OPT Environmental Manager Jobs
Environmental Manager roles are in steady demand across consulting firms, manufacturers, and government contractors, many of which regularly sponsor H-1B visas after OPT. Your F-1 OPT gives you up to 12 months of work authorization, with a potential 24-month STEM extension if your degree is in environmental science, engineering, or a related STEM field.
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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:
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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
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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.
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Master’s degree or PhD preferred.
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A valid driver’s license with acceptable violation history may be required.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
-
Certification or licensure in field of expertise.
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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 Manager Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Environmental Manager Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as an Environmental Manager
Target employers with active environmental compliance departments
Large manufacturers, utilities, and engineering consulting firms maintain dedicated environmental teams and are far more accustomed to sponsoring work visas than smaller firms. Prioritize organizations with established HR processes and a history of H-1B filings.
Emphasize your regulatory expertise early in the application
Hiring managers want Environmental Managers who know EPA frameworks, RCRA, Clean Air Act, or NEPA compliance. Naming specific regulations you've worked with signals professional readiness and reduces employer hesitation around the sponsorship learning curve.
Position your role as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes
Environmental Manager is a strong fit for H-1B specialty occupation classification. Highlight that the role requires a specific environmental science, engineering, or related bachelor's degree, not just any four-year degree, to strengthen a future sponsorship case.
Apply to government contractors with federal environmental mandates
Federal contractors managing environmental compliance under EPA or DoD contracts often sponsor international candidates because the talent pool is narrow. These employers also tend to plan hiring timelines further out, giving you more runway to secure sponsorship before OPT expires.
Start sponsorship conversations before the 90-day OPT expiration window
Raise sponsorship intent during offer negotiation, not after you start. Giving your employer at least six months before your OPT ends allows time to prepare and file an H-1B petition ahead of the April 1 registration deadline without last-minute pressure.
Pursue STEM OPT extension if your degree qualifies
Degrees in environmental engineering, environmental science, or related STEM fields typically qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Filing on time extends your authorized work period significantly and gives employers a longer runway before they need to commit to H-1B sponsorship.
Environmental Manager OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as an Environmental Manager on F-1 OPT?
Yes. Environmental Manager is a professional role that aligns directly with OPT's requirement that your job be related to your degree field. If your degree is in environmental science, environmental engineering, civil engineering, or a related discipline, this role satisfies the OPT employment requirement. Keep documentation showing how your job connects to your major in case your DSO asks.
Do Environmental Manager jobs typically come with visa sponsorship?
Many do, particularly at large engineering and environmental consulting firms, industrial manufacturers, and federal contractors. These employers hire Environmental Managers on a recurring basis and are familiar with H-1B sponsorship. Smaller firms or startups without established HR infrastructure are less likely to sponsor. Migrate Mate filters specifically for OPT-friendly and sponsoring employers, which saves significant research time.
Does an environmental science or environmental engineering degree qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Environmental engineering degrees qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension under DHS's STEM Designated Degree Program List. Environmental science degrees may qualify depending on the exact CIP code your program used. Check your degree's CIP code with your DSO to confirm eligibility before assuming you have the extension available.
What should I do if my Environmental Manager job offer is from a small company unlikely to sponsor an H-1B?
Accepting the role still counts as valid OPT employment, which protects your status. Use the time to build your resume and simultaneously pursue opportunities at larger firms with demonstrated sponsorship histories. If your degree qualifies for STEM OPT extension, filing it buys additional time to secure a sponsoring employer before your authorized period ends.
How does the H-1B specialty occupation requirement apply to Environmental Manager roles?
Environmental Manager roles generally meet the H-1B specialty occupation standard because they require theoretical and practical application of environmental science, engineering principles, or regulatory expertise, and a specific bachelor's degree is a normal entry requirement in the field. Your employer's attorney will draft the petition, but roles involving NEPA compliance, EHS program management, or permit administration are routinely approved.