Surveyor Jobs for OPT Students
Surveyor jobs on OPT sit within specialty occupation territory, which matters for students planning an H-1B transition. Most roles require a degree in surveying, geomatics, or civil engineering, and many employers will file a Labor Condition Application to sponsor your status. STEM OPT extensions apply if your program qualifies.
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Get Access To All JobsRequisition ID: 180130
Job Level: Mid Level
Home District/Group: Southwest District
Department: Surveying
Market: Transportation
Employment Type: Full Time
Position Overview
The Surveyor position plays a critical role in ensuring the precision and integrity of construction projects within Kiewit's Southwest District. This role is centered on conducting and overseeing all surveying tasks, from initial site layout to ongoing control measures, to provide dependable data that guides construction activities. The Project Surveyor partners closely with project engineers, site superintendents, and subcontractors to ensure that the measurements and controls align with project requirements. Time in this role is predominantly spent in the field performing surveys, validating data accuracy, and delivering real-time support to construction crews to facilitate smooth and safe operations.
District Overview
Kiewit Southwest District specializes in heavy civil, transportation and water projects. We operate primarily in Arizona, Idaho, Nevada and Utah. Southwest's projects include a wide range of infrastructure projects such as highways, bridges, runways, terminals, transit systems, power plants, water treatment facilities, dams, canals, wastewater treatment plants and tunnels.
Location
One of the many things that makes Kiewit’s culture unique is that we go where the work is, which exposes your career to abundant opportunities. We relocate our teams based on the work that is available, combined with the development plans, skill sets and career goals of each team member. This means your Kiewit adventure is custom-designed to meet our shared needs.
Responsibilities
- Conduct comprehensive field surveys to establish precise control points, layout reference lines, and verify elevation benchmarks in alignment with project specifications and construction drawings.
- Lead and coordinate surveying operations on site, ensuring compliance with company standards, safety protocols, and regulatory requirements for construction surveying.
- Collaborate extensively with project management, engineering teams, and subcontractors to interpret technical plans and deliver timely survey data critical for construction progress and quality control.
- Set up and maintain reliable control networks across project sites, including the calibration and care of advanced surveying instruments such as total stations, GPS/GNSS receivers, and digital levels.
- Monitor and document as-built conditions throughout construction stages, producing detailed reports and digital data sets to support project documentation and audits.
- Troubleshoot technical challenges and adapt surveying methodologies in response to changing site conditions to minimize operational disruptions.
- Assist in training and guiding junior survey staff or subcontractors to uphold measurement accuracy and safety standards.
- Maintain meticulous records of survey activities, including data backups and report generation using specialized surveying software and reporting tools.
- Participate proactively in safety meetings and ensure all surveying activities prioritize crew safety and environmental stewardship on site.
Qualifications
- At least 3 to 5 years’ hands-on experience in construction surveying or related disciplines such as dimensional control or industrial metrology, preferably in infrastructure projects.
- Proficiency with Trimble surveying technology and associated software platforms to accurately capture and process survey data.
- Strong foundational skills in mathematics, including algebra and geometry, to perform spatial calculations related to area, volume, coordinates, and elevation offsets directly in the field.
- Ability to independently organize work priorities and manage multiple survey tasks effectively within a fast-paced construction setting.
- Excellent communication skills to liaise clearly and professionally with multi-disciplinary teams, including the preparation of written reports and verbal briefings.
- A demonstrated dedication to upholding the highest safety standards and quality controls in all surveying and field operations.
- Capable of thriving both autonomously and collaboratively, providing dependable support to field crews and project leadership.
- Possess reliable transportation and willingness to travel frequently between various job sites within the district.
- Physically fit to perform demanding outdoor work in varying weather conditions.
Working Conditions
The Surveyor role is primarily field-based, often requiring extended periods outdoors under varying weather conditions, including heat, rain, and humidity common to the southeastern US. This position necessitates prolonged standing, walking, and occasional lifting of equipment over uneven ground on active construction sites. Safety is paramount; adherence to all personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements and site safety protocols is mandatory. The role may also require adjusting work hours to meet project demands, including early mornings, late evenings, and weekend shifts as necessary to maintain project schedules and respond to onsite needs. Robust physical stamina, attention to environmental factors, and flexibility in work patterns are essential to succeeding in this dynamic and challenging environment.
Other Requirements:
- Regular, reliable attendance
- Work productively and meet deadlines timely
- Communicate and interact effectively and professionally with supervisors, employees, and others individually or in a team environment.
- Perform work safely and effectively. Understand and follow oral and written instructions, including warning signs, equipment use, and other policies.
- Work during normal operating hours to organize and complete work within given deadlines. Work overtime and weekends as required.
- May work at various different locations and conditions may vary.
We offer our fulltime staff employees a comprehensive benefits package that’s among the best in our industry, including top-tier medical, dental and vision plans covering eligible employees and dependents, voluntary wellness and employee assistance programs, life insurance, disability, retirement plans with matching, and generous paid time off.
Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status.
Requisition ID: 180130
Job Level: Mid Level
Home District/Group: Southwest District
Department: Surveying
Market: Transportation
Employment Type: Full Time
Position Overview
The Surveyor position plays a critical role in ensuring the precision and integrity of construction projects within Kiewit's Southwest District. This role is centered on conducting and overseeing all surveying tasks, from initial site layout to ongoing control measures, to provide dependable data that guides construction activities. The Project Surveyor partners closely with project engineers, site superintendents, and subcontractors to ensure that the measurements and controls align with project requirements. Time in this role is predominantly spent in the field performing surveys, validating data accuracy, and delivering real-time support to construction crews to facilitate smooth and safe operations.
District Overview
Kiewit Southwest District specializes in heavy civil, transportation and water projects. We operate primarily in Arizona, Idaho, Nevada and Utah. Southwest's projects include a wide range of infrastructure projects such as highways, bridges, runways, terminals, transit systems, power plants, water treatment facilities, dams, canals, wastewater treatment plants and tunnels.
Location
One of the many things that makes Kiewit’s culture unique is that we go where the work is, which exposes your career to abundant opportunities. We relocate our teams based on the work that is available, combined with the development plans, skill sets and career goals of each team member. This means your Kiewit adventure is custom-designed to meet our shared needs.
Responsibilities
- Conduct comprehensive field surveys to establish precise control points, layout reference lines, and verify elevation benchmarks in alignment with project specifications and construction drawings.
- Lead and coordinate surveying operations on site, ensuring compliance with company standards, safety protocols, and regulatory requirements for construction surveying.
- Collaborate extensively with project management, engineering teams, and subcontractors to interpret technical plans and deliver timely survey data critical for construction progress and quality control.
- Set up and maintain reliable control networks across project sites, including the calibration and care of advanced surveying instruments such as total stations, GPS/GNSS receivers, and digital levels.
- Monitor and document as-built conditions throughout construction stages, producing detailed reports and digital data sets to support project documentation and audits.
- Troubleshoot technical challenges and adapt surveying methodologies in response to changing site conditions to minimize operational disruptions.
- Assist in training and guiding junior survey staff or subcontractors to uphold measurement accuracy and safety standards.
- Maintain meticulous records of survey activities, including data backups and report generation using specialized surveying software and reporting tools.
- Participate proactively in safety meetings and ensure all surveying activities prioritize crew safety and environmental stewardship on site.
Qualifications
- At least 3 to 5 years’ hands-on experience in construction surveying or related disciplines such as dimensional control or industrial metrology, preferably in infrastructure projects.
- Proficiency with Trimble surveying technology and associated software platforms to accurately capture and process survey data.
- Strong foundational skills in mathematics, including algebra and geometry, to perform spatial calculations related to area, volume, coordinates, and elevation offsets directly in the field.
- Ability to independently organize work priorities and manage multiple survey tasks effectively within a fast-paced construction setting.
- Excellent communication skills to liaise clearly and professionally with multi-disciplinary teams, including the preparation of written reports and verbal briefings.
- A demonstrated dedication to upholding the highest safety standards and quality controls in all surveying and field operations.
- Capable of thriving both autonomously and collaboratively, providing dependable support to field crews and project leadership.
- Possess reliable transportation and willingness to travel frequently between various job sites within the district.
- Physically fit to perform demanding outdoor work in varying weather conditions.
Working Conditions
The Surveyor role is primarily field-based, often requiring extended periods outdoors under varying weather conditions, including heat, rain, and humidity common to the southeastern US. This position necessitates prolonged standing, walking, and occasional lifting of equipment over uneven ground on active construction sites. Safety is paramount; adherence to all personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements and site safety protocols is mandatory. The role may also require adjusting work hours to meet project demands, including early mornings, late evenings, and weekend shifts as necessary to maintain project schedules and respond to onsite needs. Robust physical stamina, attention to environmental factors, and flexibility in work patterns are essential to succeeding in this dynamic and challenging environment.
Other Requirements:
- Regular, reliable attendance
- Work productively and meet deadlines timely
- Communicate and interact effectively and professionally with supervisors, employees, and others individually or in a team environment.
- Perform work safely and effectively. Understand and follow oral and written instructions, including warning signs, equipment use, and other policies.
- Work during normal operating hours to organize and complete work within given deadlines. Work overtime and weekends as required.
- May work at various different locations and conditions may vary.
We offer our fulltime staff employees a comprehensive benefits package that’s among the best in our industry, including top-tier medical, dental and vision plans covering eligible employees and dependents, voluntary wellness and employee assistance programs, life insurance, disability, retirement plans with matching, and generous paid time off.
Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status.
How to Get Visa Sponsorship in Surveyor
Confirm your degree qualifies for STEM OPT
Surveying and geomatics programs often carry a STEM designation, giving you a 24-month OPT extension. Verify your program's CIP code with your DSO before applying, since this directly affects how long employers can hire you.
Target firms that file Labor Condition Applications
Engineering and land surveying firms that regularly sponsor H-1B visas are your strongest long-term bet. Check OFLC disclosure data for firms with a track record of filing LCAs for surveyor and geospatial roles specifically.
Frame fieldwork and software skills together
Employers hiring on OPT want to see both field competency and proficiency in tools like AutoCAD Civil 3D or Trimble software. Listing both reduces hesitation about sponsoring someone who needs ramp-up time on the job.
Address OPT timelines proactively with employers
Bring up your OPT end date and STEM extension eligibility in early conversations. Employers unfamiliar with OPT often assume the process is harder than it is, so a clear timeline removes uncertainty from their decision.
Target government contractors and infrastructure firms
Federal and state infrastructure projects regularly employ surveyors through large engineering contractors. These firms have established immigration processes, making them more likely to support your OPT and eventual H-1B sponsorship than smaller local shops.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Do surveyor jobs qualify as specialty occupations for OPT and H-1B purposes?
Yes. Surveying roles that require a bachelor's degree in surveying, geomatics, civil engineering, or a closely related field generally meet the specialty occupation standard. The key is that the job posting must specify a degree requirement in a specific field, not just any bachelor's degree. Your DSO and a future employer's immigration attorney can confirm whether a specific role qualifies.
Can I work as a surveyor on OPT without a Professional Land Surveyor license?
Yes, with limitations. Most states allow graduates to work under the supervision of a licensed Professional Land Surveyor while accumulating the experience hours needed to sit for the PLS exam. OPT authorization is tied to your degree field and job duties, not your licensure status. Unlicensed survey technician and GIS analyst roles are common entry points for OPT students.
Does a surveying or geomatics degree qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Many surveying and geomatics programs do qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, but it depends on your program's specific CIP code. Programs classified under geography, civil engineering technology, or geospatial intelligence often carry STEM designation. Check with your DSO to confirm your program's code before accepting a role, since STEM eligibility significantly changes how employers assess your long-term hire value.
What types of employers are most likely to sponsor surveyors on OPT?
Large civil engineering and infrastructure firms, federal government contractors, utility companies, and state transportation agencies are the most consistent OPT sponsors for surveying roles. Smaller local surveying firms may lack the administrative infrastructure to navigate work authorization. Migrate Mate lets you filter for OPT-friendly employers in the surveying and geospatial space so you can focus applications where they're most likely to convert.
How should I handle the gap between my OPT end date and a potential H-1B approval?
If your employer files an H-1B petition before your OPT expires, cap-gap protection automatically extends your work authorization through September 30 of that year, or until USCIS makes a decision if later. This means a seamless transition is possible if the timeline lines up. Your DSO can confirm whether your specific situation qualifies for cap-gap coverage and what documentation your employer will need.
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