprofit advocacy are the strongest CPT sectors in Washington DC. Organizations like federal contractors, multilateral institutions, and policy think tanks regularly structure internship programs around CPT timelines. Technology and cybersecurity firms supporting government agencies also represent a growing share of CPT placements in the District.
Which areas in Washington DC have the most F-1 CPT sponsorship jobs?
The District itself, particularly areas around Capitol Hill, Dupont Circle, and downtown DC, holds the highest concentration of CPT-friendly employers. The broader metro area extends that density into northern Virginia (Rosslyn, Arlington, Tysons Corner) and suburban Maryland (Bethesda, Silver Spring), where government contractors and research institutions cluster heavily.
What types of roles typically qualify for F-1 CPT sponsorship in Washington DC?
Policy research, communications, data analysis, international affairs, cybersecurity, public health, and economic consulting roles are commonly structured as CPT-eligible positions in DC. The qualifying factor is always the direct connection to your academic program, not the employer's sector. Roles framed as research assistantships or applied policy projects tend to satisfy that requirement most cleanly.
How do I find F-1 CPT jobs in Washington DC?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for international students and filters job listings by visa type, including F-1 CPT, so you're not wading through postings from employers unfamiliar with work authorization. Beyond that, your university's international student office and career center will have DC-specific employer relationships worth tapping before you search independently.
Are there any Washington DC-specific considerations for F-1 CPT sponsorship?
Washington DC's employer base includes a significant number of organizations that require background checks or security clearances, which F-1 students on CPT are generally ineligible to obtain. It's important to confirm security requirements before investing time in an application. Additionally, unpaid CPT internships at nonprofits are common in DC, but CPT rules require the experience to meet the academic integration standard regardless of compensation.