Operations Technician Visa Sponsorship Jobs in South Dakota
Operations technician roles in South Dakota are concentrated in energy, agriculture processing, and manufacturing, with employers like Xcel Energy, Poet Biorefining, and Raven Industries active in cities such as Sioux Falls, Rapid City, and Aberdeen. International candidates pursuing visa sponsorship will find the strongest opportunities in industrial and utilities sectors across the state.
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Get Access To All JobsOpportunity Summary
The O&M Technician supporting the Athena RNG site is responsible for performing activities associated with the safe and efficient operations and electrical maintenance of the sites in compliance with all regulatory permits. Responsibilities will include performing a variety of skilled operational and maintenance tasks throughout the day which includes interfacing with the SCADA system, running analytical tests, and performing the inspection, repair, testing, adjustment, installation and removal of all electronic and electrical power plant equipment and systems.
Primary Duties
Operations:
- Assist with operations, maintenance and overall activities associated with the facility
- Assist in the anaerobic digestion process by monitoring equipment, gauges and charts in the digester, electrical generation, and waste treatment processes
- Record and analyze statistical data concerning plant operations ensuring that the plant is running as specified
- Troubleshoot failures and malfunctions to determine the root cause and maintain, operate, repair and replace equipment as necessary
- Maintain, modify or repair instrumentation and control equipment including recorders, flowmeter and other water quality monitoring equipment
- Collect samples for testing and reporting and performs lab analysis for process control
- Ensure that plant operates within required standards
- Monitor performance of electrical systems, circuits or equipment of the treatment plant
- Maintain a clean and presentable plant environment
Electrical Maintenance:
- Perform preventive maintenance duties on all major equipment and systems as well as emergency backup systems
- Maintain complete equipment files, logs, and drawings for all designated equipment
- Conduct instrument calibration as scheduled/required
- Maintain all plant instrumentation and electrical equipment
- Inspect repair, install and remove all types of motors, generators, transformers, switches, control equipment, wiring, electrical signal and communication systems, and storage batteries, and work with electrical systems up to and including 480 volts
- Conduct troubleshooting and analysis on DCS, PLC and turbine control equipment
- Fully support and participate in the NAES Safety and Regulatory Compliance Programs
Complete other tasks as assigned by the Area O&M Manager
NAES Safe
Safety is a core value of NAES and as a condition of employment, all employees are expected to be mentally alert and work safely at all times. Additionally, employees are required to adhere to all safety warnings and posted safety signs whenever on company property. Furthermore, employees must follow all NAES safety rules and procedures. Effectiveness in carrying out this responsibility is part of the evaluation of each employee’s performance.
Physical Requirements and Working Conditions
Physical requirements include the possibility of standing for extended periods of time, stair and ladder climbing and routinely lifting up to 50 pounds. Protective equipment must be worn in the performance of some duties (e.g. hard hats, safety glasses, air masks, ear protection, chemical suits, hot gloves and high voltage protective equipment, etc.). Work with hazardous materials may be required.
Fitness for Duty
All employees will participate in the Fitness for Duty Program. This program includes a post-offer physical examination and drug screening and post-employment random drug screening. There are extensive smoking restrictions in and around the dairy farms.
Work Schedule
This position offers a regularly scheduled Monday to Friday work week, with an 8-hour day shift. Position requires extended working hours and varied shifts with the possibility of weekend and holiday work, as required by schedules, workload and plant conditions. "On call" status will periodically be required.
Compensation
The initial hourly rate of pay will range from $31.58 - $38.00 depending on applicable experience.
Job Qualifications
- High school diploma or equivalency; additional technical training as well as knowledge of wastewater operations a plus
- Basic understanding of the anaerobic digestion process desired; willingness to learn process and operating procedures; previous anaerobic process experience is desired
- Experience in working with voltages up to 480 volts highly desirable
- Experience in Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) or gas processing is a plus
- Excellent oral and written communication skills; ability to actively listen to others for understanding
- Must be able to work from blueprints
- Must be skilled in the use of hand and power-driven tools
- Must have excellent organizational skills
- Must be able to work well with others
- Must have and maintain a valid driver’s license
About NAES
NAES Corporation is the leading provider of operations, maintenance, and engineering services for energy facilities. We have established ourselves as a reliable partner for clients in North America and internationally, offering services across power generation, oil and gas, and renewable energy sectors. Additionally, our growing family of companies enables us to address the entire life cycle of power generation and other industrial plants.
NAES is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. It is the practice of NAES to seek employees of the highest quality and to select individuals on the basis of merit and competence, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, military status or affiliation protected under USERRA, or any other basis of discrimination prohibited by applicable local, state and federal law.
Experience
- Preferred: Experience in working with voltages up to 480 volts.
- Preferred: Basic understanding of the anaerobic digestion process desired; willingness to learn process and operating procedures; previous anaerobic process experience is preferred.
Licenses & Certifications
- Required: Driver's License
Skills
- Preferred: Calibration - Instrumentation and Equipment
- Preferred: High Voltage
- Preferred: Mechanical Maintenance
- Preferred: Troubleshooting and Diagnostics
- Preferred: Verbal and Written Communications
Behaviors
- Preferred: Dedicated: Devoted to a task or purpose with loyalty or integrity
- Preferred: Detail Oriented: Capable of carrying out a given task with all details necessary to get the task done well
- Preferred: Enthusiastic: Shows intense and eager enjoyment and interest
- Preferred: Team Player: Works well as a member of a group
Equal Opportunity Employer
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.
Opportunity Summary
The O&M Technician supporting the Athena RNG site is responsible for performing activities associated with the safe and efficient operations and electrical maintenance of the sites in compliance with all regulatory permits. Responsibilities will include performing a variety of skilled operational and maintenance tasks throughout the day which includes interfacing with the SCADA system, running analytical tests, and performing the inspection, repair, testing, adjustment, installation and removal of all electronic and electrical power plant equipment and systems.
Primary Duties
Operations:
- Assist with operations, maintenance and overall activities associated with the facility
- Assist in the anaerobic digestion process by monitoring equipment, gauges and charts in the digester, electrical generation, and waste treatment processes
- Record and analyze statistical data concerning plant operations ensuring that the plant is running as specified
- Troubleshoot failures and malfunctions to determine the root cause and maintain, operate, repair and replace equipment as necessary
- Maintain, modify or repair instrumentation and control equipment including recorders, flowmeter and other water quality monitoring equipment
- Collect samples for testing and reporting and performs lab analysis for process control
- Ensure that plant operates within required standards
- Monitor performance of electrical systems, circuits or equipment of the treatment plant
- Maintain a clean and presentable plant environment
Electrical Maintenance:
- Perform preventive maintenance duties on all major equipment and systems as well as emergency backup systems
- Maintain complete equipment files, logs, and drawings for all designated equipment
- Conduct instrument calibration as scheduled/required
- Maintain all plant instrumentation and electrical equipment
- Inspect repair, install and remove all types of motors, generators, transformers, switches, control equipment, wiring, electrical signal and communication systems, and storage batteries, and work with electrical systems up to and including 480 volts
- Conduct troubleshooting and analysis on DCS, PLC and turbine control equipment
- Fully support and participate in the NAES Safety and Regulatory Compliance Programs
Complete other tasks as assigned by the Area O&M Manager
NAES Safe
Safety is a core value of NAES and as a condition of employment, all employees are expected to be mentally alert and work safely at all times. Additionally, employees are required to adhere to all safety warnings and posted safety signs whenever on company property. Furthermore, employees must follow all NAES safety rules and procedures. Effectiveness in carrying out this responsibility is part of the evaluation of each employee’s performance.
Physical Requirements and Working Conditions
Physical requirements include the possibility of standing for extended periods of time, stair and ladder climbing and routinely lifting up to 50 pounds. Protective equipment must be worn in the performance of some duties (e.g. hard hats, safety glasses, air masks, ear protection, chemical suits, hot gloves and high voltage protective equipment, etc.). Work with hazardous materials may be required.
Fitness for Duty
All employees will participate in the Fitness for Duty Program. This program includes a post-offer physical examination and drug screening and post-employment random drug screening. There are extensive smoking restrictions in and around the dairy farms.
Work Schedule
This position offers a regularly scheduled Monday to Friday work week, with an 8-hour day shift. Position requires extended working hours and varied shifts with the possibility of weekend and holiday work, as required by schedules, workload and plant conditions. "On call" status will periodically be required.
Compensation
The initial hourly rate of pay will range from $31.58 - $38.00 depending on applicable experience.
Job Qualifications
- High school diploma or equivalency; additional technical training as well as knowledge of wastewater operations a plus
- Basic understanding of the anaerobic digestion process desired; willingness to learn process and operating procedures; previous anaerobic process experience is desired
- Experience in working with voltages up to 480 volts highly desirable
- Experience in Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) or gas processing is a plus
- Excellent oral and written communication skills; ability to actively listen to others for understanding
- Must be able to work from blueprints
- Must be skilled in the use of hand and power-driven tools
- Must have excellent organizational skills
- Must be able to work well with others
- Must have and maintain a valid driver’s license
About NAES
NAES Corporation is the leading provider of operations, maintenance, and engineering services for energy facilities. We have established ourselves as a reliable partner for clients in North America and internationally, offering services across power generation, oil and gas, and renewable energy sectors. Additionally, our growing family of companies enables us to address the entire life cycle of power generation and other industrial plants.
NAES is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. It is the practice of NAES to seek employees of the highest quality and to select individuals on the basis of merit and competence, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, military status or affiliation protected under USERRA, or any other basis of discrimination prohibited by applicable local, state and federal law.
Experience
- Preferred: Experience in working with voltages up to 480 volts.
- Preferred: Basic understanding of the anaerobic digestion process desired; willingness to learn process and operating procedures; previous anaerobic process experience is preferred.
Licenses & Certifications
- Required: Driver's License
Skills
- Preferred: Calibration - Instrumentation and Equipment
- Preferred: High Voltage
- Preferred: Mechanical Maintenance
- Preferred: Troubleshooting and Diagnostics
- Preferred: Verbal and Written Communications
Behaviors
- Preferred: Dedicated: Devoted to a task or purpose with loyalty or integrity
- Preferred: Detail Oriented: Capable of carrying out a given task with all details necessary to get the task done well
- Preferred: Enthusiastic: Shows intense and eager enjoyment and interest
- Preferred: Team Player: Works well as a member of a group
Equal Opportunity Employer
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.
Operations Technician Job Roles in South Dakota
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Search Operations Technician Jobs in South DakotaOperations Technician Jobs in South Dakota: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies sponsor visas for operations technicians in South Dakota?
Energy and industrial companies are the most active sponsors for operations technician roles in South Dakota. Xcel Energy, Basin Electric Power Cooperative, and utilities operating wind and power infrastructure have filed H-1B visa Labor Condition Applications for technical operations roles. Agribusiness processors like Poet Biorefining and manufacturing firms in the Sioux Falls corridor also appear in Department of Labor disclosure data for sponsored positions.
Which visa types are most common for operations technician roles in South Dakota?
The H-1B visa is the most common pathway for operations technicians in South Dakota, provided the role meets the specialty occupation standard requiring a relevant bachelor's degree or equivalent. Roles in process control, systems operations, or instrumentation within energy and manufacturing are more likely to qualify. Canadian and Mexican nationals in qualifying technical roles may also be eligible for the TN visa under the USMCA agreement.
How to find operations technician visa sponsorship jobs in South Dakota?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically by visa sponsorship status, making it straightforward to browse operations technician openings in South Dakota without sorting through roles that don't sponsor. The platform surfaces positions in energy, agriculture processing, and industrial sectors across cities like Sioux Falls and Rapid City, which is more efficient than searching general job boards where sponsorship information is rarely disclosed upfront.
Which cities in South Dakota have the most operations technician sponsorship jobs?
Sioux Falls is the primary hub, concentrating manufacturing, utilities, and food processing employers that hire operations technicians. Rapid City sees demand tied to energy infrastructure and regional industrial operations in the western part of the state. Aberdeen and Watertown also generate openings through agribusiness processing facilities. Smaller towns near wind energy projects in central and eastern South Dakota occasionally post sponsored technical roles as well.
Are there state-specific factors that affect visa sponsorship for operations technicians in South Dakota?
South Dakota's operations technician market is shaped heavily by energy and agricultural processing industries, meaning prevailing wage levels are set against those sectors rather than tech-industry benchmarks. Employers must certify wages meet Department of Labor prevailing wage standards for the specific occupation and geographic area when filing an H-1B Labor Condition Application. South Dakota State University and South Dakota School of Mines and Technology produce graduates in relevant engineering and technology fields, creating a local pipeline that some employers draw from before pursuing international sponsorship.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored operations technician jobs in South Dakota?
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.