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.
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Kimley-Horn is looking for Environmental Science graduates to join our Virginia Beach, Virginia (VA) office! This is not a remote position.
Responsibilities:
- Solve complex problems, assist project managers, and collaborate across disciplines to produce our clients’ visions for the future built environment.
- Develop familiarity with the federal, state, and local regulations, as well as Kimley-Horn’s and our client’s practices, procedures, and standards.
- The opportunity to gain knowledge in one or more of the following: natural resource regulations, water quality regulatory programs, wetlands identification including knowledge of botany and soil science and experience in ecology, wildlife biology, water resources, geographic information systems and environmental science.
- Some travel and fieldwork may be required (approximately 10-30%).
Qualifications
- A Bachelors or Masters Degree in relevant majors including Biology, Environmental Science, or related majors by Summer 2027.
Salary Range: $73,000 - $76,000
Why Kimley-Horn?:
At Kimley-Horn, we do things differently. People, clients, and employees are at the forefront of who we are. Clients know we prioritize achieving their goals and growing their success. Employees know our culture and approach to business are built on a desire to provide an environment for everyone to flourish. Our commitment to quality is only as good as the people behind it—that’s why we welcome and develop passionate, hardworking, and proactive employees. We take pride in how our employee retention, robust benefits package, and company values have led to Kimley-Horn’s placement on the Fortune “100 Best Companies to Work” list for 19 years!
Key Benefits at Kimley-Horn:
- Exceptional Retirement Plan: 2-to-1 company match on up to 4% of eligible compensation (salary + bonus) and additional profit-sharing contribution.
- Comprehensive Health Coverage: Low-cost medical, dental, and vision insurance options.
- Time Off: Personal leave, flexible scheduling, floating holidays, and half-day Fridays.
- Financial Wellness: Student loan matching in our 401(k), and performance-based bonuses.
- Professional Development: Tuition reimbursement and extensive internal training programs.
- Family-Friendly Benefits: New Parent Leave, family building benefits, and childcare resources.
Overview:
Kimley-Horn is looking for Environmental Science graduates to join our Virginia Beach, Virginia (VA) office! This is not a remote position.
Responsibilities:
- Solve complex problems, assist project managers, and collaborate across disciplines to produce our clients’ visions for the future built environment.
- Develop familiarity with the federal, state, and local regulations, as well as Kimley-Horn’s and our client’s practices, procedures, and standards.
- The opportunity to gain knowledge in one or more of the following: natural resource regulations, water quality regulatory programs, wetlands identification including knowledge of botany and soil science and experience in ecology, wildlife biology, water resources, geographic information systems and environmental science.
- Some travel and fieldwork may be required (approximately 10-30%).
Qualifications
- A Bachelors or Masters Degree in relevant majors including Biology, Environmental Science, or related majors by Summer 2027.
Salary Range: $73,000 - $76,000
Why Kimley-Horn?:
At Kimley-Horn, we do things differently. People, clients, and employees are at the forefront of who we are. Clients know we prioritize achieving their goals and growing their success. Employees know our culture and approach to business are built on a desire to provide an environment for everyone to flourish. Our commitment to quality is only as good as the people behind it—that’s why we welcome and develop passionate, hardworking, and proactive employees. We take pride in how our employee retention, robust benefits package, and company values have led to Kimley-Horn’s placement on the Fortune “100 Best Companies to Work” list for 19 years!
Key Benefits at Kimley-Horn:
- Exceptional Retirement Plan: 2-to-1 company match on up to 4% of eligible compensation (salary + bonus) and additional profit-sharing contribution.
- Comprehensive Health Coverage: Low-cost medical, dental, and vision insurance options.
- Time Off: Personal leave, flexible scheduling, floating holidays, and half-day Fridays.
- Financial Wellness: Student loan matching in our 401(k), and performance-based bonuses.
- Professional Development: Tuition reimbursement and extensive internal training programs.
- Family-Friendly Benefits: New Parent Leave, family building benefits, and childcare resources.
See all STEM OPT Environmental Analyst Jobs
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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.