OPT Construction Administrator Jobs
Construction Administrator jobs on OPT require employers to support your work authorization throughout the project lifecycle. Most roles sit within architecture, engineering, or general contracting firms, which regularly hire on STEM-adjacent or standard OPT. Your 12-month window is enough to complete a full construction phase at many firms.
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Organization: Commerce
Agency Contact Name and Information: Molly Williams at molly.williams@com.ohio.gov OR 614-995-7009
Work Location:
6606 Tussing Road
Columbus, Ohio, 43068
United States
Compensation: $44.38-$63.41
Schedule: Permanent - Full Time
Work Hours: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Classified Indicator: Classified
Union: Exempt from union
Primary Job Skill: Architecture
Who We Are
The Mission of the Ohio Department of Commerce is promoting prosperity by protecting what matters most.
As the state’s chief regulator, the Department of Commerce impacts Ohioans every day. We are motivated by our mission to promote prosperity for businesses and licensees by protecting what matters most to the residents of our state. We ensure compliance through proactive outreach, education, and customer-focused service.
Commerce is comprised of nine operating divisions and one standalone program that span a variety of industries including real estate, liquor, banking, securities, firefighting, construction and skilled trades, and cannabis. Through exceptional compliance practices and oversight, Commerce has a direct role in protecting Ohioans.
Our Guiding Principles
Making an IMPACT for the customer:
- Inclusive
- Motivated
- Proactive
- Accountable
- Customer-Focused
- Teamwork
The Division of Industrial Compliance and its associated boards ensure Ohioans are safe in public buildings such as businesses, educational institutions and municipal buildings. This includes drafting and applying the Ohio Building Code; conducting appeal hearings; issuing variances to code requirements; licensing commercial contractors; inspecting boilers, elevators and bedding; and regulating ski tramways. The division has responsibility for portions of the Manufactured Homes Program, and licenses installers and parks. The division also oversees Ohio’s minimum wage, prevailing wage and minor labor law programs.
- Acts as Construction codes Certification Engineer or Code & Certification Construction Architect to assist the Board of Building Standards (BBS) in promulgating construction codes for State of Ohio.
- Reviews & evaluates existing & proposed nationally developed construction codes & standards for possible incorporation & adoption into Ohio's administrative rules.
- Drafts proposed new & amended administrative rules affecting Ohio Building Code, Ohio Plumbing Code, Ohio Mechanical Code, Ohio Elevator Code, Ohio Pressure Piping rules, Ohio Boiler & Unfired Pressure Vessel Rules & other Ohio codes & standards.
- Provides statewide training programs for building departments, building officials, building inspectors & plans examiners.
- Writes reports & offers technical assistance to Executive Secretary.
- Researches & responds to code inquiries from other state departments, administrative agencies, legislators, professional, public & private interest groups and individuals.
Additional Information
Placeholder
Why Work for the State of Ohio:
At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees*. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:
- Medical Coverage
- Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
- Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
- Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave
- Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)
- Public Retirement Systems (such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS) & Optional Deferred Compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation)
- Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors. The Agency Contact listed above will be able to provide specific benefits information for this position.
Qualifications:
Position as Construction Codes Certification Engineer requires Ohio Certificate of Registration as Professional Engineer, per Section 4733.02 of Revised Code 5 yrs. exp. as registered professional engineer. Position as Code & Certification Construction Architect requires Ohio Certificate to practice architecture, per Section 4703.06 of Revised Code 5 yrs. exp. as licensed architect.
Job Skills: Architecture
ADA Statement:
Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.
Drug-Free Workplace:
The State of Ohio is a drug-free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis). Please note, this position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug-Free Workplace Policy (HR-39), and as outlined in the posting.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Construction Administrator
Target architecture and engineering firms first
Large AEC firms like AECOM, Jacobs, and Gensler have established HR processes for OPT hires. They sponsor more frequently than small contractors and often have dedicated immigration support staff who understand your authorization timeline.
Clarify your OPT type before applying
Construction management degrees from ABET-accredited programs typically qualify for STEM OPT extension, giving you 36 months total. Confirm your CIP code with your DSO before applying, since STEM eligibility affects how employers weigh sponsorship risk.
Emphasize project continuity in your cover letter
Employers worry about losing a CA mid-project. Frame your OPT timeline around typical construction phases. If your authorization covers a full design-build cycle, say so directly. It removes the most common objection before the interview even starts.
Get familiar with submittal and RFI workflows before interviewing
Construction Administrators live in Procore, Bluebeam, and similar platforms. Demonstrating hands-on fluency with these tools signals you can contribute immediately, which makes the overhead of OPT paperwork easier for employers to justify.
Ask about H-1B sponsorship intentions during the offer stage
Construction management roles qualify as specialty occupations under H-1B visa. Raise the sponsorship question before accepting an offer, not after starting. Firms that have previously sponsored H-1B visas are far more likely to do so again for a strong candidate.
Consider public sector and institutional employers
Government agencies, university facilities teams, and hospital systems often manage large capital programs in-house. These employers tend to have stable HR infrastructure, longer project timelines, and less anxiety about OPT work authorization compared to smaller private firms.
Construction Administrator OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Construction Administrator role qualify for STEM OPT?
It depends on your degree, not the job title. If you graduated from a construction management, civil engineering, or architecture program with a qualifying STEM CIP code, you can apply for the 24-month STEM OPT extension after your initial 12 months. Confirm your CIP code with your Designated School Official before assuming eligibility, since not all construction-related programs qualify.
How do I find Construction Administrator jobs that are open to OPT students?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters construction roles by sponsorship willingness, so you're not wasting applications on employers who won't hire on OPT. General job boards don't surface this information reliably. Searching Migrate Mate saves significant time during a period when your authorization clock is already running.
Can I work as a Construction Administrator at an independent contractor firm on OPT?
Yes, as long as the firm employs you directly as a W-2 employee. OPT prohibits self-employment and independent contracting arrangements where you'd receive a 1099. Some smaller CA firms operate on a consulting basis, so confirm your employment structure before accepting. Your DSO and the firm's HR team can verify the arrangement complies with your I-20 authorization.
What happens to my OPT status if my construction project ends early?
If your position is eliminated or the project wraps early, you enter a 60-day grace period to find new authorized employment. OPT allows up to 90 days of unemployment across your authorization period, but that total resets only if you transition to a STEM extension. Keep your DSO informed immediately when employment ends so your SEVIS record stays accurate.
Do Construction Administrator roles qualify for H-1B sponsorship after OPT?
Construction Administrator positions generally qualify as H-1B specialty occupations when a bachelor's degree in architecture, engineering, or construction management is a standard requirement for the role. Roles requiring only a general degree or extensive non-specialized training are harder to support. Employers who have filed Labor Condition Applications for similar titles in the past are your strongest targets for eventual H-1B sponsorship.