STEM OPT Environmental Scientist Jobs
Environmental Scientist roles in environmental consulting, remediation, and regulatory compliance regularly qualify for STEM OPT. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify to hire you, and your STEM degree unlocks a 24-month OPT extension beyond your initial 12 months, giving you up to 36 months of work authorization to build a career in this field.
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INTRODUCTION
Take Your Environmental Career to the Next Level
Kleinfelder, a Forbes' Top Employer for Engineers in North America, is committed to a people-first culture, technical excellence, and creating opportunities where employees can thrive! Are you ready to be challenged, make a difference, and experience professional growth in your career? Kleinfelder's Environmental team is looking for you! From environmental planning, permitting, remediation, and site characterization to chemical data management and hydrogeology, Kleinfelder offers a variety of services designed to provide technically appropriate and cost-effective solutions.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Kleinfelder is currently seeking an experienced Ecologist/Environmental Scientist to join our growing Mount Dora, FL office.
Working as part of a team, the successful candidate will assist with ecological field assessments for projects in the mining, energy, and commercial development industries. Primary tasks will include protected species surveys, gopher tortoise relocations, vegetative monitoring, hydrologic monitoring, water quality sampling and support with other ecological assessments, as well as reporting. The ideal candidate should have knowledge of the natural resources of Florida and a minimum of 3 years of applicable job experience.
Candidate should also possess strong time management, problem solving, communication, organizational skills, and have relevant computer/software experience. This position requires solid technical writing and verbal communication skills, including coordination with team members and project managers, as well as periodically with clients and regulatory agency staff.
Candidate must be a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Gopher Tortoise Authorized Agent (AA) for surveying and mechanical excavation.
Candidate will be required to go through and obtain an MSHA New Miner Training certificate as part of on-the-job training.
This position is anticipated to be 80% field work/20% office work. Travel (local/overnight) may account for up to 30%.
The ability to travel, both within Florida and nationwide, and a clear driving record are also required. Potential candidates should be able to work effectively in both team environments and with limited supervision. Candidates should have availability to work outside of typical business hours. Flexibility in daily work schedule and willingness to work long hours in adverse environmental conditions and in remote areas is required.
QUALIFICATIONS
- A bachelor's degree in the natural resources (i.e. biological, zoology, botany, ecology or environmental science).
- Experience conducting threatened and endangered species surveys per FWC and United States Fish and Wildlife Service survey protocols/guidelines.
- Ability to lead gopher tortoise relocation efforts including mechanical excavation and bucket trapping.
- Minimum of 3 years of experience as a natural resources professional is required.
- Proficiency in use of Avenza, ESRI Field maps, a sub-meter GPS and data processing is also desired.
- Experience operating a 4x4 truck preferred.
Following an offer, candidates will be required to satisfactorily complete employment reference checks, verification of professional licensure and/or educational credentials, a motor vehicle report (MVR), and a comprehensive background check.
MOVE FORWARD WITH KLEINFELDER
Kleinfelder and its’ subsidiaries and affiliates, has been connecting great people to the best work since 1961. We are engineers, scientists, and construction professionals providing solutions that improve our clients’ transportation, water, energy, and other private infrastructure. As a responsive, cross-disciplinary team of bright, curious, and innovative problem-solvers, we are dedicated to doing the right thing, every day, on every project from over 110 offices in the US, Canada, and Australia. Connecting great people to the best work is our purpose – together, we deliver.
PROGRESS WITH AN EMPLOYER THAT VALUES YOU
Kleinfelder, and its’ subsidiaries and affiliates, is an inclusive organization free from discrimination. We are a stronger organization when we are a diverse workforce and believe that through diversity, equity, and inclusion comes creativity, innovation, and unity. We are proud to offer the following:
Benefits:
Kleinfelder, and its’ subsidiaries and affiliates, offers an excellent compensation and benefits package, including: medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k) plan, and paid holidays.
Career Development:
We are committed to investing in the professional development of our staff, offering each employee every opportunity to grow, develop, and take control of their career paths. We support these efforts through reimbursements for continuing education as well as many of the expenses associated with trainings and certifications, and opportunities for career development through our internal Mentoring Program.
Equal Opportunity:
Kleinfelder, and its’ subsidiaries and affiliates, is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Minorities/Women/Disabled/Veterans. (Compliant with the new VEVRAA and Section 503 rules)
NOTICE TO THIRD PARTY AGENCIES
Please note that Kleinfelder, and its’ subsidiaries and affiliates, does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the absence of a signed Recruitment Fee Agreement, Kleinfelder, and its’ subsidiaries and affiliates, will not consider or agree to payment for any referral compensation or recruiter fee. In the event a recruiter or agency submits a resume or candidate without a previously signed agreement, Kleinfelder, and its’ subsidiaries and affiliates, explicitly reserves the right to pursue and hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency. Any unsolicited resume, including those submitted to hiring managers, are deemed to be the property of Kleinfelder.
See all 239+ STEM OPT Environmental Scientist Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as an Environmental Scientist
Verify your degree's CIP code eligibility
Environmental Science (CIP 03.0104) and related programs like Environmental Studies and Environmental Engineering qualify for STEM OPT. Confirm your degree's exact CIP code with your DSO before targeting roles, since employers will ask your school to verify it on the I-983.
Check E-Verify enrollment before applying
Federal contractors and many state-licensed environmental consulting firms are already E-Verify enrolled, but smaller remediation companies often aren't. Search the E-Verify employer database directly to confirm enrollment status before investing time in an application.
Target federal and state agency contractors first
EPA, Army Corps of Engineers, and state environmental agency contractors are required by regulation to use E-Verify, which removes one of the biggest obstacles for STEM OPT candidates. Environmental consulting firms with federal contracts follow the same requirement.
Build your I-983 training plan around job duties
Your I-983 must connect specific job tasks to your degree's STEM coursework. For Environmental Scientist roles, map fieldwork, data analysis, and regulatory reporting duties directly to courses in your program before your start date, not after.
Use Migrate Mate to filter E-Verify employers
Search Environmental Scientist roles on Migrate Mate, which surfaces employers with confirmed E-Verify enrollment so you aren't discovering eligibility gaps after an offer. Filter by role and location to build a targeted list of employers who can legally hire you.
Address the 60-day grace period in offer negotiations
If your OPT EAD expires while your STEM OPT extension application is pending, you're covered by the 60-day cap-gap period only if your employer filed your extension on time. Confirm your employer's HR team understands this timeline before you accept an offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does an Environmental Science degree qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes, if your degree's CIP code falls under qualifying STEM categories such as Environmental Science (03.0104), Environmental Engineering (14.1401), or closely related programs. Your DSO confirms the CIP code and authorizes the extension by updating your I-20. Check the official STEM Designated Degree Program List published by USCIS to verify your program before filing.
Does my Environmental Scientist employer need to be enrolled in E-Verify?
Yes. E-Verify enrollment is a hard requirement for STEM OPT employment. Your employer must be enrolled before your extension is approved, not just before your start date. Federal contractors and most state agency consultants already meet this requirement by law. For private-sector employers, verify enrollment in the E-Verify employer database before accepting an offer.
What goes into an I-983 training plan for an Environmental Scientist role?
Your I-983 must describe how the role provides practical training related to your STEM degree. For Environmental Scientist positions, that means documenting specific duties like site assessment, environmental data analysis, regulatory compliance reporting, or remediation project work, and connecting each to coursework from your degree program. Your employer signs the form, and your DSO must authorize it before your extension begins.
How does cap-gap protection work if I'm applying for H-1B while on STEM OPT?
If your H-1B visa petition is filed before your STEM OPT EAD expires and you're selected in the lottery, cap-gap protection automatically extends your work authorization through September 30 of that year. You can continue working as an Environmental Scientist during this period without interruption. USCIS confirms cap-gap status through your updated I-20 from your DSO.
Where can I find Environmental Scientist jobs with E-Verify employers?
Migrate Mate lists Environmental Scientist roles filtered by employers with confirmed E-Verify enrollment, which is the primary eligibility requirement for STEM OPT candidates. This saves you from applying to roles where the employer isn't set up to hire you legally. You can filter by location, industry sector, and role type to match your degree and OPT authorization window.