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Volunteer Computer Science Opt Jobs in Providence, RI

General Engineer

Newport, RI · On-site

$74K/yr

... computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology, may be accepted in lieu of a bachelor ... Volunteer work helps build critical competencies; knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable ...

Meteorologist

Norton, MA · On-site

$40K/yr

... computer science. Calculus coursework appropriate for a physical science major is required as a ... Qualifying experience may include paid or unpaid work, including volunteer service. GS-05:

Showing results 21-40

Volunteer Computer Science Opt information

See Providence, RI salary details

$8

$19

$33

How much do volunteer computer science opt jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average hourly pay for volunteer computer science opt in Providence, RI is $19.33, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.57 and $20.38 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a volunteer computer science opt?

Volunteer Computer Science Opts are individuals who contribute their computer science skills on a voluntary basis, often to non-profit organizations, community projects, or open-source initiatives. These volunteers may assist with software development, troubleshooting, web design, or technical support to help organizations achieve their missions without incurring additional costs. The 'Opt' often refers to Optional Practical Training (OPT), a program that allows international students in the U.S. to gain practical experience related to their field of study. Volunteer positions can provide valuable experience, networking opportunities, and a chance to make a meaningful impact while building technical skills.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a volunteer computer science opt?

To thrive as a Volunteer in Computer Science, you typically need a foundational understanding of programming languages, problem-solving skills, and knowledge of algorithms or software development. Familiarity with tools such as Git, collaborative platforms like GitHub, and sometimes specific frameworks or coding certifications is often required. Strong communication, teamwork, and adaptability help volunteers effectively support projects and collaborate with diverse teams. These skills are crucial for making meaningful contributions, learning quickly, and ensuring the success of community-driven technology initiatives.

What are some common challenges faced by volunteer computer science opts, and how can they be addressed?

Volunteer Computer Science professionals often encounter challenges such as adapting to limited resources, collaborating with team members who have varying technical backgrounds, and balancing project timelines with other commitments. To address these, it's important to communicate clearly, set realistic expectations, and leverage open-source tools or platforms. Building strong relationships with other volunteers and seeking mentorship from experienced professionals can also help in navigating these challenges and ensuring project success.

What is the difference between Volunteer Computer Science Opt vs Volunteer Software Developer?

AspectVolunteer Computer Science OptVolunteer Software Developer
Required CredentialsTypically no formal credentials required; some knowledge of computer science beneficialOften requires programming skills; some roles may prefer certifications or coursework
Work EnvironmentNon-profit, educational, or community settings; flexible hoursVaries from non-profit to startup environments; project-based work
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in academic, non-profit, or volunteer projects to gain experienceCommon in tech, non-profit, and startup sectors for software development tasks

Volunteer Computer Science Opt roles focus on gaining experience in computer science concepts without requiring formal credentials, often in educational or community settings. Volunteer Software Developer positions typically involve hands-on programming and may require some coding skills. Both roles serve different purposes but share a common goal of contributing to projects while building skills.

What are popular job titles related to Volunteer Computer Science Opt jobs in Providence, RI?

For Volunteer Computer Science Opt jobs in Providence, RI, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Volunteer Computer Science Opt jobs in Providence, RI look for?

The top searched job categories for Volunteer Computer Science Opt jobs in Providence, RI are:

Infographic showing various Volunteer Computer Science Opt job openings in Providence, RI as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 76% Full Time, and 24% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $40,212 per year, or $19.3 per hour.

DISTINGUISHED SCIENTIST/ENGINEER FOR USW ANALYSIS OF DISTRIBUTED MARITIME OPERATIONS (DMO)

U.S. Department of Defense (DOD)

Newport, RI • On-site

$192K/yr

Full-time

Posted 16 days ago


U.S. Department Of Defense rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 538 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

28th of 49 rated military and defense


Job description

You will serve as the Distinguished Scientist/Engineer for Undersea Warfare (USW) Analysis of Distributed Maritime Operations (DMO). You will be an expert in conducting integrated and distributed platform warfighting effectiveness analysis, generating force and campaign level scenarios, evaluating system solution alternatives, assessing emerging technology future concepts, and evaluating Navy Concepts of Operations (CONOPS) and Concepts of Employment (CONEMPS).Qualifications:Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.
To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, your resume must show that you possess the Technical Qualifications (TQ) related to this position - NOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES. Resumes over the 2-page limit will be disqualified. Your resume should include examples of experience, education, and accomplishments applicable to the qualification(s). If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position.
TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQs): Your resume should demonstrate accomplishments that would satisfy the technical qualifications:
TQ #1: Broad knowledge of USW Missions, Submarine Platform Operations, Distributed Operations and System Capabilities and recognized leadership in communicating with a high-level Navy and Fleet personnel on Undersea Warfare (USW) Mission Analysis concepts.
Ability to provide visionary stewardship of analyses of integrated and distributed platform systems, assessments of USW force-level scenarios, evaluation of emerging technologies and concepts, and development of Concepts of Employment. Ability to provide authoritative analytical insights on USW Missions, Capabilities, and the feasibility of new concepts to external sponsors and stakeholders including Office of the Chief of Naval Operations codes, Fleet Commands, System Commands, Warfare Centers, and Office of Naval Research.
TQ #2: Recognized Expert in application of Operations Research analysis Techniques to assess USW performance
Demonstrated expertise in using Live/Virtual/Constructive (LVC) simulation tools in executing USW studies of platform effectiveness to deliver mission capabilities desired by the Navy acquisition community and the warfighter. Demonstrated expertise in using wargaming, experimentation and ideation workshops that include Fleet warfighters, technology experts, and analysts to evaluate Fleet Concepts of Operation/Concept of Employment and USW technology concepts of employment. Expertise leading teams utilizing analytic methodologies, tools and techniques to conduct USW performance assessments of significant complexity.
Additional qualification information can be found from the following Office of Personnel Management website:
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=GS-PROF
AND
All Professional Engineering series, 08XX
Operation Research Series, 1515
Computer Science Series, 1550
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.Education:Applicants must meet the following positive education qualifications requirements of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualifications Standards Manual:
For 08XX Professional Engineering Series:
A. Degree: Engineering. Successful completion of a bachelor's or higher engineering degree from an accredited college or university. To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor's degree in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by ABET; or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position.
-or-
B. Combination of education and experience -- college-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following:
(I) Professional registration or licensure -- Current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI), Engineer in Training (EIT), or licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico. Absent other means of qualifying under this standard, those applicants who achieved such registration by means other than written test (e.g., State grandfather or eminence provisions) are eligible only for positions that are within or closely related to the specialty field of their registration. For example, an applicant who attains registration through a State Board's eminence provision as a manufacturing engineer typically would be rated eligible only for manufacturing engineering positions; or
(II) Written Test -- Evidence of having successfully passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination or any other written test required for professional registration by an engineering licensure board in the various States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico; or
(III) Specified academic courses -- Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and that included the courses specified in the basic requirements under paragraph A. The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of an engineering program as described in paragraph A; or
(IV) Related curriculum -- Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in an appropriate scientific field, e.g., engineering technology, physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology, may be accepted in lieu of a bachelor's degree in engineering, provided the applicant has had at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. Ordinarily there should be either an established plan of intensive training to develop professional engineering competence, or several years of prior professional engineering-type experience, e.g., in interdisciplinary positions. (The above examples of related curricula are not all inclusive.)
For 1515-Operations Research Series:
a.
A degree in operations research; or
b. A bachelor's degree with at least 24 semester hours in a combination of operations research, mathematics, probability, statistics, mathematical logic, science, or subject-matter courses requiring substantial competence in college-level mathematics or statistics. At least 3 of the 24 semester hours must have been in calculus.
For 1550-Computer Science Series:
a. A degree in computer science or
b. A bachelor's degree with 30 semester hours in a combination of mathematics, statistics, and computer science. At least 15 of the 30 semester hours must have included any combination of statistics and mathematics that included differential and integral calculus. All academic degrees and course work must be from accredited or pre-accredited institutions.
An advanced degree of Master's or Ph.D. in one of the educational fields listed above is highly desirable.Employment Type: OTHER

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