OPT Environmental Technician Jobs
Environmental Technician roles are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with degrees in environmental science, biology, chemistry, or engineering technology. Many positions involve field sampling, lab analysis, and compliance monitoring, which align directly with STEM OPT extension eligibility and the 24-month extension most students qualify for.
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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 530+ OPT Environmental Technician Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Environmental Technician Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as an Environmental Technician
Target environmental consulting firms first
Firms like environmental consultancies and remediation contractors hire Environmental Technicians regularly and have established OPT onboarding processes. They handle EPA compliance work year-round, making consistent hiring more likely than project-based government contractors.
Confirm your degree qualifies for STEM OPT
Environmental science, environmental engineering, chemistry, and biology degrees typically appear on the STEM OPT designated degree list. Confirm your specific CIP code with your DSO before applying, since this determines whether you qualify for the 24-month extension.
Apply before your OPT start date, not after
Most employers need time to verify your EAD and set up payroll. Begin applying at least 60 days before your current OPT authorization begins so offers and start dates align with your authorized employment period without gaps.
Highlight field and lab certifications on your resume
40-hour HAZWOPER certification, soil sampling experience, and water quality testing skills directly address what hiring managers screen for. These credentials signal you can work independently in the field from day one, reducing training costs employers factor into OPT hiring decisions.
Ask about STEM OPT mentorship plans early
STEM OPT requires a formal training plan submitted to your DSO. Raise this in later-stage interviews, not after the offer. Employers already familiar with Form I-983 requirements are far more likely to complete it accurately and on time.
Focus on employers with active EPA or state agency contracts
Companies holding active environmental compliance contracts with federal or state agencies tend to have stable, long-term staffing needs. That stability matters for OPT students who need continuous employment to maintain valid status throughout the authorization period.
Environmental Technician OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Environmental Technician roles qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Most do, provided your underlying degree is on the STEM designated degree list. Degrees in environmental science, environmental engineering, chemistry, biology, and related technical fields commonly qualify. The job itself must also be directly related to your degree field. Confirm your CIP code with your DSO before accepting an offer, since the extension is tied to your degree classification, not just the job title.
What does an employer need to sponsor an Environmental Technician on OPT?
For standard OPT, the employer simply verifies your EAD and reports the hire to your DSO within 10 days. For STEM OPT, the employer must be E-Verify enrolled, sign a formal training plan on Form I-983, and provide evaluations every six months. Most mid-size environmental consulting firms are already E-Verify enrolled due to federal contract requirements, which makes them practical targets for STEM OPT students.
How do I find Environmental Technician jobs that are open to OPT students?
Migrate Mate lists Environmental Technician positions from employers who are open to hiring OPT and visa-sponsored candidates, so you're not filtering through hundreds of roles that exclude international students. Searching there saves significant time compared to applying broadly and discovering sponsorship limitations late in the process.
Can I work as an Environmental Technician as a contractor or on a per-project basis on OPT?
OPT requires that you work for a single employer in a role directly related to your degree. Short-term project work is permissible as long as each engagement is with one employer at a time and the work remains within your degree field. Self-employment and independent contracting for multiple clients simultaneously are not permitted under standard or STEM OPT authorization.
What happens to my OPT status if my Environmental Technician contract ends between projects?
Standard OPT allows up to 90 cumulative days of unemployment, and STEM OPT extends that to 150 days. If a project-based contract ends, that gap counts toward your unemployment limit from the day employment stops. Lining up your next position before a contract closes is important. Your DSO must also be updated promptly whenever your employment situation changes to keep your SEVIS record accurate.