OPT Crew Leader Jobs
Crew Leader jobs on OPT are available across landscaping, construction, agriculture, and facilities management. Most roles require hands-on team supervision, so your degree field matters for DSO approval. Standard OPT grants 12 months of work authorization, with a 24-month STEM extension available for qualifying majors like environmental science or civil engineering.
Find OPT Crew Leader JobsOverview
Showing 4 of 12+ Crew Leader jobs
See all Crew Leader Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Crew Leader roles.
Get Access To All JobsJob Summary:
The Horticulture Crew Leader is responsible for providing day-to-day leadership of tasks and hands-on leadership of their respective crews. The Crew Leader directs and oversees the crew to ensure quality workmanship and efficient utilization of staff. As a professional, the Crew Leader must effectively solve challenges with safety, efficiency, and adherence to proper Horticulture practices. Striving for excellence in workmanship and possessing in-depth knowledge of technical aspects of modern Horticulture are essential. Additionally, the Crew Leader serves as a representative of the Biltmore Company, promoting a professional image while providing general support and assistance to the department, leadership, and company.
Schedule is typically Monday - Friday; 7am - 3: 30pm with occasional weekends.
Essential Job Duties:
-
Performs skilled garden tasks including but not limited to pruning, planting, propagating, designing, laying out areas for planting, diagnosing disease and/or insect problems and applying IPM strategies for control, and assesses the development and maturity of woody and/or herbaceous plants.
-
Plans and leads assigned crew(s) in daily tasks and maintains efficient/productive work routines following both written and verbal communication.
-
Coordinates, plans, and prioritizes daily and weekly tasks and long range projects with manager.
-
Complies with all safety procedures related to duties.
-
Reliably works as scheduled to include weekends, emergency duty, and overtime as required.
-
Assist guests in a positive, courteous manner.
-
Responsible for documenting cultural practices, plantings, and if needed labor in areas of responsibility.
-
Develops and follows specialized programs, making appropriate recommendations for improvements.
-
Trains assigned staff in appropriate horticulture skills and ensures staff has access to necessary training for their responsibility and for their growth in the company.
-
Works in all aspects of Horticulture as required completing other duties as assigned.
Additional Responsibilities:
-
Crew leaders will be called upon to monitor for pest and disease issues impacting estate plantings. The Crew leader need to determine the threshold of the pest or disease and if needed, coordinate the proper control methods.
-
Crew leaders will be called upon to lead crews with plant maintenance in their areas and offer coaching on how to improve the team members technical skills.
-
The Crew leader will be called upon to identify safety issues within their areas and determine immediate solutions and long term solutions with the manager.
Qualifications
-
A minimum of two years technical education in Horticulture or related field and two to four years working knowledge and experience in a Horticulture field OR four to six years working knowledge and experience in a horticulture field.
-
The preferred candidate will have experience planting trees up to a 3” caliper, managing invasive plants, and leading a team.
-
Becomes WPS certified within 10 days of hire.
-
Prior experience of USDA zone 7 floral.
-
Reliably works as scheduled to include weekends, emergency duty and overtime as required.
-
Ability to be a team player in a quality focused, efficient department.
-
Ability to use computers and Microsoft Office software.
-
A valid driver's license is required. Required Certifications (if any):
-
Acquire a Category L pesticide license within 12 months.
Physical Requirements:
-
Ability to stand/walk for extended periods of time; must be able to kneel, stoop, bend, reach below and overhead.
-
Ability to lift up to 50 lbs on a regular basis.
-
Must be able to climb ladders, stairs, and scaffolding as needed.
-
Ability to safely operate small equipment and machinery (e.g. edgers, mowers, etc.).
-
Must be able to work outdoors in all types of weather with fluctuations in temperature and conditions.
Job Summary:
The Horticulture Crew Leader is responsible for providing day-to-day leadership of tasks and hands-on leadership of their respective crews. The Crew Leader directs and oversees the crew to ensure quality workmanship and efficient utilization of staff. As a professional, the Crew Leader must effectively solve challenges with safety, efficiency, and adherence to proper Horticulture practices. Striving for excellence in workmanship and possessing in-depth knowledge of technical aspects of modern Horticulture are essential. Additionally, the Crew Leader serves as a representative of the Biltmore Company, promoting a professional image while providing general support and assistance to the department, leadership, and company.
Schedule is typically Monday - Friday; 7am - 3: 30pm with occasional weekends.
Essential Job Duties:
-
Performs skilled garden tasks including but not limited to pruning, planting, propagating, designing, laying out areas for planting, diagnosing disease and/or insect problems and applying IPM strategies for control, and assesses the development and maturity of woody and/or herbaceous plants.
-
Plans and leads assigned crew(s) in daily tasks and maintains efficient/productive work routines following both written and verbal communication.
-
Coordinates, plans, and prioritizes daily and weekly tasks and long range projects with manager.
-
Complies with all safety procedures related to duties.
-
Reliably works as scheduled to include weekends, emergency duty, and overtime as required.
-
Assist guests in a positive, courteous manner.
-
Responsible for documenting cultural practices, plantings, and if needed labor in areas of responsibility.
-
Develops and follows specialized programs, making appropriate recommendations for improvements.
-
Trains assigned staff in appropriate horticulture skills and ensures staff has access to necessary training for their responsibility and for their growth in the company.
-
Works in all aspects of Horticulture as required completing other duties as assigned.
Additional Responsibilities:
-
Crew leaders will be called upon to monitor for pest and disease issues impacting estate plantings. The Crew leader need to determine the threshold of the pest or disease and if needed, coordinate the proper control methods.
-
Crew leaders will be called upon to lead crews with plant maintenance in their areas and offer coaching on how to improve the team members technical skills.
-
The Crew leader will be called upon to identify safety issues within their areas and determine immediate solutions and long term solutions with the manager.
Qualifications
-
A minimum of two years technical education in Horticulture or related field and two to four years working knowledge and experience in a Horticulture field OR four to six years working knowledge and experience in a horticulture field.
-
The preferred candidate will have experience planting trees up to a 3” caliper, managing invasive plants, and leading a team.
-
Becomes WPS certified within 10 days of hire.
-
Prior experience of USDA zone 7 floral.
-
Reliably works as scheduled to include weekends, emergency duty and overtime as required.
-
Ability to be a team player in a quality focused, efficient department.
-
Ability to use computers and Microsoft Office software.
-
A valid driver's license is required. Required Certifications (if any):
-
Acquire a Category L pesticide license within 12 months.
Physical Requirements:
-
Ability to stand/walk for extended periods of time; must be able to kneel, stoop, bend, reach below and overhead.
-
Ability to lift up to 50 lbs on a regular basis.
-
Must be able to climb ladders, stairs, and scaffolding as needed.
-
Ability to safely operate small equipment and machinery (e.g. edgers, mowers, etc.).
-
Must be able to work outdoors in all types of weather with fluctuations in temperature and conditions.
See all OPT Crew Leader Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Crew Leader Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Crew Leader
Confirm your degree aligns with the role
DSOs require your Crew Leader position to relate directly to your major. Environmental science, civil engineering, agriculture, and construction management degrees are the clearest fits. Document the connection in writing before your employer submits paperwork.
Start your OPT application 90 days early
USCIS takes up to 90 days to process EAD cards. Crew Leader hiring often moves fast with seasonal demand, so apply for OPT as early as your DSO allows to avoid gaps between your start date and work authorization.
Ask about STEM OPT eligibility upfront
If your degree is in civil engineering, environmental science, or a related STEM field, ask employers early whether they are enrolled in E-Verify. STEM OPT extension requires an E-Verify employer, and not all field operations companies participate.
Track your 90-day unemployment limit carefully
OPT authorizes up to 90 days of unemployment, reduced to 60 after a STEM extension. Seasonal gaps between Crew Leader contracts count toward this limit, so document your employment periods and transition quickly between roles.
Get your job offer in writing before your program end date
Your OPT application requires a job offer or evidence of active job searching. Securing a written Crew Leader offer before your program ends strengthens your DSO's recommendation and reduces processing risk with USCIS.
Use Migrate Mate to find OPT-friendly employers
Not every Crew Leader employer understands OPT work authorization. Migrate Mate filters for roles posted by employers familiar with F-1 OPT requirements, saving you time and reducing the chance of offer rescissions over authorization confusion.
Crew Leader OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Crew Leader on OPT?
Yes, as long as the role is directly related to your degree field. A Crew Leader position in landscaping, construction, or facilities management can qualify under majors like environmental science, civil engineering, or construction management. Your DSO must confirm the connection before you begin work, so prepare a written explanation of how the role relates to your coursework.
Do Crew Leader employers need to sponsor my OPT?
No. OPT is authorized by USCIS through your school, not your employer. Your employer does not file any petition or pay any fees to hire you on OPT. They do need to enroll in E-Verify if you plan to apply for a STEM OPT extension later, so it's worth confirming their E-Verify status before accepting an offer.
How do I find Crew Leader jobs that accept OPT students?
Migrate Mate is the recommended platform for F-1 OPT students looking for Crew Leader roles. It surfaces positions from employers who understand OPT work authorization, so you spend less time explaining your status and more time moving through the hiring process. Filter by your field of study to confirm the role supports your degree connection requirement.
Does a Crew Leader job qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree, not the job title. If your degree is in a STEM field such as civil engineering, environmental science, construction science, or agricultural engineering, and the Crew Leader role is directly related to that field, you may qualify. Your employer also must be enrolled in E-Verify. Consult your DSO to confirm eligibility before counting on the extension.
What happens to my OPT if my Crew Leader contract ends between seasons?
Seasonal gaps between contracts count as unemployment under OPT rules. You have 90 days total of unemployment on standard OPT, or 60 days on a STEM extension. If a seasonal Crew Leader role ends and your next position is not lined up, those days start accumulating immediately. Keep detailed records of your employment periods and work with your DSO if a gap extends beyond a few weeks.