OPT Grader Operator Jobs

Grader operator jobs involve precision grading and earthmoving work on construction and infrastructure projects. F-1 OPT students with degrees in civil engineering, construction management, or related fields can qualify. Your OPT work authorization must directly relate to your degree field for employment to count toward your authorized period.

Find OPT Grader Operator Jobs

Overview

Open Jobs568+
Work Type97% On-site
Top LocationCharlotte, NC
Most JobsCharlotte Mecklenburg Schools

Showing 5 of 568+ Grader Operator jobs

Arclight Wireless, LLC
Clinical Research Grader
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Arclight Wireless, LLC
Added 2w ago
Clinical Research Grader
Arclight Wireless, LLC
Phoenix, Arizona
Laboratory Research
Clinical Trials & Medical Research
Healthcare Administration
Clinical Trials
Not listed
On-Site
3+ yrs exp.
Associate's

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SGS
Clinical Research Grader
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SGS
Added 3w ago
Clinical Research Grader
SGS
Phoenix, Arizona
Laboratory Research
Clinical Trials & Medical Research
Healthcare Administration
Clinical Trials
On-Site
3+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Vicksburg-Warren School District
1st Grade Teacher
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Vicksburg-Warren School District
New 16m ago
1st Grade Teacher
Vicksburg-Warren School District
Vicksburg, Mississippi
Teaching & Instruction
K-12 Teaching
On-Site
Bachelor's

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Denver Public Schools
Teacher, Intervention, K-5th Grade
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Denver Public Schools
New 1h ago
Teacher, Intervention, K-5th Grade
Denver Public Schools
Denver, Colorado
Teaching & Instruction
K-12 Teaching
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Paradise Valley Unified School District
Grade 3 Teacher
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Paradise Valley Unified School District
New 2h ago
Grade 3 Teacher
Paradise Valley Unified School District
Phoenix, Arizona
Teaching & Instruction
K-12 Teaching
On-Site
Bachelor's

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Tips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Grader Operator

Target infrastructure and construction firms with H-2B or H-1B histories

Companies that have previously sponsored work visas are more likely to understand OPT work authorization. Look for contractors with federal infrastructure projects, as these firms often have established HR processes for nonimmigrant workers and recurring equipment operator needs.

Emphasize your degree's direct connection to grading work

USCIS requires OPT employment to be directly related to your degree field. Frame your civil engineering or construction management coursework around grading, earthwork calculations, and site preparation to make the connection clear to employers reviewing your application.

Understand your OPT timeline before applying

Standard OPT lasts 12 months. If your STEM degree qualifies, you may be eligible for a 24-month extension. Knowing your remaining authorization period helps you have honest conversations with employers about how long you can work without additional sponsorship.

Address the STEM extension proactively with eligible employers

STEM OPT extensions require the employer to be enrolled in E-Verify and submit a training plan. Raising this early with construction or engineering firms signals you've done your homework and reduces the perceived administrative burden on their end.

Pursue equipment certifications to strengthen your candidacy

Holding certifications relevant to motor grader operation, such as OSHA safety credentials or manufacturer-specific training, demonstrates practical readiness. Employers sponsoring OPT workers want to minimize onboarding time, and certifications show you can contribute quickly on site.

Be transparent about your work authorization status from the start

Disclose your OPT status early in the process rather than waiting until an offer is made. Construction and infrastructure employers who understand work authorization timelines appreciate the honesty and can plan around your authorization window more effectively.

Grader Operator OPT: Frequently Asked Questions

Can F-1 OPT students legally work as grader operators in the United States?

Yes, if your degree is directly related to the work. F-1 OPT authorization requires that your employment connect to your field of study. A civil engineering or construction management degree typically supports grader operator roles on infrastructure projects. Employment that cannot be tied to your degree field does not qualify under OPT rules.

Do grader operator employers typically sponsor OPT or H-1B visas?

It varies by employer size and project type. Larger construction and infrastructure contractors working on federal or state projects are more likely to have experience with OPT work authorization and the H-1B visa process. Smaller subcontractors may be less familiar. You can browse grader operator roles on Migrate Mate, which focuses specifically on employers open to sponsoring F-1 OPT students.

Does a grader operator role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?

It depends on your degree, not the job title. If your underlying degree is in civil engineering, construction engineering, or another qualifying STEM field on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List, you may be eligible for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. The employer must also be enrolled in E-Verify and submit a Form I-983 training plan with your DSO.

What happens to my OPT status if a grader operator contract or project ends?

OPT permits up to 90 days of cumulative unemployment during the standard 12-month period, and up to 150 days during a STEM OPT extension. If your project ends and you're between roles, that time counts toward your unemployment limit. Securing your next position before exceeding those thresholds is critical to maintaining valid F-1 status.

How should I explain OPT work authorization to a construction employer unfamiliar with it?

Keep it simple and practical. Explain that OPT is a federal work authorization program for F-1 students, that it does not require the employer to file any immigration petition upfront, and that you have an Employment Authorization Document they can use for I-9 verification. For STEM OPT, the employer does need to be enrolled in E-Verify and file a training plan with your school's DSO.