Safety Coordinator Jobs for OPT Students
Safety Coordinator jobs are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with degrees in occupational health, environmental science, or engineering. Most roles qualify under STEM OPT extension categories, giving you up to 36 months of work authorization. Employers in construction, manufacturing, and healthcare regularly hire for this position.
See All Safety Coordinator JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 460+ Safety Coordinator jobs
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
See all 460+ Safety Coordinator jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Safety Coordinator roles.
Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Ralph L Wadsworth is looking for a Construction Safety Coordinator
At Ralph L. Wadsworth Construction (RLW), we don’t just build bridges and highways — we build careers, communities, and a lasting legacy. With over 50 years of excellence in heavy civil construction, RLW has become a trusted name in delivering complex, high-impact infrastructure projects across the western U.S.
We’re currently looking for Construction Safety Coordinators who are passionate about protecting people and ensuring every project runs safely and smoothly. If you're committed to maintaining a strong safety culture and want to make a difference on some of the region’s most challenging civil projects, we want to hear from you.
Why Join RLW?
- Competitive Pay: $80,000 to $90,000 per year DOE
- People-First Culture: We value collaboration, integrity, and mentorship
- Career Growth: Clear pathways to leadership and professional development
- Strong Backing: Backed by Sterling Infrastructure, we combine national strength with local agility
- Purpose-Driven Work: Be part of projects that directly shape communities and improve lives
At RLW, safety is not a box to check — it’s a core value. As a Safety Coordinator, you’ll play a key role in building a culture where every worker goes home safe, every day.
Join RLW. Protect what matters. Build what’s next.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Lead site safety activities & enforce safety rules
- Conduct inspections, audits, and hazard analyses
- Report to Division Safety Manager weekly/monthly
- Investigate accidents & coordinate with Risk Management
- Train employees (OSHA 10/30, HAZWOPER, orientation)
- Maintain bulletin boards, equipment records & safety documentation
- Travel to regional jobsites as needed
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Health & Safety or equivalent field experience
- 1+ year of construction health & safety experience (Internships count!)
- Solid understanding of OSHA, federal, and state safety regulations
- Valid driver’s license and clean driving record
- Spanish fluency (read, write, and speak) is a strong plus
- Strong communicator with excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal skills
- Collaborative, proactive, and great at building trust across teams
We are an equal opportunity employer: We do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, genetic information, marital status, military status, membership or activity in a local human rights commission, or status with regard to public assistance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
INTRODUCTION
Ralph L Wadsworth is looking for a Construction Safety Coordinator
At Ralph L. Wadsworth Construction (RLW), we don’t just build bridges and highways — we build careers, communities, and a lasting legacy. With over 50 years of excellence in heavy civil construction, RLW has become a trusted name in delivering complex, high-impact infrastructure projects across the western U.S.
We’re currently looking for Construction Safety Coordinators who are passionate about protecting people and ensuring every project runs safely and smoothly. If you're committed to maintaining a strong safety culture and want to make a difference on some of the region’s most challenging civil projects, we want to hear from you.
Why Join RLW?
- Competitive Pay: $80,000 to $90,000 per year DOE
- People-First Culture: We value collaboration, integrity, and mentorship
- Career Growth: Clear pathways to leadership and professional development
- Strong Backing: Backed by Sterling Infrastructure, we combine national strength with local agility
- Purpose-Driven Work: Be part of projects that directly shape communities and improve lives
At RLW, safety is not a box to check — it’s a core value. As a Safety Coordinator, you’ll play a key role in building a culture where every worker goes home safe, every day.
Join RLW. Protect what matters. Build what’s next.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Lead site safety activities & enforce safety rules
- Conduct inspections, audits, and hazard analyses
- Report to Division Safety Manager weekly/monthly
- Investigate accidents & coordinate with Risk Management
- Train employees (OSHA 10/30, HAZWOPER, orientation)
- Maintain bulletin boards, equipment records & safety documentation
- Travel to regional jobsites as needed
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Health & Safety or equivalent field experience
- 1+ year of construction health & safety experience (Internships count!)
- Solid understanding of OSHA, federal, and state safety regulations
- Valid driver’s license and clean driving record
- Spanish fluency (read, write, and speak) is a strong plus
- Strong communicator with excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal skills
- Collaborative, proactive, and great at building trust across teams
We are an equal opportunity employer: We do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, genetic information, marital status, military status, membership or activity in a local human rights commission, or status with regard to public assistance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
How to Get Visa Sponsorship as a Safety Coordinator
Confirm your degree aligns with the role
USCIS requires OPT work to be directly related to your field of study. Degrees in occupational health, environmental science, or industrial engineering map cleanly to Safety Coordinator roles. Bring your transcript to interviews if asked to demonstrate the connection.
Target STEM-designated programs early
If your degree carries a STEM designation, you're eligible for a 24-month OPT extension beyond the initial 12 months. Identify this before accepting offers so you can plan your authorization timeline and give employers accurate information about how long you can work.
Understand what employers mean by sponsorship
Many Safety Coordinator postings say they don't sponsor visas but will hire OPT students without issue. OPT doesn't require employer sponsorship the way H-1B does. Clarify this distinction early in conversations so you don't self-select out of roles you actually qualify for.
Pursue OSHA certifications before applying
OSHA 10 and OSHA 30 certifications are widely recognized in safety hiring. Completing either before your job search demonstrates practical readiness and separates you from candidates without hands-on safety training, which matters in industries like construction and manufacturing.
Track your OPT start date against offer timelines
OPT authorization has a firm start date, and you must begin work within 90 days of that date. Coordinate your offer acceptance and start date carefully. Starting too early or too late relative to your EAD effective date creates compliance problems for both you and your employer.
Highlight internship and campus safety experience
Relevant experience doesn't have to come from full-time jobs. Campus emergency response roles, environmental health internships, or lab safety assistant positions all demonstrate competency. Document these clearly on your resume to show employers you've applied safety principles in real environments.
Safety Coordinator jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Safety Coordinator JobsSee all 460+ Safety Coordinator jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Safety Coordinator roles.
Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Can F-1 OPT students work as Safety Coordinators?
Yes. Safety Coordinator roles qualify for OPT as long as the work is directly related to your field of study. Degrees in occupational health, environmental science, industrial hygiene, or engineering typically satisfy that requirement. You'll need a valid EAD before starting work, and your employer doesn't need to file any petition on your behalf during the OPT period.
Do Safety Coordinator roles qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Many do, but it depends on your specific degree's CIP code, not the job title. If your degree in environmental science, industrial engineering, or a related STEM field carries a qualifying CIP code, you can apply for a 24-month extension after your initial 12-month OPT. Your DSO at your university's international student office can confirm whether your program qualifies before you accept an offer.
Which industries hire Safety Coordinators on OPT most frequently?
Construction, manufacturing, logistics, and healthcare are the most active industries for Safety Coordinator hiring. These sectors operate under strict OSHA compliance requirements, which creates consistent demand for safety staff. Government contractors and large industrial employers tend to have more structured onboarding processes that are familiar with OPT work authorization. You can browse open Safety Coordinator roles on Migrate Mate, filtered for OPT-friendly employers.
What happens to my OPT status if my Safety Coordinator job ends?
You enter a 90-day unemployment buffer, which is cumulative across your entire OPT period. During that window, you need to find new employment in your field or your OPT authorization ends. Report any job change to your DSO promptly through your school's SEVIS reporting system. Gaps between Safety Coordinator roles count against this 90-day limit, so it's worth starting your next job search before your current role ends.
Do I need to disclose my OPT status when applying for Safety Coordinator jobs?
Employers are legally permitted to ask whether you're authorized to work in the United States and whether you'll need sponsorship now or in the future. You should answer honestly: you're authorized through OPT and won't need sponsorship during that period. Many employers aren't familiar with OPT, so being prepared to briefly explain what it is, including your authorization timeline, helps avoid confusion and keeps your application moving forward.
See which Safety Coordinator employers are hiring and sponsoring visas right now.
Search Safety Coordinator Jobs