OPT Environmental Jobs
Environmental jobs on OPT span roles in consulting, remediation, compliance, and sustainability across government agencies, engineering firms, and nonprofits. Most positions qualify under the STEM OPT extension for degrees in environmental science, engineering, or related fields, giving you up to three years of work authorization.
Find OPT Environmental JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 512+ Environmental jobs
See all 512+ Environmental Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Environmental roles.
Get Access To All JobsGENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
Supervise or monitor all projects in progress in the department to ensure that work is executed on time and in accordance with the client’s requirements and within company policies, procedures and standards. Supervise the preparation of proposals and cost estimates to clients to ensure proper scoping of services, availability of manpower and pricing to achieve desired profitability. Supervise the daily operations of a department including staff training, development, and performance review, utilization of equipment and facilities, safety oversight, quality of services and work product, timely delivery of services and deliverables, and adherence to policies and procedure. Plan for and participate in business development activities to identify, develop, win, and execute project opportunities and build and maintain client relationships.
ESSENTIAL ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
-
Responsible for preparation of proposals and cost estimates.
-
With support from the Office Manager perform business and client development activities.
-
With support from the Office Manager develop and manage employee staffing plans, recruitment, selection and on-boarding.
-
With support from the Office Manager prepare and execute annual business plan for the department.
-
With support from the Office Manager oversee and manage the success of the key department metrics of revenue growth, staff chargeability, project billing and collections, and project profitability.
-
Develop understanding and be aware of project-related risk. Be familiar with what could go wrong on a project and how to protect the Company. Be familiar with company risk policies.
-
Lead safety efforts for team and ensure team follows safety rules and guidelines. Responsible for creating and modeling a safe work environment; demonstrates safety practices. Promote pre-task planning for all projects.
-
Responsible for continuous quality monitoring and improvement on projects. Monitor and promote quality standards and practices.
-
Responsible for providing consistent quality standards on project and proposal delivery.
-
Perform other duties as assigned.
REQUIREMENTS
-
Bachelor’s degree in technical discipline practiced by the Firm including Engineering, Environmental Science or Geology and 5 years’ practice experience. Or, in lieu of a degree, a minimum of 9 years’ related experience.
-
Master’s degree or PhD preferred.
-
A valid driver’s license with acceptable violation history may be required.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
-
Certification or licensure in field of expertise.
-
Terracon Authorized Project Reviewer status preferred.
Terracon is an EEO employer. We encourage qualified minority, female, veteran and disabled candidates to apply and be considered for open positions. We do not discriminate against any applicant for employment, or any employee because of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender, disability, age, or military status.
GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
Supervise or monitor all projects in progress in the department to ensure that work is executed on time and in accordance with the client’s requirements and within company policies, procedures and standards. Supervise the preparation of proposals and cost estimates to clients to ensure proper scoping of services, availability of manpower and pricing to achieve desired profitability. Supervise the daily operations of a department including staff training, development, and performance review, utilization of equipment and facilities, safety oversight, quality of services and work product, timely delivery of services and deliverables, and adherence to policies and procedure. Plan for and participate in business development activities to identify, develop, win, and execute project opportunities and build and maintain client relationships.
ESSENTIAL ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
-
Responsible for preparation of proposals and cost estimates.
-
With support from the Office Manager perform business and client development activities.
-
With support from the Office Manager develop and manage employee staffing plans, recruitment, selection and on-boarding.
-
With support from the Office Manager prepare and execute annual business plan for the department.
-
With support from the Office Manager oversee and manage the success of the key department metrics of revenue growth, staff chargeability, project billing and collections, and project profitability.
-
Develop understanding and be aware of project-related risk. Be familiar with what could go wrong on a project and how to protect the Company. Be familiar with company risk policies.
-
Lead safety efforts for team and ensure team follows safety rules and guidelines. Responsible for creating and modeling a safe work environment; demonstrates safety practices. Promote pre-task planning for all projects.
-
Responsible for continuous quality monitoring and improvement on projects. Monitor and promote quality standards and practices.
-
Responsible for providing consistent quality standards on project and proposal delivery.
-
Perform other duties as assigned.
REQUIREMENTS
-
Bachelor’s degree in technical discipline practiced by the Firm including Engineering, Environmental Science or Geology and 5 years’ practice experience. Or, in lieu of a degree, a minimum of 9 years’ related experience.
-
Master’s degree or PhD preferred.
-
A valid driver’s license with acceptable violation history may be required.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
-
Certification or licensure in field of expertise.
-
Terracon Authorized Project Reviewer status preferred.
Terracon is an EEO employer. We encourage qualified minority, female, veteran and disabled candidates to apply and be considered for open positions. We do not discriminate against any applicant for employment, or any employee because of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender, disability, age, or military status.
See all 512+ OPT Environmental Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Environmental Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Environmental
Target STEM-designated programs
Confirm your degree program has a STEM CIP code before applying. Environmental science, environmental engineering, and ecology degrees often qualify, unlocking the 24-month STEM OPT extension that makes you far more attractive to employers.
Prioritize consulting firms and engineering firms
Environmental consulting and engineering firms like CDM Smith, AECOM, and Arcadis regularly hire OPT students and have dedicated HR processes for work authorization. These employers sponsor H-1B visas at higher rates than most industries.
Highlight regulatory fluency in your resume
Employers value candidates who understand EPA regulations, NEPA compliance, and state environmental standards. Calling out specific frameworks you've worked with signals you can contribute immediately without a lengthy onboarding period.
Apply to federal contractor roles carefully
Some federal environmental contracts require security clearances or U.S. citizenship, which OPT students don't hold. Read job descriptions carefully for citizenship requirements before investing time in an application.
Get your EAD card in hand early
File your OPT application with USCIS at least 90 days before graduation. Environmental field roles often have start dates tied to project cycles, and employers won't wait weeks for your Employment Authorization Document.
Document your fieldwork and certifications
Certifications like 40-Hour HAZWOPER training or EPA Section 608 are concrete differentiators for OPT candidates. Listing these alongside fieldwork hours shows employers you're operationally ready and reduces onboarding concerns tied to temporary work status.
Environmental OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do environmental jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Many do, but it depends on your specific degree's CIP code, not the job title. Degrees in environmental engineering, environmental science, ecology, and earth sciences commonly carry STEM CIP designations. Your DSO can confirm whether your program qualifies. If it does, you're eligible for a 24-month STEM OPT extension beyond the initial 12 months, giving you up to three years of post-graduation work authorization.
Can I work for a government agency in an environmental role on OPT?
Yes, federal and state agencies can hire OPT students for environmental roles, but some positions are restricted to U.S. citizens due to security clearance requirements or specific agency policies. Roles at the EPA, state environmental departments, and local governments are often open to OPT holders. Always check the citizenship requirements in the job posting before applying.
How do I find environmental employers who are familiar with OPT sponsorship?
Browse Migrate Mate to find environmental roles from employers who have an established track record of hiring international students and sponsoring work visas. Environmental consulting firms and large engineering companies are your strongest bet since they hire OPT students regularly and have dedicated HR processes for work authorization documentation.
What happens to my OPT status if my environmental project ends before my authorization expires?
OPT allows up to 90 days of unemployment during your authorization period, which can cover gaps between project-based roles. If one contract ends, you have 90 days to secure a new qualifying position before your status is compromised. For STEM OPT holders, the limit is 150 days cumulative across the full three-year period. Track your unemployment days carefully.
Does part-time or fieldwork-based environmental consulting count as valid OPT employment?
Yes, part-time work of at least 20 hours per week qualifies as valid OPT employment as long as the role is directly related to your degree. Contract, seasonal, and project-based fieldwork all count. Self-employment can qualify under standard OPT if you can demonstrate it is directly related to your field of study, though this requires careful documentation.