OPT Hse Manager Jobs
HSE Manager jobs on OPT require employers to file an H-1B visa or sponsor a cap-exempt visa before your OPT period ends. Most roles classify under specialty occupation standards, and STEM OPT extensions apply if your degree is in engineering, environmental science, or a related field.
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At Alcon, we're passionate about enhancing sight and helping people see brilliantly. With more than 25,000 associates, we innovate fearlessly, champion progress, and act swiftly to impact global eye health. We foster an inclusive culture, recognizing your contributions and offering opportunities to grow your career like never before. Together, we make a difference in the lives of our patients and customers. Are you ready to join us?
Alcon is looking to hire a Facilities and HSE Manager. The Facilities and HSE Manager is responsible for all building related activities to ensure the proper operation of the facility. The Facilities and HSE Manager is also responsible for Health Safety and Environmental compliance for the site. The position reports into the Site Leader, is a member of the Site Leadership Team, and collaborates with all functions at the site as well as Alcon’s corporate HSE, Security and Facilities organizations.
This role is on-site in Durham, NC and a typical day would include:
- Manage daily Facilities, Safety, and Hazwaste operations for a 65,000 square foot Pharmaceutical R&D facility with 70+ personnel.
- Manage all facility-related projects, including maintenance, facility improvements and facility-related capital projects.
- Negotiates vendor agreements and ensures compliance to scope of work, including janitorial and HVAC, electrical, and plumbing contractors.
- Inspects, and with vendor support, maintains utilities, backup power, and HVAC systems.
- Submits strategic forecasting for the facility’s upcoming needs and requirements. Prepares the annual Facilities and HSE expense and capital budgets and manages spend to meet budget targets.
- Supports departments in GMP operations.
- Responsible for Security at the site, including adding/removing users from the security access system.
- Leads HSE activities for the site. Develops effective and efficient HSE Management System and incorporates Global HSE initiatives/programs into sites HSE programs. Ensures the site complies with all regulatory requirements and Alcon HSE standards.
- Develops and drives risk management programs for the site.
- Ongoing support to the sites continuous improvement culture by developing and implementing quantifiable improvement initiatives.
- Leads site HSE audits.
- Responsible for incident management and monthly HSE data reporting.
- Responsible for chemical waste management and wastewater management for the site.
- Serves as Primary Emergency Coordinator and Hazwaste Manager.
- Leads the Safety Team and promotes a culture of safety.
- Collaborates with the property manager/landlord on matters related to the building lease.
- Create and/or update facility and site HSE SOPs as needed.
- Ensure appropriate metrics/KPIs are recorded and monitored. Suggest actions if metrics are below target.
- Manage, develop and maintain all space planning requirements, including internal employee moves, new hires and floor plans.
- Ability to collaborate across functions within the site as well as with corporate stakeholders, the facility landlord, third party vendors and regulators.
- Ability to act with initiative and good judgment and work independently. Responsive to site emergencies at all hours.
- Demonstrated effectiveness as a hands-on, results-oriented person who is willing and able to work on a broad variety of activities and projects.
- Excellent technical troubleshooting and resolution skills with service-oriented mindset.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills; ability to interact with peers as well as with senior leaders in the company.
What You’ll Bring to Alcon:
- Bachelor’s Degree or Equivalent years of directly related experience (or high school +13 yrs; Assoc.+9 yrs; M.S.+2 yrs; PhD+0 yrs)
- The ability to fluently read, write, understand and communicate in English
- 5 Years of Relevant Experience
Preferred Qualifications:
- Previous experience managing a lab and office facility strongly desired, preferably in the pharmaceutical industry.
- Strong understanding of HSE regulations and requirements and managing workplace HSE programs.
- Basic knowledge of HVAC, plumbing and electrical systems, and experience working with Building Management Systems.
- Experience supporting a GMP lab or manufacturing environment.
- Experience negotiating contracts with vendors.
- Work with Microsoft Office Suite, ERP software (e.g., SAP), building management systems (preferably Desigo), and other software.
How You Can Thrive at Alcon:
- See your career like never before with focused growth and development opportunities
- Join Alcon’s mission to provide outstanding, innovative products and solutions to improve sight, improve lives, and grow your career!
- Alcon provides a robust benefits package including health, life, retirement, flexible time off and much more.
- Travel up to 10%
- Sponsorship - Yes
ATTENTION: Current Alcon Employee/Contingent Worker
If you are currently an active employee/contingent worker at Alcon, please click the appropriate link below to apply on the Internal Career site.
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ALCON IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER AND PARTICIPATES IN E-VERIFY
Alcon takes pride in maintaining an inclusive environment that values different perspectives and our policies are non-discriminatory in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status. Alcon is also committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, or in order to perform the essential functions of a position, please send an email to alcon.recruitment@alcon.com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Hse Manager
Target industries with established HSE departments
Oil and gas, construction, and manufacturing firms hire HSE Managers regularly and often have HR infrastructure for visa sponsorship. Smaller employers may want to sponsor but lack the internal process to follow through.
Confirm your degree supports specialty occupation status
USCIS requires a direct connection between your degree field and the HSE Manager role. Environmental science, industrial hygiene, occupational health, or engineering degrees are the strongest fits for specialty occupation approval.
Apply early if your OPT window is under 12 months
H-1B visa sponsorship requires lottery selection in April for an October start. If your OPT expires before October of the following year, your employer needs to act fast or explore cap-exempt alternatives like nonprofits or universities.
Highlight certifications that signal long-term hiring value
Credentials like the OSHA 30, CSP, or ISO 45001 Lead Auditor demonstrate professional commitment and make sponsorship feel lower-risk to employers. Certified candidates are easier to justify sponsoring internally to HR and finance.
Understand STEM OPT eligibility for your specific degree
If your degree is in a STEM-designated field, you may qualify for a 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving you 36 months total. This additional runway is a major advantage when negotiating sponsorship timelines with employers.
Frame visa sponsorship as a straightforward process for the employer
Many HSE Manager hiring managers assume sponsorship is complicated. Coming prepared with a clear explanation of the H-1B process, typical timelines, and employer costs helps remove objections before they become deal-breakers.
Hse Manager OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do HSE Manager roles qualify for STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree, not the job title. If you graduated with a degree in environmental science, industrial hygiene, occupational safety engineering, or another STEM-designated field, you likely qualify for the 24-month extension. The job itself doesn't trigger STEM OPT eligibility. You need to confirm your specific CIP code with your DSO before assuming you qualify.
Will employers sponsor an HSE Manager on OPT for an H-1B?
Many do, particularly in oil and gas, construction, utilities, and manufacturing, where HSE compliance is legally required and the role is difficult to leave unfilled. Employers who already have immigration counsel on retainer are the most likely sponsors. Browse open HSE Manager roles with sponsorship filters on Migrate Mate to narrow your search to employers who have sponsored visas before.
Does an HSE Manager role meet the H-1B specialty occupation requirement?
Generally yes, if the position requires a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific field such as environmental science, industrial hygiene, or engineering. Roles described broadly, where any degree is acceptable, face higher scrutiny from USCIS. The job description and your degree both need to align. An immigration attorney can assess your specific offer letter and degree combination before the employer files.
What happens to my OPT authorization if I change HSE Manager employers?
On standard OPT, you can change employers as long as the new role is directly related to your degree field and you report the change to your DSO within 10 days. On STEM OPT, you must also be enrolled in a formal training plan with the new employer and file an updated I-983 before starting. Gaps in employment exceeding 90 days on standard OPT can affect your status.
Can I work as an independent contractor in an HSE Manager capacity on OPT?
OPT does permit self-employment and contract work, but the arrangement must constitute a legitimate employer-employee or client relationship with direct ties to your degree field. Pure freelance consulting without a structured engagement can draw scrutiny during STEM OPT, which requires a qualifying employer relationship and a signed training plan. Discuss contract structures with your DSO before accepting any arrangement that isn't traditional W-2 employment.