OPT Wastewater Operator Jobs
Wastewater Operator jobs on OPT are available at municipal utilities, water districts, and environmental services firms across the U.S. Most roles require state licensure, so confirming exam eligibility during your OPT period is an early priority. STEM OPT extension may apply if your degree is in environmental engineering or a related field.
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We are seeking an ambitious Environmental / Industrial Wastewater Engineer to grow with our environmental engineering group. In this role you will work closely with our civil, process, mechanical, and architectural professionals to scope, permit, design, lay out, install, and commission industrial wastewater systems for our food and beverage clients.
Responsibilities:
- Assisting project management with the development of project scope, budget, and schedule for all environmental related work
- Conducting site audits to aid in site selection decisions
- Evaluating air and wastewater quality parameters and designing an optimized treatment process
- Preparing process flow and piping and instrumentation diagrams
- Sizing and specification of air and wastewater treatment processes and utilities
- Proficient in wastewater mass balance efficiency calculations
- Equipment procurement and bid evaluation
- Coordinating the construction schedule and work of contractors for utilities and air emissions and wastewater treatment processes
- Overseeing construction of air emissions and wastewater treatment facilities and equipment
- Start-up and commissioning
- On-site construction project coordination and management with travel requirements between 20-40% of the year
About You
- Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering or Process Engineering.
- Fundamental understanding of wastewater treatment, air emissions, associated treatment processes and equipment, capital project scoping and estimating, specifications, and Design/Build construction.
- Experience in industrial wastewater treatment
- Strong knowledge of biological treatment processes (activated sludge, anaerobic digestion, DAF, MBR, etc.).
- Demonstrated experience with environmental permitting, regulatory compliance, and agency interactions.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills with proven client interaction and experience and the ability to lead cross-functional teams.
- Strong problem solving, organizing, and time management skills.
- Intellectual curiosity and a positive, can-do, team-oriented attitude.
- Proficiency with MS Office, AutoCAD and Plant 3D
Preferred
- Experience working for professional services, environmental engineering, industrial wastewater treatment, air emissions treatment and control, and food and beverage firms is a plus.
- Experience with sustainability programs, water reuse systems, or resource recovery technologies.
- Familiarity with HACCP, GMPs, and food industry operational practices.
- Familiar with project execution steps from concept through commissioning.
- Professional Engineer (PE) license or EIT/FE is a plus.
About us
We plan, design, engineer, and build food plants for major brands across the country and the world. For the past three decades, we’ve focused exclusively on the food and beverage industry, helping your favorite brands put your favorite foods in the grocery store. Simply put, food isn’t one thing we do, it’s all we do.
Dennis Group offers competitive compensation packages commensurate with experience. We provide comprehensive employee benefits including medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, paid time off including an open vacation policy, as well as bonus, profit-sharing, and retirement plans.
Dennis Group is proud to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or genetics.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
Job Summary
We are seeking an ambitious Environmental / Industrial Wastewater Engineer to grow with our environmental engineering group. In this role you will work closely with our civil, process, mechanical, and architectural professionals to scope, permit, design, lay out, install, and commission industrial wastewater systems for our food and beverage clients.
Responsibilities:
- Assisting project management with the development of project scope, budget, and schedule for all environmental related work
- Conducting site audits to aid in site selection decisions
- Evaluating air and wastewater quality parameters and designing an optimized treatment process
- Preparing process flow and piping and instrumentation diagrams
- Sizing and specification of air and wastewater treatment processes and utilities
- Proficient in wastewater mass balance efficiency calculations
- Equipment procurement and bid evaluation
- Coordinating the construction schedule and work of contractors for utilities and air emissions and wastewater treatment processes
- Overseeing construction of air emissions and wastewater treatment facilities and equipment
- Start-up and commissioning
- On-site construction project coordination and management with travel requirements between 20-40% of the year
About You
- Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering or Process Engineering.
- Fundamental understanding of wastewater treatment, air emissions, associated treatment processes and equipment, capital project scoping and estimating, specifications, and Design/Build construction.
- Experience in industrial wastewater treatment
- Strong knowledge of biological treatment processes (activated sludge, anaerobic digestion, DAF, MBR, etc.).
- Demonstrated experience with environmental permitting, regulatory compliance, and agency interactions.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills with proven client interaction and experience and the ability to lead cross-functional teams.
- Strong problem solving, organizing, and time management skills.
- Intellectual curiosity and a positive, can-do, team-oriented attitude.
- Proficiency with MS Office, AutoCAD and Plant 3D
Preferred
- Experience working for professional services, environmental engineering, industrial wastewater treatment, air emissions treatment and control, and food and beverage firms is a plus.
- Experience with sustainability programs, water reuse systems, or resource recovery technologies.
- Familiarity with HACCP, GMPs, and food industry operational practices.
- Familiar with project execution steps from concept through commissioning.
- Professional Engineer (PE) license or EIT/FE is a plus.
About us
We plan, design, engineer, and build food plants for major brands across the country and the world. For the past three decades, we’ve focused exclusively on the food and beverage industry, helping your favorite brands put your favorite foods in the grocery store. Simply put, food isn’t one thing we do, it’s all we do.
Dennis Group offers competitive compensation packages commensurate with experience. We provide comprehensive employee benefits including medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, paid time off including an open vacation policy, as well as bonus, profit-sharing, and retirement plans.
Dennis Group is proud to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or genetics.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Wastewater Operator
Verify your degree qualifies for STEM OPT
Wastewater Operator roles can qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension if your degree is in environmental engineering, civil engineering, or environmental science. Confirm your CIP code with your DSO before applying to roles expecting longer authorization.
Address state licensure timelines upfront
Most states require a wastewater operator license to work independently. Research your target state's exam schedule and eligibility rules early. Some states allow you to work under a licensed operator while you complete requirements, which matters on a timed OPT period.
Target municipal utilities and water districts
Public utilities and regional water authorities hire operators regularly and are often more familiar with work authorization than private employers. Government-adjacent roles tend to have structured onboarding that accommodates OPT paperwork and documentation requirements more smoothly.
Emphasize hands-on lab and field experience
Employers hiring on OPT want confidence you can contribute quickly. Highlight any wastewater treatment, water quality testing, or environmental monitoring experience from internships, co-ops, or coursework. Practical skills reduce perceived onboarding risk for time-sensitive OPT hires.
Start your job search before OPT begins
Wastewater Operator hiring cycles at utilities can move slowly due to civil service processes. Apply three to four months before your OPT start date if possible. Early outreach gives employers time to process your authorization before your availability window opens.
Clarify H-1B sponsorship potential during interviews
Ask whether the employer has sponsored H-1B visa or green card cases for engineering or technical roles before. Utilities with existing immigration counsel are far more likely to sponsor. Frame the question around long-term retention, not just your immediate need for authorization.
Wastewater Operator OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Wastewater Operator on OPT?
Yes, F-1 students on OPT can work as Wastewater Operator if the role is directly related to their degree field, such as environmental engineering, civil engineering, or environmental science. Your DSO must authorize OPT for your specific degree program, and your employment must align with that field to remain in status.
Do Wastewater Operator jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
They can, depending on your degree. If your degree is in a STEM-designated field like environmental engineering or environmental science, and your employer is enrolled in E-Verify, you may qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. The role itself is not the deciding factor; your degree's CIP code and your employer's E-Verify enrollment are what matter.
How does state licensure affect OPT students in wastewater roles?
State wastewater operator licenses are required in most states to operate treatment systems independently. Exam eligibility, scheduling, and processing can take several months, which competes directly with your OPT clock. Some states permit working under a licensed supervisor while completing requirements. Research your target state's rules before accepting an offer, and confirm your employer's support for the process.
Do utilities and water districts commonly hire OPT students?
Municipal utilities and regional water districts do hire OPT students, particularly those with environmental or civil engineering degrees. Public employers tend to have more structured HR processes and are often more familiar with work authorization documentation than smaller private firms. Migrate Mate lists Wastewater Operator roles from employers open to OPT candidates, making it easier to focus your search.
What happens to my wastewater job if my OPT expires before H-1B approval?
If your OPT expires and your H-1B petition hasn't been approved, you cannot continue working. The key safeguard is cap-gap protection: if your employer files an H-1B petition before your OPT expires, you're authorized to keep working through September 30 of that year. Coordinating your employer's H-1B filing timeline well before your OPT end date is critical.