Construction OPT Jobs in West Virginia
Construction F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in West Virginia span civil engineering, project management, and infrastructure roles tied to the state's ongoing highway, energy, and public works projects. Major employers include national contractors operating across Charleston, Morgantown, and Huntington. Engineering-focused OPT students from West Virginia University and Marshall University are among the most active candidates in this market.
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INTRODUCTION
Ames Construction has been building America for more than 60 years, and the people who work here 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 and Driven by Ownership. That means we look out for one another, take pride in what we build, and take responsibility for our actions, our results, and the long-term health of the company.
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 Surveyor will lead field layout, data collection, and machine control support for highway heavy construction projects at Ames Construction. In this role, you will act as a key technical link between design and execution, managing everything from earthwork quantity takeoffs to drone-based survey workflows. The ideal candidate brings at least 3 years of field experience, a deep proficiency in Trimble technology, and a commitment to maintaining rigorous safety and QA/QC standards while collaborating with project engineers and owners.
Core Duties and Responsibilities
- Champion a strong safety culture by ensuring all surveying activities are performed in compliance with company, state, and federal safety standards.
- Collaborate closely with Project Managers, Engineers, Superintendents, Foremen, subcontractors, and inspectors.
- Develop and maintain positive working relationships with owners, design partners, subcontractors, and internal team members.
- Interpret and apply project plans, specifications, and digital models to accurately layout grades, alignments, elevations, and offsets.
- Operate and maintain jobsite survey equipment.
- Provide quality assurance, quality control, and technical support for machine control systems used in grading operations.
- Perform earthwork quantity takeoffs from field survey data.
- Collect and document accurate as-built data for payment quantities, compliance reporting, and final records.
- Maintain organized survey files, field notes, calibration records, and project documentation.
- Participate in project meetings and provide survey updates as needed.
- Perform other duties as appropriately assigned.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in Construction, Civil Engineering, Surveying, or Construction Management, or equivalent field experience.
- 3 or more years’ experience in heavy highway construction.
- RPLS, CST III/IV license, or equivalent field experience is preferred.
- FAA part 107 license and familiarity with drone survey workflows or the ability to obtain a license and quickly learn.
- Must be competent in the use of computer software applications used for project control and administration, including Microsoft 365 suite and Bluebeam.
- Basic familiarity with office survey workflows – Trimble business center or Civil 3D.
- Must have strong knowledge and experience of the fundamentals of surveying, as well as familiarity with Trimble’s suite of civil construction field equipment and software.
- Strong communication skills both written and oral.
- Good attention to detail with the ability to recognize discrepancies.
- Must have a positive attitude and possess excellent motivational skills.
- Time Management, organization, and prioritization skills are crucial.
- Must have a valid Driver’s License.
WORKING CONDITIONS
- Travel can be required with this position within the United States. This project is located in Point Pleasant, West Virginia. Subsequent projects will be nationally based.
- Work is primarily performed on active construction job sites, including highways, roadways, and heavy civil infrastructure projects.
- Regular exposure to outdoor weather conditions, including heat, cold, rain, wind, and dust.
- Position requires walking, standing, climbing, bending, and lifting in a construction environment.
- Frequent interaction with heavy equipment, moving machinery, traffic, and construction hazards; strict adherence to safety protocols is required.
- Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is mandatory at all job sites.
- Work is additionally done in an 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.
People are the most important asset at Ames Construction. Ames’ non-craft benefits package is designed so that our team members flourish, with medical, dental, and vision (all at one low premium), voluntary benefits, generous retirement benefits, and company holidays and paid time off. Please see the Benefits section of our Careers page for more information.
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Ability to pass a pre-employment drug test is required.
EEO Statement
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.
OPT Construction Job Roles in West Virginia
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Search Construction Jobs in West VirginiaConstruction OPT Sponsorship Jobs in West Virginia: Frequently Asked Questions
Which construction companies sponsor F-1 OPT visas in West Virginia?
National engineering and construction firms with active West Virginia operations are the most consistent OPT sponsors. Companies such as AECOM, Jacobs Engineering, and Turner Construction have filed Labor Condition Applications for engineering and project roles in the state. Regional contractors working on highway, bridge, and energy infrastructure projects also hire OPT students, particularly those with civil or structural engineering backgrounds from in-state universities.
Which cities in West Virginia have the most construction F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs?
Charleston, as the state capital, concentrates the most construction activity due to state government contracts and commercial development. Morgantown benefits from proximity to West Virginia University and ongoing infrastructure investment tied to the research corridor. Huntington and Parkersburg also generate steady demand, particularly for civil and environmental engineering roles connected to chemical plant construction, utility upgrades, and transportation projects along the Ohio River corridor.
What types of construction roles typically qualify for F-1 OPT sponsorship?
Roles requiring a bachelor's degree in a directly related field are the strongest fit for F-1 OPT. Civil engineering, structural engineering, construction management, geotechnical engineering, and environmental engineering positions align well with OPT authorization. Internship-track and entry-level project engineer roles at general contractors or engineering firms are common entry points. Purely trade-based or supervisory field roles without a degree requirement rarely qualify, since OPT must relate to your field of study.
How do I find construction F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in West Virginia?
Migrate Mate filters construction job listings specifically for F-1 OPT eligibility in West Virginia, surfacing employers with verified sponsorship history in the state. You can search by role type, city, and OPT authorization status rather than sifting through general listings. Targeting civil engineering, construction management, and infrastructure project roles in Charleston and Morgantown typically returns the most relevant results for OPT candidates in this industry.
Are there any state-specific considerations for F-1 OPT sponsorship in West Virginia construction?
West Virginia's construction sector is heavily tied to public infrastructure funding, including federal highway programs and energy transition projects, which means many employers are large contractors accustomed to sponsoring work authorization. However, smaller regional subcontractors may lack HR infrastructure to support OPT documentation requirements. STEM OPT extension applicants in civil or environmental engineering should confirm their role appears on the Department of Homeland Security's STEM Designated Degree Program List before accepting an offer.