OPT Quality Specialist Jobs
Quality Specialist roles are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with backgrounds in engineering, manufacturing, or life sciences. Most positions qualify as STEM OPT extensions, giving you up to three years of work authorization. Employers in regulated industries like medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and aerospace routinely hire OPT candidates for quality assurance and compliance work.
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Veolia in North America is the top-ranked environmental company in the United States for three consecutive years, and the country’s largest private water operator and technology provider as well as hazardous waste and pollution treatment leader. It offers a full spectrum of water, waste, and energy management services, including water and wastewater treatment, commercial and hazardous waste collection and disposal, energy consulting and resource recovery. Veolia helps commercial, industrial, healthcare, higher education and municipality customers throughout North America. Headquartered in Boston, Veolia has more than 10,000 employees working at more than 350 locations across North America.
Job Description
Position Purpose:
The position will serve a core role in the oversight and management of Veolia Water New York’s (VWNY) environmental compliance operations related to water quality, water/wastewater treatment, and distribution monitoring in Veolia’s North American operations. As a member of the Water Quality Department, the team member will be continuously working to ensure that the water quality of the VWNY operations consistently meets and surpasses water quality standards as required by the county, state and federal regulatory agencies. This member will also be dedicated to advancing the operational best practices of Veolia. A strong understanding of compliance rules and regulations in the water sector is essential.
Primary Duties/Responsibilities:
- Support the development, operation, and maintenance of a compliance data management system (e.g. SAMS).
- Responsible for the development and maintenance of various compliance tracking mechanisms (spreadsheets, dashboards, key performance indicators, etc.) to monitor operations and compliance.
- Stay up to date with water and wastewater regulations within the regions where VWNY operates.
- Supervise the sample collection process to ensure required samples are collected within all State and Federal schedules.
- Maintain good relationships with contract laboratories and review data generated for accuracy.
- Ensure the State and Federal sampling plans are up to date, and sampling schedules are configured and uploaded into the data management system for various facilities.
- Timely preparation and dissemination of required reports, both internally and externally.
- Assist with identifying root causes of water quality/treatment issues; recommend and assist production with implementing and monitoring optimized treatment solutions to maintain water quality.
- Assist with addressing customer water quality issues through sampling and qualitative and quantitative laboratory testing.
- Assist with the development of training documents, SOPs, and related materials. Train employees on regulatory requirements, sample collection, and field analysis procedures.
- Participate in or support special projects/initiatives related to WQ (e.g. Lead & Copper Rule, PFAS treatment) to enhance compliance and optimize treatment methods and/or quality of product, including unregulated contaminants.
- Operate within a team-oriented atmosphere, motivate and support peers in achievement of shared objectives, and maintain professional relationships with all internal and external staff.
- Perform other duties, as assigned.
Work Environment:
- While this role is primarily office-based, special assignments may require working in various field environments.
- These environments can include outdoor locations during inclement weather, as well as indoor areas such as water/wastewater treatment plants, customer properties, pumping stations, and roadways, as needed to complete the required work.
Qualifications
Education/Experience/Background:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry, Environmental Science, Engineering and/or Biology, preferred.
- Master’s degree in related fields is a plus.
- 2+ years of overall experience in data management/analytics, Water/Wastewater Quality/Environmental compliance reporting preferably working with drinking water or wastewater treatment plants, or other processes/facilities (e.g. industrial waste treatment) that are governed by Federal or State environmental regulatory agencies.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:
- Working knowledge of water quality regulations and water treatment plant processes.
- Basic knowledge of chemistry, biology and mathematics.
- Strong data management skills. Ability to manage and interpret WQ data (data management / database management).
- Demonstrated ability to problem-solve or trouble-shoot laboratory or treatment issues to ensure organizational goal of zero violations is met.
- Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
- Ability to shift priorities frequently and effectively depending on project requirements and deadlines.
- Strong interpersonal skills to effectively interact with teams at all levels, both internally and externally.
- Basic understanding of environmental compliance regulations.
- Ability to use Google Workspace and Excel.
Required Certification/Licenses/Training:
- Possesses and maintains a valid driver's license and safe driving record if required to use company vehicles.
Additional Information
Pay Range: $75000 to $83000 per year.
Benefits: Veolia’s comprehensive benefits package includes paid time off policies, as well as health, dental, vision, life insurance, savings accounts, tuition reimbursement, paid volunteering and more. In addition, employees are also entitled to participate in an employer sponsored 401(k) plan, to save for retirement.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer! All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.
Disclaimer: The salary, other compensation, and benefits information is accurate as of the date of this posting. The Company reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.
Company Description
Veolia in North America is the top-ranked environmental company in the United States for three consecutive years, and the country’s largest private water operator and technology provider as well as hazardous waste and pollution treatment leader. It offers a full spectrum of water, waste, and energy management services, including water and wastewater treatment, commercial and hazardous waste collection and disposal, energy consulting and resource recovery. Veolia helps commercial, industrial, healthcare, higher education and municipality customers throughout North America. Headquartered in Boston, Veolia has more than 10,000 employees working at more than 350 locations across North America.
Job Description
Position Purpose:
The position will serve a core role in the oversight and management of Veolia Water New York’s (VWNY) environmental compliance operations related to water quality, water/wastewater treatment, and distribution monitoring in Veolia’s North American operations. As a member of the Water Quality Department, the team member will be continuously working to ensure that the water quality of the VWNY operations consistently meets and surpasses water quality standards as required by the county, state and federal regulatory agencies. This member will also be dedicated to advancing the operational best practices of Veolia. A strong understanding of compliance rules and regulations in the water sector is essential.
Primary Duties/Responsibilities:
- Support the development, operation, and maintenance of a compliance data management system (e.g. SAMS).
- Responsible for the development and maintenance of various compliance tracking mechanisms (spreadsheets, dashboards, key performance indicators, etc.) to monitor operations and compliance.
- Stay up to date with water and wastewater regulations within the regions where VWNY operates.
- Supervise the sample collection process to ensure required samples are collected within all State and Federal schedules.
- Maintain good relationships with contract laboratories and review data generated for accuracy.
- Ensure the State and Federal sampling plans are up to date, and sampling schedules are configured and uploaded into the data management system for various facilities.
- Timely preparation and dissemination of required reports, both internally and externally.
- Assist with identifying root causes of water quality/treatment issues; recommend and assist production with implementing and monitoring optimized treatment solutions to maintain water quality.
- Assist with addressing customer water quality issues through sampling and qualitative and quantitative laboratory testing.
- Assist with the development of training documents, SOPs, and related materials. Train employees on regulatory requirements, sample collection, and field analysis procedures.
- Participate in or support special projects/initiatives related to WQ (e.g. Lead & Copper Rule, PFAS treatment) to enhance compliance and optimize treatment methods and/or quality of product, including unregulated contaminants.
- Operate within a team-oriented atmosphere, motivate and support peers in achievement of shared objectives, and maintain professional relationships with all internal and external staff.
- Perform other duties, as assigned.
Work Environment:
- While this role is primarily office-based, special assignments may require working in various field environments.
- These environments can include outdoor locations during inclement weather, as well as indoor areas such as water/wastewater treatment plants, customer properties, pumping stations, and roadways, as needed to complete the required work.
Qualifications
Education/Experience/Background:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry, Environmental Science, Engineering and/or Biology, preferred.
- Master’s degree in related fields is a plus.
- 2+ years of overall experience in data management/analytics, Water/Wastewater Quality/Environmental compliance reporting preferably working with drinking water or wastewater treatment plants, or other processes/facilities (e.g. industrial waste treatment) that are governed by Federal or State environmental regulatory agencies.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:
- Working knowledge of water quality regulations and water treatment plant processes.
- Basic knowledge of chemistry, biology and mathematics.
- Strong data management skills. Ability to manage and interpret WQ data (data management / database management).
- Demonstrated ability to problem-solve or trouble-shoot laboratory or treatment issues to ensure organizational goal of zero violations is met.
- Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
- Ability to shift priorities frequently and effectively depending on project requirements and deadlines.
- Strong interpersonal skills to effectively interact with teams at all levels, both internally and externally.
- Basic understanding of environmental compliance regulations.
- Ability to use Google Workspace and Excel.
Required Certification/Licenses/Training:
- Possesses and maintains a valid driver's license and safe driving record if required to use company vehicles.
Additional Information
Pay Range: $75000 to $83000 per year.
Benefits: Veolia’s comprehensive benefits package includes paid time off policies, as well as health, dental, vision, life insurance, savings accounts, tuition reimbursement, paid volunteering and more. In addition, employees are also entitled to participate in an employer sponsored 401(k) plan, to save for retirement.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer! All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.
Disclaimer: The salary, other compensation, and benefits information is accurate as of the date of this posting. The Company reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.
See all 637+ OPT Quality Specialist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Quality Specialist Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Quality Specialist
Target STEM-designated programs
Quality Specialist roles in engineering and sciences typically qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Confirm your degree CIP code is STEM-eligible before applying so you can honestly communicate your full three-year authorization window to employers.
Lead with regulatory knowledge
Employers in FDA-regulated industries prioritize candidates who understand ISO 9001, GMP, or 21 CFR Part 820. Highlight any coursework, lab experience, or internships involving quality management systems, audits, or corrective action processes directly in your resume summary.
Address OPT proactively in applications
Hiring managers often hesitate because they misunderstand OPT. State clearly in your cover letter that OPT requires no employer sponsorship cost or petition during the authorization period, and that STEM extension gives them three years of work authorization.
Pursue quality certifications
A Certified Quality Improvement Associate or Six Sigma Green Belt certification signals serious commitment to the field. These credentials reduce employer hesitation about OPT candidates because they demonstrate measurable professional investment beyond your degree alone.
Focus on industries with high OPT hire rates
Medical devices, automotive, aerospace, and contract manufacturing firms consistently hire OPT students for quality roles. These industries operate under strict compliance requirements and value technically trained candidates, making them more comfortable navigating work authorization paperwork.
Quantify quality impact on your resume
Generic quality descriptions lose hiring managers fast. Cite specific outcomes: defect reduction percentages, audit pass rates, or process improvement results. Concrete metrics make your application competitive against domestic candidates and demonstrate real-world quality systems experience.
Quality Specialist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Quality Specialist employers need to sponsor F-1 OPT students?
No. During your OPT period, you already have work authorization through USCIS. Your employer does not file any petition or pay any sponsorship fee. For STEM OPT extension, your employer must be E-Verify enrolled and sign a training plan, but that is not the same as visa sponsorship. You can browse OPT-friendly Quality Specialist openings directly on Migrate Mate.
Does a Quality Specialist role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Most do, provided your underlying degree is in a STEM-designated field such as industrial engineering, mechanical engineering, chemistry, or biology. The job itself does not need to be classified as STEM, but it must be directly related to your degree program. Review your degree's CIP code with your DSO before applying to confirm STEM eligibility.
What degree backgrounds are most relevant for Quality Specialist OPT jobs?
Industrial engineering, mechanical engineering, biomedical engineering, chemistry, biochemistry, and manufacturing technology are the most common degree backgrounds. Life sciences degrees are especially relevant for pharmaceutical and medical device quality roles. Employers in regulated industries expect your coursework to connect directly to quality management, statistics, or process control concepts.
How does the 90-day unemployment rule affect Quality Specialist job searches?
USCIS allows no more than 90 cumulative days of unemployment during standard OPT and an additional 60 days during STEM OPT extension. Quality Specialist roles can take time to secure because many positions require industry-specific experience. Start your search early, track your unemployment days carefully, and target regulated industries where hiring timelines tend to move faster.
Can I work for a staffing agency or contract firm as a Quality Specialist on OPT?
Yes, third-party placement is generally permitted on OPT as long as there is a bona fide employer-employee relationship and the work is related to your degree. For STEM OPT specifically, the end client site must also be E-Verify enrolled. Confirm with your DSO before accepting any contract arrangement to ensure your training plan meets USCIS requirements.