H-1B Visa Environmental Specialist Jobs
Environmental Specialist roles qualify for H-1B visa sponsorship as specialty occupations requiring at least a bachelor's degree in environmental science, engineering, or a related field. Federal contractors, engineering firms, and remediation companies are among the most active H-1B sponsors for this title.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Xcel Energy (NASDAQ: XEL) is a leading energy provider and Fortune 500 company, dedicated to serving millions of electricity and natural gas customers across eight states: Minnesota, Colorado, Wisconsin, Michigan, North Dakota, South Dakota, New Mexico and Texas. We make energy work better for our customers, helping them thrive every day. That means always raising the bar - delivering better service and providing more reliable, resilient, and sustainable energy.
Xcel Energy is a place where you’ll have opportunities to grow, expand your skills, and help lead the clean energy transition. We offer meaningful rewards, recognition, and support to help you build your career and make an impact - both on the job and beyond. Most importantly, it means you’ll be joining a company that knows employees are the driving force behind its success and is committed to helping you be your best.
Xcel Energy supports a hybrid work model to enable collaboration and flexibility. Many roles are expected to work onsite three days per week (Tuesday–Thursday); however, work location expectations vary based on role, team, and business needs.
Position Summary
This position will have the primary responsibility for supporting environmental compliance at our Nichols Harrington Power Plant facility. This includes managing compliance requirements for the air, water, and waste programs, as well as other related compliance activities. This position is in-person at the plant site 5 days a week.
Plans, supervises, provides expertise/consultation, reviews progress, and evaluates results on projects and programs involving engineering, permitting, licensing, auditing, regulatory compliance, and/or environmental assessments to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local environmental statutes and regulations. Possesses comprehensive knowledge of theories and principles and applies it in creative and effective ways to a broad range of very difficult and complex assignments. Under consultative direction and with substantial latitude for unreviewed actions and decisions conducts important investigations requiring the application of new approaches in the field. Routinely serves on special work teams and uses expert technical knowledge to act as lead person or technical advisor on medium to large projects. Assignments are routinely self-initiated.
Essential Responsibilities
- Administers and consults on complex programs designed to minimize deficiencies and ensure compliance with regulations and permits. Directs site assessment/investigations/remediation projects as necessary. (Major areas may include: auditing, air permitting and compliance, water/wastewater permitting and compliance, land quality, radiological, above ground and underground storage tanks, emergency plans, DOT compliance, FAA safety regulations, and hazardous, liquid and solid waste disposal.)
- Negotiates and administers license and permit applications and response actions to ensure compliance with existing federal, state, and local laws and regulations. Performs as a regulatory liaison with federal, state, and local agencies. Presents testimony at environmental hearings to support company position on environmental regulatory development.
- Directs and/or conducts data collection, strategic studies, evaluations, and report development to support environmental regulatory requirements at Xcel facilities. Projects may include proposed legislation and/or emerging public issues, operating permit limits and/or potential environmental regulatory noncompliance.
- Develops training lesson plan content that meet Xcel Academy standards, maintains instructor qualifications, and provides regulatory compliance training to Xcel personnel as is regulatory required and/or customer requested.
- Monitors outcomes of incidents, regulatory inspections and internal audits of company owned facilities, contractors, and/or outside disposal facilities and conducts and/or assesses root cause analysis to ensure corrective actions adequately address the problem and non-compliance conditions are not repeated. Provides support for emergency environmental incidents as needed.
- Monitors statutes, regulations, licenses, and/or permits for potential impacts to facility operations. Reviews proposed regulations, licenses, and/or permits to determine potential impacts to facility operations. Serves as the lead reviewer coordinating comments from others into a single company position recommendation.
- Prepares requests for proposals, contract agreements, and project estimates. Supports and/or selects and manages consultants and contractors.
- Assists others in developing, refining and implementing the strategic goals and objectives of Xcel Energy. Contributes to process teams concerning budget and regulatory compliance.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYST III ($73,700 - $89,166)
- BS/BA in environmental science, engineering, applied science, or related fields and four years of professional environmental related work experience.
- (Note: An Associate college degree in areas of environmental or applied science and three years of progressive responsibilities in environmental related work experience may be substituted for the education portion of the requirement. The following additional advanced education in the field can be substituted for related work experience: MS/MA/MBA = 2 years; PhD/J.D. = 3 years.)
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYST IV ($84,900 - $102,733)
- BS/BA in environmental science, engineering, applied science, or related fields and six years of progressively more responsible environmental related work experience including, but not limited to environmental regulations, remedial procedures, audit procedures, and power generation processes.
- Demonstrated skills in technical writing, verbal communication, and negotiations.
- (Note: An Associate college degree in areas of environmental or applied science and three years of progressive responsibilities in related work experience may be substituted for the education requirement. The following additional advanced education in the field can be substituted for related work experience: MS/MA/MBA = 2 years; PhD/J.D. = 3 years.)
PREFERRED
- Experience supporting environmental compliance programs.
Our culture is grounded in shared values and employee commitments that guide how we work, support one another, and grow together.
Our Values
Connected, Committed, Trustworthy, Safe
Our Employee Commitments
- Work that makes a difference
- A team you can count of
- Opportunities to grow
- Rewards that help you thrive
Xcel Energy provides job applicants reasonable accommodations for disabilities throughout the application process. If you are in need of an accommodation to complete the application process, now or at any time in the future, please complete the Applicant Accommodation Request Form.
Non-Bargaining
The anticipated starting base pay for this position is: $73,700.00 to $102,733.00 per year
This position is eligible for the following benefits: Annual Incentive Program, Medical/Pharmacy Plan, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account, Health Care Flexible Spending Account, Health Savings Account (HSA) (if enrolled in eligible health plan), Limited-Purpose FSA (if enrolled in eligible health plan and HSA), Transportation Reimbursement Account, Short-term disability (STD), Long-term disability (LTD), Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Fitness Center Reimbursement (if enrolled in eligible health plan), Tuition reimbursement, Transit programs, Employee recognition program, Pension, 401(k) plan, Paid time off (PTO), Holidays, Volunteer Paid Time Off (VPTO), Parental Leave
Benefit plans are subject to change and Xcel Energy has the right to end, suspend, or amend any of its plans, at any time, in whole or in part.
In any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information including but not limited to dates of school attendance and graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.
Deadline to Apply: 11/16/26
EEO is the Law (PDF) | Equal Opportunity Statement (PDF) | Employee Rights (PDF)
All Xcel Energy employees and contractors share responsibility for protecting the company's information and systems by adhering to cybersecurity policies, standards, and best practices, recognizing that cybersecurity is everyone's responsibility.
Accessibility Statement
Xcel Energy endeavors to make https://www.xcelenergy.com and https://jobs.xcelenergy.com accessible to any and all users. If you are in need of an accommodation to complete the application process, now or at any time in the future, please complete the Applicant Accommodation Request Form. For any other application related questions, including application follow-ups or technical issues, please use our Recruiting Assistance, Electra, for assistance. Electra can be found in the lower right-hand corner of our Xcel Energy Careers site.
INTRODUCTION
Xcel Energy (NASDAQ: XEL) is a leading energy provider and Fortune 500 company, dedicated to serving millions of electricity and natural gas customers across eight states: Minnesota, Colorado, Wisconsin, Michigan, North Dakota, South Dakota, New Mexico and Texas. We make energy work better for our customers, helping them thrive every day. That means always raising the bar - delivering better service and providing more reliable, resilient, and sustainable energy.
Xcel Energy is a place where you’ll have opportunities to grow, expand your skills, and help lead the clean energy transition. We offer meaningful rewards, recognition, and support to help you build your career and make an impact - both on the job and beyond. Most importantly, it means you’ll be joining a company that knows employees are the driving force behind its success and is committed to helping you be your best.
Xcel Energy supports a hybrid work model to enable collaboration and flexibility. Many roles are expected to work onsite three days per week (Tuesday–Thursday); however, work location expectations vary based on role, team, and business needs.
Position Summary
This position will have the primary responsibility for supporting environmental compliance at our Nichols Harrington Power Plant facility. This includes managing compliance requirements for the air, water, and waste programs, as well as other related compliance activities. This position is in-person at the plant site 5 days a week.
Plans, supervises, provides expertise/consultation, reviews progress, and evaluates results on projects and programs involving engineering, permitting, licensing, auditing, regulatory compliance, and/or environmental assessments to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local environmental statutes and regulations. Possesses comprehensive knowledge of theories and principles and applies it in creative and effective ways to a broad range of very difficult and complex assignments. Under consultative direction and with substantial latitude for unreviewed actions and decisions conducts important investigations requiring the application of new approaches in the field. Routinely serves on special work teams and uses expert technical knowledge to act as lead person or technical advisor on medium to large projects. Assignments are routinely self-initiated.
Essential Responsibilities
- Administers and consults on complex programs designed to minimize deficiencies and ensure compliance with regulations and permits. Directs site assessment/investigations/remediation projects as necessary. (Major areas may include: auditing, air permitting and compliance, water/wastewater permitting and compliance, land quality, radiological, above ground and underground storage tanks, emergency plans, DOT compliance, FAA safety regulations, and hazardous, liquid and solid waste disposal.)
- Negotiates and administers license and permit applications and response actions to ensure compliance with existing federal, state, and local laws and regulations. Performs as a regulatory liaison with federal, state, and local agencies. Presents testimony at environmental hearings to support company position on environmental regulatory development.
- Directs and/or conducts data collection, strategic studies, evaluations, and report development to support environmental regulatory requirements at Xcel facilities. Projects may include proposed legislation and/or emerging public issues, operating permit limits and/or potential environmental regulatory noncompliance.
- Develops training lesson plan content that meet Xcel Academy standards, maintains instructor qualifications, and provides regulatory compliance training to Xcel personnel as is regulatory required and/or customer requested.
- Monitors outcomes of incidents, regulatory inspections and internal audits of company owned facilities, contractors, and/or outside disposal facilities and conducts and/or assesses root cause analysis to ensure corrective actions adequately address the problem and non-compliance conditions are not repeated. Provides support for emergency environmental incidents as needed.
- Monitors statutes, regulations, licenses, and/or permits for potential impacts to facility operations. Reviews proposed regulations, licenses, and/or permits to determine potential impacts to facility operations. Serves as the lead reviewer coordinating comments from others into a single company position recommendation.
- Prepares requests for proposals, contract agreements, and project estimates. Supports and/or selects and manages consultants and contractors.
- Assists others in developing, refining and implementing the strategic goals and objectives of Xcel Energy. Contributes to process teams concerning budget and regulatory compliance.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYST III ($73,700 - $89,166)
- BS/BA in environmental science, engineering, applied science, or related fields and four years of professional environmental related work experience.
- (Note: An Associate college degree in areas of environmental or applied science and three years of progressive responsibilities in environmental related work experience may be substituted for the education portion of the requirement. The following additional advanced education in the field can be substituted for related work experience: MS/MA/MBA = 2 years; PhD/J.D. = 3 years.)
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYST IV ($84,900 - $102,733)
- BS/BA in environmental science, engineering, applied science, or related fields and six years of progressively more responsible environmental related work experience including, but not limited to environmental regulations, remedial procedures, audit procedures, and power generation processes.
- Demonstrated skills in technical writing, verbal communication, and negotiations.
- (Note: An Associate college degree in areas of environmental or applied science and three years of progressive responsibilities in related work experience may be substituted for the education requirement. The following additional advanced education in the field can be substituted for related work experience: MS/MA/MBA = 2 years; PhD/J.D. = 3 years.)
PREFERRED
- Experience supporting environmental compliance programs.
Our culture is grounded in shared values and employee commitments that guide how we work, support one another, and grow together.
Our Values
Connected, Committed, Trustworthy, Safe
Our Employee Commitments
- Work that makes a difference
- A team you can count of
- Opportunities to grow
- Rewards that help you thrive
Xcel Energy provides job applicants reasonable accommodations for disabilities throughout the application process. If you are in need of an accommodation to complete the application process, now or at any time in the future, please complete the Applicant Accommodation Request Form.
Non-Bargaining
The anticipated starting base pay for this position is: $73,700.00 to $102,733.00 per year
This position is eligible for the following benefits: Annual Incentive Program, Medical/Pharmacy Plan, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account, Health Care Flexible Spending Account, Health Savings Account (HSA) (if enrolled in eligible health plan), Limited-Purpose FSA (if enrolled in eligible health plan and HSA), Transportation Reimbursement Account, Short-term disability (STD), Long-term disability (LTD), Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Fitness Center Reimbursement (if enrolled in eligible health plan), Tuition reimbursement, Transit programs, Employee recognition program, Pension, 401(k) plan, Paid time off (PTO), Holidays, Volunteer Paid Time Off (VPTO), Parental Leave
Benefit plans are subject to change and Xcel Energy has the right to end, suspend, or amend any of its plans, at any time, in whole or in part.
In any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information including but not limited to dates of school attendance and graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.
Deadline to Apply: 11/16/26
EEO is the Law (PDF) | Equal Opportunity Statement (PDF) | Employee Rights (PDF)
All Xcel Energy employees and contractors share responsibility for protecting the company's information and systems by adhering to cybersecurity policies, standards, and best practices, recognizing that cybersecurity is everyone's responsibility.
Accessibility Statement
Xcel Energy endeavors to make https://www.xcelenergy.com and https://jobs.xcelenergy.com accessible to any and all users. If you are in need of an accommodation to complete the application process, now or at any time in the future, please complete the Applicant Accommodation Request Form. For any other application related questions, including application follow-ups or technical issues, please use our Recruiting Assistance, Electra, for assistance. Electra can be found in the lower right-hand corner of our Xcel Energy Careers site.
See all 1,108+ H-1B Visa Environmental Specialist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new H-1B Visa Environmental Specialist Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship as an Environmental Specialist
Verify your degree supports specialty occupation
USCIS requires your degree field to directly relate to your environmental work. A general science degree may draw an RFE if your role involves specialized regulatory compliance or hazardous waste management. Have your transcripts ready to show field alignment.
Target firms with active NEPA or CERCLA contracts
Engineering and environmental consulting firms that hold federal contracts under NEPA or CERCLA are required to be E-Verify participants, which correlates strongly with established H-1B sponsorship infrastructure. Prioritize these employers in your search.
Look up prevailing wages before negotiating offers
Your H-1B employer must certify your wage meets the DOL prevailing rate for your SOC code and work location. Use the OFLC Wage Search to check Level I through Level IV rates for Environmental Scientists before any salary discussion.
Search verified H-1B sponsors on Migrate Mate
Filter Environmental Specialist roles by employers with confirmed LCA filing history on Migrate Mate. This lets you target companies that have already navigated DOL certification for this occupation, cutting research time significantly.
Confirm your employer files before the cap deadline
H-1B registration opens in March for an October 1 start date. If you receive an offer in July, your status won't begin until the following fiscal year. Clarify your employer's intended filing timeline during the offer stage to avoid a gap.
Check O*NET before your petition is drafted
The O*NET profile for Environmental Scientists and Specialists lists the knowledge, skills, and tasks USCIS cross-references when evaluating specialty occupation status. Ensure your job duties description in the petition mirrors O*NET's core task language.
H-1B Visa Environmental Specialist: Frequently Asked Questions
Does an Environmental Specialist role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Yes, provided the position requires at least a bachelor's degree in environmental science, environmental engineering, chemistry, or a closely related field. Roles focused on regulatory compliance, environmental impact assessments, or remediation project management typically meet USCIS specialty occupation criteria. General field technician roles with no degree requirement do not qualify.
Which types of employers most commonly sponsor H-1B visas for Environmental Specialists?
Federal and state government contractors, environmental consulting firms, and large engineering companies with dedicated environmental divisions are the most consistent H-1B sponsors for this role. Many hold NEPA and CERCLA contracts that require E-Verify participation, which signals an established sponsorship process. You can filter for these employers by LCA filing history on Migrate Mate.
How does the DOL prevailing wage requirement affect Environmental Specialist H-1B offers?
Your employer must file a Labor Condition Application certifying your wage meets or exceeds the DOL prevailing rate for your specific SOC code and work location. Environmental Specialist wages vary significantly by region and experience level, so the certified wage in your LCA may differ from what the employer initially offers. Use the OFLC Wage Search to verify the applicable rate before accepting an offer.
Can an Environmental Specialist on OPT be sponsored for an H-1B by a federal contractor?
Yes. Federal contractors are among the most active H-1B sponsors for environmental roles, and OPT-to-H-1B transitions are standard. If your OPT expires before October 1 and your H-1B is selected, the cap-gap rule extends your work authorization through September 30. Confirm your employer's familiarity with cap-gap rules during the offer stage.
What happens if my Environmental Specialist job duties change after my H-1B is approved?
USCIS requires that your actual duties remain consistent with those described in the approved petition. A significant change in responsibilities, work location, or employer may require an amended H-1B filing. If your employer reassigns you to a different project site or expands your role into areas not covered in the original LCA, your employer should file an amendment before the change takes effect.