J-1 Visa Program Director Jobs
Program Director roles in the United States are accessible to international professionals through the J-1 visa under the Specialist or Trainee category, depending on your experience level. Securing sponsorship requires a designated sponsor organization to issue your DS-2019, separate from your host employer. No lottery or annual cap applies.
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Get Access To All JobsTransportation Operations Associate/Rotational Program
- (193740)
At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?
Watch Our Story: https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story
Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.
We believe transportation is more than movement, it’s the foundation of connected, thriving communities. As part of HDR’s Transportation Business Group, you’ll help shape the systems that move people and goods safely, efficiently, and sustainably. From designing resilient highways and iconic bridges to advancing transit, passenger and freight rail, aviation, federal transportation ports and marine infrastructure, your work will directly support economic vitality, public safety, sustainable and resilient communities and quality of life. We bring together planners, engineers, architects, construction management staff, environmental, strategic communications, economists, management consultants and specialists across disciplines to solve complex mobility challenges with innovation, technical excellence, and a deep understanding of community needs. Whether you're modernizing aging infrastructure or pioneering next-generation transportation solutions, your contributions will help define the future of mobility. This isn’t just a job, it’s a chance to lead progress, drive meaningful impact, and leave a legacy of smarter, more connected transportation networks. We are all employee-owners at HDR, which is the foundation of our collaborative culture that connects employees around the world.
This new and exciting opportunity in coordination with our client is a rotational development program tailored for recent graduates (within 2 years) seeking to develop a strong foundation in transportation engineering, planning, and operations. Through hands-on experience and mentorship, participants will rotate through key disciplines, gaining a comprehensive view of our valued client's work and impact.
This position is required to be full time onsite collocated with our client in their office in Pompano Beach, Orlando (Turkey Lake), or Tampa (Suncoast), FL.
Areas of focus in this rotational program include:
- Planning & Environmental Management
- Design & Program Management
- Construction & Materials
- Maintenance & Traffic Operations
Core responsibilities include:
- Support engineering and planning teams with design work, technical analysis, data collection, and field observations
- Assist with quantity calculations, cost estimates, contract administration, and report development
- Gain exposure to intelligent transportation systems, roadway signage, materials testing, and maintenance operations
- Collaborate in team environments while receiving ongoing guidance and mentorship from professionals
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree
- Strong verbal and written skills
- Ability to multitask while working on many projects at once
- An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must
Preferred Qualifications:
- Engineer in Training (EIT) certificate
- Previous AEC or operations internship experience
- Preference given to local candidates
What We Believe
HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.
Our Commitment
As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.
Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.
Primary Location:
United States-Florida-Fort Lauderdale
Other Locations:
United States-Florida-West Palm Beach, United States-Florida-Orlando
Industry:
Highway + Road
Schedule:
Full-time
Employee Status:
Regular
Business Class:
Field Services - Non-FAR / Negotiated
Job Posting:
Jun 12, 2026
Transportation Operations Associate/Rotational Program
- (193740)
At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?
Watch Our Story: https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story
Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.
We believe transportation is more than movement, it’s the foundation of connected, thriving communities. As part of HDR’s Transportation Business Group, you’ll help shape the systems that move people and goods safely, efficiently, and sustainably. From designing resilient highways and iconic bridges to advancing transit, passenger and freight rail, aviation, federal transportation ports and marine infrastructure, your work will directly support economic vitality, public safety, sustainable and resilient communities and quality of life. We bring together planners, engineers, architects, construction management staff, environmental, strategic communications, economists, management consultants and specialists across disciplines to solve complex mobility challenges with innovation, technical excellence, and a deep understanding of community needs. Whether you're modernizing aging infrastructure or pioneering next-generation transportation solutions, your contributions will help define the future of mobility. This isn’t just a job, it’s a chance to lead progress, drive meaningful impact, and leave a legacy of smarter, more connected transportation networks. We are all employee-owners at HDR, which is the foundation of our collaborative culture that connects employees around the world.
This new and exciting opportunity in coordination with our client is a rotational development program tailored for recent graduates (within 2 years) seeking to develop a strong foundation in transportation engineering, planning, and operations. Through hands-on experience and mentorship, participants will rotate through key disciplines, gaining a comprehensive view of our valued client's work and impact.
This position is required to be full time onsite collocated with our client in their office in Pompano Beach, Orlando (Turkey Lake), or Tampa (Suncoast), FL.
Areas of focus in this rotational program include:
- Planning & Environmental Management
- Design & Program Management
- Construction & Materials
- Maintenance & Traffic Operations
Core responsibilities include:
- Support engineering and planning teams with design work, technical analysis, data collection, and field observations
- Assist with quantity calculations, cost estimates, contract administration, and report development
- Gain exposure to intelligent transportation systems, roadway signage, materials testing, and maintenance operations
- Collaborate in team environments while receiving ongoing guidance and mentorship from professionals
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree
- Strong verbal and written skills
- Ability to multitask while working on many projects at once
- An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must
Preferred Qualifications:
- Engineer in Training (EIT) certificate
- Previous AEC or operations internship experience
- Preference given to local candidates
What We Believe
HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.
Our Commitment
As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.
Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.
Primary Location:
United States-Florida-Fort Lauderdale
Other Locations:
United States-Florida-West Palm Beach, United States-Florida-Orlando
Industry:
Highway + Road
Schedule:
Full-time
Employee Status:
Regular
Business Class:
Field Services - Non-FAR / Negotiated
Job Posting:
Jun 12, 2026
See all 356+ J-1 Visa Program Director Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new J-1 Visa Program Director Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding J-1 Visa Sponsorship in Program Director
Align your credentials with DS-2019 requirements
Your DS-2019 application must document how your Program Director experience ties directly to your proposed U.S. training objectives. Gather performance evaluations, program portfolios, and organizational charts showing your leadership scope before approaching any designated sponsor.
Distinguish Specialist from Trainee category early
Seasoned Program Directors with five or more years of demonstrated program leadership typically qualify as Specialists. Those under two years post-graduation fit Trainee. Applying under the wrong category delays your DS-2019 issuance and can trigger sponsor rejection.
Search for J-1-aligned roles using Migrate Mate
Use Migrate Mate to filter U.S. Program Director openings by employers who have hosted J-1 visa exchange visitors before. Host history signals familiarity with training plan requirements and the DS-2019 process, reducing onboarding friction.
Confirm host employer willingness before sponsor outreach
Designated sponsors like Cultural Vistas or CIEE issue DS-2019 forms only after your host employer signs a training plan. Secure a formal offer or letter of intent from the host organization before contacting any sponsor, or the application stalls at the first step.
Map your training plan to measurable program outcomes
Designated sponsors scrutinize whether your Specialist or Trainee placement advances skills you cannot acquire at home. Frame your training plan around specific program management methodologies, stakeholder engagement models, or evaluation frameworks tied to defined milestones.
Verify the two-year home residency requirement before accepting
Program Directors sponsored under government-funded categories or coming from countries on the Exchange Visitor Skills List may face the two-year home residency requirement after program completion. Confirm your country and funding source with your sponsor before signing any offer letter.
Program Director J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which J-1 category fits a Program Director role?
Most experienced Program Directors qualify under the Specialist category, which is designed for professionals with specialized knowledge or skills coming to the U.S. to share expertise with a host organization. Early-career professionals within 12 months of graduation may qualify under the Trainee category instead, provided the placement focuses on structured skill development rather than independent program leadership.
Who actually sponsors my J-1 visa as a Program Director?
Your visa sponsor is a U.S. Department of State-designated organization, not your host employer. Organizations such as Cultural Vistas, CIEE, or IIE review your qualifications, approve your training plan, and issue the DS-2019 form that authorizes your exchange visitor status. Your host employer, the organization where you direct programs day to day, signs the training plan but does not hold sponsor authority.
How do I find U.S. employers open to hosting a J-1 Program Director?
Migrate Mate lets you search Program Director openings and filter by employers with J-1 hosting history. Host familiarity matters because the employer must sign a detailed training plan before any designated sponsor can issue a DS-2019. Organizations that have navigated this process before move faster and make fewer compliance errors during onboarding.
What goes into the training plan for a Program Director placement?
The training plan, typically form DS-7002 for Trainees, must detail each phase of your exchange activity, the skills you will develop, supervision arrangements, and evaluation checkpoints. For Program Director roles, sponsors expect concrete descriptions of program design, stakeholder coordination, or evaluation frameworks you will learn or apply, with timelines tied to measurable outcomes.
Can a Program Director on J-1 status change host organizations mid-program?
You can change host organizations, but only with your designated sponsor's prior approval. The sponsor must issue an amended DS-2019 reflecting the new host and updated training plan before you begin work there. Starting at a new host without this step violates the terms of your exchange visitor status and can result in program termination.