J-1 Visa Construction Cost Estimator Jobs
Construction Cost Estimator roles in the United States are accessible to international professionals through the J-1 Trainee or Intern program category, depending on your career stage. A State Department-designated sponsor organization issues your DS-2019 and arranges sponsorship, while your U.S. employer serves as the host site for your training placement.
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Get Access To All JobsJOB 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.
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.
See all 382+ Construction Cost Estimator jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Construction Cost Estimator roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding J-1 Visa Sponsorship in Construction Cost Estimator
Align your credentials with specialty occupation standards
Gather documentation proving your degree in construction management, civil engineering, or quantity surveying aligns with U.S. cost estimating roles. Designated sponsors assess this fit before issuing a DS-2019, so gaps in your credential package delay approval.
Identify host employers using J-1 training plans
Target construction firms and project management consultancies that have hosted J-1 Trainees before. These employers already understand the Training Plan (DS-7002) requirement, which outlines your structured learning objectives across estimating software, takeoffs, and bid preparation.
Search verified J-1-friendly roles on Migrate Mate
Use Migrate Mate to find U.S. construction employers and cost estimating positions that align with J-1 sponsorship pathways. Filtering by role type surfaces host employers already familiar with the Trainee and Intern program structures.
Clarify the two-year home residency requirement early
Some J-1 participants in government-funded or skills-shortage fields must return home for two years after their program ends. Confirm with your designated sponsor whether your background triggers this requirement before accepting a host employer's offer.
Negotiate a training plan before signing any offer
Your host employer must complete the DS-7002 Training Plan with your designated sponsor before your program starts. Confirm the plan covers measurable estimating objectives, not just general project work, to satisfy USCIS and State Department compliance standards.
Verify prevailing wage compliance before your start date
Check the OFLC Wage Search for the cost estimator wage level in your host employer's county. Your compensation must meet prevailing wage standards for your work location and experience level, and your designated sponsor will verify this during enrollment.
Construction Cost Estimator jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Construction Cost Estimator JobsConstruction Cost Estimator J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which J-1 program category fits a Construction Cost Estimator role?
The right category depends on your career stage. If you're a current student or recent graduate, the J-1 Intern category applies. If you've completed your degree and have at least one year of relevant post-secondary work experience in estimating or construction management, the J-1 Trainee category is the appropriate fit. Your designated sponsor makes the final determination based on your credentials and training objectives.
Who actually sponsors my J-1 visa if my employer is just the host?
Your visa sponsorship comes from a U.S. Department of State-designated sponsor organization, not your employer. Organizations like Cultural Vistas, AIPT, or IIE issue the DS-2019 form that authorizes your J-1 status. Your construction employer is the host site where your approved training plan is carried out. These are two separate relationships, and your employer cannot independently sponsor a J-1 visa.
How do I find U.S. construction employers that understand the J-1 Trainee process?
Many mid-size and large construction and project management firms have hosted J-1 Trainees and are familiar with the DS-7002 Training Plan requirement. Use Migrate Mate to search for cost estimating and construction roles where employers have demonstrated experience with exchange visitor programs. Reaching out to employers with that background significantly shortens your approval timeline.
Does my J-1 training plan need to be specific to cost estimating tasks?
Yes. The DS-7002 Training Plan must detail structured, measurable learning objectives tied directly to construction cost estimating, such as quantity takeoffs, bid assembly, estimating software proficiency, and project cost analysis. Vague plans that list general construction exposure are routinely flagged by designated sponsors and may delay or prevent DS-2019 issuance. Your host employer and sponsor complete this document together.
Can I transfer to a different host employer partway through my J-1 program?
A mid-program host employer change is possible but requires your designated sponsor's prior approval. Your training plan must be revised, and the new host must meet the same compliance standards as the original. Not all sponsors permit transfers, and changing hosts without authorization puts your J-1 status at risk. Confirm your sponsor's transfer policy before accepting a role at a second firm.
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