STEM OPT Jobs in West Virginia
F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs in West Virginia are concentrated in energy, healthcare, and advanced manufacturing, with the strongest employer density in Charleston, Morgantown, and Huntington. Federal research presence at WVU and the National Energy Technology Laboratory adds graduate-level hiring pathways across engineering and data science disciplines.
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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.
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Tips for Finding STEM OPT Jobs in West Virginia
Verify your role qualifies under STEM OPT
Cross-reference your job title against the official DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List before accepting an offer. Use O*NET to confirm your occupation code aligns with your degree field, since a mismatch is the most common reason STEM OPT extensions get denied.
Target E-Verify enrolled employers first
Only employers enrolled in E-Verify can sponsor STEM OPT extensions. In West Virginia, filter your search to energy firms in Charleston, hospital systems like WVU Medicine in Morgantown, and federal contractors supporting the National Energy Technology Laboratory, since these sectors maintain consistent E-Verify enrollment.
File your STEM OPT extension 90 days early
USCIS requires your STEM OPT extension application to be filed before your current OPT EAD expires. Submit at least 90 days in advance so your 180-day cap-gap grace period covers any processing delays without interrupting your work authorization.
Use Migrate Mate to find verified STEM OPT sponsors
Search for West Virginia employers with active STEM OPT and H-1B filing histories using Migrate Mate, which surfaces DOL Labor Condition Application data by employer and occupation so you can identify proven sponsors in Morgantown and Charleston before applying.
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Get Access To All JobsF-1 STEM OPT Jobs in West Virginia: Frequently Asked Questions
Which industries in West Virginia sponsor the most F-1 STEM OPT visas?
Energy and natural resources employers, particularly those tied to coal technology, natural gas, and renewable energy research around Charleston and the National Energy Technology Laboratory near Morgantown, account for a significant share of STEM OPT sponsorship in West Virginia. Healthcare systems, advanced manufacturing firms, and civil and environmental engineering contractors across the state also show consistent F-1 STEM OPT hiring activity.
Which cities in West Virginia have the most F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs?
Morgantown has the densest concentration of STEM OPT-eligible roles, driven by West Virginia University, WVU Medicine, and federal research facilities. Charleston, as the state capital and largest metro, hosts energy sector employers and state government contractors. Huntington supports STEM OPT hiring through Marshall University affiliates and regional healthcare and engineering employers.
What types of roles typically qualify for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in West Virginia?
Roles in petroleum and chemical engineering, environmental science, software development, data analysis, biomedical research, and civil infrastructure engineering routinely qualify, provided the position requires and directly relates to a STEM-designated degree. Confirm your specific occupation code through O*NET and verify it appears on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List before treating any offer as STEM OPT eligible.
How do I find F-1 STEM OPT jobs in West Virginia?
Migrate Mate lets you filter job listings by employers with verified STEM OPT and H-1B visa filing histories, so you can focus your search on West Virginia companies that have sponsored international students before. Separately, check E-Verify enrollment status with prospective employers early in your conversations, since STEM OPT extensions are only available at enrolled workplaces and many smaller West Virginia firms are not yet enrolled.
Are there state-specific considerations for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in West Virginia?
West Virginia's employer base skews toward smaller and mid-size firms, meaning E-Verify enrollment gaps are more common than in larger metro states. Confirm enrollment before investing time in an application process. Additionally, some roles tied to federal energy research facilities require security clearance eligibility, which can affect F-1 holders differently than U.S. citizens, so clarify clearance requirements with hiring managers before progressing.