OPT Geophysicist Jobs
Geophysicist roles on OPT require employers comfortable with F-1 work authorization, and most positions in oil and gas, environmental consulting, and federal agencies fall under STEM OPT, giving you up to three years of work authorization. Strong technical backgrounds in seismic interpretation or subsurface modeling make candidates competitive.
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Get Access To All JobsGENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
Perform a comprehensive range of geophysical technologies in support of geologic, groundwater, environmental, engineering, and materials testing investigations. Perform non-invasive geophysical surveys from the ground surface as well as geophysical logging in boreholes to provide images or models of subsurface conditions. Define survey objectives, design survey approaches, analyze the resulting geophysical data, and provide interpretation of results. Results are incorporated into the planning, design and construction of vital infrastructure such as roads, tunnels, airports, landfills, water supplies, and other facilities; the assessment of environmental conditions; and the evaluation of earth resources. Geophysics supports all of Terracon’s service lines.
ESSENTIAL ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
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Follow safety rules, guidelines and standards for all projects. Participate in pre-task planning. Report any safety issues or concerns to management.
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Demonstrate quality practices and acumen.
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Provide consistent quality standards on proposal and project delivery.
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Proficient Geophysicist responsible for conducting geophysical surveys and making recommendations for design on smaller projects of minimal complexity.
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May assist more senior Geophysicists on large, more complex projects.
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Performs site visits, field observations and field data collection or assignments.
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Direct and supervise field staff to sample, test and collect data and/or document site activities.
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Responsible for developing written proposals to clients for approval by senior level professionals.
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Evaluates moderately complex geophysical data and assembles in written reports.
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May serve as team member or participate in meetings and communications with client pertaining to specific projects/tasks.
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May oversee work performed by lower level Geophysicists and Technicians.
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Works under the supervision of a Terracon Authorized Project Reviewer.
REQUIREMENTS
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Bachelor’s degree in Geology or Geophysics.
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Minimum 1-3 years’ experience.
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Master’s degree preferred.
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A valid driver’s license with acceptable violation history may be required.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Certification in field of expertise based on state specific requirements.
EEO Statement 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:
Perform a comprehensive range of geophysical technologies in support of geologic, groundwater, environmental, engineering, and materials testing investigations. Perform non-invasive geophysical surveys from the ground surface as well as geophysical logging in boreholes to provide images or models of subsurface conditions. Define survey objectives, design survey approaches, analyze the resulting geophysical data, and provide interpretation of results. Results are incorporated into the planning, design and construction of vital infrastructure such as roads, tunnels, airports, landfills, water supplies, and other facilities; the assessment of environmental conditions; and the evaluation of earth resources. Geophysics supports all of Terracon’s service lines.
ESSENTIAL ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
-
Follow safety rules, guidelines and standards for all projects. Participate in pre-task planning. Report any safety issues or concerns to management.
-
Demonstrate quality practices and acumen.
-
Provide consistent quality standards on proposal and project delivery.
-
Proficient Geophysicist responsible for conducting geophysical surveys and making recommendations for design on smaller projects of minimal complexity.
-
May assist more senior Geophysicists on large, more complex projects.
-
Performs site visits, field observations and field data collection or assignments.
-
Direct and supervise field staff to sample, test and collect data and/or document site activities.
-
Responsible for developing written proposals to clients for approval by senior level professionals.
-
Evaluates moderately complex geophysical data and assembles in written reports.
-
May serve as team member or participate in meetings and communications with client pertaining to specific projects/tasks.
-
May oversee work performed by lower level Geophysicists and Technicians.
-
Works under the supervision of a Terracon Authorized Project Reviewer.
REQUIREMENTS
-
Bachelor’s degree in Geology or Geophysics.
-
Minimum 1-3 years’ experience.
-
Master’s degree preferred.
-
A valid driver’s license with acceptable violation history may be required.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Certification in field of expertise based on state specific requirements.
EEO Statement 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 OPT Geophysicist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Geophysicist Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Geophysicist
Target STEM OPT-eligible employers early
Geophysicist roles almost always qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Prioritize employers who have sponsored STEM OPT before, as they understand E-Verify requirements and won't be surprised by your authorization timeline.
Lead with your technical specialization
Hiring managers in geoscience care more about your seismic processing software, reservoir modeling tools, or geophysical survey experience than your visa status. Make your technical skills the first thing they see so authorization becomes secondary.
Focus on oil and gas, mining, and environmental firms
These industries hire geophysicists consistently and have established OPT and H-1B visa pipelines. Large operators like E&P companies and environmental consultancies have in-house HR processes already built around sponsoring international candidates.
Address OPT proactively in your application
State clearly in your cover letter that you have OPT work authorization and are eligible for STEM extension. Employers unfamiliar with OPT often reject candidates due to confusion, not unwillingness. Clarity upfront prevents early screening-out.
Pursue federal contractor and government-adjacent roles carefully
Some federal geophysicist positions require security clearance or U.S. citizenship, which OPT students cannot obtain. Verify citizenship requirements before applying to avoid wasted effort. Private contractors and consulting firms are generally more accessible.
Network through professional geoscience associations
Connecting through the Society of Exploration Geophysicists or the American Geosciences Institute puts you in front of hiring managers at companies actively recruiting. Many geophysics roles are filled through referrals before they reach public job boards.
Geophysicist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Geophysicist role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes. Geophysicist positions consistently qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension because geophysics falls under CIP code 40.0603, which is on the official STEM Designated Degree Program list. Your degree must be in geophysics, geoscience, applied physics, or a closely related field. Your employer must also be enrolled in E-Verify to sponsor the extension.
How do I find Geophysicist employers who are open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically for OPT-friendly employers, so you can search Geophysicist roles without wasting time on postings that exclude F-1 candidates. Beyond that, large energy companies, environmental consulting firms, and geotechnical contractors tend to have the most established OPT and H-1B pipelines in this field.
Can I work as a Geophysicist for a federal agency on OPT?
It depends on the agency and role. Many federal geophysicist positions with the USGS, EPA, or DOE are open to non-citizens, but some require U.S. citizenship or security clearance eligibility. Always check the specific job posting for citizenship requirements before applying. Federal contractor roles at private firms supporting government projects are generally more accessible to OPT students.
What happens to my OPT if my Geophysicist employer goes through a layoff?
If you're laid off during your OPT period, you have a 60-day grace period to find new employment, transfer to a new visa status, or prepare to leave the U.S. During this window, you can begin interviewing and accepting a new Geophysicist role without penalty, as long as the new job aligns with your degree field and you report the change to your DSO.
Do Geophysicist internships count toward OPT work authorization requirements?
Yes, but only if the internship is directly related to your geoscience or physics degree. OPT requires that all employment be in a role directly tied to your major field of study. A geophysics internship involving seismic data analysis, subsurface mapping, or geophysical surveying clearly qualifies. Unrelated internships, even at the same company, do not count and could jeopardize your OPT status.