OPT Construction Technician Jobs
Construction Technician jobs are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with degrees in construction management, civil engineering, or architecture technology. Most roles qualify as STEM OPT extensions. Employers typically require field experience, so co-op and internship work counts toward your authorization period.
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Get Access To All JobsIf you like variety and challenge and take satisfaction from knowing your work supports marine sustainability, consider joining the Michels Construction, Inc., Marine Operations team. Marine Operations provides services to include mechanical and hydraulic dredging, certified commercial diving, lock and dam repair, inspection, and debris removal, just to name a few. The end product might not be visible, but it will be essential. Our work improves lives. Find out how a career at Michels Construction, Inc. can change yours.
As a Project Manager, Marine Construction, your key responsibilities will be to manage a phase of a large complex project or manage multiple medium sized marine construction projects that are approximately greater than $1M and are up to $50M. It is also your responsibility to plan, direct and coordinate activities of designated projects to ensure that goals or objectives of the project are accomplished within prescribed time frame and funding parameters.
Why Michels Construction, Inc.?
- We support dynamic and growing industries
- We are family owned and operated
- We invest an average of $5,000 per employee on training each year
- We reward hard work and dedication with limitless opportunities
- We are a part of the Michels family of companies – one of North America's largest, most diversified energy and infrastructure contractors
- We offer a comprehensive benefits program, including Health, Dental, Life, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Account, Short Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance, 401(k) plan, Legal Plan, and Identity Theft and Monitoring Plan. Depending on your positions and location you may participate in a different benefit plan.
Why you?
- You want to win.
- You thrive in fast-paced environments
- You relish new challenges and evolving technology
- You want your work to be meaningful
- You enjoy collaborating and communicating with your teammates
- You like to know your efforts are noticed and appreciated
- You are flexible and optimistic
What it takes:
- Bachelor's degree and 3+ years of related experience or equivalent combination of both
- Project Management experience in Marine Construction or Heavy Civil is desired
- Ability to be on the water performing work in varying conditions
- Position requires extensive travel throughout the United States (50% or more)
- Experience with B2W, Microsoft Project, and AutoCad a plus but not required
AA/EOE/M/W/Vet/Disability
If you like variety and challenge and take satisfaction from knowing your work supports marine sustainability, consider joining the Michels Construction, Inc., Marine Operations team. Marine Operations provides services to include mechanical and hydraulic dredging, certified commercial diving, lock and dam repair, inspection, and debris removal, just to name a few. The end product might not be visible, but it will be essential. Our work improves lives. Find out how a career at Michels Construction, Inc. can change yours.
As a Project Manager, Marine Construction, your key responsibilities will be to manage a phase of a large complex project or manage multiple medium sized marine construction projects that are approximately greater than $1M and are up to $50M. It is also your responsibility to plan, direct and coordinate activities of designated projects to ensure that goals or objectives of the project are accomplished within prescribed time frame and funding parameters.
Why Michels Construction, Inc.?
- We support dynamic and growing industries
- We are family owned and operated
- We invest an average of $5,000 per employee on training each year
- We reward hard work and dedication with limitless opportunities
- We are a part of the Michels family of companies – one of North America's largest, most diversified energy and infrastructure contractors
- We offer a comprehensive benefits program, including Health, Dental, Life, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Account, Short Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance, 401(k) plan, Legal Plan, and Identity Theft and Monitoring Plan. Depending on your positions and location you may participate in a different benefit plan.
Why you?
- You want to win.
- You thrive in fast-paced environments
- You relish new challenges and evolving technology
- You want your work to be meaningful
- You enjoy collaborating and communicating with your teammates
- You like to know your efforts are noticed and appreciated
- You are flexible and optimistic
What it takes:
- Bachelor's degree and 3+ years of related experience or equivalent combination of both
- Project Management experience in Marine Construction or Heavy Civil is desired
- Ability to be on the water performing work in varying conditions
- Position requires extensive travel throughout the United States (50% or more)
- Experience with B2W, Microsoft Project, and AutoCad a plus but not required
AA/EOE/M/W/Vet/Disability
See all 774+ OPT Construction Technician Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Construction Technician Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Construction Technician
Confirm your role qualifies for STEM OPT
Construction Technician roles under civil or construction engineering CIP codes typically qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Verify your degree's CIP code with your DSO before applying to maximize your authorized work period.
Target firms with established OPT hiring pipelines
Large general contractors and engineering firms like Turner Construction, Jacobs, and AECOM regularly hire OPT students. Smaller firms may lack HR infrastructure to process OPT paperwork, so prioritize employers with documented international hiring history.
Document all field experience for your OPT period
USCIS requires OPT employment to be directly related to your degree. Keep records linking your on-site tasks, such as surveying, quality control, or materials testing, to specific coursework from your program for compliance purposes.
Apply early relative to your OPT start date
Construction project timelines are rigid. Hiring managers plan crew needs weeks in advance, so submitting applications two to three months before your OPT authorization begins gives employers time to plan your onboarding without scheduling conflicts.
Highlight software skills that reduce employer uncertainty
Proficiency in AutoCAD, Revit, Procore, or BIM tools signals immediate productivity and offsets any hesitation about sponsoring an OPT worker. These skills are in high demand and make your application competitive against candidates without work authorization needs.
Address your OPT timeline directly in interviews
Employers in construction plan projects months out and worry about staff turnover mid-project. Proactively explain your OPT duration, STEM extension eligibility, and long-term H-1B visa pathway to reduce hesitation before it becomes an unspoken objection.
Construction Technician OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Construction Technician job qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree's CIP code, not just the job title. If your degree is in civil engineering, construction management, or a related STEM field, the role typically qualifies. Your DSO can confirm whether your specific program is on the STEM Designated Degree Program List before you apply.
Can I work on active construction sites while on OPT?
Yes, as long as the work is directly related to your degree field. On-site roles involving materials inspection, surveying, project coordination, or quality assurance generally satisfy the OPT employment relationship requirement. Keep documentation connecting your daily responsibilities to your academic program in case USCIS reviews your records.
How do I find Construction Technician employers who are open to hiring OPT students?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters jobs by sponsorship willingness, so you avoid wasting time on employers who won't hire international students. Construction roles on the platform are tagged for OPT compatibility, making it faster to identify firms with a track record of supporting work authorization.
What happens if my construction project ends before my OPT period does?
Project-based employment is common in construction, and gaps between roles are permitted on OPT up to a cumulative 90 days for standard OPT (150 days on STEM OPT). If a project wraps early, prioritize finding your next role quickly. Unemployed days beyond the limit can jeopardize your status, so track them carefully.
Do I need my employer to file anything with USCIS when I start a Construction Technician job on OPT?
For standard OPT, your employer does not need to file with USCIS, but you must report the job to your DSO within 10 days of starting. For STEM OPT, your employer must enroll in E-Verify and sign a formal training plan (Form I-983) before your STEM extension is approved. Confirm E-Verify enrollment early in the hiring process.