Equipment Operator Jobs for OPT Students
Equipment Operator jobs on OPT are available across construction, mining, manufacturing, and infrastructure sectors. Most roles require hands-on machinery experience, and employers in these industries have a longer history of hiring international workers. Your OPT period gives you 12 months of authorized work, with a 24-month STEM extension available if your program qualifies.
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Keller Foundations, Inc. is a leading drilled foundation, earth retention, and geotechnical specialty contractor with offices located throughout the United States. Keller routinely develops innovative, practical, and cost-effective solutions to challenging geotechnical problems for its customers. As the leader in Geotechnical, we are constantly looking to expand our team and find personnel that are willing to grow within our company.
Keller is actively searching for a qualified heavy equipment operator/laborer to join our successful geotechnical construction team. Keller is one of the largest geotechnical construction companies in the United States, offering competitive wages and opportunities for growth.
Responsibilities:
- Operate, inspect and maintain equipment to manufacturers specifications
- Rigging, hoisting, and spotting for equipment movement according to written, verbal, and/or signaled instructions
- Soil leveling or ground manipulation for the transportation of equipment and materials
- Troubleshoot mechanical issues quickly and efficiently with the analytical ability to find solutions to difficult technical problems
- Complete all job-related duties as instructed by supervisor
- Maintain safe working conditions and adhere to Occupational Health and Safety regulations
- Tending and operating cement and concrete mixers, air compressors, generators, pumps and many other types of power equipment may also be required
- More experienced applicants will be tasked to operate specialized track mounted drills such as Klemm, Berretta, and TEI drills used in the geotechnical industry. Proper documentation and experience will be required.
In addition to operating heavy equipment, applicants will be expected to perform basic labor tasks. These labor tasks require extensive physical activity including digging ditches and trenches with shovels and picks, backfilling excavations, lubricating and cleaning equipment, organizing construction materials and supplies, cleaning and preparing construction sites to eliminate rubble, debris and any other hazards, along with many other physical tasks required on typical construction sites. Applicants may also be expected to safely operate hand and power tools of all types including jackhammers, drills, saws, grinders, concrete mixers, pneumatic tampers, etc.
Qualifications
Qualified candidates must have or be:
- Hands-on experience as an Equipment Operator in the construction industry
- Self-motivated and willing to travel
- Ability to work in a team environment with interpersonal communication skills
- Ability to perform physical labor and other strenuous physical tasks; to include frequent bending, kneeling and lifting and carrying up to 50 lbs
- Comfortable working outdoors in a high-stress environment with extreme weather fluctuations
- Ability to work in confined and cluttered spaces
- Capable of climbing and keeping balance on uneven areas
- Prior OSHA, First Aid, and/or Safety Training preferred
- Specific experience in ground improvement, grouting and/or earth retention a plus
Applicants must possess the skills to work safely and efficiently at all times, be drug free, have reliable transportation to and from the jobsite, have valid identification, and must be eligible to work in the United States as verified through E-Verify. Extensive out of state travel at 4-5 weeks at a time is required. Base pay rate is $22 to $30/hour - Actual pay rate is based on experience.
While it is preferred, candidates do NOT have to live within the Rocky Mountain Region. All travel expenses will be covered from the candidate’s home of record.
Additional Information:
Keller is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage qualified women, minorities, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and others to apply.
Overview:
Keller Foundations, Inc. is a leading drilled foundation, earth retention, and geotechnical specialty contractor with offices located throughout the United States. Keller routinely develops innovative, practical, and cost-effective solutions to challenging geotechnical problems for its customers. As the leader in Geotechnical, we are constantly looking to expand our team and find personnel that are willing to grow within our company.
Keller is actively searching for a qualified heavy equipment operator/laborer to join our successful geotechnical construction team. Keller is one of the largest geotechnical construction companies in the United States, offering competitive wages and opportunities for growth.
Responsibilities:
- Operate, inspect and maintain equipment to manufacturers specifications
- Rigging, hoisting, and spotting for equipment movement according to written, verbal, and/or signaled instructions
- Soil leveling or ground manipulation for the transportation of equipment and materials
- Troubleshoot mechanical issues quickly and efficiently with the analytical ability to find solutions to difficult technical problems
- Complete all job-related duties as instructed by supervisor
- Maintain safe working conditions and adhere to Occupational Health and Safety regulations
- Tending and operating cement and concrete mixers, air compressors, generators, pumps and many other types of power equipment may also be required
- More experienced applicants will be tasked to operate specialized track mounted drills such as Klemm, Berretta, and TEI drills used in the geotechnical industry. Proper documentation and experience will be required.
In addition to operating heavy equipment, applicants will be expected to perform basic labor tasks. These labor tasks require extensive physical activity including digging ditches and trenches with shovels and picks, backfilling excavations, lubricating and cleaning equipment, organizing construction materials and supplies, cleaning and preparing construction sites to eliminate rubble, debris and any other hazards, along with many other physical tasks required on typical construction sites. Applicants may also be expected to safely operate hand and power tools of all types including jackhammers, drills, saws, grinders, concrete mixers, pneumatic tampers, etc.
Qualifications
Qualified candidates must have or be:
- Hands-on experience as an Equipment Operator in the construction industry
- Self-motivated and willing to travel
- Ability to work in a team environment with interpersonal communication skills
- Ability to perform physical labor and other strenuous physical tasks; to include frequent bending, kneeling and lifting and carrying up to 50 lbs
- Comfortable working outdoors in a high-stress environment with extreme weather fluctuations
- Ability to work in confined and cluttered spaces
- Capable of climbing and keeping balance on uneven areas
- Prior OSHA, First Aid, and/or Safety Training preferred
- Specific experience in ground improvement, grouting and/or earth retention a plus
Applicants must possess the skills to work safely and efficiently at all times, be drug free, have reliable transportation to and from the jobsite, have valid identification, and must be eligible to work in the United States as verified through E-Verify. Extensive out of state travel at 4-5 weeks at a time is required. Base pay rate is $22 to $30/hour - Actual pay rate is based on experience.
While it is preferred, candidates do NOT have to live within the Rocky Mountain Region. All travel expenses will be covered from the candidate’s home of record.
Additional Information:
Keller is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage qualified women, minorities, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and others to apply.
How to Get Visa Sponsorship in Equipment Operator
Confirm your program qualifies for STEM OPT
Some Equipment Operator roles sit under engineering or technology-adjacent programs that qualify for the 24-month STEM extension. Verify your CIP code with your DSO before applying, so you can honestly tell employers you have up to three years of work authorization.
Target industries with established international hiring
Construction, mining, and heavy manufacturing have the longest track records of hiring foreign nationals. These sectors file Labor Condition Applications regularly and are more familiar with OPT paperwork than employers in industries without that hiring history.
Get your machinery certifications before applying
OSHA 10 or 30, forklift certification, and equipment-specific licenses signal job readiness and reduce employer hesitation. Certified candidates are easier to onboard, which matters when an employer is already navigating unfamiliar work authorization requirements.
Be upfront about your OPT timeline early
Tell hiring managers your authorization end date and STEM extension eligibility in your first conversation. Employers in skilled trades respect directness, and clarity about your timeline prevents last-minute surprises that can derail an offer.
Highlight union membership or eligibility where relevant
Many Equipment Operator roles are unionized through operating engineers locals. If you hold or are eligible for union membership, mention it. Unions often handle workforce paperwork centrally, which can simplify the process for employers less familiar with OPT compliance.
Apply to companies with existing H-2B or H-1B filing history
Employers who have previously filed for temporary or skilled foreign workers already understand work authorization logistics. This familiarity makes OPT transitions smoother and increases the likelihood they will consider sponsoring you after your OPT period ends.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Can I work as an Equipment Operator on OPT?
Yes, as long as the role is directly related to your field of study. Equipment Operator positions can qualify under civil engineering, construction management, or related technical programs. Your DSO must confirm the connection between the job and your degree before you begin work on OPT authorization.
Do Equipment Operator employers typically sponsor visas after OPT ends?
It depends on the employer's size and hiring history. Large construction firms, mining companies, and infrastructure contractors with established HR departments are more likely to sponsor H-1B or other visas. Smaller operators may not have the resources. Browse verified sponsoring employers on Migrate Mate to find companies with an active track record of supporting international workers in this field.
Does an Equipment Operator role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It can, depending on your degree program's CIP code. If your degree is in civil engineering, construction engineering technology, or a related STEM field, and the role falls within that field, you may qualify for the 24-month extension. Confirm with your DSO, who will verify the CIP code and sign off on your STEM OPT application through your school's SEVIS record.
What happens to my OPT if I switch Equipment Operator employers?
You can change employers on OPT without filing new paperwork, but you must report the change to your DSO within 10 days. Your new employer must also be listed in your SEVP portal. Make sure the new role still qualifies as related to your degree, since working in an unrelated position can jeopardize your F-1 status.
Are there restrictions on working for multiple Equipment Operator employers at once?
OPT allows multiple concurrent employers as long as each job is related to your field of study and you are working at least 20 hours per week in total across all positions. Each employer must be reported to your DSO. Self-employment or contract work through your own business entity is also permitted, provided the work remains within your authorized field.
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