STEM OPT Environmental Geologist Jobs
Environmental Geologist roles in subsurface assessment, contamination remediation, and site investigation qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension when your degree is in geology, earth sciences, or a related STEM field. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify, and you'll need a signed I-983 training plan before your extension begins.
See All Environmental Geologist JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 124+ Environmental Geologist jobs


Have you applied for this role?


Have you applied for this role?


Have you applied for this role?


Have you applied for this role?


Have you applied for this role?
See all 124+ Environmental Geologist jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Environmental Geologist roles.
Get Access To All Jobs
Overview:
Do you want to build an impactful career to change the world for the better?
Geosyntec has an exciting opportunity for an Early-Career Geologist or Environmental Scientist in our Pittsburgh, PA office, as part of our contaminated site assessment & remediation practice. The position will have the opportunity to apply academic knowledge to real-world situations while also learning the business skills needed for a successful consulting career.
Geosyntec is an innovative, international engineering and consulting firm serving private and public-sector clients to address new ventures and complex problems involving our environment, natural resources, and civil infrastructure. Our engineers, scientists, technical and project employees serve our clients from offices across the world. Ranked by ENR as one of the top environmental engineering design firms, Geosyntec is internationally known for its technical leadership, broad experience, and exceptional client service.
We invest in our people. Each employee is unique, and your career at Geosyntec will be too. We offer competitive pay and benefits, and well-being programs to support you and your family.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Fieldwork such as soil, surface water, sediment, soil vapor, and groundwater sampling, drilling and contractor oversight, aquifer testing, geophysical investigations, and/or remediation system operation and maintenance;
- Chemical data and contaminant fate & transport evaluation;
- Groundwater and soil remedy evaluation, cost estimation, and implementation;
- Aquifer testing and hydrogeologic data analyses;
- Groundwater modeling and 3D data visualization;
- Environmental due diligence, regulatory compliance services, and permitting;
- Data analysis, including preparing maps, tables, soil boring logs, cross sections and figures;
- Preparation of technical reports, letters, memoranda, plans, specifications, and proposals; and
- Drive personal, company, and rental vehicles to client or company project or office sites, and other business locations, as needed.
EDUCATION AND LICENSURE:
- Bachelor’s degree in geology or environmental science. (required)
- Advanced degree in the same. (preferred)
- Professional development toward Geologist-in-Training (GIT) (strongly preferred)
SKILLS, EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS:
- Prior research experience in structural geology, geochemistry, or hydrogeology. (preferred)
- Prior internship experience in environmental consulting. (preferred)
- Experience with ArcView, GIS, AutoCAD, Microsoft Access, Modflow, Leapfrog Works, and/or EVS. (preferred)
- Regular field work and overnight travel. (required)
- Health & Safety training, medical monitoring, and client-driven drug and background testing. (required)
- Valid U.S. driver’s license and a satisfactory driving record for business travel. (required)
- Current OSHA 40-hr HAZWOPER training and refreshers. (preferred)
See all 124+ Environmental Geologist jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Environmental Geologist roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization in Environmental Geologist
Verify your CIP code maps correctly
Your STEM degree qualifies for the 24-month extension only if its CIP code appears on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program list. Earth Sciences and Geology codes qualify, but Environmental Studies degrees sometimes don't. Confirm your specific program with your DSO before applying.
Check E-Verify status before applying
STEM OPT employers must be enrolled in E-Verify. Ask the hiring manager directly, or check the E-Verify employer search tool on the E-Verify website. Accepting an offer from a non-enrolled employer invalidates your extension application entirely.
Target federal contractors and remediation firms
Environmental geology work concentrated in Superfund site remediation, CERCLA compliance, and federal land assessment is often handled by employers already required to use E-Verify as federal contractors. These firms routinely hire OPT students and are familiar with I-983 training plan requirements.
Draft your I-983 training plan before the offer stage
The I-983 must detail how the role connects to your STEM degree. For Environmental Geologist positions, map specific job duties like soil sampling protocols, hydrogeologic modeling, or Phase II ESA work directly to your geology coursework. A vague training plan is the most common cause of DSO rejection.
Use Migrate Mate to find E-Verify-enrolled employers
Migrate Mate filters Environmental Geologist listings to show only employers enrolled in E-Verify, saving you the manual verification step. Search by location and specialization to find firms with active STEM OPT hiring history in geotechnical, environmental, or subsurface investigation roles.
Understand cap-gap timing if H-1B is your next step
If your employer files an H-1B petition for you before your STEM OPT expires, cap-gap protection extends your work authorization through September 30 of that year. Your employment at the same employer must remain continuous and your EAD must still be valid when the petition is filed.
Environmental Geologist jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Environmental Geologist JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Does an Environmental Geologist role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes, if your degree is in geology, earth sciences, environmental engineering, or another CIP code on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program list. The role itself must also be directly related to your degree field. Your DSO will confirm the CIP code match when you apply for the extension through SEVIS. Roles focused on subsurface investigation, contamination assessment, or hydrogeology typically satisfy the degree-relatedness requirement.
How do I confirm my Environmental Geologist employer is enrolled in E-Verify?
Ask the employer directly during the offer stage, before your DSO submits your STEM OPT extension application. You can also search the E-Verify employer database using the tool on the E-Verify website. If an employer isn't enrolled, they must complete E-Verify enrollment before USCIS will approve your extension. Don't wait until after you've accepted an offer to check.
What should my I-983 training plan include for an Environmental Geologist position?
The I-983 must show a direct connection between your STEM degree coursework and your job duties. For Environmental Geologist roles, list specific tasks such as conducting Phase I and Phase II environmental site assessments, interpreting borehole logs, running groundwater flow models, or preparing CERCLA remediation reports. Generic descriptions like 'applying scientific knowledge' are insufficient and will likely trigger a DSO revision request.
Where can I find Environmental Geologist jobs that accept STEM OPT students?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for STEM OPT students and filters listings to show employers enrolled in E-Verify. You can search Environmental Geologist roles by location and industry specialization, including environmental consulting, federal contracting, and oil and gas sectors. Using a platform designed for work-authorized candidates saves time compared to filtering general job boards manually.
What happens to my STEM OPT if my Environmental Geologist employer loses E-Verify enrollment?
If your employer's E-Verify participation is terminated after your extension begins, you're required to report the change to your DSO within five business days, per USCIS STEM OPT regulations. Your authorization doesn't automatically end, but you must transfer to a new E-Verify-enrolled employer or your status could fall out of compliance. Document the notification to your DSO with dates.
See which Environmental Geologist employers are hiring and sponsoring visas right now.
Search Environmental Geologist Jobs