J-1 Visa Grader Operator Jobs
Grader Operator roles in the United States are available to exchange visitors through the J-1 visa Trainee or Intern program category, connecting skilled heavy equipment operators with U.S. host employers. Finding a designated sponsor organization to issue your DS-2019 is the critical first step toward securing sponsorship and beginning your placement.
Find J-1 Visa Grader Operator JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 118+ Grader Operator jobs
See all 118+ Grader Operator Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Grader Operator roles.
Get Access To All JobsDescription
Role Mission: IDEA Academy teachers are responsible for ensuring that every IDEA student masters the academic and social skills necessary to succeed in college, while also embodying IDEA’s values daily.
IDEA Academy teachers set ambitious goals for student achievement and invest students and families in accomplishing them; create a powerful learning environment; plan and deliver purposeful, rigorous instruction; assess for mastery and track student progress toward goals; analyze data to intervene and adjust instruction; and seek excellence as an educator and an IDEA team member. Academy core subjects are state assessed in grades 3rd, 4th, 5th grades.
What We Offer
Compensation:
- The starting teacher salary for 0 years of experience is $58,500. This role is eligible for various stipends based on certifications, credentials, and campus leadership ranging from $500-$4,000 each. We also offer additional performance-based compensation. For more information about our compensation and total rewards, visit our compensation and benefits page.
- Additional hourly compensation is provided for after-school tutoring or Saturday school as assigned.
Other Benefits:
We offer a comprehensive benefits plan, covering the majority of the employee premium for the base medical plan and subsidizing the majority of costs for a spouse/domestic partner and children. Some of the special benefits we offer at IDEA include:
- Paid Family Leave: Eligible staff may receive up to 8 weeks of paid leave for the birth or adoption of a child, based on their tenure with the organization and caregiver designation.
- Tuition Reimbursement: Staff members may apply for up to 50% of tuition paid toward a qualifying degree program, up to $5,250 maximum per year subject to manager discretion and budget availability.
- Employer-Paid Mental/Behavioral Health: 5 face-to-face counseling sessions within a year, unlimited 24/7 telephonic counseling, and other work-life services available at no cost.
Other benefits include dental and vision plans, disability, life insurance, parenting benefits, flexible spending account options, generous vacation time, referral bonuses, professional development, and a 403(b) plan. IDEA may offer a relocation allowance to defray the cost of moving for this role, if applicable.
What You Bring - Competencies
Qualifications
- High level of content-area proficiency as evidenced by teaching certification, field of study, or work-experience (strongly preferred)
- Education: Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited four-year educational institution (required)
- Experience: Experience in a K-12 classroom setting (strongly preferred)
- Licenses or Certifications:
- Teachers of record for students in K-3 must possess appropriate Reading Academies certification in accordance with TEA requirements or must be willing and able to obtain all relevant TX training within required timelines.
- Bilingual certification strongly preferred, content and ESL certification preferred (not required)
Knowledge and Skills:
- Knowledge of core academic subject assigned and ability to pass an IDEA content assessment
- Knowledge of curriculum and instruction
- Ability to instruct students and manage student behavior
- Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills
- Ability to adjust and adapt to a multitude of situations in the school environment
What You’ll Do - Accountabilities
Responsibilities:
- Implement state learning standards and IDEA curricula and assessments to meet ambitious academic expectations
- Submit weekly lesson plans two weeks in advance for feedback
- Implement formal and informal assessments to track each individual student’s progress and learning needs, adjust lesson plans accordingly and update gradebook weekly
- Communicate students’ progress with student and family on a weekly basis
- Effective facilitation and personal use of technology as a communication and educational tool to improve student achievement and manage work related tasks
- Implement a clear and consistent behavior management system that aligns to campus-wide initiatives while developing students’ character and sense of community in the classroom
- Help shape and develop a school wide culture that fosters a productive and enthusiastic learning environment for each student
- Establish and maintain a cooperative working relationship with students and families based on trust, understanding and respect for the communities in which they identify
- Host necessary tutoring sessions to meet all students’ needs
- Participate in weekly manager check-ins, grade-level meetings, before and after-school duties, and school wide meetings and functions
- Engage in summer and year-long district, school and personal learning and development
- Minimum of 40+ hours spent at school per week
- Additional responsibilities may include: after-school tutoring or Saturday school and are based on the needs of our scholars
We look for Team and Family who embody the following values and characteristics:
- Believes and is committed to our mission and being an agent of change: that all students are capable of getting to and through college
- Has demonstrated effective outcomes and results, and wants to be held accountable for them
- Has a propensity for action, willing to make mistakes by doing in order to learn and improve quickly
- Works with urgency and purpose to drive student outcomes
- Thrives in an entrepreneurial, high-growth environment; is comfortable with ambiguity and change
- Seeks and responds well to feedback, which is shared often and freely across all levels of the organization
- Works through silos and forges strong cross-departmental relationships in order to achieve outcomes
- We believe in education as a profession and hold ourselves to high level of conduct, professionalism and behaviors as models for our colleagues and students.
About IDEA Public Schools
At IDEA Public Schools, we believe each and every child can go to college. Since 2000, IDEA Public Schools has grown from a small school with 150 students to a multi-state network of tuition-free, Pre-K-12 public charter schools.
IDEA Public Schools boasts national rankings on The Washington Post and U.S. News & World Report’s top high schools lists. IDEA serves over 80,000 college-bound students in 143 schools across Texas, Florida, Ohio, and is on-track to maintain its legacy of sending 100% of its graduates to college.
When you choose to work at IDEA, you are part of our IDEA Team and Family. You will work alongside team members who set and reach ambitious goals every day, are excited to continue to grow with IDEA, and work relentlessly to make college for all a reality.
Staff Experience
At IDEA, the Staff Experience Team uses our Core Values to promote human connection and a culture of integrity, respect, and belonging for all Team and Family members. Learn more about our Commitment to Core Values here!
To Apply
Please submit your application online through Jobvite. It’s in your best interest to apply as soon as possible.
Description
Role Mission: IDEA Academy teachers are responsible for ensuring that every IDEA student masters the academic and social skills necessary to succeed in college, while also embodying IDEA’s values daily.
IDEA Academy teachers set ambitious goals for student achievement and invest students and families in accomplishing them; create a powerful learning environment; plan and deliver purposeful, rigorous instruction; assess for mastery and track student progress toward goals; analyze data to intervene and adjust instruction; and seek excellence as an educator and an IDEA team member. Academy core subjects are state assessed in grades 3rd, 4th, 5th grades.
What We Offer
Compensation:
- The starting teacher salary for 0 years of experience is $58,500. This role is eligible for various stipends based on certifications, credentials, and campus leadership ranging from $500-$4,000 each. We also offer additional performance-based compensation. For more information about our compensation and total rewards, visit our compensation and benefits page.
- Additional hourly compensation is provided for after-school tutoring or Saturday school as assigned.
Other Benefits:
We offer a comprehensive benefits plan, covering the majority of the employee premium for the base medical plan and subsidizing the majority of costs for a spouse/domestic partner and children. Some of the special benefits we offer at IDEA include:
- Paid Family Leave: Eligible staff may receive up to 8 weeks of paid leave for the birth or adoption of a child, based on their tenure with the organization and caregiver designation.
- Tuition Reimbursement: Staff members may apply for up to 50% of tuition paid toward a qualifying degree program, up to $5,250 maximum per year subject to manager discretion and budget availability.
- Employer-Paid Mental/Behavioral Health: 5 face-to-face counseling sessions within a year, unlimited 24/7 telephonic counseling, and other work-life services available at no cost.
Other benefits include dental and vision plans, disability, life insurance, parenting benefits, flexible spending account options, generous vacation time, referral bonuses, professional development, and a 403(b) plan. IDEA may offer a relocation allowance to defray the cost of moving for this role, if applicable.
What You Bring - Competencies
Qualifications
- High level of content-area proficiency as evidenced by teaching certification, field of study, or work-experience (strongly preferred)
- Education: Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited four-year educational institution (required)
- Experience: Experience in a K-12 classroom setting (strongly preferred)
- Licenses or Certifications:
- Teachers of record for students in K-3 must possess appropriate Reading Academies certification in accordance with TEA requirements or must be willing and able to obtain all relevant TX training within required timelines.
- Bilingual certification strongly preferred, content and ESL certification preferred (not required)
Knowledge and Skills:
- Knowledge of core academic subject assigned and ability to pass an IDEA content assessment
- Knowledge of curriculum and instruction
- Ability to instruct students and manage student behavior
- Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills
- Ability to adjust and adapt to a multitude of situations in the school environment
What You’ll Do - Accountabilities
Responsibilities:
- Implement state learning standards and IDEA curricula and assessments to meet ambitious academic expectations
- Submit weekly lesson plans two weeks in advance for feedback
- Implement formal and informal assessments to track each individual student’s progress and learning needs, adjust lesson plans accordingly and update gradebook weekly
- Communicate students’ progress with student and family on a weekly basis
- Effective facilitation and personal use of technology as a communication and educational tool to improve student achievement and manage work related tasks
- Implement a clear and consistent behavior management system that aligns to campus-wide initiatives while developing students’ character and sense of community in the classroom
- Help shape and develop a school wide culture that fosters a productive and enthusiastic learning environment for each student
- Establish and maintain a cooperative working relationship with students and families based on trust, understanding and respect for the communities in which they identify
- Host necessary tutoring sessions to meet all students’ needs
- Participate in weekly manager check-ins, grade-level meetings, before and after-school duties, and school wide meetings and functions
- Engage in summer and year-long district, school and personal learning and development
- Minimum of 40+ hours spent at school per week
- Additional responsibilities may include: after-school tutoring or Saturday school and are based on the needs of our scholars
We look for Team and Family who embody the following values and characteristics:
- Believes and is committed to our mission and being an agent of change: that all students are capable of getting to and through college
- Has demonstrated effective outcomes and results, and wants to be held accountable for them
- Has a propensity for action, willing to make mistakes by doing in order to learn and improve quickly
- Works with urgency and purpose to drive student outcomes
- Thrives in an entrepreneurial, high-growth environment; is comfortable with ambiguity and change
- Seeks and responds well to feedback, which is shared often and freely across all levels of the organization
- Works through silos and forges strong cross-departmental relationships in order to achieve outcomes
- We believe in education as a profession and hold ourselves to high level of conduct, professionalism and behaviors as models for our colleagues and students.
About IDEA Public Schools
At IDEA Public Schools, we believe each and every child can go to college. Since 2000, IDEA Public Schools has grown from a small school with 150 students to a multi-state network of tuition-free, Pre-K-12 public charter schools.
IDEA Public Schools boasts national rankings on The Washington Post and U.S. News & World Report’s top high schools lists. IDEA serves over 80,000 college-bound students in 143 schools across Texas, Florida, Ohio, and is on-track to maintain its legacy of sending 100% of its graduates to college.
When you choose to work at IDEA, you are part of our IDEA Team and Family. You will work alongside team members who set and reach ambitious goals every day, are excited to continue to grow with IDEA, and work relentlessly to make college for all a reality.
Staff Experience
At IDEA, the Staff Experience Team uses our Core Values to promote human connection and a culture of integrity, respect, and belonging for all Team and Family members. Learn more about our Commitment to Core Values here!
To Apply
Please submit your application online through Jobvite. It’s in your best interest to apply as soon as possible.
See all 118+ J-1 Visa Grader Operator Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new J-1 Visa Grader Operator Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding J-1 Visa Sponsorship in Grader Operator
Document your heavy equipment operating hours
Designated sponsors require a detailed training plan before issuing your DS-2019. Log your grader hours, machine types, and grade control systems used abroad so your documented experience maps directly to U.S. training objectives.
Target civil construction and grading contractors
Road grading and land development firms are your most likely host employers. Search for companies actively bidding on public infrastructure projects, as these contractors have established workflows for onboarding skilled operators from overseas under structured training agreements.
Verify your program category matches your career stage
Current students in heavy equipment or civil construction programs typically qualify under the J-1 Intern category. If you've completed your degree or vocational training within the past year, the Trainee category applies and allows up to 18 months of authorized practical experience.
Use Migrate Mate to find J-1 compatible host employers
Not every grading contractor understands the host employer obligations required under a J-1 training plan. Use Migrate Mate to identify U.S. employers whose roles align with J-1 sponsorship, saving outreach time on companies unfamiliar with the program structure.
Confirm your host employer will sign the training plan
The designated sponsor organization, not your employer, issues the DS-2019, but your host employer must co-sign the formal training plan. Get written commitment from the site superintendent or HR contact before submitting your application to the sponsor.
Check whether the 2-year home residency requirement applies
If your country appears on the Exchange Visitor Skills List or your training was government-funded, you may be subject to a 2-year home residency requirement after your J-1 ends. USCIS can confirm whether a waiver is available before you accept a host placement.
Grader Operator J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which J-1 program category fits a Grader Operator role?
Grader Operator positions fall under the J-1 Intern category for current vocational or engineering students, and the J-1 Trainee category for professionals who completed their degree or trade certification within the past five years. The Trainee category allows up to 18 months and is the more common pathway for experienced heavy equipment operators seeking structured U.S. training placements.
Who actually sponsors my J-1 visa, my employer or a separate organization?
Your J-1 visa sponsor is a U.S. Department of State-designated organization, not your host employer. Organizations like Cultural Vistas or AIPT issue the DS-2019 form and monitor program compliance. The grading contractor or civil construction firm you work for is the host, not the legal sponsor, and must agree to the formal training plan the designated sponsor prepares.
How do I find U.S. grading contractors who will act as J-1 host employers?
Start by searching for companies with active public infrastructure contracts, since these firms are accustomed to structured onboarding and third-party compliance requirements. Migrate Mate lets you filter U.S. employers by role type so you can focus outreach on Grader Operator positions where host employer participation in the J-1 process is already a realistic conversation.
What does the J-1 training plan need to cover for a Grader Operator placement?
The training plan must outline specific skills you will develop, the equipment models involved, supervision arrangements, and week-by-week learning milestones. For Grader Operator roles, this typically includes motor grader operation, blade angle calibration, GPS grade control systems, and site safety protocols. Your designated sponsor organization prepares this document with input from the host employer before your DS-2019 is issued.
Does the 2-year home residency requirement affect Grader Operator exchange visitors?
It can, depending on your country of citizenship and how your training was funded. If your home country is on the Department of State Exchange Visitor Skills List or if your training was government-sponsored, you may be required to return home for two years before applying for certain U.S. visas. USCIS administers the waiver process if you believe you qualify for an exemption after your J-1 placement ends.