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.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
GFT is seeking an Environmental Scientist to join our Environmental Sciences team in Owings Mills, MD. This role follows a hybrid work model, requiring regular attendance at our Owings Mills office. GFT’s Environmental team delivers integrated planning, permitting, design and compliance solutions that support infrastructure development across North America. Our team guides clients through Environmental Assessments and permitting processes, ecological and regulatory assessments and design, and environmental remediation efforts on projects that span transportation, power, water, and facilities markets. From environmental approvals to complex planning solutions, GFT helps clients protect resources, manage risk, and meet regulatory requirements with confidence.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
As an Environmental Scientist, you will work on a variety of public and private sector projects supporting transportation, energy, infrastructure, facilities, and environmental restoration initiatives throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. This role combines fieldwork with technical office responsibilities and is ideal for an individual who enjoys working in varied environmental settings while developing strong technical consulting and project delivery skills. In this capacity, the successful candidate will be responsible for the following:
- Opportunity to work across multiple environmental disciplines and project types.
- Support environmental compliance, permitting, assessment, investigation, remediation, and restoration projects across transportation, energy, infrastructure, facilities, natural resources, and related environmental disciplines.
- Assist with Phase I and Phase II ESA’s (soil and groundwater studies).
- Assist with NEPA documentation and environmental review processes.
- Conduct site inspections, environmental monitoring, and field reconnaissance.
- Perform wetland delineations, stream assessments, environmental resource surveys, and stream and wetland monitoring.
- Interpret and apply federal, state, and local environmental regulations.
- Prepare technical reports, permit applications, environmental documentation, regulatory submissions, and analyze environmental and laboratory data to develop clear, defensible conclusions and recommendations.
- Assist project managers with project planning, budgeting, scheduling, and execution.
- Plan, prioritize, and organize multiple assignments while meeting project deadlines.
- Perform GIS data collection, mapping, and analysis using ArcGIS.
- Mentoring, training, and professional development opportunities.
- Opportunities for technical growth and progression into increased project responsibility.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
What you will bring to our firm:
- Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Geology, Environmental Engineering, Natural Resources, Biology, Ecology, or a related scientific or engineering field.
- 0-5 years of relevant environmental consulting, engineering, compliance, assessment, permitting, remediation, or field investigation experience.
- Entry-level candidates with internship, co-op, academic fieldwork, or other applicable experience are encouraged to apply.
- General knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local environmental regulations.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to gather, organize, analyze, and interpret environmental data.
- Self-motivated, organized, and able to complete assignments with appropriate direction.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams.
- Professional judgment, consistency, attention to detail, and commitment to high-quality work products.
- Willingness and ability to perform fieldwork in varying weather, terrain, and site conditions.
- Valid driver's license and willingness to travel to project sites.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
What we prefer you bring:
- Experience with environmental site assessments, subsurface investigations, remediation, compliance, permitting, or natural resource projects.
- Experience with wetland delineations, stream surveys, stream assessments, restoration, or ecological field studies.
- OSHA 40-Hour HAZWOPER certification.
- Experience with ArcGIS, GPS, or other environmental data collection tools.
- Familiarity with environmental databases and electronic data deliverables, including EQuIS.
- Experience with AutoCAD, Civil 3D, Microsoft Project, or related software.
- Knowledge of environmental permitting and regulatory processes in the Mid-Atlantic region, including Maryland, the District of Columbia, Virginia, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.
COMPENSATION
The salary range for this role is $62,000 - $93,000. Salary is dependent upon experience and geographic location.
FEATURED BENEFITS
- Hybrid (in-person and remote) work environment.
- Comprehensive benefits package including wellness programs, parental leave, and pet insurance, in addition to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance.
- Tax-deferred 401(k) savings plan.
- Competitive paid-time-off (PTO) accrual.
- Tuition reimbursement for continued education.
- Commitment to professional development, access to internal and external training programs, and support of active participation in professional organizations.
- Incentive compensation for eligible positions.
COMPANY OVERVIEW
At GFT, a privately held AEC firm, we innovate where transportation, water, power, and buildings converge. We call this the Infrastructure of Life. We measure our success by the strength of our relationships – that’s why we’re the employer of choice for 5,000+ of the industry’s brightest engineers, planners, architects, inspectors, designers, and more.
Our clients choose us for our expertise and prefer us for our nimble approach, creativity, and personal touch. Backed by over a century’s experience, together we’re building a lasting legacy for future generations: stronger communities, a healthier planet, and better lives.
GFT: Ingenuity That Shapes Lives™ is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veterans’ status or other characteristics protected by law.
Unsolicited resumes from third party agencies will be considered the property GFT.
GFT does require the successful completion of a criminal background check for all advertised positions.
LOCATION
Location: Owings Mills, MD
CORE BUSINESS HOURS
Core Business Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
EMPLOYMENT STATUS
Employment Status: Full-Time
LI-KV1
LI-hybrid
INTRODUCTION
GFT is seeking an Environmental Scientist to join our Environmental Sciences team in Owings Mills, MD. This role follows a hybrid work model, requiring regular attendance at our Owings Mills office. GFT’s Environmental team delivers integrated planning, permitting, design and compliance solutions that support infrastructure development across North America. Our team guides clients through Environmental Assessments and permitting processes, ecological and regulatory assessments and design, and environmental remediation efforts on projects that span transportation, power, water, and facilities markets. From environmental approvals to complex planning solutions, GFT helps clients protect resources, manage risk, and meet regulatory requirements with confidence.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
As an Environmental Scientist, you will work on a variety of public and private sector projects supporting transportation, energy, infrastructure, facilities, and environmental restoration initiatives throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. This role combines fieldwork with technical office responsibilities and is ideal for an individual who enjoys working in varied environmental settings while developing strong technical consulting and project delivery skills. In this capacity, the successful candidate will be responsible for the following:
- Opportunity to work across multiple environmental disciplines and project types.
- Support environmental compliance, permitting, assessment, investigation, remediation, and restoration projects across transportation, energy, infrastructure, facilities, natural resources, and related environmental disciplines.
- Assist with Phase I and Phase II ESA’s (soil and groundwater studies).
- Assist with NEPA documentation and environmental review processes.
- Conduct site inspections, environmental monitoring, and field reconnaissance.
- Perform wetland delineations, stream assessments, environmental resource surveys, and stream and wetland monitoring.
- Interpret and apply federal, state, and local environmental regulations.
- Prepare technical reports, permit applications, environmental documentation, regulatory submissions, and analyze environmental and laboratory data to develop clear, defensible conclusions and recommendations.
- Assist project managers with project planning, budgeting, scheduling, and execution.
- Plan, prioritize, and organize multiple assignments while meeting project deadlines.
- Perform GIS data collection, mapping, and analysis using ArcGIS.
- Mentoring, training, and professional development opportunities.
- Opportunities for technical growth and progression into increased project responsibility.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
What you will bring to our firm:
- Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Geology, Environmental Engineering, Natural Resources, Biology, Ecology, or a related scientific or engineering field.
- 0-5 years of relevant environmental consulting, engineering, compliance, assessment, permitting, remediation, or field investigation experience.
- Entry-level candidates with internship, co-op, academic fieldwork, or other applicable experience are encouraged to apply.
- General knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local environmental regulations.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to gather, organize, analyze, and interpret environmental data.
- Self-motivated, organized, and able to complete assignments with appropriate direction.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams.
- Professional judgment, consistency, attention to detail, and commitment to high-quality work products.
- Willingness and ability to perform fieldwork in varying weather, terrain, and site conditions.
- Valid driver's license and willingness to travel to project sites.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
What we prefer you bring:
- Experience with environmental site assessments, subsurface investigations, remediation, compliance, permitting, or natural resource projects.
- Experience with wetland delineations, stream surveys, stream assessments, restoration, or ecological field studies.
- OSHA 40-Hour HAZWOPER certification.
- Experience with ArcGIS, GPS, or other environmental data collection tools.
- Familiarity with environmental databases and electronic data deliverables, including EQuIS.
- Experience with AutoCAD, Civil 3D, Microsoft Project, or related software.
- Knowledge of environmental permitting and regulatory processes in the Mid-Atlantic region, including Maryland, the District of Columbia, Virginia, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.
COMPENSATION
The salary range for this role is $62,000 - $93,000. Salary is dependent upon experience and geographic location.
FEATURED BENEFITS
- Hybrid (in-person and remote) work environment.
- Comprehensive benefits package including wellness programs, parental leave, and pet insurance, in addition to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance.
- Tax-deferred 401(k) savings plan.
- Competitive paid-time-off (PTO) accrual.
- Tuition reimbursement for continued education.
- Commitment to professional development, access to internal and external training programs, and support of active participation in professional organizations.
- Incentive compensation for eligible positions.
COMPANY OVERVIEW
At GFT, a privately held AEC firm, we innovate where transportation, water, power, and buildings converge. We call this the Infrastructure of Life. We measure our success by the strength of our relationships – that’s why we’re the employer of choice for 5,000+ of the industry’s brightest engineers, planners, architects, inspectors, designers, and more.
Our clients choose us for our expertise and prefer us for our nimble approach, creativity, and personal touch. Backed by over a century’s experience, together we’re building a lasting legacy for future generations: stronger communities, a healthier planet, and better lives.
GFT: Ingenuity That Shapes Lives™ is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veterans’ status or other characteristics protected by law.
Unsolicited resumes from third party agencies will be considered the property GFT.
GFT does require the successful completion of a criminal background check for all advertised positions.
LOCATION
Location: Owings Mills, MD
CORE BUSINESS HOURS
Core Business Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
EMPLOYMENT STATUS
Employment Status: Full-Time
LI-KV1
LI-hybrid
See all 531+ 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.