Environmental Field Technician Jobs for OPT Students
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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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Arcadis is the world's leading company delivering sustainable design, engineering, and consultancy solutions for natural and built assets.
We are more than 36,000 people, in over 70 countries, dedicated to improving quality of life. Everyone has an important role to play. With the power of many curious minds, together we can solve the world’s most complex challenges and deliver more impact together.
ROLE DESCRIPTION
Arcadis is currently seeking a self-motivated, Environmental Field Technician located in the Pheonix area to support our growing environmental project portfolio in southern Arizona. This position consists of 100% field work, including a mix of local Pheonix project work and overnight regional travel to and from job sites. This position requires a hard-working, safe, efficient, and dedicated employee that is excited to receive on the job training, enjoys working with a team, and can work independently once trained. This position offers an opportunity to learn about a wide variety of environmental projects and work with a great team.
This role will sit within the greater Global Resilience Business Area. We work to protect our natural environment and water resources, while powering our world for future generations. Around the world, we’re feeling the effects climate change, rapid urbanization, loss of biodiversity. The rate at which we’re seeing large-scale, unforeseen events such as floods and wildfires, is becoming more frequent. We are here to protect our natural environment and water resources, while powering our world for future generations.
ROLE ACCOUNTABILITIES
Primary responsibilities include:
- Groundwater and soil remediation system maintenance and monitoring. Completion of repairs to remediation systems
- Sampling associated with remediation systems (influent/effluent) and other types of compliance discharge sampling at injection and extraction wells and groundwater treatment plant
- Collection of environmental samples, including air, soil, sediment, surface water, and groundwater during remediation events and during system operation
- Completion of small construction-type jobs, such as concrete work, fence removal, and HDPE/PVC piping construction
- Working with hand/power tools to change out pumps, fittings, flanges, filters, and gauges
- Subcontractor oversight for field projects, drilling and well development, and remediation system installations
- Site visits, routine inspections, and documentation
Key Attributes:
- Ability to document site activities, prepare field notes, and provide clear verbal and written communication to the project team.
- Ability to work independently and problem solve, with guidance from subject matter experts and senior technicians.
- Ability to work over 95% in the field at times requiring out of town travel.
- Mechanical aptitude.
- Ability to lift objects weighing 25 lbs.
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
Required Qualifications:
- STEM or Technical Certification; or High School Diploma and 2 years of similar work experience
- Valid driver’s license and U.S. Citizenship
- Ability to obtain a Department of Defense security badge (i.e., must pass a background check).
Preferred Qualifications:
- 40 Hour HAZWOPER certification
- 24-hour MSHA training
Why Arcadis?
We can only achieve our goals when everyone is empowered to be their best. We believe everyone's contribution matters. It’s why we are pioneering a skills-based approach, where you can harness your unique experience and expertise to carve your career path and maximize the impact we can make together.
You’ll do meaningful work, and no matter what role, you’ll be helping to deliver sustainable solutions for a more prosperous planet. Make your mark, on your career, your colleagues, your clients, your life and the world around you.
Together, we can create a lasting legacy.
Join Arcadis. Create a Legacy.
Our Commitment to Equality, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging
We want you to be able to bring your best self to work every day which is why we take equality and inclusion seriously and hold ourselves to account for our actions. Our ambition is to be an employer of choice and provide a great place to work for all our people. We are an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. Women, minorities, people with disabilities and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply. We are dedicated to a policy of non-discrimination in employment on any basis including race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship status, disability, veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by law.
Arcadis offers benefits for full time and part time positions. These benefits include medical, dental, and vision, EAP, 401K, STD, LTD, AD&D, life insurance, paid parental leave, reward & recognition program and optional benefits including wellbeing benefits, adoption assistance and tuition reimbursement. We offer nine paid holidays and 15 days PTO that accrue per year. The salary range for this position is $20.65 - $30.97. Actual salaries will vary and are based on several factors, such as experience, education, budget, internal equity, project and location.
INTRODUCTION
Arcadis is the world's leading company delivering sustainable design, engineering, and consultancy solutions for natural and built assets.
We are more than 36,000 people, in over 70 countries, dedicated to improving quality of life. Everyone has an important role to play. With the power of many curious minds, together we can solve the world’s most complex challenges and deliver more impact together.
ROLE DESCRIPTION
Arcadis is currently seeking a self-motivated, Environmental Field Technician located in the Pheonix area to support our growing environmental project portfolio in southern Arizona. This position consists of 100% field work, including a mix of local Pheonix project work and overnight regional travel to and from job sites. This position requires a hard-working, safe, efficient, and dedicated employee that is excited to receive on the job training, enjoys working with a team, and can work independently once trained. This position offers an opportunity to learn about a wide variety of environmental projects and work with a great team.
This role will sit within the greater Global Resilience Business Area. We work to protect our natural environment and water resources, while powering our world for future generations. Around the world, we’re feeling the effects climate change, rapid urbanization, loss of biodiversity. The rate at which we’re seeing large-scale, unforeseen events such as floods and wildfires, is becoming more frequent. We are here to protect our natural environment and water resources, while powering our world for future generations.
ROLE ACCOUNTABILITIES
Primary responsibilities include:
- Groundwater and soil remediation system maintenance and monitoring. Completion of repairs to remediation systems
- Sampling associated with remediation systems (influent/effluent) and other types of compliance discharge sampling at injection and extraction wells and groundwater treatment plant
- Collection of environmental samples, including air, soil, sediment, surface water, and groundwater during remediation events and during system operation
- Completion of small construction-type jobs, such as concrete work, fence removal, and HDPE/PVC piping construction
- Working with hand/power tools to change out pumps, fittings, flanges, filters, and gauges
- Subcontractor oversight for field projects, drilling and well development, and remediation system installations
- Site visits, routine inspections, and documentation
Key Attributes:
- Ability to document site activities, prepare field notes, and provide clear verbal and written communication to the project team.
- Ability to work independently and problem solve, with guidance from subject matter experts and senior technicians.
- Ability to work over 95% in the field at times requiring out of town travel.
- Mechanical aptitude.
- Ability to lift objects weighing 25 lbs.
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
Required Qualifications:
- STEM or Technical Certification; or High School Diploma and 2 years of similar work experience
- Valid driver’s license and U.S. Citizenship
- Ability to obtain a Department of Defense security badge (i.e., must pass a background check).
Preferred Qualifications:
- 40 Hour HAZWOPER certification
- 24-hour MSHA training
Why Arcadis?
We can only achieve our goals when everyone is empowered to be their best. We believe everyone's contribution matters. It’s why we are pioneering a skills-based approach, where you can harness your unique experience and expertise to carve your career path and maximize the impact we can make together.
You’ll do meaningful work, and no matter what role, you’ll be helping to deliver sustainable solutions for a more prosperous planet. Make your mark, on your career, your colleagues, your clients, your life and the world around you.
Together, we can create a lasting legacy.
Join Arcadis. Create a Legacy.
Our Commitment to Equality, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging
We want you to be able to bring your best self to work every day which is why we take equality and inclusion seriously and hold ourselves to account for our actions. Our ambition is to be an employer of choice and provide a great place to work for all our people. We are an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. Women, minorities, people with disabilities and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply. We are dedicated to a policy of non-discrimination in employment on any basis including race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship status, disability, veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by law.
Arcadis offers benefits for full time and part time positions. These benefits include medical, dental, and vision, EAP, 401K, STD, LTD, AD&D, life insurance, paid parental leave, reward & recognition program and optional benefits including wellbeing benefits, adoption assistance and tuition reimbursement. We offer nine paid holidays and 15 days PTO that accrue per year. The salary range for this position is $20.65 - $30.97. Actual salaries will vary and are based on several factors, such as experience, education, budget, internal equity, project and location.
How to Get Visa 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.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently 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.
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