OPT Environmental Specialist Jobs
Environmental Specialist jobs are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with degrees in environmental science, engineering, or a related field. Many roles qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Employers in consulting, government contracting, and energy regularly sponsor H-1B visas for this position.
Find OPT Environmental Specialist JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 512+ Environmental Specialist jobs
See all 512+ Environmental Specialist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Environmental Specialist 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 Specialist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Environmental Specialist Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as an Environmental Specialist
Target STEM-designated roles
Environmental Specialist positions tied to engineering, data analysis, or environmental science typically qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Confirm your degree CIP code aligns before applying to maximize your authorized work period.
Focus on consulting firms and government contractors
Environmental consulting firms and federal contractors sponsor work visas at higher rates than many other employers. These organizations handle complex, ongoing environmental compliance work that creates sustained demand for specialized talent beyond OPT.
Highlight regulatory knowledge in your resume
Employers value familiarity with EPA standards, NEPA review processes, and state-level environmental regulations. Demonstrating this expertise signals you can contribute immediately, which strengthens the case for sponsoring your visa after OPT ends.
Apply early relative to your OPT end date
H-1B petitions must be filed months before your OPT expires, and cap-subject filings have an April 1 deadline. Starting conversations with employers at least a year before your OPT ends gives both sides enough time to plan.
Address OPT proactively in interviews
Many hiring managers at environmental firms are unfamiliar with OPT authorization. Preparing a clear, brief explanation of your work authorization timeline and what H-1B sponsorship involves removes uncertainty and keeps the process moving forward.
Pursue relevant certifications to strengthen your profile
Credentials like LEED, HAZWOPER, or state-specific environmental certifications differentiate you from other candidates. Employers weighing sponsorship costs are more likely to commit when a candidate brings specialized, hard-to-replace technical qualifications.
Environmental Specialist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Environmental Specialist jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Many do, but it depends on your degree, not the job title alone. If your degree is in environmental engineering, environmental science, or a closely related STEM field, your CIP code likely qualifies. Confirm with your DSO before accepting an offer. Roles that involve data analysis or engineering tasks tend to have the clearest STEM alignment.
How do I find Environmental Specialist employers that sponsor OPT and H-1B visas?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters Environmental Specialist jobs by employers with a documented history of visa sponsorship. Rather than applying broadly and discovering sponsorship issues late in the process, you can prioritize roles where the employer has already demonstrated willingness to support international candidates.
Can I work for a government agency as an Environmental Specialist on OPT?
Federal agencies generally cannot hire F-1 OPT students directly due to citizenship requirements for most positions. State and local government agencies vary, with some open to OPT workers. Environmental consulting firms contracting with government agencies are often a more accessible path and sponsor visas at competitive rates.
What happens to my OPT if my Environmental Specialist role ends before my authorized period expires?
You have a 60-day grace period after your employment ends to find a new position, transfer to a new visa status, or depart the United States. For STEM OPT holders, unemployment cannot exceed 150 days total across the extension period. Report any job changes to your DSO promptly to keep your SEVIS record accurate.
Is fieldwork and travel compatible with F-1 OPT status for Environmental Specialist roles?
Yes. OPT authorizes full-time employment with your sponsoring employer, which includes fieldwork, site visits, and domestic travel as part of that job. International travel is permitted but requires a valid F-1 visa stamp, a current I-20 with a travel signature from your DSO, and a valid passport before departing the United States.