Shop Assistant Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Shop assistant roles in the U.S. are typically hourly retail positions, which limits visa options to temporary work authorizations like H-2B visa or status-based options like F-1 OPT. Sponsorship is possible but depends heavily on the employer's seasonal staffing needs and their willingness to file a temporary labor certification.
Find Shop Assistant JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 25+ Shop Assistant jobs










See all Shop Assistant Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Shop Assistant roles.
Get Access To All Jobs
Job Title Assistant Manager, Trades Shop (Steam Plant)
Department Energy Systems
Worker Type Regular
Pay Type Hourly
Hourly Rate 28.5
Work Shift
Scheduled Weekly Hours 40
Benefit Eligible Yes
Post-Offer, Pre-Employment Physical Required? No
Job Description Summary
The Utilities Assistant Manager supervises the utility systems maintenance and repair activities, including steam, heating hot water, chilled water and electricity. The role involves managing a team of maintenance personnel, coordinating with contractors, creating schedules and ensuring compliance with regulations, standard operating procedures and best practices to enable the safe and reliable operation of Miami's utility systems. The unique nature of providing continuous utility service may also require response to issues outside of regular business hours.
Job Description
Supervision and Management
- Oversee daily operations of the maintenance staff, including assigning tasks and monitoring performance.
- Conduct regular team meetings to discuss maintenance schedules, safety protocols, and operational issues.
- Assist with developing and implementing training for staff to ensure high performance.
- Enforce safety protocols and ensure all maintenance activities are performed safely.
Maintenance and Repair
- Plan, schedule, and execute maintenance and repair activities for utility systems. Coordinate with contractors as needed.
- Ensure all maintenance work complies with industry standards and regulatory requirements.
- Diagnose and troubleshoot issues within the utility systems and recommend corrective actions.
- Coordinate with other departments to ensure efficient service delivery and resolve service interruptions promptly.
- Procure materials necessary to execute maintenance activities.
- May assist in maintenance repair work as necessary.
Documentation and Reporting
- Maintain accurate records of maintenance activities, including work orders, equipment maintenance logs, and inspection reports.
- Prepare and submit regular reports on maintenance activities, system performance, and compliance status.
- Utilize maintenance management software to track work orders, schedules, and maintenance history.
Minimum Requirements
- Requires 18 months training beyond high school in a skilled trade and four years of experience in that trade, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Driver's license required.
Preferred Qualifications
- Five years of experience in utility systems maintenance is preferred; a combination of education and experience will be considered.
- Class III stationary engineers license is preferred.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Worker Characteristics:
- Knowledge of procedures and best practices of utility systems maintenance.
- Team leadership and supervisory skills.
- Proficiency in maintenance management software.
- Proficiency in procurement processes.
- Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting abilities with a high mechanical aptitude.
- Ability to read and understand blueprints and mechanical diagrams.
- Understanding of steam boiler principles.
- Understanding of chilled water production principles.
- Understanding of utility distribution systems.
- Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
Working Conditions
- Physical effort usually requires considerable walking and standing, with some lifting of materials weighing 25 to 50 pounds.
- Periodic assignments are given that entail dealing with modestly unpleasant physical situations.
Special Instructions (if applicable)
None
Additional Information
A criminal background check is required. All campuses are smoke- and tobacco-free campuses. This organization participates in E-Verify.
Remote Work
For positions that are approved for remote work: Remote work is not a right, it is a work arrangement that can be modified or revoked by Miami University at any time for any reason, including the convenience of the University.
Reasonable Accommodations
Requests for reasonable accommodations for disabilities related to employment should be directed to ADAFacultyStaff@miamioh.edu or 513-529-3560. Questions and follow-ups regarding requests should also be directed here.
Miami University Values Statement
Miami University is a scholarly community whose members believe that a liberal education is grounded in qualities of character as well as of intellect. We respect the dignity of other persons, the rights and property of others, and the right of others to hold and express disparate beliefs. We believe in honesty, integrity, and the importance of moral conduct. We defend the freedom of inquiry that is the heart of learning and combine that freedom with the exercise of judgment and the acceptance of personal responsibility. For more information on Miami University's mission and core values, please visit the Mission and Core Values webpage.
Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Statement
Miami University, an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, encourages applications from protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. Miami University prohibits harassment, discrimination and retaliation on the basis of age (40 years or older), color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, military status, national origin (ancestry), pregnancy, race, religion, sex/gender, status as a parent or foster parent, sexual orientation, or protected veteran status in its application and admission processes, educational programs and activities, facilities, programs or employment practices. Requests for reasonable accommodations for disabilities related to employment should be directed to ADAFacultyStaff@miamioh.edu or 513-529-3560.
Clery Act
As part of the University's commitment to maintaining a healthy and safe living, learning, and working environment, we encourage you to read Miami University's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report at: http://www.MiamiOH.edu/campus-safety/annual-report/index.html, which contains information about campus safety, crime statistics, and our drug and alcohol abuse and prevention program designed to prevent the unlawful possession, use, and distribution of drugs and alcohol on campus and at university events and activities. This report also contains information on programs and policies designed to prevent and address sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. Each year, email notification of this website is made to all faculty, staff, and enrolled students. Written notification is also provided to prospective students and employees. Hard copies of the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report may be obtained from the Miami University Police Department at 513-529-2223.
Labor Law Posters for Applicants
Please visit our Labor Law Posters webpage to access all relevant and applicable labor law information.
To apply, visit https://miamioh.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/miamioh-staff/job/Steam-Plant/Assistant-Manager--Trades-Shop--Steam-Plant-_JR103182?workerSubType=c79d26910af910051f92586cab6b0000&workerSubType=c79d26910af910051f92586cab6b0001&workerSubType=c79d26910af910051f925a3a24920000&workerSubType=c79d26910af910051f925906a8230000.
Copyright ©2025 Jobelephant.com Inc. All rights reserved. Posted by the FREE value-added recruitment advertising agency je-29c21028be1a4e87acbe061393dbae62
See all Shop Assistant Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Shop Assistant roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Visa Sponsorship as a Shop Assistant
Verify your OPT covers retail work
F-1 OPT lets you work as a shop assistant without employer-sponsored petitions, but your role must relate to your field of study. A business or marketing degree can support retail floor management roles more credibly than unrelated fields.
Target seasonal retailers with H-2B history
H-2B sponsorship requires employers to prove temporary or seasonal need. Holiday-season retailers, ski resort shops, and beach-town stores file H-2B labor certifications annually with DOL. Focus your search on employers in high-tourism or peak-season locations.
Find verified sponsors through Migrate Mate
Search Migrate Mate's job board for shop assistant and retail roles posted by employers with verified sponsorship history. This filters out listings from employers who have never filed for work authorization, saving you time on cold outreach.
Understand what H-2B labor certification requires
Your employer must file a temporary labor certification with DOL before petitioning USCIS. That process includes posting the job publicly and proving no qualified U.S. workers are available. Ask prospective employers whether they've completed this process before.
Get your employment documents ready early
H-2B employers often move on compressed timelines tied to their season start date. Have your passport, prior U.S. work authorization records, and any retail certifications organized before an offer comes through. Processing delays caused by missing paperwork can cost you a job start.
Clarify full-time hours before accepting an offer
Many shop assistant roles are part-time, but H-2B certification is tied to specific hours and duration. Confirm that the position meets the minimum hours stated in the labor certification. A mismatch between the offer and the certified position can create compliance problems.
Frequently Asked Questions
What visas allow foreign nationals to work as shop assistants in the U.S.?
The most common path is H-2B, which covers temporary non-agricultural workers in seasonal or peak-need retail roles. F-1 students on OPT can also work as shop assistants if the role connects to their field of study. H-1B visa and other specialty occupation visas don't apply, since shop assistant work doesn't require a bachelor's degree in a directly related field.
Do shop assistant jobs qualify for H-1B sponsorship?
No. H-1B requires a specialty occupation, defined as a role that normally requires at least a bachelor's degree in a directly related field. Shop assistant positions don't meet that standard under USCIS guidelines. If you're on an existing H-1B in another occupation, taking a shop assistant role as your primary position would not maintain your H-1B status.
How do I find shop assistant jobs where employers are willing to sponsor?
Browse Migrate Mate to find shop assistant and retail roles from employers with verified sponsorship history. This is the most direct way to identify which employers have actually gone through the H-2B or other work authorization process, rather than guessing based on company size or industry.
What is the H-2B cap and does it affect shop assistant job seekers?
H-2B has an annual cap of 66,000 visas, split into two 33,000-slot allotments per half of the year. Cap exhaustion is a real risk, especially for the first half of the year. If you're targeting an H-2B-sponsored shop assistant role, timing matters: employers who file early have a better chance of securing a slot before the cap is reached.
Can a shop assistant role lead to permanent residence?
It's possible but difficult. EB-3 unskilled worker green cards cover positions requiring less than two years of training, which includes some retail roles. However, the employer must complete PERM labor certification with DOL, demonstrating no qualified U.S. workers are available. PERM for unskilled roles faces high scrutiny, and per-country backlogs can extend the process significantly for applicants from high-demand countries.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Shop Assistant jobs?
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.