Operations Jobs for OPT Students
Operations roles are a strong fit for OPT students because employers in this field hire across industries, from tech and logistics to healthcare and manufacturing. Your 12-month OPT window is enough to prove value and prompt an H-1B sponsorship conversation, especially in process-heavy environments where institutional knowledge matters.
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Get Access To All JobsPURPOSE
As an Operations employee at Central Valley Ag, you will be responsible for assisting in receiving, shipping and handling grain and agronomy and to perform preventative maintenance and cleaning as needed.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Help with unloading of grain products for company owned and customer owned trucks.
- Assists in delivery of agronomy products such as fertilizer, chemical and seed to customers.
- Assists in the loading of agronomy products to customer trucks.
- Assists in the receiving of dry/liquid fertilizer, chemicals and seed.
- Provides assistance in the operations of the liquid and dry plant.
- Provides assistance in the scheduling, mixing and loading of liquid/dry fertilizer and chemicals.
- Helps in ensuring the accuracy of mixing chemicals and fertilizers and assists with blender operations.
- Drives company owned trucks for the purpose of transferring grain and agronomy products.
- Drives tender trucks to supply Central Valley Ag custom application equipment.
- If certified, serves as back-up for custom applicators.
- Assists with the train loads going out.
- Assists in monitoring and maintaining grain quality.
- Conducts and helps manage grain and agronomy inventory.
- Monitors and keeps supervisor apprised of inventory levels.
- Assists with scale operations.
- Performs general maintenance of buildings, equipment and vehicles, including necessary documentation.
- Assists in ensuring that paperwork is completed accurately and timely.
- Provides excellent customer service.
- Responsible for housekeeping duties.
- Assists other divisions and locations as needed.
- Maintains and promotes a safe work environment.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
There are no supervisory roles with the position.
REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE
- High School or GED diploma.
- Must be licensed and insurable to drive.
- Preferred to have or be able to obtain a Class A CDL with tanker and HazMat endorsements.
- Preferred to have or be able to obtain a Commercial Applicator’s License.
- Knowledge of DOT or DOT experience preferred.
- Ability to communicate in a professional manner and establish effective working relationships with internal operations and external customers.
- Great basic mechanical skills.
- Works in a way that demonstrates safety is a priority. Promotes a work environment that is safe for everyone.
- We value the highest ethical standard—our word is our bond.
- Can plan, prioritize, organize and manage resources in order to accomplish jobs within the defined timetable.
- Must be a self-starter.
- Must have good computer skills.
- Ability to multi-task several assignments simultaneously and establish job priorities.
- Works well with others to achieve a common goal.
Location: Glen Elder, KS
Central Valley Ag is a farmer-owned cooperative headquartered in York, Neb. CVA has locations in Iowa, Kansas, and Nebraska. CVA is an innovative leader providing products and services in grain, agronomy, feed, and energy.
EOE race/color/sex/sexual orientation/gender identity/disability/veteran
Updated: March 2022
PURPOSE
As an Operations employee at Central Valley Ag, you will be responsible for assisting in receiving, shipping and handling grain and agronomy and to perform preventative maintenance and cleaning as needed.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Help with unloading of grain products for company owned and customer owned trucks.
- Assists in delivery of agronomy products such as fertilizer, chemical and seed to customers.
- Assists in the loading of agronomy products to customer trucks.
- Assists in the receiving of dry/liquid fertilizer, chemicals and seed.
- Provides assistance in the operations of the liquid and dry plant.
- Provides assistance in the scheduling, mixing and loading of liquid/dry fertilizer and chemicals.
- Helps in ensuring the accuracy of mixing chemicals and fertilizers and assists with blender operations.
- Drives company owned trucks for the purpose of transferring grain and agronomy products.
- Drives tender trucks to supply Central Valley Ag custom application equipment.
- If certified, serves as back-up for custom applicators.
- Assists with the train loads going out.
- Assists in monitoring and maintaining grain quality.
- Conducts and helps manage grain and agronomy inventory.
- Monitors and keeps supervisor apprised of inventory levels.
- Assists with scale operations.
- Performs general maintenance of buildings, equipment and vehicles, including necessary documentation.
- Assists in ensuring that paperwork is completed accurately and timely.
- Provides excellent customer service.
- Responsible for housekeeping duties.
- Assists other divisions and locations as needed.
- Maintains and promotes a safe work environment.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
There are no supervisory roles with the position.
REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE
- High School or GED diploma.
- Must be licensed and insurable to drive.
- Preferred to have or be able to obtain a Class A CDL with tanker and HazMat endorsements.
- Preferred to have or be able to obtain a Commercial Applicator’s License.
- Knowledge of DOT or DOT experience preferred.
- Ability to communicate in a professional manner and establish effective working relationships with internal operations and external customers.
- Great basic mechanical skills.
- Works in a way that demonstrates safety is a priority. Promotes a work environment that is safe for everyone.
- We value the highest ethical standard—our word is our bond.
- Can plan, prioritize, organize and manage resources in order to accomplish jobs within the defined timetable.
- Must be a self-starter.
- Must have good computer skills.
- Ability to multi-task several assignments simultaneously and establish job priorities.
- Works well with others to achieve a common goal.
Location: Glen Elder, KS
Central Valley Ag is a farmer-owned cooperative headquartered in York, Neb. CVA has locations in Iowa, Kansas, and Nebraska. CVA is an innovative leader providing products and services in grain, agronomy, feed, and energy.
EOE race/color/sex/sexual orientation/gender identity/disability/veteran
Updated: March 2022
How to Get Visa Sponsorship in Operations
Target companies with STEM-adjacent operations roles
Operations roles at tech, biotech, and advanced manufacturing companies often fall under STEM-designated SOC codes, making you eligible for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Confirm the role's SOC code with your employer before accepting an offer.
Verify your employer is enrolled in E-Verify
STEM OPT extension requires your employer to be registered with E-Verify. Ask HR early in the hiring process. Most large operations teams at established companies already are, but smaller firms and startups sometimes are not.
Quantify process improvements in your application materials
Operations hiring managers respond to measurable impact. Lead with specific outcomes you drove, such as reduced cycle times, cost savings, or efficiency gains. Numbers make your contribution concrete and demonstrate the analytical thinking operations roles require.
Bring up OPT before the offer stage
Raising your work authorization status after receiving an offer creates friction. Mentioning OPT during the second or third interview round, framed as a straightforward onboarding detail, gives employers time to consult HR without feeling surprised at the finish line.
Focus on operations-heavy industries with proven H-1B track records
Supply chain, logistics technology, and consulting firms have well-established immigration pipelines. These employers have sponsored operations professionals through H-1B before and are far less likely to be deterred by the process compared to smaller or newer companies.
Align your I-983 training plan with actual job responsibilities
For STEM OPT, your training plan must reflect real work you will do. A vague or generic I-983 can trigger DSO scrutiny. Work with your employer's HR team to document specific learning objectives tied to your operations role.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Do operations jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Some do, but not all. Operations roles qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension only if the position's SOC code falls under a STEM-designated field and your degree is from a STEM program. Roles like operations analyst, supply chain analyst, and data operations specialist often qualify. General operations coordinator roles may not. Confirm with your DSO before accepting an offer.
How do I find operations employers who sponsor OPT students?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically for OPT-friendly employers, so you can browse operations roles without sorting through companies that won't work with international students. This saves significant time compared to applying broadly and discovering sponsorship limitations deep into the hiring process.
Can I start an operations job before my OPT EAD card arrives?
No. You cannot begin working until you have your physical EAD card in hand, even if USCIS has approved your application. Apply for OPT as early as 90 days before your program end date to build in buffer time. Operations roles with structured onboarding timelines are particularly sensitive to delays, so plan accordingly.
What happens to my OPT if I'm laid off from an operations job?
You have a cumulative 90-day unemployment limit during standard OPT, and STEM OPT allows up to 150 days total. If you're laid off, report the change to your DSO immediately and begin your job search right away. Operations is a broad field with roles across many industries, which works in your favor when pivoting quickly.
Do I need my operations job to be full-time to maintain OPT status?
USCIS requires OPT employment to be at least 20 hours per week and directly related to your degree field. Full-time is preferable and makes H-1B sponsorship conversations easier, but part-time operations work that meets the 20-hour threshold and relates to your studies is technically compliant. Document the connection between your role and your degree clearly with your DSO.
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