OPT Registered Land Surveyor Jobs
Registered Land Surveyor jobs on OPT require active or in-progress state licensure, which typically takes several years beyond your degree. Most employers sponsor H-1B visa or E-3 visas after OPT. STEM OPT extension is available for surveying graduates from accredited engineering programs, giving you up to three years of work authorization.
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Overview:
Kimley-Horn's Porland, Oregon (OR) office is seeking a Land Surveyor in Training (LSIT) with 2+ years of experience to join their Survey team.
Responsibilities:
- Use AutoCAD Civil 3D software to produce detailed subdivision maps, ALTA surveys, topographic surveys, and other various survey related maps or exhibits
- Research boundary and easement title documents and perform boundary analysis
- Use field crew data files (points), field sketches, photos and reference maps to create surveys
- Prepare legal descriptions and exhibits for right of way, easements, acquisition parcels, etc.
- Additional responsibilities and/or duties as assigned
QUALIFICATIONS
- Associates Degree and/or 32 hours of survey related courses
- Related Bachelors Degree Preferred
- Certified LSIT, with eligibility to get PLS within 5 years
- Working knowledge of Civil 3D
- Prior relevant experience
- Strong communication and technical skills
- Ability to work independently and in a team environment
- Ability to manage multiple projects at one time
- This is an in-person role
WHY KIMLEY-HORN?:
At Kimley-Horn, we do things differently. People, clients, and employees are at the forefront of who we are. Clients know we prioritize achieving their goals and growing their success. Employees know our culture and approach to business are built on a desire to provide an environment for everyone to flourish. Our commitment to quality is only as good as the people behind it—that’s why we welcome and develop passionate, hardworking, and proactive employees. We take pride in how our employee retention, robust benefits package, and company values have led to Kimley-Horn’s placement on the Fortune “100 Best Companies to Work” list for 19 years!
KEY BENEFITS AT KIMLEY-HORN:
- Exceptional Retirement Plan: 2-to-1 company match on up to 4% of eligible compensation (salary + bonus) and additional profit-sharing contribution.
- Comprehensive Health Coverage: Low-cost medical, dental, and vision insurance options.
- Time Off: Personal leave, flexible scheduling, floating holidays, and half-day Fridays.
- Financial Wellness: Student loan matching in our 401(k), and performance-based bonuses.
- Professional Development: Tuition reimbursement and extensive internal training programs.
- Family-Friendly Benefits: New Parent Leave, family building benefits, and childcare resources.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Registered Land Surveyor
Highlight your licensure progress upfront
Most states require a Professional Land Surveyor license tied to years of experience. Tell employers exactly where you are in that process. Showing a clear path to licensure signals long-term commitment and reduces perceived hiring risk for sponsorship-minded firms.
Target firms with federal or infrastructure contracts
Engineering and surveying firms holding federal contracts or large infrastructure project portfolios are more accustomed to sponsoring work visas. These employers have established HR processes and legal resources that make OPT-to-H-1B visa transitions significantly more straightforward than smaller regional firms.
Confirm your program qualifies for STEM OPT
Surveying degrees under CIP codes like Civil Engineering Technology or Geomatics may qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Verify your degree's CIP code with your DSO before applying, as eligibility affects how much time you have to secure sponsorship.
Get your EIT credential before your OPT clock starts
Passing the Fundamentals of Surveying exam while still in school strengthens your candidacy considerably. Employers hiring for licensure-track roles strongly prefer candidates who have already demonstrated commitment by passing the entry-level credentialing exam before their first day.
Be direct about your OPT timeline in applications
Land surveying firms often lack dedicated immigration counsel. Proactively explaining your OPT authorization period, your STEM extension eligibility, and what H-1B sponsorship involves removes ambiguity and builds trust with hiring managers who may be unfamiliar with F-1 work authorization rules.
Prioritize multi-disciplinary engineering firms
Firms offering civil engineering, GIS, and environmental services alongside surveying are more likely to have sponsored visas before. Their scale and project diversity means surveying roles fit within broader H-1B specialty occupation filings they are already comfortable navigating with immigration attorneys.
Registered Land Surveyor OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Registered Land Surveyor role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B sponsorship?
Yes, land surveying roles that require a bachelor's degree in surveying, geomatics, or a related engineering field generally meet the H-1B specialty occupation standard. The key is that the employer's job description must require a specific degree, not just any bachelor's. Roles focused on boundary analysis, geodetic control, or topographic survey for licensed professional output typically qualify without issue.
Can I work as a Registered Land Surveyor on OPT without a state license?
Yes. You can work in a surveying capacity on OPT without holding a Professional Land Surveyor license, as long as you work under the supervision of a licensed surveyor. Most entry-level and mid-level surveying roles are structured exactly this way. OPT authorizes employment in your field of study, not in a specific licensed role, so unsupervised practice requiring licensure would be a separate legal issue from your immigration status.
Does a surveying degree qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your specific degree and CIP code. Degrees in Geomatics, Civil Engineering Technology, or Surveying Engineering Technology listed on the STEM Designated Degree Program list qualify for the 24-month extension. A general geography or non-engineering surveying program may not. Check the Department of Homeland Security's published STEM list and confirm your CIP code with your designated school official before applying for the extension.
Where can I find Registered Land Surveyor jobs that sponsor OPT students?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and lists surveying roles at employers open to work visa sponsorship. Because the platform filters for sponsorship-willing employers, you avoid spending time on firms that won't consider international candidates. Searching Migrate Mate by job title or location gives you a shortlist of employers already familiar with OPT work authorization.
How does state licensure affect my H-1B sponsorship prospects as a land surveyor?
State licensure strengthens your sponsorship case but is not required for H-1B eligibility. What matters most for H-1B is that the role requires a bachelor's degree in a specific field. However, employers who have already invested in your licensure path, covering exam fees and supervised experience hours, have a strong practical incentive to follow through with H-1B sponsorship rather than lose a candidate mid-licensure process.