Construction Jobs at University of Tennessee with Visa Sponsorship
Construction roles at University of Tennessee span facilities management, capital projects, and campus infrastructure across a major research institution. The university has a consistent track record of sponsoring international workers in this function, supporting both H-1B and permanent residence pathways for qualified construction professionals.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
The Senior Plumbing Specialist II performs advanced plumbing installation, welding, and repair work with minimal supervision. This role involves providing technical guidance and direction to designated personnel, welding activities, and supporting the Plumbing Foreman in managing campus plumbing, sewer, storm sewer, gas, and steam infrastructure. This position is responsible for ensuring the safe and reliable distribution and discharge of utility pipelines on campus, mentoring crew members, and leading work assignments. This role also involves studying blueprints, planning work, and coordinating materials for projects.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Perform general plumbing and heating duties, including layout, repair, and installation of various plumbing systems.
- Perform and understand welding activities related to plumbing.
- Provide technical guidance and direction to designated personnel and mentor crew members.
- Lead crews in work assignments and assist the Plumbing Foreman in the layout, pipe fitting, construction, installation, modification, maintenance, and repair of plumbing systems.
- Assist in the maintenance and repair of the University’s plumbing, sewer, storm sewer, gas, and steam infrastructure facilities.
- Study blueprints, create material take-off lists, and plan work for construction, installation, maintenance, and repair projects.
- Monitor major renovations and modifications of underground construction, ensuring timely completion of projects.
- Obtain and manage materials needed for day-to-day work assignments.
- Report job information to supervision, including updates on ongoing work, repairs, deficiencies, and materials needed.
- Report and correct any unsafe practices or conditions.
- Investigate technical problems and determine appropriate solutions.
- Perform preventive maintenance (PM) on plumbing and steam equipment and systems to ensure optimal performance.
- Assist other shops and departments on campus as directed to ensure high levels of customer satisfaction.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Education: High school diploma or GED
- Experience: Seven (7) years’ experience or trade school and experience. (Experience may substitute for trade school education on a year-for-year basis.)
- Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
- Technical knowledge and understanding of plumbing and steam distribution systems and equipment, controls, piping, equipment and related areas of work.
- Ability to organize, prioritize and perform under extreme pressure in both a public contact and internal departmental capacity.
- Ability to lead a group of fellow employees in the performance of their duties in a highly technical and sometimes hazardous and hectic environment.
- Ability to solve technical problems in the installation and repair of plumbing and piping systems and components.
- Knowledge and skills in use of all welding equipment, plumbing equipment and power tools.
- Ability to interact with others in an efficient and responsible manner.
- Ability to read blueprints and determine materials and resources.
- Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to plan and manage projects effectively.
- Ability to perform physically demanding tasks associated with plumbing installation and maintenance.
-
This position involves working on campus and may include exposure to various environmental conditions.
-
Other Conditions:
- Maintain a Valid driver’s license.
- On call 24/7 status on week a month (on rotation)
WORK LOCATION
- University of Tennessee – Knoxville, TN Campus
- This is an on-site position
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
- UT market range: MR09
ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT
UT Facilities Services is responsible for the care and keeping of more than 300 facilities and utilities systems in and around Knoxville. As the University of Tennessee Knoxville’s largest non-academic department, team members are responsible for facilities maintenance and repair, custodial needs, landscaping and lawncare, utility work, in-house and capital construction projects, facilities planning and design, environmental initiatives, pest control, campus event services, and facilities administration functions for both the flagship campus and the agricultural institute. The Facilities Services staff provides around-the-clock coverage to ensure students, staff, faculty, and fans have a consistent and positive experience every time they step foot on Rocky Top.
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has shaped leaders, changemakers, and innovative thinkers since its founding in 1794. The university is home to more than 38,000 students and 10,000 statewide employees—the Volunteers—who uphold the university’s tradition of lighting the way for others through leadership and service.
UT Knoxville offers over 900 programs of study across 14 degree-granting colleges and schools. As Tennessee’s flagship land-grant university, its footprint spans the entire state. The university holds the highest Carnegie classification for research activity and has deep partnerships with industry leaders and the US Department of Energy’s largest multidisciplinary laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
The Knoxville campus serves and recruits for UT Knoxville, including the Institute of Agriculture and the Space Institute, as well as the UT Institute of Public Service.
UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset. With values that focus on work-life balance, compensation, and innovation leadership, all Vols are supported to advance professionally. Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and an extensive list of development and training possibilities. The Volunteer employee experience implements structures and practices to attract and retain top-tier talent, fostering a strong staff community and supporting a culture of involvement and engagement for everyone.
The university holds a strong commitment to its land-grant mission of learning and engagement, with a tradition of service and leadership that carries that Volunteer spirit throughout the state and around the world. It has been ranked nationally as “Best Employer for New Graduates,” “One of America’s Best Large Employers,” and “Best Workplace for Women,” and has been designated as “Best Place for Working Parents” by Forbes Magazine.
Apply today and join the Tennessee Volunteer community!
INTRODUCTION
The Senior Plumbing Specialist II performs advanced plumbing installation, welding, and repair work with minimal supervision. This role involves providing technical guidance and direction to designated personnel, welding activities, and supporting the Plumbing Foreman in managing campus plumbing, sewer, storm sewer, gas, and steam infrastructure. This position is responsible for ensuring the safe and reliable distribution and discharge of utility pipelines on campus, mentoring crew members, and leading work assignments. This role also involves studying blueprints, planning work, and coordinating materials for projects.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Perform general plumbing and heating duties, including layout, repair, and installation of various plumbing systems.
- Perform and understand welding activities related to plumbing.
- Provide technical guidance and direction to designated personnel and mentor crew members.
- Lead crews in work assignments and assist the Plumbing Foreman in the layout, pipe fitting, construction, installation, modification, maintenance, and repair of plumbing systems.
- Assist in the maintenance and repair of the University’s plumbing, sewer, storm sewer, gas, and steam infrastructure facilities.
- Study blueprints, create material take-off lists, and plan work for construction, installation, maintenance, and repair projects.
- Monitor major renovations and modifications of underground construction, ensuring timely completion of projects.
- Obtain and manage materials needed for day-to-day work assignments.
- Report job information to supervision, including updates on ongoing work, repairs, deficiencies, and materials needed.
- Report and correct any unsafe practices or conditions.
- Investigate technical problems and determine appropriate solutions.
- Perform preventive maintenance (PM) on plumbing and steam equipment and systems to ensure optimal performance.
- Assist other shops and departments on campus as directed to ensure high levels of customer satisfaction.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Education: High school diploma or GED
- Experience: Seven (7) years’ experience or trade school and experience. (Experience may substitute for trade school education on a year-for-year basis.)
- Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
- Technical knowledge and understanding of plumbing and steam distribution systems and equipment, controls, piping, equipment and related areas of work.
- Ability to organize, prioritize and perform under extreme pressure in both a public contact and internal departmental capacity.
- Ability to lead a group of fellow employees in the performance of their duties in a highly technical and sometimes hazardous and hectic environment.
- Ability to solve technical problems in the installation and repair of plumbing and piping systems and components.
- Knowledge and skills in use of all welding equipment, plumbing equipment and power tools.
- Ability to interact with others in an efficient and responsible manner.
- Ability to read blueprints and determine materials and resources.
- Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to plan and manage projects effectively.
- Ability to perform physically demanding tasks associated with plumbing installation and maintenance.
-
This position involves working on campus and may include exposure to various environmental conditions.
-
Other Conditions:
- Maintain a Valid driver’s license.
- On call 24/7 status on week a month (on rotation)
WORK LOCATION
- University of Tennessee – Knoxville, TN Campus
- This is an on-site position
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
- UT market range: MR09
ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT
UT Facilities Services is responsible for the care and keeping of more than 300 facilities and utilities systems in and around Knoxville. As the University of Tennessee Knoxville’s largest non-academic department, team members are responsible for facilities maintenance and repair, custodial needs, landscaping and lawncare, utility work, in-house and capital construction projects, facilities planning and design, environmental initiatives, pest control, campus event services, and facilities administration functions for both the flagship campus and the agricultural institute. The Facilities Services staff provides around-the-clock coverage to ensure students, staff, faculty, and fans have a consistent and positive experience every time they step foot on Rocky Top.
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has shaped leaders, changemakers, and innovative thinkers since its founding in 1794. The university is home to more than 38,000 students and 10,000 statewide employees—the Volunteers—who uphold the university’s tradition of lighting the way for others through leadership and service.
UT Knoxville offers over 900 programs of study across 14 degree-granting colleges and schools. As Tennessee’s flagship land-grant university, its footprint spans the entire state. The university holds the highest Carnegie classification for research activity and has deep partnerships with industry leaders and the US Department of Energy’s largest multidisciplinary laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
The Knoxville campus serves and recruits for UT Knoxville, including the Institute of Agriculture and the Space Institute, as well as the UT Institute of Public Service.
UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset. With values that focus on work-life balance, compensation, and innovation leadership, all Vols are supported to advance professionally. Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and an extensive list of development and training possibilities. The Volunteer employee experience implements structures and practices to attract and retain top-tier talent, fostering a strong staff community and supporting a culture of involvement and engagement for everyone.
The university holds a strong commitment to its land-grant mission of learning and engagement, with a tradition of service and leadership that carries that Volunteer spirit throughout the state and around the world. It has been ranked nationally as “Best Employer for New Graduates,” “One of America’s Best Large Employers,” and “Best Workplace for Women,” and has been designated as “Best Place for Working Parents” by Forbes Magazine.
Apply today and join the Tennessee Volunteer community!
See all 3+ Construction at University of Tennessee jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Construction at University of Tennessee roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Construction Jobs at University of Tennessee Jobs
Align your credentials with U.S. licensing standards
Tennessee requires specific contractor licensing for many construction roles. Before applying, verify that your international qualifications map to U.S. equivalents, particularly for project management or engineering-adjacent positions where UT may require state-recognized credentials.
Target capital projects and facilities postings directly
University of Tennessee regularly hires for facilities construction and infrastructure projects tied to campus expansion. Focus your search on postings under Facilities Services or Capital Projects, where sponsorship-eligible roles are most consistently filled.
Understand the H-1B specialty occupation threshold for construction
Not all construction titles qualify as H-1B specialty occupations. Roles framed around construction management, project engineering, or cost estimation with a required bachelor's degree are stronger fits than general trades-based titles when USCIS reviews the petition.
Find sponsoring construction employers using Migrate Mate
Search Migrate Mate to identify construction roles at University of Tennessee that have active sponsorship. Filtering by visa type lets you prioritize openings where the university has already committed to supporting H-1B or Green Card pathways.
Anticipate the PERM timeline for permanent residence
If UT offers an EB-2 or EB-3 pathway, the PERM labor certification process through DOL typically takes 12 to 18 months before USCIS can adjudicate the immigrant petition. Factor this into your employment discussions early rather than after your initial H-1B is approved.
Prepare for institutional procurement and compliance requirements
As a public university, UT construction roles often involve federally funded projects requiring E-Verify compliance and prevailing wage documentation under DOL standards. Having your work authorization paperwork organized before an offer accelerates the university's internal HR process significantly.
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Find Construction at University of Tennessee JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Does University of Tennessee sponsor H-1B visas for Construction roles?
Yes, University of Tennessee sponsors H-1B visas for construction-related positions, particularly roles framed as specialty occupations such as construction project manager, facilities engineer, or cost estimator. The role must require a bachelor's degree in a specific field for USCIS to approve it under the H-1B specialty occupation standard. Not every construction title on campus will meet that threshold, so confirm the degree requirement with the hiring department before applying.
How do I apply for Construction jobs at University of Tennessee?
Applications go through the University of Tennessee's official careers portal, where Facilities Services and Capital Projects postings appear separately from academic roles. Tailor your resume to the specific project scope listed in the posting, and address any licensing or certification requirements explicitly. If you need visa sponsorship, state that clearly during the application process rather than waiting for the offer stage. You can also browse current openings through Migrate Mate to filter for sponsorship-eligible positions.
Which visa types does University of Tennessee commonly use for Construction roles?
University of Tennessee primarily uses the H-1B visa for construction professionals in specialty occupation roles and supports EB-2 or EB-3 Green Card pathways for longer-term hires. The EB-3 category is frequently used for skilled positions that require at least two years of training or experience. Eligibility depends on the specific role, your qualifications, and whether the position satisfies the relevant USCIS or DOL criteria for each visa category.
What qualifications does University of Tennessee expect for Construction roles?
Most sponsorship-eligible construction roles at UT require at least a bachelor's degree in construction management, civil engineering, or a closely related field. Project management experience on large-scale institutional or infrastructure projects is a strong differentiator. Familiarity with federally funded project compliance, including prevailing wage requirements and procurement regulations, is particularly relevant given that many campus construction projects involve federal funding streams.
How do I navigate the sponsorship timeline for a Construction role at University of Tennessee?
H-1B petitions for cap-subject applicants must be filed by April 1 for an October 1 start, so timing your offer and onboarding around the USCIS cap season matters. If UT files under cap-exempt status through a research function, the timeline is more flexible. For Green Card pathways, the PERM process through DOL adds 12 to 18 months before the immigrant petition can move forward. Clarifying the intended visa path with HR at the offer stage prevents avoidable delays.
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