J-1 Visa Construction Jobs
Construction roles in the United States are available to international professionals through the J-1 visa 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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Get Access To All JobsCompany Description
We are Olsson. We engineer and design solutions that improve the world around us. As a company, we promise to always be responsive, transparent, and focused on results – for our people, our clients, and our company. We’re a people-centric firm, so it’s no surprise our greatest asset is our people. The impact this creates is an environment that encourages our people to grow and be creative with their talents. This approach builds a culture that is uniquely Olsson. It allows us to grow our people as we grow our business. This, in turn, creates a lasting impact on the world around us.
Job Description
As an Entry-Level Civil Engineering Construction Technician on our Construction Materials and Testing (CMT) Team, you will play a crucial role in ensuring the quality and safety of construction projects. You will learn to independently collect construction materials samples from various construction sites and perform tests and inspections to assess the properties and integrity of those materials, using specialized equipment and following established procedures and standards. You will document your findings and communicate results to project managers and other stakeholders, facilitating informed decision-making and maintaining the integrity and safety of construction projects. We collaborate with a diverse range of local clients who often require our team members to hold EIT (Engineer-in-Training) or ICC (International Code Council) certifications to ensure compliance and excellence on project sites.
You will also travel to various job sites around the Kansas City metropolitan area and work in all types of terrain and weather conditions.
Watch our video to learn more: Careers in Construction Materials Testing
This Position Includes
- The use of a company truck for transportation to and from job sites
- Applicable PPE (personal protective equipment) provided
- Work boot reimbursement program
- Company issued laptop
- Cell phone reimbursement options
- Receive fully paid training, opportunity to participate in our mentorship program, and gain hands-on experience by shadowing seasoned professionals
- The ability to work with Licensed Professional Engineers
Qualifications
You are passionate about:
- Working collaboratively with others.
- Having ownership in the work you do.
- Using your talents to positively affect communities.
You Bring To The Team
- Strong communication skills
- Ability to contribute and work well on a team
- Bachelor's in engineering (civil preferred)
- Passed the Fundamentals of Engineer (FE) exam and obtained Engineer-in-Training EIT certificate
- Valid driver's license with a good driving history
- Capability to work a flexible schedule
- Capacity to regularly lift up to 50lbs
- The ability to work in a constant state of alertness and safe manner
- Candidates who are already located in the area are preferred to allow for a smooth transition and timely start
Additional Information
Olsson specializes in engineering and design, client advisory services, planning, field services, and environmental. Improving the world has been our mindset from the very beginning, back when Olsson first opened for business in 1956. And it will be our mindset for years to come.
As An Olsson Employee, You Will
- Receive a competitive 401(k) match
- Be empowered to build your career with tailored development paths
- Have the possibility for flexible work arrangements
- Engage in work that has a positive impact on communities
- Participate in a wellness program promoting balanced lifestyles
In addition, full-time employees will receive our traditional benefits package (health care, vision, dental, paid time off, etc.) and the opportunity to participate in a bonus system that rewards performance.
Olsson is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage qualified minority, female, veteran, and disabled candidates to apply and be considered for open positions. We do not discriminate against any applicant for employment or any employee because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender, disability, age, military status, or other protected status.
Olsson understands the importance of privacy and is committed to protecting job applicants’ personal information. Pursuant to the California Consumer Privacy Act, as amended by the California Privacy Rights Act (collectively, the “CCPA”), this notice explains Olsson’s practices regarding the collection, use, and disclosure of personal information for job applicants residing in California. Please read this Notice carefully to understand our privacy practices. For more information about the types of information we collect and how we use it in connection with your general access and use of our website, please review our general California Privacy Notice here.
Company Description
We are Olsson. We engineer and design solutions that improve the world around us. As a company, we promise to always be responsive, transparent, and focused on results – for our people, our clients, and our company. We’re a people-centric firm, so it’s no surprise our greatest asset is our people. The impact this creates is an environment that encourages our people to grow and be creative with their talents. This approach builds a culture that is uniquely Olsson. It allows us to grow our people as we grow our business. This, in turn, creates a lasting impact on the world around us.
Job Description
As an Entry-Level Civil Engineering Construction Technician on our Construction Materials and Testing (CMT) Team, you will play a crucial role in ensuring the quality and safety of construction projects. You will learn to independently collect construction materials samples from various construction sites and perform tests and inspections to assess the properties and integrity of those materials, using specialized equipment and following established procedures and standards. You will document your findings and communicate results to project managers and other stakeholders, facilitating informed decision-making and maintaining the integrity and safety of construction projects. We collaborate with a diverse range of local clients who often require our team members to hold EIT (Engineer-in-Training) or ICC (International Code Council) certifications to ensure compliance and excellence on project sites.
You will also travel to various job sites around the Kansas City metropolitan area and work in all types of terrain and weather conditions.
Watch our video to learn more: Careers in Construction Materials Testing
This Position Includes
- The use of a company truck for transportation to and from job sites
- Applicable PPE (personal protective equipment) provided
- Work boot reimbursement program
- Company issued laptop
- Cell phone reimbursement options
- Receive fully paid training, opportunity to participate in our mentorship program, and gain hands-on experience by shadowing seasoned professionals
- The ability to work with Licensed Professional Engineers
Qualifications
You are passionate about:
- Working collaboratively with others.
- Having ownership in the work you do.
- Using your talents to positively affect communities.
You Bring To The Team
- Strong communication skills
- Ability to contribute and work well on a team
- Bachelor's in engineering (civil preferred)
- Passed the Fundamentals of Engineer (FE) exam and obtained Engineer-in-Training EIT certificate
- Valid driver's license with a good driving history
- Capability to work a flexible schedule
- Capacity to regularly lift up to 50lbs
- The ability to work in a constant state of alertness and safe manner
- Candidates who are already located in the area are preferred to allow for a smooth transition and timely start
Additional Information
Olsson specializes in engineering and design, client advisory services, planning, field services, and environmental. Improving the world has been our mindset from the very beginning, back when Olsson first opened for business in 1956. And it will be our mindset for years to come.
As An Olsson Employee, You Will
- Receive a competitive 401(k) match
- Be empowered to build your career with tailored development paths
- Have the possibility for flexible work arrangements
- Engage in work that has a positive impact on communities
- Participate in a wellness program promoting balanced lifestyles
In addition, full-time employees will receive our traditional benefits package (health care, vision, dental, paid time off, etc.) and the opportunity to participate in a bonus system that rewards performance.
Olsson is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage qualified minority, female, veteran, and disabled candidates to apply and be considered for open positions. We do not discriminate against any applicant for employment or any employee because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender, disability, age, military status, or other protected status.
Olsson understands the importance of privacy and is committed to protecting job applicants’ personal information. Pursuant to the California Consumer Privacy Act, as amended by the California Privacy Rights Act (collectively, the “CCPA”), this notice explains Olsson’s practices regarding the collection, use, and disclosure of personal information for job applicants residing in California. Please read this Notice carefully to understand our privacy practices. For more information about the types of information we collect and how we use it in connection with your general access and use of our website, please review our general California Privacy Notice here.
See all 208+ J-1 Visa Construction Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new J-1 Visa Construction Jobs.
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 visa transition.
Construction 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.