OPT Sustainability Jobs
Sustainability jobs on OPT span corporate ESG, environmental consulting, clean energy, and policy roles. Most require a degree in environmental science, sustainability, or a related field. STEM OPT extension eligibility varies by employer and role classification, so confirming your position qualifies before accepting an offer matters.
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Get Access To All JobsWHY DO WE NEED YOU?
The Environmental Compliance & Sustainability Specialist maintains audit-ready environmental programs and converts sustainability objectives into measurable site action across Saint-Gobain Innovation North America and R&D locations. Based in Northborough, MA and reporting to the Strategic EHS&S Manager, this on-site, hands-on role partners with researchers, Facilities, Engineering, EHS colleagues, vendors, and consultants to maintain compliance, reduce environmental impacts, and support responsible operations.
The Environmental Compliance & Sustainability Specialist:
- Leads waste management programs, including hazardous, non-hazardous, universal, recyclable, and laboratory waste; completes waste determinations and profiles; oversees accumulation areas, inspections, vendors, manifests, records, employee guidance, and reuse or recycling opportunities.
- Manages environmental compliance programs, including permits, plans, monitoring, inspections, and reporting for air, wastewater, stormwater, SPCC, EPCRA/Tier II, TRI applicability, and other applicable obligations. Maintains the environmental compliance calendar and prepares accurate, timely, and traceable submissions.
- Evaluates environmental risks and drives corrective action by supporting management-of-change (MOC) and capital-project reviews, assessing new chemicals, equipment, and processes, managing environmental vendors and consultants, supporting audits and inspections, and providing technical guidance for spill response and emergency planning.
- Coordinates sustainability metrics and improvement projects related to waste reduction, recycling, chemical reuse, energy, water, emissions, responsible materials, and circularity. Verifies data quality, tracks progress, and translates sustainability objectives into practical, measurable site initiatives.
The ideal candidate is a detail-oriented and proactive environmental professional with experience in waste management, environmental permitting and reporting, regulatory compliance, sustainability data, and pollution prevention within an R&D, laboratory, or similarly complex technical environment. The candidate demonstrates strong organization, technical judgment, documentation discipline, and the ability to collaborate across functions while driving environmental actions to timely and sustainable closure. Finally, the incumbent must be able to adjust priorities and respond promptly to emerging issues, unplanned needs, or safety-critical situations as required to meet the demands of this fast-paced, dynamic environment.
IS THIS JOB FOR YOU?
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree with 3+ years of relevant experience: Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, EHS, Sustainability, or a related technical discipline.
- Associate degree with 7+ years of directly relevant experience: Environmental Technology, EHS, Chemistry, Engineering Technology, or a related discipline.
- Experience working within a rigorous EHS environment (preferably R&D, lab or similarly complex technical environment) handling environmental compliance, environmental risk management, and waste management.
- General EHS, chemical safety, and lab safety knowledge.
- Environmental compliance: Permit requirements, regulatory plans, monitoring, audits, compliance calendars, recordkeeping, and reporting for air, wastewater, stormwater, SPCC, EPCRA/Tier II, TRI, or comparable environmental obligations (preferably lab or R&D environment).
- Waste Management: Hands-on hazardous, non-hazardous, universal, recyclable, or laboratory waste management experience, including waste determinations, profiles, accumulation areas, inspections, manifests, vendor coordination, and audit-ready documentation.
- Environmental Risk Management: Support management-of-change and capital-project reviews, audits, regulatory inspections, environmental incident investigation, spill response, emergency planning, and corrective-action closure.
- Organized, detail-oriented, and ability to manage multiple EHS&S tasks.
- Customer focus: Professional demeanor, positive energy, good listening and questioning skills, timely follow up to ensure that customer needs are met.
- Record Keeping: Proficiency with Microsoft Office and digital EHS systems, including data entry, reporting, training records, compliance documentation, and program tracking tools such as 4.0rms.
Preferred Qualifications
- Knowledge and experience working on 5S and sustainability initiatives (waste reduction, recycling, chemical reuse, energy, water, emissions, responsible materials, circularity, data verification, performance tracking, or improvement-project coordination).
- Sustainability: Waste reduction, chemical reuse/recycling, inventory control, and sustainability data.
- Understanding or working knowledge of ISO 14001, 45001, and 50001.
- Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM).
- Registered Environmental Manager (REM).
Physical & Work Requirements
- Pushing, pulling, lifting, and transporting up to 50lbs.
TO MAKE SURE NOTHING IS FORGOTTEN
Certain locations require pay information be provided in job postings. Saint-Gobain aims to deliver a comprehensive Total Rewards package to support our employees’ wellbeing and help improve daily life for themselves and their families. We believe in the importance of pay transparency in what we offer potential candidates. Provided is the national pay range for this position which is $72,500 to $111,500 per year. However, the base pay offered may vary depending on geographic region, internal equity, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors.
In addition to base salary, this position is eligible for an annual bonus. The targeted bonus amount is 9% of base salary based on company and individual performance measures. The Total Target Cash range (base pay and annual bonus) for this position, is $79,025 to $121,535. Bonus payments are part of variable compensation and by nature can vary based on company and individual performance and is not a guarantee.
A LITTLE MORE ABOUT US
At Saint-Gobain, our employees have pride in belonging to an organization whose culture is made up of these core values: Trust, Empowerment, & Collaboration. Our company encourages diversity and inclusion in all its forms while our products make the world a more beautiful, safer, and sustainable home.
LEGAL STATEMENT
Saint-Gobain provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. Saint-Gobain is an equal opportunity employer of individuals with disabilities and supports the hiring of veterans.
This position is subject to export controls under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Qualified applicants for the position must meet the ITAR definition of “U.S. Person” at 22 C.F.R. 120.15 as a: U.S. citizen, U.S. national, lawful permanent resident, or otherwise a protected individual (including for example refugees and asylees).
Applicants for roles based in Washington state or remote roles that would be worked from Washington state are encouraged to direct any concerns regarding the state’s Pay Transparency laws to the SGNA HR Compliance team at SGNA_HR_Compliance@saint-gobain.com.
BENEFITS IN JOINING US
Saint-Gobain is committed to helping you and your family be well in all aspects of your life. Be Well. Be You brings together inclusive programs and meaningful resources to support all aspects of your physical, emotional, financial, and social well-being. Employees have the flexibility to choose the benefits that best fit their individual needs.
- Health and Well-being – Supporting your wellbeing, to thrive in life and work.
- Medical, Prescription Drug, Vision, and Dental Insurance.
- Healthcare Saving Account and Flexible Spending Account options.
- LiveWell Wellness Program.
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
- Paid Time Off and Paid Parental Leave.
Retirement and Protection – Helping to make the future life you want a reality.
- 401(k) with Company Match, Retirement Accumulation Plan (RAP) Cash Balance Pension Plan.
- Company-provided Life Insurance, AD&D, Short-Term Disability.
- Voluntary employee and dependent life insurance, Long-Term Disability, Critical Illness and Accident Insurance.
Additional Benefits – Helping shape the experience and impact you want.
- Group Legal.
- Identity Theft Protection.
- Auto and Home Insurance.
- Pet Insurance and Discounts.
- Back-up Child and Elder Care.
- PerkSpot Employee Discount Program.
- Volunteer Day.
Job Reference: USA15603
WHY DO WE NEED YOU?
The Environmental Compliance & Sustainability Specialist maintains audit-ready environmental programs and converts sustainability objectives into measurable site action across Saint-Gobain Innovation North America and R&D locations. Based in Northborough, MA and reporting to the Strategic EHS&S Manager, this on-site, hands-on role partners with researchers, Facilities, Engineering, EHS colleagues, vendors, and consultants to maintain compliance, reduce environmental impacts, and support responsible operations.
The Environmental Compliance & Sustainability Specialist:
- Leads waste management programs, including hazardous, non-hazardous, universal, recyclable, and laboratory waste; completes waste determinations and profiles; oversees accumulation areas, inspections, vendors, manifests, records, employee guidance, and reuse or recycling opportunities.
- Manages environmental compliance programs, including permits, plans, monitoring, inspections, and reporting for air, wastewater, stormwater, SPCC, EPCRA/Tier II, TRI applicability, and other applicable obligations. Maintains the environmental compliance calendar and prepares accurate, timely, and traceable submissions.
- Evaluates environmental risks and drives corrective action by supporting management-of-change (MOC) and capital-project reviews, assessing new chemicals, equipment, and processes, managing environmental vendors and consultants, supporting audits and inspections, and providing technical guidance for spill response and emergency planning.
- Coordinates sustainability metrics and improvement projects related to waste reduction, recycling, chemical reuse, energy, water, emissions, responsible materials, and circularity. Verifies data quality, tracks progress, and translates sustainability objectives into practical, measurable site initiatives.
The ideal candidate is a detail-oriented and proactive environmental professional with experience in waste management, environmental permitting and reporting, regulatory compliance, sustainability data, and pollution prevention within an R&D, laboratory, or similarly complex technical environment. The candidate demonstrates strong organization, technical judgment, documentation discipline, and the ability to collaborate across functions while driving environmental actions to timely and sustainable closure. Finally, the incumbent must be able to adjust priorities and respond promptly to emerging issues, unplanned needs, or safety-critical situations as required to meet the demands of this fast-paced, dynamic environment.
IS THIS JOB FOR YOU?
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree with 3+ years of relevant experience: Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, EHS, Sustainability, or a related technical discipline.
- Associate degree with 7+ years of directly relevant experience: Environmental Technology, EHS, Chemistry, Engineering Technology, or a related discipline.
- Experience working within a rigorous EHS environment (preferably R&D, lab or similarly complex technical environment) handling environmental compliance, environmental risk management, and waste management.
- General EHS, chemical safety, and lab safety knowledge.
- Environmental compliance: Permit requirements, regulatory plans, monitoring, audits, compliance calendars, recordkeeping, and reporting for air, wastewater, stormwater, SPCC, EPCRA/Tier II, TRI, or comparable environmental obligations (preferably lab or R&D environment).
- Waste Management: Hands-on hazardous, non-hazardous, universal, recyclable, or laboratory waste management experience, including waste determinations, profiles, accumulation areas, inspections, manifests, vendor coordination, and audit-ready documentation.
- Environmental Risk Management: Support management-of-change and capital-project reviews, audits, regulatory inspections, environmental incident investigation, spill response, emergency planning, and corrective-action closure.
- Organized, detail-oriented, and ability to manage multiple EHS&S tasks.
- Customer focus: Professional demeanor, positive energy, good listening and questioning skills, timely follow up to ensure that customer needs are met.
- Record Keeping: Proficiency with Microsoft Office and digital EHS systems, including data entry, reporting, training records, compliance documentation, and program tracking tools such as 4.0rms.
Preferred Qualifications
- Knowledge and experience working on 5S and sustainability initiatives (waste reduction, recycling, chemical reuse, energy, water, emissions, responsible materials, circularity, data verification, performance tracking, or improvement-project coordination).
- Sustainability: Waste reduction, chemical reuse/recycling, inventory control, and sustainability data.
- Understanding or working knowledge of ISO 14001, 45001, and 50001.
- Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM).
- Registered Environmental Manager (REM).
Physical & Work Requirements
- Pushing, pulling, lifting, and transporting up to 50lbs.
TO MAKE SURE NOTHING IS FORGOTTEN
Certain locations require pay information be provided in job postings. Saint-Gobain aims to deliver a comprehensive Total Rewards package to support our employees’ wellbeing and help improve daily life for themselves and their families. We believe in the importance of pay transparency in what we offer potential candidates. Provided is the national pay range for this position which is $72,500 to $111,500 per year. However, the base pay offered may vary depending on geographic region, internal equity, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors.
In addition to base salary, this position is eligible for an annual bonus. The targeted bonus amount is 9% of base salary based on company and individual performance measures. The Total Target Cash range (base pay and annual bonus) for this position, is $79,025 to $121,535. Bonus payments are part of variable compensation and by nature can vary based on company and individual performance and is not a guarantee.
A LITTLE MORE ABOUT US
At Saint-Gobain, our employees have pride in belonging to an organization whose culture is made up of these core values: Trust, Empowerment, & Collaboration. Our company encourages diversity and inclusion in all its forms while our products make the world a more beautiful, safer, and sustainable home.
LEGAL STATEMENT
Saint-Gobain provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. Saint-Gobain is an equal opportunity employer of individuals with disabilities and supports the hiring of veterans.
This position is subject to export controls under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Qualified applicants for the position must meet the ITAR definition of “U.S. Person” at 22 C.F.R. 120.15 as a: U.S. citizen, U.S. national, lawful permanent resident, or otherwise a protected individual (including for example refugees and asylees).
Applicants for roles based in Washington state or remote roles that would be worked from Washington state are encouraged to direct any concerns regarding the state’s Pay Transparency laws to the SGNA HR Compliance team at SGNA_HR_Compliance@saint-gobain.com.
BENEFITS IN JOINING US
Saint-Gobain is committed to helping you and your family be well in all aspects of your life. Be Well. Be You brings together inclusive programs and meaningful resources to support all aspects of your physical, emotional, financial, and social well-being. Employees have the flexibility to choose the benefits that best fit their individual needs.
- Health and Well-being – Supporting your wellbeing, to thrive in life and work.
- Medical, Prescription Drug, Vision, and Dental Insurance.
- Healthcare Saving Account and Flexible Spending Account options.
- LiveWell Wellness Program.
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
- Paid Time Off and Paid Parental Leave.
Retirement and Protection – Helping to make the future life you want a reality.
- 401(k) with Company Match, Retirement Accumulation Plan (RAP) Cash Balance Pension Plan.
- Company-provided Life Insurance, AD&D, Short-Term Disability.
- Voluntary employee and dependent life insurance, Long-Term Disability, Critical Illness and Accident Insurance.
Additional Benefits – Helping shape the experience and impact you want.
- Group Legal.
- Identity Theft Protection.
- Auto and Home Insurance.
- Pet Insurance and Discounts.
- Back-up Child and Elder Care.
- PerkSpot Employee Discount Program.
- Volunteer Day.
Job Reference: USA15603
See all 32+ OPT Sustainability Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Sustainability Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Sustainability
Confirm your role qualifies for STEM OPT
Not all sustainability titles are classified under STEM CIP codes. Verify your specific role and degree combination qualifies for the 24-month STEM extension before committing to an employer, since OPT duration directly affects your timeline.
Target employers with active E-Verify enrollment
STEM OPT extension requires your employer to be enrolled in E-Verify. Many sustainability roles sit inside large corporations or consultancies that already comply. Confirm enrollment during the offer stage, not after you've accepted.
Frame your sustainability expertise around business impact
Employers sponsoring OPT want to see tangible value. Quantify your contributions: carbon reductions achieved, compliance programs built, or ESG reports authored. Concrete outcomes make a stronger case for continued sponsorship than general environmental knowledge.
Look for roles tied to federal contracts or regulated industries
Utilities, government contractors, and publicly traded companies face mandatory sustainability reporting requirements. These employers have ongoing compliance needs, making them more likely to invest in hiring and retaining international sustainability professionals long term.
Highlight dual expertise in data and sustainability
Professionals who combine sustainability knowledge with data skills such as GHG accounting, life cycle analysis, or ESG metrics tools are significantly more competitive. This overlap also increases the chance your role qualifies under a STEM-eligible CIP code.
Start the STEM OPT extension process at least 90 days early
Your DSO must recommend the STEM extension before your current OPT expires. Filing early protects your work authorization gap. Missing this window means stopping work, so build the timeline into your job search from the beginning.
Sustainability OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work in a sustainability role on OPT without a STEM degree?
Yes. If your degree is in a non-STEM field like environmental policy or urban planning, you can still work on the standard 12-month OPT authorization. You won't be eligible for the 24-month STEM extension, which limits your runway before needing H-1B visa or another visa. Employers aware of that shorter timeline may be less willing to invest in sponsorship.
Which sustainability job titles are most likely to qualify for STEM OPT extension?
Roles most likely to qualify include sustainability analyst, environmental data analyst, energy engineer, and climate risk modeler, particularly when tied to a STEM-designated CIP code like environmental science or environmental engineering. Job titles alone don't determine eligibility. The degree field and the actual job duties both factor into whether USCIS recognizes the role as qualifying. Confirm with your DSO before accepting.
How do I find sustainability employers that are open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate is the most direct way to find sustainability jobs where employers are open to OPT and visa sponsorship. Many sustainability roles at consulting firms, energy companies, and large corporations with active ESG programs regularly hire international candidates. Filtering by sponsorship willingness upfront saves you from applying to roles where your work authorization will be an obstacle.
Does working for a nonprofit in sustainability affect my OPT or STEM extension eligibility?
Standard OPT is unaffected by nonprofit status. For the STEM extension, the key requirement is that your employer is enrolled in E-Verify. Many nonprofits are not enrolled, which would disqualify the position regardless of how relevant the work is to your degree. Always verify E-Verify enrollment before accepting a sustainability role at a nonprofit or smaller organization.
What happens to my OPT if my sustainability employer loses funding or shuts down a program?
If you lose your job, you have a 90-day unemployment allowance across your total OPT period. For the STEM extension, the allowance is 150 days total across both OPT periods combined. You must report the job loss to your DSO promptly. Exceeding the unemployment limit violates your status, so starting a new job search immediately is important.