J-1 Visa Construction Jobs
Construction roles in the United States are available to international professionals through the J-1 Trainee and Intern program categories, which require a U.S. Department of State-designated sponsor organization to issue your DS-2019 and provide sponsorship. Host employers range from general contractors to specialty subcontractors across residential, commercial, and infrastructure projects.
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JOB DESCRIPTION
CONSTRUCTION SERVICES
Michael Baker provides innovative and cost-effective solutions to meet every modern construction project need. By partnering with our clients through all phases of construction, beginning with pre-design all the way through close-out, we are able to meet aggressive schedules safely and on budget. We provide qualified construction managers, inspectors, constructability reviewers, schedulers and estimators dedicated to adding value and driving efficiency from small projects to multi-billion-dollar construction programs.
What We're Looking For: Michael Baker International is seeking a Construction Intern to join our construction services team in Greensboro, NC. The Intern will directly support construction management teams in the overall facilitation of projects in design, procurement, construction, and/or closeout phases. In addition to technical assignments, this position may involve assisting with administrative duties and tracking progress on current projects.
What You'll Do:
- Review, route, and develop technical construction management documentation (RFIs, submittals, bulletins, meeting minutes, pay applications, etc.)
- Communication, coordination with internal and external personnel performing physical work onsite, including contractors and subcontractors.
- Onsite reviews of physical work of active projects for conformance with plans and specifications
- Review plans and specifications associated with assigned work on active construction contracts and notify the manager of apparent constructability issues or errors.
- Assist with answering detailed contractor questions about plan and specification requirements.
- Help identify contractor means and methods that are inconsistent with plans and specifications and discuss needed changes.
What You Need to Succeed:
- Pursuing educational opportunities in Civil Engineering, Construction Engineering, Construction Management, or related construction field
- 0-3 years of experience in construction design, construction management, or related work
- Willing to pursue technical certifications
Compensation: The approximate compensation range for this position is $18 - $20 per hour. This compensation range is a good faith estimate for the position at the time of posting. Actual compensation is dependent upon factors such as education, qualifications, experience, skillset, and physical work location.
About us
Michael Baker International, a leading provider of engineering and consulting services, including design, planning, architectural, environmental, construction and program management, has been solving some of the world’s most complex infrastructure challenges for more than 85 years with a legacy of expertise, experience, innovation and integrity.
Based in Pittsburgh and with over 100 offices nationwide, we partner with clients on everything from roads, bridges, tunnels, mass transit, and airports, to water treatment plants, arctic oil pipelines, environmental restoration and specialized overseas construction. We serve as a trusted adviser to the communities we serve, making them safer, more accessible, more sustainable and more prosperous.
We provide visionary leadership in facilitating transformational change for our clients. Our work delivers differentiating innovations and dedicated experts who challenge the status quo and share a world of diverse experience and an impassioned entrepreneurial spirit. We deliver quality of life.
We Make a Difference.
Michael Baker International is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Michael Baker International provides equal employment opportunity for all persons, in all facets of employment. Michael Baker International maintains a drug-free workplace and performs pre-employment substance abuse testing and background checks. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply for any open position for which they feel they are qualified and all will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, familial status, pregnancy or childbirth, genetic information, disability, protected veteran status, status with regard to public assistance, or membership or activity in a local human rights commission, or any other legally protected status.
EEO is the Law. Applicants to and employees of Michael Baker International are protected under Federal law from discrimination.
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. There is no current application deadline. Michael Baker will continue to accept applications on an ongoing basis until the position is filled or no longer needed.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding J-1 Visa Sponsorship in Construction
Align your credentials with construction specialties
Document your training in structural engineering, project management, or a construction trade before approaching host employers. U.S. sponsors evaluate your background against the specific skills the training program is designed to develop, so a mismatch kills applications early.
Draft a J-1 training plan before outreach
Host employers must submit a detailed Training or Internship Placement Plan to your designated sponsor. Arrive with a draft that maps your goals to measurable milestones in estimating, site supervision, or BIM coordination so the employer sees you've done the compliance groundwork.
Target host employers with existing sponsor relationships
Use Migrate Mate to find construction companies already aligned with J-1 sponsorship, filtering by role and location. Employers who have hosted J-1 trainees before understand the DS-2019 process and won't treat the program category as an obstacle during hiring.
Verify the role meets DOL program duration limits
J-1 Trainee programs cap at 18 months for most construction disciplines. Confirm the host employer's project timeline and training scope fit within that window before accepting an offer, since extensions require sponsor approval and aren't guaranteed.
Confirm the host employer's E-Verify enrollment status
Federal construction contracts often require E-Verify participation. Ask your prospective host whether they're enrolled before your training plan is finalized, since your work authorization as a J-1 trainee must be verified through E-Verify on covered federal projects.
Check whether your home country triggers the two-year rule
If your home country is on the Exchange Visitor Skills List or your training is government-funded, you'll face a two-year home-residency requirement after your J-1 ends. Research your eligibility for a waiver through USCIS before committing to a construction role that assumes immediate H-1B transition.
Construction jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Construction JobsConstruction J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which J-1 program category applies to construction roles?
Most construction professionals use either the Trainee or Intern category. The Intern category is for current students or those who graduated within 12 months and covers on-site learning in a construction discipline. The Trainee category is for early-career professionals with at least one year of post-degree work experience and supports structured training in areas like project management, estimating, or site supervision.
Who actually sponsors a J-1 visa for a construction trainee?
The visa sponsor is a U.S. Department of State-designated organization, not the construction company itself. Organizations like Cultural Vistas or AIPT issue the DS-2019 form and are legally responsible for program compliance. The construction employer is the host, responsible for executing the training plan and providing the work environment, but they don't hold the sponsorship designation.
How do I find construction employers willing to host J-1 trainees?
Search Migrate Mate to identify U.S. construction employers and roles that align with J-1 sponsorship. Employers who have previously hosted J-1 participants are far more likely to understand the training plan requirements and move through the designated sponsor's vetting process without delays. Targeting companies with that existing familiarity saves significant time in your job search.
Can I work on a federal construction project as a J-1 trainee?
Yes, but federal construction contracts typically require E-Verify participation from the employer. Your J-1 work authorization as a trainee is valid, and you can be verified through E-Verify. Confirm your host employer is enrolled before accepting a role tied to a federal or federally-funded project, since non-enrolled employers can't legally verify you on those sites.
Does the two-year home-residency requirement affect construction trainees?
It can. If your home country appears on the Exchange Visitor Skills List published by the State Department, or if your training is funded by the U.S. or your home government, you'll be required to return home for two years after your J-1 ends before changing to most other visa categories. Check your country's listing and your funding source with your designated sponsor before signing a training agreement.
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