OPT Construction Inspector Jobs
Construction Inspector jobs on OPT require employers willing to sponsor or maintain your F-1 work authorization. Most roles fall under STEM-adjacent civil or environmental engineering fields, which may qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Positions are common with municipal agencies, engineering consultancies, and large general contractors.
Find OPT Construction Inspector JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 76+ Construction Inspector jobs










See all 76+ Construction Inspector Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Construction Inspector roles.
Get Access To All Jobs
ABOUT LOCHNER
Founded in 1944, Lochner is a trusted infrastructure services provider for aviation, surface transportation and water clients who need high-quality, forward-looking solutions to complex challenges. Our vision is to become a Top 100 leader in the A/E industry, centered on an agile, engaged, and empowered workforce coming together to embrace the art of the possible and make a lasting difference in our world.
Are you ready to join us on this journey?
As a people-centric company, Lochner’s purpose is to empower our team to put their knowledge to work, enhancing communities across the US. To achieve this, we hire candidates of all experiences and skillsets because amazing things happen when people with diverse backgrounds come together to solve problems. We believe collaboration is more than a buzz word — it is a guiding principle in which every point of view is valued and heard and is the driving force in delivering our best work. At all levels of the organization, we foster an entrepreneurial spirit and culture of autonomy to advance our strategic vision and continually seek our next success story.
YOUR IMPACT:
- Read and interpret complex contract plans, specifications, special provisions, permits, shop drawings and working drawings.
- Monitor and report on daily contractor daily activities. Ensure compliance with plans, specifications and other contract documents.
- Ensure highway work zones and traffic control setups, including lane closures or detours, conform to contract requirements.
- Ensure that work which interferes with traffic is performed only during Allowable Periods in contract.
- Check lines, grades, dimensions and elevations using standard field measuring equipment.
- Measure and calculate quantities of contract items for payments to the contractor.
- Track labor, material and equipment used on each operation covered.
- Identify plan discrepancies or other potential issues to Chief Inspector/Resident Engineer for resolution; suggest solutions as feasible.
- Identify issues not covered in contract documents to Chief Inspector/Resident Engineer so determination can be made on how to handle.
- Perform material testing on site as needed. Obtain material samples for testing as required.
- Responsible to a licensed professional engineer who has full authority for approval of all work.
WHO YOU ARE:
- BS in Civil Engineering or Construction Management or NICET required.
- 0-2 years of Construction Inspection Experience. Experience on CTDOT projects preferred.
- Willingness to work nights, weekends and swing shifts as required on assigned projects. Payment is hourly with 1.5x OT for over 40 hours in a week.
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook.
- Certifications from NETTCP, ACI, ATSSA, AWS, NACE a plus, though not required.
- Personal Vehicle needed along with valid driver’s license and clean driving record. Reimbursement for on-site mileage.
COMPENSATION
Lochner provides an extensive total rewards package that includes:
- Competitive Premiums for Medical, Dental, and Vision
- Paid Time Off and Flexible Holiday Program
- Company Paid Disability (includes paid Maternity Leave), and Life Insurance
- Health Savings Accounts (HSA) with Employer Contribution
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for Medical Expenses and/or Dependent Care
- Paid Family Leave
- Retirement Plan with Employer Match
- Flexible Work Schedules (Hybrid or Remote, when possible)
- Wellness Program for Physical and Mental Health
- Lochner Cares Non-Profit 501c3
- Education and Training Assistance
- Employee Assistance Program
- Employee Discounts
- Paid Time Off for Charitable Acts of Service
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts and outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.
Physical Requirements
The physical requirements must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Intermittent sitting, walking, standing, bending, squatting, climbing, kneeling, twisting, stoop, crawl, and lifting. The employee must frequently lift and/or move light equipment up to 20 pounds. Must be alert to equipment in the field, occasional need to work near hazardous equipment and machinery, occasional need to walk on uneven ground, exposure to dust, gas or fumes, exposure to noise, extremes in temperature or humidity, and potential work at heights.
EQUAL EMPLOYER
Lochner is proudly committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse and inclusive workforce. Lochner provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
All positions at Lochner require an applicant who has accepted an employment offer to undergo pre-employment screening. Background checks include SSN/SIN validation, motor vehicle verification, education verification, employment verification, a criminal check, search against global sanctions and government watch lists, and drug tests. All employment offers are contingent upon successful results of the pre-employment screening.
CALIFORNIA PRIVACY POLICY
Privacy Policy
See all 76+ OPT Construction Inspector Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Construction Inspector Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Construction Inspector
Target employers who already file H-1B or E-3 petitions
Engineering firms and large general contractors that regularly hire foreign nationals are far more familiar with OPT work authorization. Check public Labor Condition Application records to identify firms with a history of sponsoring technical roles in construction and inspection.
Clarify your STEM OPT eligibility before applying
Construction Inspector roles tied to civil, structural, or environmental engineering degrees often qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Confirm your degree CIP code with your DSO before interviews so you can accurately communicate your full authorization timeline to employers.
Lead with your authorization timeline, not your visa status
Instead of saying you need sponsorship, tell employers you have three years of work authorization if STEM OPT applies. Framing it as a timeline rather than a requirement reduces hesitation and gives hiring managers a concrete window to evaluate the hire.
Prioritize roles with project timelines that extend beyond your OPT end date
Construction Inspectors are often hired for the duration of a specific project. Target long-cycle infrastructure or commercial projects where your full authorization period aligns naturally with the project timeline, reducing employer concern about mid-project transitions.
Emphasize field certifications alongside your degree
Certifications such as ACI, ICC, or NICET signal job-ready competence that supplements your academic credentials. Employers sponsoring OPT are taking on administrative work, so demonstrating immediate technical value through recognized certifications makes the tradeoff more straightforward for them.
Apply through platforms that surface OPT-friendly employers
Generic job boards rarely filter for visa sponsorship willingness. Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT and international students, surfacing employers already open to candidates who need work authorization support in technical and inspection roles.
Construction Inspector OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Construction Inspector on F-1 OPT?
Yes. Construction Inspector is a qualifying role for F-1 OPT as long as the work is directly related to your degree field, such as civil engineering, construction management, or environmental science. You must have a job offer before your OPT start date and ensure your employer is registered with E-Verify if you are using STEM OPT.
Does a Construction Inspector role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree, not just the job title. If your degree was awarded in a STEM-designated CIP code, such as civil engineering or construction engineering, and the role uses that technical knowledge, you likely qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Confirm your CIP code with your Designated School Official before assuming eligibility.
Will employers sponsor OPT for Construction Inspector positions?
Many employers are unfamiliar with OPT and conflate it with H-1B visa sponsorship, which is more costly and complex. OPT itself requires no petition or fee from the employer, only E-Verify enrollment for STEM OPT. Engineering consultancies and municipal contractors tend to be more open than residential builders. Browse Migrate Mate to find employers already receptive to OPT candidates in construction roles.
What happens to my OPT status if my construction project ends early?
OPT allows up to 90 days of cumulative unemployment, or 150 days on STEM OPT. If your project ends before your OPT expires, you have a window to find a new qualifying role. Inspectors working on fixed-term projects should actively maintain a job search and document any gap periods carefully to stay within the unemployment limits.
Is construction inspection considered a specialty occupation for future H-1B purposes?
It can be, but it is not automatic. H-1B specialty occupation requires that the role normally requires at least a bachelor's degree in a specific field. Construction Inspector roles that require licensed engineering judgment or a specific technical degree are stronger candidates for H-1B than general inspection roles that accept any four-year degree. Employers and attorneys assess this case by case.