OPT Environmental Field Technician Jobs
Environmental Field Technician jobs are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with degrees in environmental science, geology, chemistry, or civil engineering. Field-based roles qualify as STEM OPT in most cases, giving you up to 36 months of work authorization if your employer files the required I-983 training plan.
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At WSP, we are inspired by bringing together the right people to be a part of future-focused business objectives to support our vast client base. Across the world, the importance of ethical environmental systems and projects are the foundation of shaping the future of our environment. Through public consultancy, strategic planning practices and stakeholder engagement, we can provide clients a concrete and realistic understanding of a project’s impact.
As a world-wide leader of environmental and transportation consulting and planning services, we invite you to be a part of that vision. Our Planning & Environment group is looking for an On-Call Field Biologist / Environmental Planner out of our Albuquerque, NM, or El Paso, TX, offices to support and add to our wide and diverse range of environmental planning services that enables future-ready growth.
Your Impact
Design
- Assists with the planning, development, and implementation of environmental projects to ensure that development projects comply with environmental laws and regulations under close supervision
- Contribute to the natural resources portions of planning documents
- Assist with implementation of project development requirements with WSP personnel, outside contractors, and agency / tribal stakeholders
Analyze
- Conducts data collection, research, field surveys, and technical work under supervision - up to 80% time spent traveling (primarily to SE New Mexico) for 2-6 days at a time, on average
- Responsible for understanding regulatory rules and rule changes
Collaborate
- Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources and conduct and adhere to WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.
- Other duties as required by business needs.
Who You Are
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Planning, Ecology, Biological Science (Botany, Wildlife Biology, etc.), Natural Resource Management, or a related field (or equivalent experience.)
- 1 to 5 years of experience working in the environmental planning field, completing environmental field surveys for plants and animals, construction support, impact assessments, and permitting.
- Ability to work schedules conducive to project-specific requirements that may extend beyond the typical workweek.
- Effective analytical skills and prior experience with research techniques, local/regional ecology and habitats, and applicable species required.
- Knowledge of relevant environmental laws, permitting requirements, notification and compliance practices, and applicable Regional/State/Federal regulatory framework.
- Proficient interpersonal and communication skills when interacting with others, expressing ideas effectively and professionally to a technical and non-technical audience.
- Proficiency with local (desert southwest) plant and animal identification
- Experience with discipline-specific software (Microsoft Office Suite)
- Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety and drug/alcohol and harassment policies
Travel may be required depending on project-specific requirements
Preferred Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in planning, resource management, environmental science, biology, or a related field
- Growing industry knowledge through participating in local professional practice organization
- Exposure to ArcGIS
- Experience working with tribal, federal, state, or local agencies or the public
- May participate in and conduct field delineation of wetlands and waters of the US or other field or permitting activities
- Experience conducting protocol surveys for special status species, particularly avian raptors and endangered plants
- Exposure to creating, editing, and analyzing information within Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software to produce maps and spatial analysis for a variety of topic areas, including: natural resources, land use / land cover, ecotypes, habitat, etc.
About WSP
WSP USA is the U.S. operating company of WSP, one of the world's leading engineering and professional services firms. Dedicated to serving local communities, we are engineers, planners, technical experts, strategic advisors and construction management professionals. WSP USA designs lasting solutions in the buildings, transportation, energy, water and environment markets. With more than 15,000 employees in over 300 offices across the U.S., we partner with our clients to help communities prosper.
WSP provides a flexible and agile workplace model while meeting client needs. Employees are also afforded a comprehensive suite of benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, life, and retirement savings focused on providing health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career.
At WSP, we want to give our employees the challenges they seek to grow their careers and knowledge base. Your daily contributions to your team will be essential in meeting client objectives, goals and challenges. Are you ready to get started?
WSP USA (and all of its U.S. companies) is an Equal Opportunity Employer Race/Age/Color/Religion/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/National Origin/Disability or Protected Veteran Status.
The selected candidate must be authorized to work in the United States.
NOTICE TO THIRD PARTY AGENCIES:
WSP does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or other staffing services. Unsolicited resumes include any resume or hiring document sent to WSP in the absence of a signed Service Agreement where WSP has expressly requested recruitment/staffing services specific to the position at hand. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers or other business leaders, will become the property of WSP and WSP will have the right to hire that candidate without reservation – no fee or other compensation will be owed or paid to the recruiter, employment agency, or other staffing service.
This Opportunity
At WSP, we are inspired by bringing together the right people to be a part of future-focused business objectives to support our vast client base. Across the world, the importance of ethical environmental systems and projects are the foundation of shaping the future of our environment. Through public consultancy, strategic planning practices and stakeholder engagement, we can provide clients a concrete and realistic understanding of a project’s impact.
As a world-wide leader of environmental and transportation consulting and planning services, we invite you to be a part of that vision. Our Planning & Environment group is looking for an On-Call Field Biologist / Environmental Planner out of our Albuquerque, NM, or El Paso, TX, offices to support and add to our wide and diverse range of environmental planning services that enables future-ready growth.
Your Impact
Design
- Assists with the planning, development, and implementation of environmental projects to ensure that development projects comply with environmental laws and regulations under close supervision
- Contribute to the natural resources portions of planning documents
- Assist with implementation of project development requirements with WSP personnel, outside contractors, and agency / tribal stakeholders
Analyze
- Conducts data collection, research, field surveys, and technical work under supervision - up to 80% time spent traveling (primarily to SE New Mexico) for 2-6 days at a time, on average
- Responsible for understanding regulatory rules and rule changes
Collaborate
- Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources and conduct and adhere to WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.
- Other duties as required by business needs.
Who You Are
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Planning, Ecology, Biological Science (Botany, Wildlife Biology, etc.), Natural Resource Management, or a related field (or equivalent experience.)
- 1 to 5 years of experience working in the environmental planning field, completing environmental field surveys for plants and animals, construction support, impact assessments, and permitting.
- Ability to work schedules conducive to project-specific requirements that may extend beyond the typical workweek.
- Effective analytical skills and prior experience with research techniques, local/regional ecology and habitats, and applicable species required.
- Knowledge of relevant environmental laws, permitting requirements, notification and compliance practices, and applicable Regional/State/Federal regulatory framework.
- Proficient interpersonal and communication skills when interacting with others, expressing ideas effectively and professionally to a technical and non-technical audience.
- Proficiency with local (desert southwest) plant and animal identification
- Experience with discipline-specific software (Microsoft Office Suite)
- Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety and drug/alcohol and harassment policies
Travel may be required depending on project-specific requirements
Preferred Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in planning, resource management, environmental science, biology, or a related field
- Growing industry knowledge through participating in local professional practice organization
- Exposure to ArcGIS
- Experience working with tribal, federal, state, or local agencies or the public
- May participate in and conduct field delineation of wetlands and waters of the US or other field or permitting activities
- Experience conducting protocol surveys for special status species, particularly avian raptors and endangered plants
- Exposure to creating, editing, and analyzing information within Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software to produce maps and spatial analysis for a variety of topic areas, including: natural resources, land use / land cover, ecotypes, habitat, etc.
About WSP
WSP USA is the U.S. operating company of WSP, one of the world's leading engineering and professional services firms. Dedicated to serving local communities, we are engineers, planners, technical experts, strategic advisors and construction management professionals. WSP USA designs lasting solutions in the buildings, transportation, energy, water and environment markets. With more than 15,000 employees in over 300 offices across the U.S., we partner with our clients to help communities prosper.
WSP provides a flexible and agile workplace model while meeting client needs. Employees are also afforded a comprehensive suite of benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, life, and retirement savings focused on providing health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career.
At WSP, we want to give our employees the challenges they seek to grow their careers and knowledge base. Your daily contributions to your team will be essential in meeting client objectives, goals and challenges. Are you ready to get started?
WSP USA (and all of its U.S. companies) is an Equal Opportunity Employer Race/Age/Color/Religion/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/National Origin/Disability or Protected Veteran Status.
The selected candidate must be authorized to work in the United States.
NOTICE TO THIRD PARTY AGENCIES:
WSP does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or other staffing services. Unsolicited resumes include any resume or hiring document sent to WSP in the absence of a signed Service Agreement where WSP has expressly requested recruitment/staffing services specific to the position at hand. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers or other business leaders, will become the property of WSP and WSP will have the right to hire that candidate without reservation – no fee or other compensation will be owed or paid to the recruiter, employment agency, or other staffing service.
See all OPT Environmental Field Technician Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as an Environmental Field Technician
Target environmental consulting firms over government agencies
Federal and state agencies typically can't sponsor OPT students due to hiring restrictions. Environmental consulting firms like those working in site remediation, air quality, or water testing hire internationally and are far more familiar with OPT work authorization.
Confirm your degree qualifies for STEM OPT extension
Environmental science, geology, chemistry, and civil engineering are all on the STEM Designated Degree Program List. Confirm your specific CIP code with your DSO before starting your job search so you can accurately represent your authorization timeline to employers.
Apply before your OPT start date is approved
Environmental field roles often have urgent hiring timelines tied to project seasons. Apply three to four months before your intended start date and be upfront that your EAD is pending. Most experienced employers will hold an offer while authorization processes.
Highlight field certifications that reduce employer onboarding cost
40-hour HAZWOPER certification, OSHA 10, and first aid or CPR credentials signal you can go into the field immediately. Employers weighing OPT paperwork against hiring a local candidate are more likely to move forward when your certifications reduce their ramp-up burden.
Address the I-983 training plan early in conversations
STEM OPT requires your employer to submit a formal training plan. Mention you're familiar with the I-983 requirement and that it can be completed quickly. Framing this as a simple onboarding step rather than a legal burden reassures employers unfamiliar with the process.
Focus on project-based firms with federal contracts
Environmental firms holding EPA, Army Corps, or DOT contracts tend to have compliance departments comfortable with international employees. These firms also offer multi-year projects that align naturally with your OPT timeline, making continued authorization easier to justify internally.
Environmental Field Technician OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does an Environmental Field Technician role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree, not the job title. If you graduated with a STEM-designated degree such as environmental science, geology, chemistry, or civil engineering, you can apply for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving you up to 36 months total. Your employer must also be E-Verify registered and submit a signed I-983 training plan with your DSO.
Can I work for a government agency as an Environmental Field Technician on OPT?
Most federal agencies are barred from hiring F-1 OPT students, and many state agencies follow similar restrictions. Your best options are private environmental consulting firms, engineering companies, or contractors that hold government project contracts. These employers are generally more experienced with OPT work authorization and can move faster through the hiring process.
How do I find Environmental Field Technician employers who are open to OPT?
Browse Environmental Field Technician listings on Migrate Mate, which filters for employers with a demonstrated history of sponsoring international students. This saves you from applying to roles where OPT will be a dealbreaker. Prioritizing firms with active STEM OPT candidates already on staff is one of the most reliable signals that an employer understands the authorization process.
What documents do I need to present before starting an Environmental Field Technician job on OPT?
You need your valid EAD card, your current F-1 visa, your I-20 with an OPT authorization stamp, and your passport. Your employer will use these to complete Form I-9. For STEM OPT, you'll also need to provide a copy of your signed I-983 training plan and confirm your employer is enrolled in E-Verify before your DSO updates your SEVIS record.
Can I work across multiple field sites or client locations on OPT?
Yes. OPT does not restrict you to a single fixed worksite, so field roles that involve moving between environmental sampling locations, remediation sites, or client properties are fully permitted. Your employment authorization is tied to your employer, not a specific address. However, any significant change to your job duties or employer must be reported to your DSO within 10 days.