Agriculture H-1B Sponsorship Jobs in Iowa
Iowa's agriculture sector, anchored by major employers like Pioneer (Corteva Agriscience), Cargill, and Iowa State University's research divisions, regularly sponsors H-1B visa workers in agronomy, food science, and agricultural engineering. Ames, Des Moines, and Cedar Rapids see the highest concentration of roles. Iowa's position as a top corn and soybean producing state creates consistent demand for specialized technical talent.
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Get Access To All JobsSUMMARY
The Food Safety & Quality (FSQ) Specialist is responsible for implementing and monitoring food safety, quality, and regulatory compliance programs. This position performs inspections, testing, documentation review, and verification activities to ensure products meet company, customer, and regulatory requirements.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
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Ensures GMPs, HACCP, Food Safety & Quality, SSOP & SQF standards are met in all areas of USDA/FDA processing
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Works closely with Operations, Production, Sanitation, Maintenance, and Management to maintain food safety and quality programs
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Willing to learn SQF regulations (Safe Quality Food), animal welfare and biosecurity (as applicable) as part of company and industry standards
-
Maintains quality assurance paperwork with accuracy
-
Verifies, monitors, and reviews daily paperwork generated during operations to assure compliance
-
Performs daily, weekly and monthly audits or inspections
-
Performs product and environmental testing along with verifications
-
Pulls product samples for evaluation and testing in onsite laboratory
-
Administers hold and release policies & directs handling of out of specification products
-
Facilitate timely, corrective, and preventative actions including but not limited to daily non-conformities/deviations, internal and external audit findings, and complaints
-
Report food safety and quality issues to plant management
-
Assist Manager with special projects and other duties as assigned
QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Education
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High school diploma or GED required.
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Associate degree in Food Science, Biology, Microbiology, Quality Assurance, or related field preferred.
Experience
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Previous food manufacturing experience preferred.
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Previous quality assurance, laboratory, or food safety experience preferred.
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Experience in RTE (Ready-to-Eat) foods, meat, dairy, egg products, or beverage manufacturing is a plus.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES
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Knowledge of GMPs, HACCP, SQF, and food safety regulations.
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SQF, HACCP, Internal Auditor, PCQI certifications a plus.
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Strong attention to detail.
-
Basic computer skills including Microsoft Office.
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Ability to complete accurate documentation.
-
Strong communication and problem-solving skills.
-
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Stand and walk constantly; grip, grasp, push, pull, reach, bend, stoop, lift up to 10 pounds frequently; sit, climb, lift up to 50 pounds occasionally.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts and water, and chemicals. Temperature is regulated for operations standards. Cooler temperatures occur in specific areas. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Proper personal protective equipment will be required during certain working conditions. Employees are required to comply with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP’s) due to working in a food manufacturing environment (hairnets, clean clothes, etc.).
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
SUMMARY
The Food Safety & Quality (FSQ) Specialist is responsible for implementing and monitoring food safety, quality, and regulatory compliance programs. This position performs inspections, testing, documentation review, and verification activities to ensure products meet company, customer, and regulatory requirements.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
-
Ensures GMPs, HACCP, Food Safety & Quality, SSOP & SQF standards are met in all areas of USDA/FDA processing
-
Works closely with Operations, Production, Sanitation, Maintenance, and Management to maintain food safety and quality programs
-
Willing to learn SQF regulations (Safe Quality Food), animal welfare and biosecurity (as applicable) as part of company and industry standards
-
Maintains quality assurance paperwork with accuracy
-
Verifies, monitors, and reviews daily paperwork generated during operations to assure compliance
-
Performs daily, weekly and monthly audits or inspections
-
Performs product and environmental testing along with verifications
-
Pulls product samples for evaluation and testing in onsite laboratory
-
Administers hold and release policies & directs handling of out of specification products
-
Facilitate timely, corrective, and preventative actions including but not limited to daily non-conformities/deviations, internal and external audit findings, and complaints
-
Report food safety and quality issues to plant management
-
Assist Manager with special projects and other duties as assigned
QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Education
-
High school diploma or GED required.
-
Associate degree in Food Science, Biology, Microbiology, Quality Assurance, or related field preferred.
Experience
-
Previous food manufacturing experience preferred.
-
Previous quality assurance, laboratory, or food safety experience preferred.
-
Experience in RTE (Ready-to-Eat) foods, meat, dairy, egg products, or beverage manufacturing is a plus.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES
-
Knowledge of GMPs, HACCP, SQF, and food safety regulations.
-
SQF, HACCP, Internal Auditor, PCQI certifications a plus.
-
Strong attention to detail.
-
Basic computer skills including Microsoft Office.
-
Ability to complete accurate documentation.
-
Strong communication and problem-solving skills.
-
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Stand and walk constantly; grip, grasp, push, pull, reach, bend, stoop, lift up to 10 pounds frequently; sit, climb, lift up to 50 pounds occasionally.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts and water, and chemicals. Temperature is regulated for operations standards. Cooler temperatures occur in specific areas. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Proper personal protective equipment will be required during certain working conditions. Employees are required to comply with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP’s) due to working in a food manufacturing environment (hairnets, clean clothes, etc.).
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
H-1B Agriculture Job Roles in Iowa
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Search Agriculture Jobs in IowaAgriculture H-1B Sponsorship Jobs in Iowa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which agriculture companies sponsor H-1B visas in Iowa?
Corteva Agriscience (Pioneer's parent company) is among Iowa's most active H-1B visa sponsors in agriculture, particularly for plant science and research roles. Cargill, with significant Iowa operations, sponsors H-1B workers in food science and engineering. Iowa State University regularly sponsors researchers and scientists in agricultural fields. Smaller agribusinesses and seed companies in the state also file H-1B petitions for specialized technical positions.
Which cities in Iowa have the most agriculture H-1B sponsorship jobs?
Ames leads due to Iowa State University's extensive agricultural research programs and proximity to seed and agriscience companies. Des Moines, as the state's commercial hub, hosts corporate agriculture employers with H-1B sponsorship capacity. Johnston, a Des Moines suburb, is notable as Corteva Agriscience's headquarters location. Cedar Rapids and Waterloo see sponsorship activity tied to food processing and agricultural manufacturing operations.
What types of agriculture roles typically qualify for H-1B sponsorship in Iowa?
Roles that qualify for H-1B sponsorship must meet the specialty occupation standard, meaning they require at least a bachelor's degree in a specific field. In Iowa's agriculture sector, this commonly includes plant scientists, agronomists, agricultural engineers, food scientists, bioinformatics specialists, and crop research analysts. General farm labor or equipment operator roles do not qualify. Positions embedded in research institutions or corporate R&D departments are the most frequent H-1B candidates.
How do I find agriculture H-1B sponsorship jobs in Iowa?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for international job seekers and filters agriculture H-1B sponsorship jobs in Iowa by employer, role type, and visa category. Rather than sorting through general job listings where sponsorship status is unclear, Migrate Mate surfaces positions where employers have a documented history of H-1B sponsorship in agriculture. Searching by Iowa and filtering for agriculture roles gives you a focused list of realistic opportunities.
Are there state-specific considerations for H-1B sponsorship in Iowa's agriculture industry?
Iowa's agriculture sector is heavily research-driven, which means many H-1B positions are tied to university affiliations or corporate R&D programs rather than production-side roles. Employers like Iowa State University may qualify as cap-exempt H-1B sponsors, meaning petitions can be filed outside the annual lottery. If a role is hosted at or affiliated with a qualifying nonprofit research institution, cap-exempt status is worth confirming directly with the sponsoring employer's legal team.
What is the prevailing wage for H-1B agriculture jobs in Iowa?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.