STEM OPT Environmental Analyst Jobs
Environmental Analyst roles in environmental science, engineering, and related STEM fields qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving you up to 36 months of work authorization. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify, and you'll need an I-983 training plan tied to your degree field before your extension starts.
Find STEM OPT Environmental Analyst JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 16+ Environmental Analyst jobs
See all Environmental Analyst Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Environmental Analyst roles.
Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Xcel Energy (NASDAQ: XEL) is a leading energy provider and Fortune 500 company, dedicated to serving millions of electricity and natural gas customers across eight states: Minnesota, Colorado, Wisconsin, Michigan, North Dakota, South Dakota, New Mexico and Texas. We make energy work better for our customers, helping them thrive every day. That means always raising the bar - delivering better service and providing more reliable, resilient, and sustainable energy.
Xcel Energy is a place where you’ll have opportunities to grow, expand your skills, and help lead the clean energy transition. We offer meaningful rewards, recognition, and support to help you build your career and make an impact - both on the job and beyond. Most importantly, it means you’ll be joining a company that knows employees are the driving force behind its success and is committed to helping you be your best.
Xcel Energy supports a hybrid work model to enable collaboration and flexibility. Many roles are expected to work onsite three days per week (Tuesday–Thursday); however, work location expectations vary based on role, team, and business needs.
Position Summary
This position will have the primary responsibility for supporting environmental compliance at our Nichols Harrington Power Plant facility. This includes managing compliance requirements for the air, water, and waste programs, as well as other related compliance activities. This position is in-person at the plant site 5 days a week.
Plans, supervises, provides expertise/consultation, reviews progress, and evaluates results on projects and programs involving engineering, permitting, licensing, auditing, regulatory compliance, and/or environmental assessments to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local environmental statutes and regulations. Possesses comprehensive knowledge of theories and principles and applies it in creative and effective ways to a broad range of very difficult and complex assignments. Under consultative direction and with substantial latitude for unreviewed actions and decisions conducts important investigations requiring the application of new approaches in the field. Routinely serves on special work teams and uses expert technical knowledge to act as lead person or technical advisor on medium to large projects. Assignments are routinely self-initiated.
Essential Responsibilities
- Administers and consults on complex programs designed to minimize deficiencies and ensure compliance with regulations and permits. Directs site assessment/investigations/remediation projects as necessary. (Major areas may include: auditing, air permitting and compliance, water/wastewater permitting and compliance, land quality, radiological, above ground and underground storage tanks, emergency plans, DOT compliance, FAA safety regulations, and hazardous, liquid and solid waste disposal.)
- Negotiates and administers license and permit applications and response actions to ensure compliance with existing federal, state, and local laws and regulations. Performs as a regulatory liaison with federal, state, and local agencies. Presents testimony at environmental hearings to support company position on environmental regulatory development.
- Directs and/or conducts data collection, strategic studies, evaluations, and report development to support environmental regulatory requirements at Xcel facilities. Projects may include proposed legislation and/or emerging public issues, operating permit limits and/or potential environmental regulatory noncompliance.
- Develops training lesson plan content that meet Xcel Academy standards, maintains instructor qualifications, and provides regulatory compliance training to Xcel personnel as is regulatory required and/or customer requested.
- Monitors outcomes of incidents, regulatory inspections and internal audits of company owned facilities, contractors, and/or outside disposal facilities and conducts and/or assesses root cause analysis to ensure corrective actions adequately address the problem and non-compliance conditions are not repeated. Provides support for emergency environmental incidents as needed.
- Monitors statutes, regulations, licenses, and/or permits for potential impacts to facility operations. Reviews proposed regulations, licenses, and/or permits to determine potential impacts to facility operations. Serves as the lead reviewer coordinating comments from others into a single company position recommendation.
- Prepares requests for proposals, contract agreements, and project estimates. Supports and/or selects and manages consultants and contractors.
- Assists others in developing, refining and implementing the strategic goals and objectives of Xcel Energy. Contributes to process teams concerning budget and regulatory compliance.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYST III ($73,700 - $89,166)
- BS/BA in environmental science, engineering, applied science, or related fields and four years of professional environmental related work experience.
- (Note: An Associate college degree in areas of environmental or applied science and three years of progressive responsibilities in environmental related work experience may be substituted for the education portion of the requirement. The following additional advanced education in the field can be substituted for related work experience: MS/MA/MBA = 2 years; PhD/J.D. = 3 years.)
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYST IV ($84,900 - $102,733)
- BS/BA in environmental science, engineering, applied science, or related fields and six years of progressively more responsible environmental related work experience including, but not limited to environmental regulations, remedial procedures, audit procedures, and power generation processes.
- Demonstrated skills in technical writing, verbal communication, and negotiations.
- (Note: An Associate college degree in areas of environmental or applied science and three years of progressive responsibilities in related work experience may be substituted for the education requirement. The following additional advanced education in the field can be substituted for related work experience: MS/MA/MBA = 2 years; PhD/J.D. = 3 years.)
PREFERRED
- Experience supporting environmental compliance programs.
Our culture is grounded in shared values and employee commitments that guide how we work, support one another, and grow together.
Our Values
Connected, Committed, Trustworthy, Safe
Our Employee Commitments
- Work that makes a difference
- A team you can count of
- Opportunities to grow
- Rewards that help you thrive
Xcel Energy provides job applicants reasonable accommodations for disabilities throughout the application process. If you are in need of an accommodation to complete the application process, now or at any time in the future, please complete the Applicant Accommodation Request Form.
Non-Bargaining
The anticipated starting base pay for this position is: $73,700.00 to $102,733.00 per year
This position is eligible for the following benefits: Annual Incentive Program, Medical/Pharmacy Plan, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account, Health Care Flexible Spending Account, Health Savings Account (HSA) (if enrolled in eligible health plan), Limited-Purpose FSA (if enrolled in eligible health plan and HSA), Transportation Reimbursement Account, Short-term disability (STD), Long-term disability (LTD), Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Fitness Center Reimbursement (if enrolled in eligible health plan), Tuition reimbursement, Transit programs, Employee recognition program, Pension, 401(k) plan, Paid time off (PTO), Holidays, Volunteer Paid Time Off (VPTO), Parental Leave
Benefit plans are subject to change and Xcel Energy has the right to end, suspend, or amend any of its plans, at any time, in whole or in part.
In any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information including but not limited to dates of school attendance and graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.
Deadline to Apply: 11/16/26
EEO is the Law (PDF) | Equal Opportunity Statement (PDF) | Employee Rights (PDF)
All Xcel Energy employees and contractors share responsibility for protecting the company's information and systems by adhering to cybersecurity policies, standards, and best practices, recognizing that cybersecurity is everyone's responsibility.
Accessibility Statement
Xcel Energy endeavors to make https://www.xcelenergy.com and https://jobs.xcelenergy.com accessible to any and all users. If you are in need of an accommodation to complete the application process, now or at any time in the future, please complete the Applicant Accommodation Request Form. For any other application related questions, including application follow-ups or technical issues, please use our Recruiting Assistance, Electra, for assistance. Electra can be found in the lower right-hand corner of our Xcel Energy Careers site.
INTRODUCTION
Xcel Energy (NASDAQ: XEL) is a leading energy provider and Fortune 500 company, dedicated to serving millions of electricity and natural gas customers across eight states: Minnesota, Colorado, Wisconsin, Michigan, North Dakota, South Dakota, New Mexico and Texas. We make energy work better for our customers, helping them thrive every day. That means always raising the bar - delivering better service and providing more reliable, resilient, and sustainable energy.
Xcel Energy is a place where you’ll have opportunities to grow, expand your skills, and help lead the clean energy transition. We offer meaningful rewards, recognition, and support to help you build your career and make an impact - both on the job and beyond. Most importantly, it means you’ll be joining a company that knows employees are the driving force behind its success and is committed to helping you be your best.
Xcel Energy supports a hybrid work model to enable collaboration and flexibility. Many roles are expected to work onsite three days per week (Tuesday–Thursday); however, work location expectations vary based on role, team, and business needs.
Position Summary
This position will have the primary responsibility for supporting environmental compliance at our Nichols Harrington Power Plant facility. This includes managing compliance requirements for the air, water, and waste programs, as well as other related compliance activities. This position is in-person at the plant site 5 days a week.
Plans, supervises, provides expertise/consultation, reviews progress, and evaluates results on projects and programs involving engineering, permitting, licensing, auditing, regulatory compliance, and/or environmental assessments to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local environmental statutes and regulations. Possesses comprehensive knowledge of theories and principles and applies it in creative and effective ways to a broad range of very difficult and complex assignments. Under consultative direction and with substantial latitude for unreviewed actions and decisions conducts important investigations requiring the application of new approaches in the field. Routinely serves on special work teams and uses expert technical knowledge to act as lead person or technical advisor on medium to large projects. Assignments are routinely self-initiated.
Essential Responsibilities
- Administers and consults on complex programs designed to minimize deficiencies and ensure compliance with regulations and permits. Directs site assessment/investigations/remediation projects as necessary. (Major areas may include: auditing, air permitting and compliance, water/wastewater permitting and compliance, land quality, radiological, above ground and underground storage tanks, emergency plans, DOT compliance, FAA safety regulations, and hazardous, liquid and solid waste disposal.)
- Negotiates and administers license and permit applications and response actions to ensure compliance with existing federal, state, and local laws and regulations. Performs as a regulatory liaison with federal, state, and local agencies. Presents testimony at environmental hearings to support company position on environmental regulatory development.
- Directs and/or conducts data collection, strategic studies, evaluations, and report development to support environmental regulatory requirements at Xcel facilities. Projects may include proposed legislation and/or emerging public issues, operating permit limits and/or potential environmental regulatory noncompliance.
- Develops training lesson plan content that meet Xcel Academy standards, maintains instructor qualifications, and provides regulatory compliance training to Xcel personnel as is regulatory required and/or customer requested.
- Monitors outcomes of incidents, regulatory inspections and internal audits of company owned facilities, contractors, and/or outside disposal facilities and conducts and/or assesses root cause analysis to ensure corrective actions adequately address the problem and non-compliance conditions are not repeated. Provides support for emergency environmental incidents as needed.
- Monitors statutes, regulations, licenses, and/or permits for potential impacts to facility operations. Reviews proposed regulations, licenses, and/or permits to determine potential impacts to facility operations. Serves as the lead reviewer coordinating comments from others into a single company position recommendation.
- Prepares requests for proposals, contract agreements, and project estimates. Supports and/or selects and manages consultants and contractors.
- Assists others in developing, refining and implementing the strategic goals and objectives of Xcel Energy. Contributes to process teams concerning budget and regulatory compliance.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYST III ($73,700 - $89,166)
- BS/BA in environmental science, engineering, applied science, or related fields and four years of professional environmental related work experience.
- (Note: An Associate college degree in areas of environmental or applied science and three years of progressive responsibilities in environmental related work experience may be substituted for the education portion of the requirement. The following additional advanced education in the field can be substituted for related work experience: MS/MA/MBA = 2 years; PhD/J.D. = 3 years.)
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYST IV ($84,900 - $102,733)
- BS/BA in environmental science, engineering, applied science, or related fields and six years of progressively more responsible environmental related work experience including, but not limited to environmental regulations, remedial procedures, audit procedures, and power generation processes.
- Demonstrated skills in technical writing, verbal communication, and negotiations.
- (Note: An Associate college degree in areas of environmental or applied science and three years of progressive responsibilities in related work experience may be substituted for the education requirement. The following additional advanced education in the field can be substituted for related work experience: MS/MA/MBA = 2 years; PhD/J.D. = 3 years.)
PREFERRED
- Experience supporting environmental compliance programs.
Our culture is grounded in shared values and employee commitments that guide how we work, support one another, and grow together.
Our Values
Connected, Committed, Trustworthy, Safe
Our Employee Commitments
- Work that makes a difference
- A team you can count of
- Opportunities to grow
- Rewards that help you thrive
Xcel Energy provides job applicants reasonable accommodations for disabilities throughout the application process. If you are in need of an accommodation to complete the application process, now or at any time in the future, please complete the Applicant Accommodation Request Form.
Non-Bargaining
The anticipated starting base pay for this position is: $73,700.00 to $102,733.00 per year
This position is eligible for the following benefits: Annual Incentive Program, Medical/Pharmacy Plan, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account, Health Care Flexible Spending Account, Health Savings Account (HSA) (if enrolled in eligible health plan), Limited-Purpose FSA (if enrolled in eligible health plan and HSA), Transportation Reimbursement Account, Short-term disability (STD), Long-term disability (LTD), Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Fitness Center Reimbursement (if enrolled in eligible health plan), Tuition reimbursement, Transit programs, Employee recognition program, Pension, 401(k) plan, Paid time off (PTO), Holidays, Volunteer Paid Time Off (VPTO), Parental Leave
Benefit plans are subject to change and Xcel Energy has the right to end, suspend, or amend any of its plans, at any time, in whole or in part.
In any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information including but not limited to dates of school attendance and graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.
Deadline to Apply: 11/16/26
EEO is the Law (PDF) | Equal Opportunity Statement (PDF) | Employee Rights (PDF)
All Xcel Energy employees and contractors share responsibility for protecting the company's information and systems by adhering to cybersecurity policies, standards, and best practices, recognizing that cybersecurity is everyone's responsibility.
Accessibility Statement
Xcel Energy endeavors to make https://www.xcelenergy.com and https://jobs.xcelenergy.com accessible to any and all users. If you are in need of an accommodation to complete the application process, now or at any time in the future, please complete the Applicant Accommodation Request Form. For any other application related questions, including application follow-ups or technical issues, please use our Recruiting Assistance, Electra, for assistance. Electra can be found in the lower right-hand corner of our Xcel Energy Careers site.
See all STEM OPT Environmental Analyst Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new STEM OPT Environmental Analyst Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as an Environmental Analyst
Verify your CIP code matches environmental science
Your I-20 must list a CIP code that maps to your STEM degree field, such as Environmental Science or Environmental Engineering. Cross-check your program's code against the USCIS STEM Designated Degree Program List before applying, so you don't accept an offer only to find your extension is ineligible.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers
Ask the hiring manager directly whether the company is enrolled in E-Verify before you reach the offer stage. Federal agencies and most environmental consulting firms already participate, but smaller regional firms and nonprofits sometimes don't, which disqualifies them as STEM OPT employers.
Build your I-983 training plan around core analyst duties
Your I-983 must describe how your daily work, such as data collection, environmental impact assessments, or regulatory compliance reporting, directly relates to your STEM degree. Vague descriptions get flagged by your DSO, so draft the learning objectives before your start date.
Target employers with active PERM and LCA filing history
Environmental analysts who want H-1B visa sponsorship after OPT ends benefit most from employers already filing labor certifications. Use the OFLC Wage Search to identify companies that have filed LCAs for environmental or geoscience roles, which signals they're experienced with the full sponsorship pipeline.
Search for STEM OPT roles on Migrate Mate
Migrate Mate filters Environmental Analyst listings by E-Verify enrollment and employer sponsorship history, so you're not sorting through postings manually. Run your search by role and location to surface employers already set up to hire STEM OPT candidates without delays.
File your STEM OPT extension at least 90 days early
USCIS allows you to file the I-765 extension up to 90 days before your initial OPT end date. If your petition is pending when that date passes, you get a 180-day automatic cap-gap continuation, but only if you filed on time and remain employed in a qualifying role.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my STEM degree qualify me for the 24-month STEM OPT extension as an Environmental Analyst?
It depends on your specific degree program, not just the job title. Your I-20 must list a CIP code on the USCIS STEM Designated Degree Program List. Degrees in Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, or Ecology typically qualify. Earth Sciences and Geography programs vary by institution, so confirm your CIP code with your DSO before applying to positions.
What E-Verify requirement applies to my Environmental Analyst employer?
Any employer hiring you on a STEM OPT extension must be enrolled in E-Verify for the specific worksite where you'll work. This is a federal requirement enforced by ICE, not just a company preference. If your employer has multiple offices, confirm that the branch listed on your offer letter and I-983 is the enrolled location, not just corporate headquarters.
What goes into the I-983 training plan for an Environmental Analyst role?
Your I-983 must describe the specific skills and knowledge you'll develop, how each responsibility connects to your STEM degree field, and what supervision or mentorship you'll receive. For Environmental Analyst roles, this typically covers fieldwork methodology, laboratory analysis, regulatory reporting under frameworks like NEPA or RCRA, and data interpretation. Your employer's signature is required, and the plan must be on file before your extension starts.
How does cap-gap protection work if my H-1B petition is pending when my STEM OPT ends?
If your employer files an H-1B petition on your behalf before your STEM OPT expires and the petition is selected in the lottery, cap-gap extends your work authorization through September 30 of that fiscal year. You must remain continuously employed in the same role under the same employer during this period. Your EAD card will show an end date that no longer applies once USCIS issues a cap-gap receipt notice.
Where can I find Environmental Analyst jobs that are already set up for STEM OPT hiring?
Migrate Mate surfaces Environmental Analyst listings filtered by E-Verify enrollment and employer sponsorship history, so you can focus on companies that already understand the STEM OPT process. Federal agencies, large environmental consulting firms, and state environmental departments are common categories of employers structured to handle STEM OPT extensions without requiring you to educate their HR team from scratch.