OPT EHS Specialist Jobs
EHS Specialist roles qualify for F-1 OPT when your degree is in environmental science, occupational health, industrial hygiene, or a related STEM field. Many positions fall under STEM OPT extension-eligible CIP codes, giving you up to 36 months of work authorization to build experience in compliance, safety programs, and regulatory reporting.
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Get Access To All JobsWork Schedule
Standard (Mon-Fri)
Environmental Conditions
Office, Some degree of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) required (safety glasses, gowning, gloves, lab coat, ear plugs etc.), Will work with hazardous/toxic materials
Job Description
As part of the Thermo Fisher Scientific team, you’ll discover meaningful work that makes a positive impact on a global scale. Join our colleagues in bringing our Mission to life every single day to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. We provide our global teams with the resources needed to achieve individual career goals while helping to take science a step beyond by developing solutions for some of the world’s toughest challenges, like protecting the environment, making sure our food is safe or helping find cures for cancer.
You'll be part of an innovative team advancing our mission to make the world healthier, cleaner, and safer. As an EHS Specialist III, you'll provide expert guidance and leadership in environmental health, safety, and sustainability programs across the organization. You'll collaborate with teams at all levels to develop and implement comprehensive EHS management systems, drive continuous improvement initiatives, and create a strong safety-focused culture. This role combines strategic thinking with practical problem-solving to protect our employees, environment, and facilities while ensuring regulatory compliance and operational excellence.
REQUIREMENTS
- Advanced degree plus 3 years of experience, or Bachelor's degree plus 5 years of experience in EHS in manufacturing, pharmaceutical, or chemical industry settings
- Preferred Fields of Study: Environmental Science, Engineering, or related technical field
- Professional certifications preferred: CEP
- EHS Certificate or advanced degree in related discipline advantageous
- Knowledge of applicable EHS regulations and management systems (OSHA, CT DEEP, EPA)
- Preferred experience in execution of state and federal environmental reporting and permitting
- Strong technical expertise in chemical safety, hazardous materials, and environmental compliance
- Experience developing and delivering EHS training programs and leading safety initiatives
- Ability to conduct risk assessments, incident investigations, and audits
- Project management and problem-solving skills
- Strong written and verbal communication abilities with all levels of the organization
- Proficiency with EHS software systems and Microsoft Office applications
- Preferred experience with hazmat, RCRA, wastewater, stormwater, and emergency response
- Demonstrated success in organizational change initiatives
- Multi-manufacturing site experience in an environmental role preferred
- Travel up to 10% may be required
Compensation and Benefits
The salary range estimated for this position based in Connecticut is $83,300.00–$125,000.00. This position may also be eligible to receive a variable annual bonus based on company, team, and/or individual performance results in accordance with company policy. We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards package that our U.S. colleagues and their families can count on, which includes:
- A choice of national medical and dental plans, and a national vision plan, including health incentive programs
- Employee assistance and family support programs, including commuter benefits and tuition reimbursement
- At least 120 hours paid time off (PTO), 10 paid holidays annually, paid parental leave (3 weeks for bonding and 8 weeks for caregiver leave), accident and life insurance, and short- and long-term disability in accordance with company policy
- Retirement and savings programs, such as our competitive 401(k) U.S. retirement savings plan
- Employees’ Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) offers eligible colleagues the opportunity to purchase company stock at a discount
For more information on our benefits, please visit: https://jobs.thermofisher.com/global/en/total-rewards
Work Schedule
Standard (Mon-Fri)
Environmental Conditions
Office, Some degree of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) required (safety glasses, gowning, gloves, lab coat, ear plugs etc.), Will work with hazardous/toxic materials
Job Description
As part of the Thermo Fisher Scientific team, you’ll discover meaningful work that makes a positive impact on a global scale. Join our colleagues in bringing our Mission to life every single day to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. We provide our global teams with the resources needed to achieve individual career goals while helping to take science a step beyond by developing solutions for some of the world’s toughest challenges, like protecting the environment, making sure our food is safe or helping find cures for cancer.
You'll be part of an innovative team advancing our mission to make the world healthier, cleaner, and safer. As an EHS Specialist III, you'll provide expert guidance and leadership in environmental health, safety, and sustainability programs across the organization. You'll collaborate with teams at all levels to develop and implement comprehensive EHS management systems, drive continuous improvement initiatives, and create a strong safety-focused culture. This role combines strategic thinking with practical problem-solving to protect our employees, environment, and facilities while ensuring regulatory compliance and operational excellence.
REQUIREMENTS
- Advanced degree plus 3 years of experience, or Bachelor's degree plus 5 years of experience in EHS in manufacturing, pharmaceutical, or chemical industry settings
- Preferred Fields of Study: Environmental Science, Engineering, or related technical field
- Professional certifications preferred: CEP
- EHS Certificate or advanced degree in related discipline advantageous
- Knowledge of applicable EHS regulations and management systems (OSHA, CT DEEP, EPA)
- Preferred experience in execution of state and federal environmental reporting and permitting
- Strong technical expertise in chemical safety, hazardous materials, and environmental compliance
- Experience developing and delivering EHS training programs and leading safety initiatives
- Ability to conduct risk assessments, incident investigations, and audits
- Project management and problem-solving skills
- Strong written and verbal communication abilities with all levels of the organization
- Proficiency with EHS software systems and Microsoft Office applications
- Preferred experience with hazmat, RCRA, wastewater, stormwater, and emergency response
- Demonstrated success in organizational change initiatives
- Multi-manufacturing site experience in an environmental role preferred
- Travel up to 10% may be required
Compensation and Benefits
The salary range estimated for this position based in Connecticut is $83,300.00–$125,000.00. This position may also be eligible to receive a variable annual bonus based on company, team, and/or individual performance results in accordance with company policy. We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards package that our U.S. colleagues and their families can count on, which includes:
- A choice of national medical and dental plans, and a national vision plan, including health incentive programs
- Employee assistance and family support programs, including commuter benefits and tuition reimbursement
- At least 120 hours paid time off (PTO), 10 paid holidays annually, paid parental leave (3 weeks for bonding and 8 weeks for caregiver leave), accident and life insurance, and short- and long-term disability in accordance with company policy
- Retirement and savings programs, such as our competitive 401(k) U.S. retirement savings plan
- Employees’ Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) offers eligible colleagues the opportunity to purchase company stock at a discount
For more information on our benefits, please visit: https://jobs.thermofisher.com/global/en/total-rewards
See all 152+ OPT EHS Specialist Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as an EHS Specialist
Confirm your degree aligns with the role
EHS Specialist positions require a degree in environmental science, occupational health, industrial hygiene, or engineering. Before applying, verify your field of study directly supports the job description, since OPT authorization is tied to your degree's relevance to the position.
Prioritize STEM OPT-eligible employers
Many EHS roles at manufacturing, construction, and chemical companies qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Target employers registered with E-Verify, which is required for STEM OPT, and confirm their E-Verify status before accepting an offer.
Highlight regulatory knowledge in your application
Employers value OPT candidates who already understand OSHA standards, EPA regulations, or NFPA codes. Demonstrating familiarity with specific regulatory frameworks signals you can contribute immediately, reducing the employer's concern about onboarding time during your authorization window.
Pursue relevant certifications while on OPT
Credentials like the Associate Safety Professional (ASP) or Occupational Health and Safety Technologist (OHST) strengthen your profile significantly. Earning these during your OPT period shows employers long-term commitment to the field and makes you more competitive for sponsorship consideration.
Address OPT authorization proactively with employers
Many hiring managers misunderstand OPT and assume it is complicated. Prepare a brief explanation of your authorization timeline, cap-gap protection if applicable, and STEM extension eligibility so employers understand exactly how long you can work without additional sponsorship.
Target industries with consistent EHS hiring needs
Manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, construction, and chemical processing companies hire EHS Specialists regularly and have established HR processes for work authorization. These industries are more familiar with sponsoring international employees than smaller firms encountering OPT for the first time.
EHS Specialist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does an EHS Specialist role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree's CIP code. If your degree is in environmental science, industrial hygiene, occupational safety, or certain engineering fields classified under STEM-designated CIP codes, your EHS Specialist role will likely qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving you up to 36 months total. Confirm your specific CIP code with your DSO before accepting an offer.
How do I find EHS Specialist employers that sponsor OPT students?
Migrate Mate is the best starting point since it filters specifically for employers open to OPT and visa sponsorship, saving you the time of screening hundreds of job postings manually. Beyond that, large manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, and construction firms tend to have established processes for work authorization and are more likely to have sponsored international employees before.
Can I work as an EHS Specialist on pre-completion OPT while still finishing my degree?
Yes, pre-completion OPT is available before you graduate, but it is part-time only (20 hours per week or less during the academic year). Most EHS Specialist roles are full-time, so you would typically need post-completion OPT to work in a standard position. Pre-completion OPT can work for part-time or internship-based EHS roles.
What degree fields support OPT authorization for EHS Specialist jobs?
Environmental science, environmental engineering, industrial hygiene, occupational safety and health, civil engineering, and chemical engineering are the most common qualifying fields. Your degree must be directly related to the EHS Specialist role under your employer's job description. If your degree is in an unrelated field, your DSO can help you assess whether a direct connection can be established.
What happens if my OPT expires before my employer files for H-1B sponsorship?
If your employer submits an H-1B visa petition before your OPT expires and your case is selected in the lottery, cap-gap protection automatically extends your work authorization through September 30 of that year, even if your EAD expires earlier. If you are not selected in the lottery, you will need to stop working unless another visa option is available. Planning your OPT end date around the H-1B filing timeline is critical.