OPT Wellness Director Jobs
Wellness Director jobs on OPT require employers to sponsor your work authorization, which most hospital systems, corporate wellness programs, and university health centers are equipped to do. Your 12-month OPT window (or 24-month STEM extension if your degree qualifies) gives you a real runway to build leadership experience in this field.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Ames Construction has been building America for more than 60 years, and our people are the reason we continue to succeed.
We are a full-service, heavy civil and industrial contractor building critical infrastructure, including highways, bridges, mines, dams, rail, and more. Our teams take on challenging projects that keep communities safe, supply chains moving, and the country connected.
At Ames, we are Fueled by Family. That means we look out for one another, take pride in our work, and build strong relationships rooted in trust and respect.
Guided by our core values of People, Team, Our Bond, Persistence, and Vision, we do what we say we will do, push through challenges, and deliver work we’re proud of.
When you join Ames, you’re joining a company built for long-term success, where skilled people, strong teams, and disciplined execution come together to build careers and a better future.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Project Operational Risk and Wellness Manager will be responsible for oversight of the project safety disciplines and monitor day-to-day construction operations.
- Instill Safety as a top priority by monitoring and maintaining a safe work environment
- Implement and oversee the Project Safety Program including the development of site safety policies and procedures
- Conduct training, including new hire orientation and safety meetings
- Monitor all heavy construction work for compliance with safety requirements
- Monitor and adhere to established budgetary guidelines, and ensure cost control measures are being followed
- Embody the Ames approach to Safety, being constantly vigilant of conditions and work practices, being empowered to stop all unsafe work
- Assess risk management and investigate incidents
- Provide and analyze project safety statistics
- Assist Project Manager with project setups
- Communicate with client and subcontractors
- Collaborate with regional safety team
- Other duties as assigned.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Five plus years of experience in a construction safety supervisorial role
- Highly knowledgeable in all aspects of civil construction
- OSHA 500 or equivalent preferred
- Degree in Occupational Health and Safety preferred
- Certification from the Board of Certified Safety Professionals preferred
- Strong communication skills both written and oral
- Must have a positive attitude and possess excellent motivational skills
- Must have a valid driver’s license and successfully pass a security background screening
WORKING CONDITIONS
- Location – This position is based out of our Farmington, New Mexico project site. Travel will be required to designated project sites.
- Construction Site Environment – physical ability to stand, walk, crawl, bend, reach and climb. Exposed to high noise levels
- Office Environment – extensive sitting at desk and computer; some standing, bending at the waist, stooping and reaching required; ability to lift 5-20 pounds occasionally
Ames Construction is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. This position requires ensuring compliance with CMMC, FAR, and Accounting Standards in all Federal efforts.
INTRODUCTION
Ames Construction has been building America for more than 60 years, and our people are the reason we continue to succeed.
We are a full-service, heavy civil and industrial contractor building critical infrastructure, including highways, bridges, mines, dams, rail, and more. Our teams take on challenging projects that keep communities safe, supply chains moving, and the country connected.
At Ames, we are Fueled by Family. That means we look out for one another, take pride in our work, and build strong relationships rooted in trust and respect.
Guided by our core values of People, Team, Our Bond, Persistence, and Vision, we do what we say we will do, push through challenges, and deliver work we’re proud of.
When you join Ames, you’re joining a company built for long-term success, where skilled people, strong teams, and disciplined execution come together to build careers and a better future.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Project Operational Risk and Wellness Manager will be responsible for oversight of the project safety disciplines and monitor day-to-day construction operations.
- Instill Safety as a top priority by monitoring and maintaining a safe work environment
- Implement and oversee the Project Safety Program including the development of site safety policies and procedures
- Conduct training, including new hire orientation and safety meetings
- Monitor all heavy construction work for compliance with safety requirements
- Monitor and adhere to established budgetary guidelines, and ensure cost control measures are being followed
- Embody the Ames approach to Safety, being constantly vigilant of conditions and work practices, being empowered to stop all unsafe work
- Assess risk management and investigate incidents
- Provide and analyze project safety statistics
- Assist Project Manager with project setups
- Communicate with client and subcontractors
- Collaborate with regional safety team
- Other duties as assigned.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Five plus years of experience in a construction safety supervisorial role
- Highly knowledgeable in all aspects of civil construction
- OSHA 500 or equivalent preferred
- Degree in Occupational Health and Safety preferred
- Certification from the Board of Certified Safety Professionals preferred
- Strong communication skills both written and oral
- Must have a positive attitude and possess excellent motivational skills
- Must have a valid driver’s license and successfully pass a security background screening
WORKING CONDITIONS
- Location – This position is based out of our Farmington, New Mexico project site. Travel will be required to designated project sites.
- Construction Site Environment – physical ability to stand, walk, crawl, bend, reach and climb. Exposed to high noise levels
- Office Environment – extensive sitting at desk and computer; some standing, bending at the waist, stooping and reaching required; ability to lift 5-20 pounds occasionally
Ames Construction is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. This position requires ensuring compliance with CMMC, FAR, and Accounting Standards in all Federal efforts.
See all 64+ OPT Wellness Director Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Wellness Director
Target employers with existing OPT infrastructure
Large hospital networks, universities, and corporate wellness divisions regularly hire international staff and understand OPT authorization. Smaller independent wellness studios rarely do. Focus your search on organizations with dedicated HR departments that have processed work authorization before.
Clarify your STEM extension eligibility early
Health sciences and kinesiology degrees from STEM-designated programs qualify for the 24-month OPT extension. Confirm your program's CIP code with your DSO before applying. A 36-month total authorization window is a meaningful selling point when discussing your timeline with employers.
Lead with your credentials, not your visa status
Certifications like CWWS, NBC-HWC, or ACSM-EP establish your professional credibility before visa conversations begin. Employers who value your qualifications are far more willing to work through sponsorship logistics than those evaluating you primarily on availability.
Address authorization proactively in interviews
Wellness Director roles involve long-term program planning, so employers think in multi-year timelines. Explain that OPT covers immediate employment and that H-1B visa sponsorship is a straightforward next step. Framing it as a process, not a problem, reduces employer hesitation significantly.
Build your case around measurable program outcomes
Employers sponsoring OPT students want confidence the hire will deliver. Come prepared with specific outcomes from past wellness programs you managed: participation rates, health risk assessment improvements, or cost-per-participant metrics. Concrete results make the sponsorship conversation easier to justify internally.
Negotiate your start date around EAD card timing
OPT applications take 3 to 5 months to process, and you cannot start work without your EAD card in hand. Apply as early as 90 days before your program end date and communicate your earliest available start date clearly so employers can plan hiring timelines accordingly.
Wellness Director OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Wellness Director on OPT without additional employer sponsorship?
Yes. During your OPT period, your EAD card authorizes you to work for any employer in a role directly related to your degree. The employer does not need to file any petition on your behalf for OPT employment. Sponsorship only becomes relevant if you need H-1B or another long-term visa after OPT ends.
What degree fields qualify for the Wellness Director role on OPT?
Most Wellness Director positions require a degree in public health, health promotion, kinesiology, exercise science, or a related health sciences field. Your OPT must be tied to your specific degree program, so the job description should clearly align with your field of study. A degree in an unrelated field, even with relevant certifications, may not satisfy USCIS employment requirements for OPT.
Does a Wellness Director job qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on whether your degree program holds a STEM-designated CIP code. Health informatics, biostatistics, and some kinesiology programs are STEM-designated; general health promotion degrees often are not. Check your degree's CIP code with your DSO. If you qualify, the 24-month extension gives you up to 36 months of total OPT authorization, which substantially extends your time to secure long-term sponsorship.
Will Wellness Director employers typically sponsor H-1B visas after OPT?
Many do, particularly hospital systems, large corporations with established wellness programs, and universities. These organizations already have legal counsel familiar with H-1B filings. Wellness Director roles generally qualify as specialty occupations requiring a relevant bachelor's degree, which meets the core H-1B eligibility requirement. Smaller employers or independent wellness operators are less likely to have sponsorship experience or resources.
Where can I find Wellness Director jobs that are open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters roles by sponsorship openness, so you're not wasting time on postings that won't consider work authorization. Wellness Director roles appear across healthcare, corporate, and higher education categories on the platform. Searching by employer type helps you prioritize organizations with the HR infrastructure to actually follow through on sponsorship.