OPT Environmental Project Manager Jobs
Environmental Project Manager jobs on OPT require employers who can sponsor H-1B visa or support STEM OPT extension. Most roles fall under environmental science or engineering, which qualify for the 24-month STEM extension, giving you up to three years of work authorization to build U.S. project experience.
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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.
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With support from the Office Manager perform business and client development activities.
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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:
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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 535+ OPT Environmental Project Manager Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Environmental Project Manager Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as an Environmental Project Manager
Target environmental consulting firms over in-house roles
Environmental consulting firms like AECOM, Tetra Tech, and Arcadis sponsor H-1B visas regularly. In-house environmental roles at corporations often lack a dedicated immigration process, making consulting firms a more reliable path to long-term sponsorship.
Confirm your degree qualifies for the STEM OPT extension
Environmental Project Manager roles typically qualify for the 24-month STEM extension if your degree is in environmental science, civil engineering, or a related STEM field. Verify your program's CIP code with your DSO before applying to roles requiring longer authorization.
Apply to firms with active EPA or federal contract work
Firms holding EPA, Army Corps, or state agency contracts hire environmental PMs consistently and budget for visa sponsorship. Federal contract work creates predictable headcount cycles, making these employers more likely to invest in sponsoring candidates with specialized environmental credentials.
Frame your project management credentials in your application
Employers sponsoring OPT candidates want to see specialty occupation evidence. Highlighting a PMP credential, environmental certifications like LEED or HAZWOPER, or a relevant master's degree strengthens the H-1B case and signals you're a lower-risk sponsorship investment.
Raise sponsorship early in the interview process
Environmental project teams plan hiring months in advance. Bringing up your OPT status and timeline in the first interview avoids wasted rounds and lets the employer assess sponsorship feasibility before both sides invest significant time in the process.
Use your STEM OPT reporting period as a negotiating window
The 24-month STEM extension gives you time to demonstrate value before the H-1B lottery. Use this period to lead a full project cycle, document outcomes, and build internal advocates who can support your sponsorship case when the lottery window opens.
Environmental Project Manager OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does an Environmental Project Manager role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Most Environmental Project Manager positions qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension if your degree is in environmental science, environmental engineering, civil engineering, or a closely related STEM field. Your school's DSO must confirm your program's CIP code is on the STEM Designated Degree Program List before you file the extension. Roles that primarily involve regulatory compliance without technical project execution may receive more scrutiny.
Which employers commonly sponsor Environmental Project Managers for H-1B visas?
Environmental consulting firms are the most consistent sponsors for this role. AECOM, Tetra Tech, Arcadis, WSP, and Brown and Caldwell have all filed H-1B petitions for environmental project management positions, according to Department of Labor disclosure data. Firms with active federal or state agency contracts tend to have established immigration processes and hire environmental PMs at scale. You can browse OPT-friendly environmental roles on Migrate Mate.
Does an Environmental Project Manager role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Yes, when the role requires a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific field like environmental science or environmental engineering. The key is that the job description must tie specific technical duties to a degree requirement in a related discipline. Generic project management duties that accept any bachelor's degree can weaken the specialty occupation argument, so aligning your application to technically scoped roles strengthens the petition.
Can I work as an Environmental Project Manager on standard 12-month OPT without STEM extension?
Yes. If your degree is in a qualifying field, you can work in this role during your initial 12-month OPT period. However, given that project timelines in environmental consulting often run 18 to 36 months, employers prefer candidates who can stay for a full project cycle. Securing the STEM extension before your initial OPT expires is important for remaining competitive for sponsorship-track positions.
What should I look for in an Environmental Project Manager job listing to assess sponsorship likelihood?
Look for firms that list specific technical requirements tied to a degree in environmental science or engineering, rather than general project management experience. Job postings that mention regulatory frameworks like CERCLA, RCRA, or NEPA signal specialized roles more likely to qualify as specialty occupations. Employers who explicitly state visa sponsorship availability or who have sponsored H-1B petitions in prior years through Department of Labor filings are stronger bets for long-term work authorization.