OPT Health And Safety Specialist Jobs
Health and Safety Specialist roles are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with degrees in occupational health, environmental science, or engineering. Most positions qualify under STEM OPT extension eligibility. Employers in manufacturing, construction, and healthcare regularly hire for these roles and have established processes for work authorization.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Kenyon College invites applications for a combined Chemical and Environmental Health and Safety Coordinator and Natural Sciences Technical Operations Specialist starting November 2026. This is a 12-month, full-time position with benefits.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Primary Duties & Responsibilities
As Chemical and Environmental Health and Safety Specialist:
- Complete and annually refresh safety training such as OSHA’s Hazard Communication, laboratory, and Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response standards, and the Department of Transportation’s Hazardous Materials Transportation requirements. Proactively identify and attend other appropriate training courses as needed (e.g., CHO certification, Biosafety, First Responder).
- Maintain, update, and implement chemical hygiene plan in response to federal and state regulations and collegiate needs.
- Collaboratively design, implement, and assess regular safety training and documentation for students, staff, and faculty working with, and around, hazardous materials and equipment in the workplace.
- Collaborate with faculty and staff regarding laboratory/workspace safety, including periodic safety assessments of laboratories/workspaces, testing and maintenance of safety equipment (e.g., fume hoods, eyewash stations), and document compliance.
- Be a resource for students, staff, and faculty to resolve problems related to chemical safety.
- Respond to and investigate Environmental Health and Safety emergencies working as part of an institutional emergency preparedness team.
- Oversee procurement, shipping, storage and disposal of hazardous materials and cryogens.
- Manage central facility for hazardous waste accumulation and retrieval, and facilitate periodic removal of waste. Work with faculty and staff to establish uniform procedures to document the generation, storage, and movement of hazardous waste from the laboratory/work site to the central facility or other disposal site.
- Other duties as assigned.
As Natural Sciences Technical Operations Specialist:
- Coordinate and order chemicals, cryogens, and other supplies.
- Oversee the maintenance and use of some laboratory instruments.
- Oversee safe operation of specialized equipment.
- Assist with chemical inventory software and accurate chemical inventory.
- Assist with procurement of equipment and instrumentation, including negotiating with vendors on pricing.
- Educate, train and supervise student workers who help with the safety and operations responsibilities.
- Other duties as assigned.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Required:
- Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry or a related field.
- 3-5 years laboratory experience.
- Experience with laboratory safety and management.
- Experience with instrument maintenance.
- Interest in continuing education in the areas of chemical and environmental safety/compliance, and technical operations.
- Ability to multitask effectively and respond to demands in a timely manner.
- Must have current training, or be able to complete training in six months in OSHA’s Hazard Communication, Laboratory, and Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response standards, and the Department of Transportation’s Hazardous Materials Transportation requirements.
- Good communication and interpersonal skills. (Many of the articulated duties and responsibilities will require collaboration with faculty and staff across the college.)
- Ability to lift 50 pounds.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Master’s degree in Chemistry or a related field.
- 3-5 years laboratory experience with progressively increasing experience with laboratory safety and management.
- Experience with biosafety.
- Experience with maintenance of multiple instruments.
Applications should include: a cover letter, a Curriculum Vitae, an unofficial graduate transcript, and contact information for three professional references. Review of applications will begin on Oct. 5th, 2026, and continue until the position is filled.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
Salaries at Kenyon are competitive and commensurate with experience. In addition to an attractive salary, Kenyon offers benefits for employees and their family members. Children of employees are eligible for 100% tuition waivers at Kenyon, and through the Great Lakes Colleges Association, children of employees are eligible for 90% tuition waivers at twenty-three other of the nation's finest liberal arts colleges.
We also offer health, dental and vision insurance, TIAA retirement, and many other benefits, including provisions for a spouse, families, and domestic partners. Details about benefits as well as conditions of employment are described more fully in our Staff Handbook.
Kenyon is a unique place to live and work.
Kenyon College is an equal opportunity employer, and we welcome applications from all qualified individuals. It is the College's policy to evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, physical and/or mental disability, age, religion, medical condition, veteran status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by institutional policy or state, local, or federal law. Kenyon College has a strong commitment to an inclusive environment that welcomes all voices and perspectives.
INTRODUCTION
Kenyon College invites applications for a combined Chemical and Environmental Health and Safety Coordinator and Natural Sciences Technical Operations Specialist starting November 2026. This is a 12-month, full-time position with benefits.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Primary Duties & Responsibilities
As Chemical and Environmental Health and Safety Specialist:
- Complete and annually refresh safety training such as OSHA’s Hazard Communication, laboratory, and Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response standards, and the Department of Transportation’s Hazardous Materials Transportation requirements. Proactively identify and attend other appropriate training courses as needed (e.g., CHO certification, Biosafety, First Responder).
- Maintain, update, and implement chemical hygiene plan in response to federal and state regulations and collegiate needs.
- Collaboratively design, implement, and assess regular safety training and documentation for students, staff, and faculty working with, and around, hazardous materials and equipment in the workplace.
- Collaborate with faculty and staff regarding laboratory/workspace safety, including periodic safety assessments of laboratories/workspaces, testing and maintenance of safety equipment (e.g., fume hoods, eyewash stations), and document compliance.
- Be a resource for students, staff, and faculty to resolve problems related to chemical safety.
- Respond to and investigate Environmental Health and Safety emergencies working as part of an institutional emergency preparedness team.
- Oversee procurement, shipping, storage and disposal of hazardous materials and cryogens.
- Manage central facility for hazardous waste accumulation and retrieval, and facilitate periodic removal of waste. Work with faculty and staff to establish uniform procedures to document the generation, storage, and movement of hazardous waste from the laboratory/work site to the central facility or other disposal site.
- Other duties as assigned.
As Natural Sciences Technical Operations Specialist:
- Coordinate and order chemicals, cryogens, and other supplies.
- Oversee the maintenance and use of some laboratory instruments.
- Oversee safe operation of specialized equipment.
- Assist with chemical inventory software and accurate chemical inventory.
- Assist with procurement of equipment and instrumentation, including negotiating with vendors on pricing.
- Educate, train and supervise student workers who help with the safety and operations responsibilities.
- Other duties as assigned.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Required:
- Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry or a related field.
- 3-5 years laboratory experience.
- Experience with laboratory safety and management.
- Experience with instrument maintenance.
- Interest in continuing education in the areas of chemical and environmental safety/compliance, and technical operations.
- Ability to multitask effectively and respond to demands in a timely manner.
- Must have current training, or be able to complete training in six months in OSHA’s Hazard Communication, Laboratory, and Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response standards, and the Department of Transportation’s Hazardous Materials Transportation requirements.
- Good communication and interpersonal skills. (Many of the articulated duties and responsibilities will require collaboration with faculty and staff across the college.)
- Ability to lift 50 pounds.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Master’s degree in Chemistry or a related field.
- 3-5 years laboratory experience with progressively increasing experience with laboratory safety and management.
- Experience with biosafety.
- Experience with maintenance of multiple instruments.
Applications should include: a cover letter, a Curriculum Vitae, an unofficial graduate transcript, and contact information for three professional references. Review of applications will begin on Oct. 5th, 2026, and continue until the position is filled.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
Salaries at Kenyon are competitive and commensurate with experience. In addition to an attractive salary, Kenyon offers benefits for employees and their family members. Children of employees are eligible for 100% tuition waivers at Kenyon, and through the Great Lakes Colleges Association, children of employees are eligible for 90% tuition waivers at twenty-three other of the nation's finest liberal arts colleges.
We also offer health, dental and vision insurance, TIAA retirement, and many other benefits, including provisions for a spouse, families, and domestic partners. Details about benefits as well as conditions of employment are described more fully in our Staff Handbook.
Kenyon is a unique place to live and work.
Kenyon College is an equal opportunity employer, and we welcome applications from all qualified individuals. It is the College's policy to evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, physical and/or mental disability, age, religion, medical condition, veteran status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by institutional policy or state, local, or federal law. Kenyon College has a strong commitment to an inclusive environment that welcomes all voices and perspectives.
See all 52+ OPT Health And Safety Specialist Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Health And Safety Specialist
Target STEM-designated programs
If your degree is in environmental health, industrial hygiene, or a related STEM field, confirm your program's CIP code qualifies for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. This doubles your authorized work period and makes you significantly more attractive to employers.
Lead with your EAD card timeline
Hiring managers in safety roles often worry about gaps in coverage. Clarify upfront that your EAD card is valid and state your exact end date. A clear authorization timeline reduces hesitation and keeps the focus on your qualifications rather than paperwork concerns.
Highlight OSHA certifications proactively
OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 certifications signal technical readiness and reduce employer training costs. Listing these prominently shows you can contribute immediately, which matters to employers who need active safety coverage and may offset concerns about sponsoring work authorization.
Focus on regulated industries first
Manufacturing, chemical processing, healthcare, and construction are federally regulated industries with dedicated safety departments. These employers hire Health and Safety Specialists regularly, have HR teams familiar with OPT, and are more likely to have sponsorship infrastructure already in place.
Frame H-1B transition as low-risk
Prepare a one-paragraph explanation of how H-1B visa sponsorship works for specialty occupation roles. Safety specialists typically qualify under engineering or science standards. Employers unfamiliar with the process are more likely to move forward when you can walk them through it confidently.
Use your OPT period to build a compliance track record
Document every audit, incident reduction, or regulatory compliance win during your OPT period. Concrete outcomes, such as reduced recordable incidents or passed OSHA inspections, give employers a compelling business case for investing in long-term sponsorship for your position.
Health And Safety Specialist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Health and Safety Specialist roles qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
They can, but it depends on your specific degree. If your bachelor's or master's is in environmental health, industrial hygiene, occupational safety, or a STEM-classified engineering field, you likely qualify for the 24-month extension. Degrees in general business or non-STEM disciplines do not qualify, so verify your program's CIP code with your DSO before applying.
How do I find Health and Safety Specialist jobs that accept OPT work authorization?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically for employers willing to sponsor or accept OPT work authorization, which saves significant time compared to applying broadly and discovering late in the process that a company won't support your status. Search Health and Safety Specialist roles on Migrate Mate to find positions where authorization is already confirmed upfront.
Is Health and Safety Specialist considered a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Generally yes, when the role requires a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific technical field such as industrial hygiene, environmental science, or safety engineering. Roles that accept any bachelor's degree regardless of field may face more scrutiny. The stronger the degree-to-job alignment, the cleaner the specialty occupation argument for H-1B petition purposes.
Can I work as a Health and Safety Specialist on OPT if my degree is in engineering?
Yes. Engineering degrees in civil, chemical, mechanical, or environmental disciplines are commonly used to support Health and Safety Specialist roles, particularly in construction, manufacturing, and chemical industries. The key is that the job duties must require and relate to your degree field. Your employer will need to document that connection if you later pursue H-1B sponsorship.
What should I do if my OPT expires before my employer files for H-1B?
If you have a STEM OPT extension, the 60-day cap-gap provision protects your status if your employer files an H-1B petition before your extension expires. Without STEM OPT, your options are more limited. Plan your timeline carefully: STEM OPT applications should be filed at least 90 days before your current EAD expires to avoid gaps in work authorization.