OPT Safety Engineer Jobs
Safety Engineer jobs on OPT are available across construction, manufacturing, oil and gas, and tech sectors. Most roles qualify as specialty occupations under STEM OPT extension eligibility, giving you up to three years of work authorization. Employers typically require a degree in occupational health, civil, or industrial engineering.
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$50,000.00 - $60,000.00 Annually
Location
3001 - Port Control
Job Type
Full-time
Job Number
10898-HR
Department
3001 - Port Control
Division
300170 - PC Operations / Security
Opening Date
08/07/2026
Closing Date
8/21/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Description
Airport Safety Management Systems Coordinator
Examples of Duties
Under administrative direction, is responsible for planning and administering a specific project or program for a City department. Serves as the administrative supervisor on projects or programs. Plans, assigns, supervises, and reviews activities of subordinate personnel. Monitors the project or program's operating budget and assists in the annual preparation of same. Designs, implements, and monitors procedures utilized in program evaluation. Develops and secures commitments from other City departments and agencies to provide services to program participants. Provides technical assistance or reviews program policies and procedures. Maintains current information and oversees the preparation of project status reports. Prepares financial and narrative reports and program applications. Communicates project/program status and information to municipal officials and/or public and private entities. May supervise employees assigned to the respective project. Performs other related duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's Degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Business or Public Administration, Social Sciences, or closely related field preferred. Two (2) years of any equivalent combination of education, training and experience in program administration required. Must be able to lift and carry thirty (30) pounds. Valid State of Ohio Driver's License required.
Supplemental Information
Additional Minimum Qualifications
- Must successfully complete a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) 10-year fingerprint-based Criminal History Records Check and employment background check and Security Threat Assessment.
- Must be able to pass a pre-employment physical and drug test.
- Must be proficient in the Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel and PowerPoint.
- Availability for on-call support and occasional after-hours work for critical system maintenance.
Preferred Minimum Qualifications
- Two years of full-time, paid experience in safety, risk management, airport operations or a closely related field.
- NIMS and ICS certifications for Management tier and any assigned working groups must be completed within six months of employment and complete additional or refresher trainings as required.
- Must be highly organized, detail oriented, have the ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities.
- Must have exceptional customer service skills with the ability to communicate professionally and effectively with both internal and external customers.
Airport Safety Management Coordinator
- Must be computer proficient in the Microsoft Office Suite, especially MS Excel and MS PowerPoint.
- Must be able to work outdoors as well as indoors and be exposed to various weather conditions.
- Must be able to wear and utilize required safety equipment such as respirators, hearing protection, or fall restraining harnesses as required by the conditions present at any incident and as required under applicable state or federal regulations.
- Must obtain Ground Vehicle Operator Non-Movement Credentialing within the first six months of employment and maintain these credentials for the duration of their employment.
- AAAE SMS Airport Certified Employee certification within one year of hire.
- Occupational Safety, Safety Management Systems, or Aviation-related professional certifications.
- Experience working in an airport or municipality is preferred.
Key Responsibilities
Regulatory Compliance:
- Ensures compliance with department safety and certification programs, local, state and federal rules and regulations including but not limited to OSHA/PERRP, FAR Part 139 as well as other state or federal guidelines.
- Conducts onsite inspections to ensure compliance with safety and regulatory requirements in accordance with state and federal regulations and organizational safety policies and programs.
Safety Management Systems Program:
- Conducts timely and comprehensive investigations of all accidents/incidents and reported hazards and prepare factual reports summarizing the circumstances and root causes of the accident/incident or hazard.
- Develop and aid in implementation of recommended corrective and preventive actions.
- Assists in the promotion of SMS program policies, and procedures.
- Assist in the design and delivery of safety education programs and communications safety information and trends to stakeholders on a regular basis.
- Prepare standards, process, procedures, reports and documentation for the SMS program.
- Assists in the Development, implementation and maintenance of occupational/aviation safety management policies, procedures and programs including research, review and documentation of incidents/accidents, best practices, policy revisions and risk assessments.
- Provide recommendations in the enhancement and maintenance of communications systems for distributing safety information to stakeholders as well as hazard reporting systems.
- Develop and distribute safety promotion materials and promotional items to the organization.
- Assists in overseeing DPC’s safety-related reporting systems, including the Confidential Hazard Reporting form, safety hotline and hazard reporting email address.
- Participate in various safety committees to identify and eliminate hazardous conditions and generates reports identifying areas with elevated risk.
- Assists with budget development and assists section procurements including ordering supplies/materials, services, manages requisitions and payments, and monitors contracts for compliance with terms and specifications.
- Promotes and ensures compliance with occupational health and safety management policies, procedures, and programs to minimize employee accidents and to promote a safe work environment.
Airport Safety Management Coordinator
- Acts as a resource to and liaison between various divisions within DPC as well as external stakeholders and regulatory agencies such as the FAA, or NTSB.
- Performs other related duties as required.
The City's guiding principles are as follows: Placing Clevelanders at the Center, Empowering Employees to Do Purposeful Work, Defining Clear and Pragmatic Objectives, Leading with Trust and Transparency, Striving for Equity in All We Do, and Embracing Change. All City employees are responsible for embracing and carrying out these principles in all that they do.
The City of Cleveland makes available a variety of benefit options depending upon your employment status and any applicable union membership. In general, benefit options include comprehensive medical, dental, vision, prescription medical and life insurance. Specific information regarding benefit eligibility will be discussed and reviewed at the time of hire.
Employer
City of Cleveland
Address
601 Lakeside Avenue
Cleveland, Ohio, 44114
Phone
216-664-2493
Salary
$50,000.00 - $60,000.00 Annually
Location
3001 - Port Control
Job Type
Full-time
Job Number
10898-HR
Department
3001 - Port Control
Division
300170 - PC Operations / Security
Opening Date
08/07/2026
Closing Date
8/21/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Description
Airport Safety Management Systems Coordinator
Examples of Duties
Under administrative direction, is responsible for planning and administering a specific project or program for a City department. Serves as the administrative supervisor on projects or programs. Plans, assigns, supervises, and reviews activities of subordinate personnel. Monitors the project or program's operating budget and assists in the annual preparation of same. Designs, implements, and monitors procedures utilized in program evaluation. Develops and secures commitments from other City departments and agencies to provide services to program participants. Provides technical assistance or reviews program policies and procedures. Maintains current information and oversees the preparation of project status reports. Prepares financial and narrative reports and program applications. Communicates project/program status and information to municipal officials and/or public and private entities. May supervise employees assigned to the respective project. Performs other related duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's Degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Business or Public Administration, Social Sciences, or closely related field preferred. Two (2) years of any equivalent combination of education, training and experience in program administration required. Must be able to lift and carry thirty (30) pounds. Valid State of Ohio Driver's License required.
Supplemental Information
Additional Minimum Qualifications
- Must successfully complete a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) 10-year fingerprint-based Criminal History Records Check and employment background check and Security Threat Assessment.
- Must be able to pass a pre-employment physical and drug test.
- Must be proficient in the Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel and PowerPoint.
- Availability for on-call support and occasional after-hours work for critical system maintenance.
Preferred Minimum Qualifications
- Two years of full-time, paid experience in safety, risk management, airport operations or a closely related field.
- NIMS and ICS certifications for Management tier and any assigned working groups must be completed within six months of employment and complete additional or refresher trainings as required.
- Must be highly organized, detail oriented, have the ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities.
- Must have exceptional customer service skills with the ability to communicate professionally and effectively with both internal and external customers.
Airport Safety Management Coordinator
- Must be computer proficient in the Microsoft Office Suite, especially MS Excel and MS PowerPoint.
- Must be able to work outdoors as well as indoors and be exposed to various weather conditions.
- Must be able to wear and utilize required safety equipment such as respirators, hearing protection, or fall restraining harnesses as required by the conditions present at any incident and as required under applicable state or federal regulations.
- Must obtain Ground Vehicle Operator Non-Movement Credentialing within the first six months of employment and maintain these credentials for the duration of their employment.
- AAAE SMS Airport Certified Employee certification within one year of hire.
- Occupational Safety, Safety Management Systems, or Aviation-related professional certifications.
- Experience working in an airport or municipality is preferred.
Key Responsibilities
Regulatory Compliance:
- Ensures compliance with department safety and certification programs, local, state and federal rules and regulations including but not limited to OSHA/PERRP, FAR Part 139 as well as other state or federal guidelines.
- Conducts onsite inspections to ensure compliance with safety and regulatory requirements in accordance with state and federal regulations and organizational safety policies and programs.
Safety Management Systems Program:
- Conducts timely and comprehensive investigations of all accidents/incidents and reported hazards and prepare factual reports summarizing the circumstances and root causes of the accident/incident or hazard.
- Develop and aid in implementation of recommended corrective and preventive actions.
- Assists in the promotion of SMS program policies, and procedures.
- Assist in the design and delivery of safety education programs and communications safety information and trends to stakeholders on a regular basis.
- Prepare standards, process, procedures, reports and documentation for the SMS program.
- Assists in the Development, implementation and maintenance of occupational/aviation safety management policies, procedures and programs including research, review and documentation of incidents/accidents, best practices, policy revisions and risk assessments.
- Provide recommendations in the enhancement and maintenance of communications systems for distributing safety information to stakeholders as well as hazard reporting systems.
- Develop and distribute safety promotion materials and promotional items to the organization.
- Assists in overseeing DPC’s safety-related reporting systems, including the Confidential Hazard Reporting form, safety hotline and hazard reporting email address.
- Participate in various safety committees to identify and eliminate hazardous conditions and generates reports identifying areas with elevated risk.
- Assists with budget development and assists section procurements including ordering supplies/materials, services, manages requisitions and payments, and monitors contracts for compliance with terms and specifications.
- Promotes and ensures compliance with occupational health and safety management policies, procedures, and programs to minimize employee accidents and to promote a safe work environment.
Airport Safety Management Coordinator
- Acts as a resource to and liaison between various divisions within DPC as well as external stakeholders and regulatory agencies such as the FAA, or NTSB.
- Performs other related duties as required.
The City's guiding principles are as follows: Placing Clevelanders at the Center, Empowering Employees to Do Purposeful Work, Defining Clear and Pragmatic Objectives, Leading with Trust and Transparency, Striving for Equity in All We Do, and Embracing Change. All City employees are responsible for embracing and carrying out these principles in all that they do.
The City of Cleveland makes available a variety of benefit options depending upon your employment status and any applicable union membership. In general, benefit options include comprehensive medical, dental, vision, prescription medical and life insurance. Specific information regarding benefit eligibility will be discussed and reviewed at the time of hire.
Employer
City of Cleveland
Address
601 Lakeside Avenue
Cleveland, Ohio, 44114
Phone
216-664-2493
See all 691+ OPT Safety Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Safety Engineer Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Safety Engineer
Target STEM-designated programs
Safety Engineering roles typically fall under STEM OPT extension eligibility. Confirm your degree program's CIP code qualifies before applying, as this gives you 36 months of work authorization instead of 12, making you significantly more attractive to employers.
Highlight relevant certifications early
Credentials like OSHA 30, ASP, or CSP signal job-readiness to hiring managers who are unfamiliar with OPT. List them prominently on your resume. Employers weighing sponsorship risk respond well to candidates who already meet industry-standard certification benchmarks.
Address OPT directly in your cover letter
Briefly state your authorization type and end date upfront. Safety Engineer roles in regulated industries like oil and gas or construction often require background checks and onboarding time, so giving employers a clear timeline reduces hesitation around your work authorization status.
Focus on industries with high sponsorship rates
Manufacturing, chemical processing, and aerospace consistently file more OPT and H-1B visa sponsorships for safety roles than other sectors. Prioritize applications to companies in these industries, where safety compliance is operationally critical and engineering headcount justifies visa sponsorship investment.
Quantify your safety impact on your resume
Employers sponsoring OPT students want evidence of ROI. Lead with metrics: incident rate reductions, compliance audit outcomes, or training programs you implemented. Concrete numbers make your candidacy easier to justify internally when a hiring manager requests sponsorship approval.
Apply before your OPT start date if possible
Safety Engineer roles often involve pre-employment drug screening, background checks, and site access clearances that can take several weeks. Starting your job search three to four months before your OPT begins gives you time to clear these requirements without authorization gaps.
Safety Engineer OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Safety Engineer jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Most Safety Engineer roles qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, provided your degree is in a STEM-designated field such as industrial engineering, civil engineering, environmental engineering, or occupational safety. Your DSO confirms eligibility based on your program's CIP code. If your degree qualifies, you can work for up to three years total on OPT before needing an employer to file for a different visa.
What employers hire Safety Engineers on OPT?
Manufacturing companies, construction firms, chemical processors, aerospace contractors, and large tech campuses all hire Safety Engineers on OPT. Browse Safety Engineer roles on Migrate Mate to find employers actively open to OPT candidates. Roles tied to federal contracts may require additional background screening, so check the job description for security clearance language before applying.
Is a Safety Engineer considered a specialty occupation for H-1B sponsorship?
Yes. Safety Engineers generally qualify as a specialty occupation because the role typically requires at minimum a bachelor's degree in engineering, environmental health, or a closely related field. This means employers can file an H-1B petition on your behalf after OPT. Roles at larger manufacturing or energy companies are the most likely to have established H-1B sponsorship programs in place.
Can I work as a Safety Engineer on OPT if my degree is in environmental engineering?
Yes, environmental engineering degrees routinely support Safety Engineer job offers because the fields overlap significantly in industrial hygiene, hazard analysis, and regulatory compliance. Your DSO will confirm whether your specific degree program aligns with the job duties. Employers in chemical and energy sectors commonly hire environmental engineering graduates into safety roles without issue.
How much time do I need to allow for onboarding as a Safety Engineer on OPT?
Safety Engineer roles in industries like oil and gas, defense contracting, and heavy manufacturing often require drug tests, background checks, and site-specific safety inductions before your first day. This process can take two to six weeks. Timing your OPT start date carefully and communicating your authorization timeline clearly with your employer avoids gaps between your program end date and your first paycheck.