OPT Safety Manager Jobs
Safety Manager jobs are actively sponsored for OPT because the role requires specialized knowledge in OSHA regulations, hazard assessment, and workplace compliance that employers can't easily fill otherwise. Most positions qualify under STEM-adjacent fields, and some roles at engineering or manufacturing firms support STEM OPT extension.
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INTRODUCTION
Southwest Virginia Community College (SWCC) offers career-training programs in numerous technical, industrial, and medical fields at a reasonable cost, going so far as to even waive tuition for certain eligible students. Located in Richlands, Virginia, Southwest offers associate’s degrees in such fields as business, education, general studies, liberal arts, and science. These degrees are primarily intended for students who wish to transfer to a four-year university. Southwest also has associate degrees that feature programs intended to lead directly to a career in fields such as Nursing, Radiography, and Administration of Justice.
Southwest Virginia Community College invites applications for a full-time Skilled-Trades Instructor & Safety Coordinator. This position delivers high-demand workforce training while serving as the institutional coordinator for classroom and laboratory safety across Workforce & Continuing Education and Business, Engineering, and Industrial Technology programs. The successful candidate will provide industry-recognized training, coordinate safety initiatives, ensure regulatory compliance, and lead the implementation of the Classroom & Laboratory Safety Workgroup (CLSW).
ROLE TITLE 10 Month Instructor Grant Fund
ROLE CODE T1033-SW
FLSA Exempt
PAY BAND 00
POSITION NUMBER 294G0010
AGENCY Southwest Virginia Community College
AGENCY/DIVISION Southwest Virginia Community College (Div)
WORK LOCATION Tazewell - 185
HIRING RANGE Minimum of $58,784 to commensurate with experience and qualifications
EMERGENCY/ESSENTIAL PERSONNEL No
EEO CATEGORY I-Faculty
FULL TIME OR PART TIME Full Time
DOES THIS POSITION HAVE TELEWORK OPTIONS? - Telework options are subject to change based on business needs- No
DOES THIS POSITION HAVE A BILINGUAL OR MULTILINGUAL SKILL REQUIREMENT OR PREFERENCE? No
WORK SCHEDULE Varies according to teaching schedule. Some evenings and weekends may be required.
SENSITIVE POSITION No
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Instruction & Workforce Training
- Deliver workforce and credential-based training in:
- NCCER Core
- OSHA 10 (Construction & General Industry)
- First Aid / CPR / AED
- Basic Work Zone Flagger
- Solar Installation Technician
- DPOR Contractor License preparation
- MSHA Surface and Underground Training
- Basic Electricity and Electrical Safety
- Customize training for regional employers and grant-funded initiatives
- Maintain alignment with credentialing bodies and regulatory standards
Safety Coordination & CLSW Implementation
- Serve as lead coordinator for the Classroom & Laboratory Safety Workgroup (CLSW)
- Implement semester-start laboratory safety checklists aligned to VCCS Best Practices
- Coordinate crane and lift inspection programs for diesel and automotive labs
- Support the update and implementation of the Laboratory Safety Policy
- Maintain training records, inspection documentation, and compliance dashboards
- Coordinate OSHA 10 and First Aid/CPR/AED training for faculty and staff
- Support hazardous waste management policies and inspections
- Track incidents, near-misses, and corrective actions
Collaboration & Governance
- Work collaboratively with faculty, workforce staff, facilities, and administration
- Participate in monthly CLSW meetings and quarterly safety reviews
- Provide safety guidance and technical assistance to instructional programs
This is a restricted position. Continued employment in this role is contingent upon funding availability and the needs of the College. Position is not eligible for severance benefits under state policy. Grant term is three (3) years.
Position is located on main campus but may also be teaching and visiting off-campus sites.
A one-year probationary period is required for both new hires and transfers.
SPECIAL ASSIGNMENTS
May be required to perform other duties as assigned. May be required to assist the agency or state government generally in the event of an emergency declaration by the Governor.
KSA's/REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Associate degree or higher in a skilled trades, industrial technology, safety, or related field (or equivalent combination of education and industry experience)
- Demonstrated experience in workforce or technical training
- Knowledge of OSHA standards and industrial safety practices
- Ability to obtain instructor authorization for required credentials
- Strong organizational and documentation skills
- Effective communication and collaboration skills
ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS
- Industry certifications (OSHA, NCCER, MSHA, electrical, solar, safety-related)
- Experience teaching adult learners or workforce programs
- Experience with lab/shop environments (diesel, automotive, welding, electrical, industrial)
- Knowledge of VCCS or community college workforce systems
- Experience with safety inspections, audits, or compliance tracking
OPERATION OF A STATE VEHICLE Yes
SUPERVISES EMPLOYEES No
REQUIRED TRAVEL Travel is required.
POSTING DETAIL INFORMATION
POSTING NUMBER FAC_1988P
RECRUITMENT TYPE General Public - G
NUMBER OF VACANCIES 1
JOB OPEN DATE 06/23/2026
JOB CLOSE DATE 07/07/2026
OPEN UNTIL FILLED No
CONTACT NAME Human Resources
EMAIL human.resources@sw.edu
PHONE NUMBER 276.964.7339
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANTS
To be considered for this position, you must complete the full state application.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
BACKGROUND CHECK STATEMENT DISCLAIMER
The selected candidate’s offer is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background investigation, which may include: fingerprint checks, local agency checks, employment verification, verification of education, credit checks (relevant to employment). Additionally, selected candidates may be required to complete the Commonwealth’s Statement of Economic Interest. For more information, please follow this link: http://ethics.dls.virginia.gov/
EEO STATEMENT
The Virginia Community College System (VCCS) provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, political affiliation, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or other non-merit factors.
ADA STATEMENT
The Virginia Community College System (VCCS) is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and complies with the Americans with Disabilities Acts (ADA and ADAAA), to provide, reasonable accommodation to applicants in need of access to the application, interviewing, and selection processes when requested.
E-VERIFY STATEMENT
VCCS uses E-Verify to check employee eligibility to work in the United States. You will be required to complete an I-9 form and provide documentation of your identity for employment purposes.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Safety Manager
Target industries with mandatory safety compliance
Construction, manufacturing, oil and gas, and chemical processing are federally required to maintain dedicated safety staff. These industries have consistent demand and are more accustomed to sponsoring specialized roles like Safety Manager for OPT candidates.
Highlight OSHA certifications prominently
OSHA 30-hour certification, CSP designation, or NEBOSH credentials immediately signal technical readiness to hiring managers. Certifications reduce employer hesitation around sponsorship by demonstrating you meet the compliance standards the role legally requires them to uphold.
Frame your degree field as a direct match
Occupational health, environmental science, industrial engineering, and safety management degrees align directly with this role. Make the degree-to-job connection explicit in your resume summary so employers immediately see OPT eligibility isn't a stretch for your case.
Research employers' existing OPT and H-1B history
Employers who have previously filed Labor Condition Applications for safety roles are far more likely to sponsor again. Focus your applications on companies with a documented track record rather than cold-pitching employers who have never navigated the process.
Lead with your OPT status early in outreach
Don't bury your work authorization status. Mentioning OPT upfront in cover letters and recruiter messages filters for employers already open to it and saves time on both sides. Frame it factually, not apologetically, and include your authorization end date.
Consider contract and staffing roles as a bridge
Many environmental health and safety staffing firms place Safety Managers on contract at client sites. These arrangements let you build U.S. workplace experience and documented safety outcomes, which strengthens your H-1B visa or cap-exempt petition when OPT ends.
Safety Manager OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can Safety Manager roles qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree field. If your degree is in occupational safety, environmental science, industrial engineering, or a related STEM-classified field, your Safety Manager role may qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. The job duties must also align with your degree. Review the official STEM Designated Degree Program List and confirm with your DSO before assuming the extension applies.
Do Safety Manager positions commonly come with H-1B sponsorship?
Yes, particularly at large manufacturers, construction firms, and chemical companies. Safety Manager is classified as a specialty occupation because it typically requires a degree in a specific field like occupational health or engineering. Employers in heavily regulated industries are used to sponsoring this role because qualified candidates are genuinely hard to find without it. Migrate Mate filters for sponsoring employers so you can focus applications accordingly.
What does a typical OPT application look like for a Safety Manager role?
Employers expect a resume emphasizing OSHA compliance experience, incident rate reduction outcomes, and any certifications like CSP or OSHA 30. Your cover letter should address your work authorization clearly and connect your degree directly to the safety function. If you're on standard OPT, include your EAD expiration date so the hiring team can assess H-1B sponsorship timing from the start.
Is a Safety Manager role considered a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Generally yes. USCIS has approved H-1B petitions for Safety Manager roles where the position requires a degree in occupational health, safety science, or a related technical field. The key is that the employer's job description must specify a degree requirement in a particular discipline, not just any bachelor's degree. Roles that accept any degree as sufficient may face more scrutiny in the specialty occupation determination.
How much time do I realistically have on OPT to land a sponsored Safety Manager job?
Standard OPT gives you 12 months of work authorization after graduation. If you qualify for STEM OPT, that extends to 36 months total. Most Safety Manager hiring cycles run four to eight weeks from application to offer, which is manageable, but H-1B sponsorship petitions must be filed before your OPT expires. Starting your search early and targeting employers with sponsorship history is critical to staying on schedule.