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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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
NOVA Engineering & Environmental is seeking an Environmental Engineer, Geologist, or Scientist with a strong focus on Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and Industrial Hygiene in Kennesaw, GA to support a variety of building-related and environmental consulting projects.
This role is ideal for a professional experienced in asbestos, mold, and lead-based paint assessments, with additional exposure to Phase I/II Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs) and subsurface investigations.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Perform indoor air quality (IAQ) and industrial hygiene assessments, including asbestos, mold, and lead-based paint inspections
- Conduct site investigations, sampling, and prepare technical reports for IH/IAQ projects
- Support Phase I Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs), including site reconnaissance and records reviews
- Assist with Phase II investigations as needed, including soil, groundwater, and vapor sampling
- Provide field oversight of drilling and subsurface activities
- Communicate findings with project managers and clients
- Maintain compliance with safety standards and regulatory requirements
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Geology, Environmental Engineering, or related field
- 1+ years of experience in IAQ / industrial hygiene (asbestos, mold, lead paint, etc.)
- Working knowledge of Phase I ESAs and environmental site assessments
- Experience with sampling techniques and field documentation
- Strong technical writing and communication skills
- Ability to work in a field-based environment
- Valid driver’s license
PREFERRED:
- AHERA / Asbestos Inspector or similar certifications
- Experience with Phase II ESAs and subsurface investigations
- 40-hour HAZWOPER (or ability to obtain)
CHECK OUT OUR PERKS:
In addition to our welcoming company culture and competitive compensation packages, our employees enjoy the below benefits:
- Comprehensive group medical insurance, including health, dental and vision
- Opportunity for professional growth and advancement
- Certification reimbursement
- Paid time off
- Company–observed paid holidays
- Company paid life insurance for employee, spouse and children
- Company paid short term disability coverage
- Other supplemental benefit offerings including long-term disability, critical illness, accident and identity theft protection
- 401K retirement with company matching of 50% on the first 6% of employee contributions
- Wellness program with incentives
- Employee Assistance Program
- Use of take-home Company Vehicle for daily travel to work sites with fuel card
ABOUT NOVA:
Established in 1996, NOVA was originally founded to provide Environmental Consulting, Geotechnical Engineering, and Construction Materials Testing and Inspection services to the design and construction community, largely in the southeastern United States. Since our founding, NOVA has added additional service lines such as Facilities and Building Envelope, Forensics, Municipal and more. We are dedicated to providing a wide variety of projects and services with an emphasis on collaboration and safety. We offer a stimulating and inspiring work environment where our employees are recognized for their efforts and achievements and are mentored for professional growth.
Currently, NOVA employs 650+ personnel in 20 offices serving clients throughout the southeastern United States and beyond. Our firm has professional and administrative support staff that includes registered professional engineers, registered professional geologists, environmental scientists, registered roof observers, LEED accredited professionals, soil/foundation engineers, laboratory specialists, materials technicians, ICC-certified inspectors, NICET-certified technicians, and AWS-certified welding inspectors. NOVA’s facilities include AASHTO-accredited laboratories in soils, concrete, aggregate and hot-mix asphalt testing/inspection. We also have CCRL-inspected laboratories for concrete sampling, curing, and testing. NOVA will continue to expand its reach and reputation as a leader in the testing, inspection, and consulting fields with a strong legacy of quality and integrity by promoting our best internal resources and recruiting a diverse culture of valued and exceptional talent.
NOVA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply. NOVA does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, ancestry, marital status, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.
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.
INTRODUCTION
NOVA Engineering & Environmental is seeking an Environmental Engineer, Geologist, or Scientist with a strong focus on Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and Industrial Hygiene in Kennesaw, GA to support a variety of building-related and environmental consulting projects.
This role is ideal for a professional experienced in asbestos, mold, and lead-based paint assessments, with additional exposure to Phase I/II Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs) and subsurface investigations.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Perform indoor air quality (IAQ) and industrial hygiene assessments, including asbestos, mold, and lead-based paint inspections
- Conduct site investigations, sampling, and prepare technical reports for IH/IAQ projects
- Support Phase I Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs), including site reconnaissance and records reviews
- Assist with Phase II investigations as needed, including soil, groundwater, and vapor sampling
- Provide field oversight of drilling and subsurface activities
- Communicate findings with project managers and clients
- Maintain compliance with safety standards and regulatory requirements
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Geology, Environmental Engineering, or related field
- 1+ years of experience in IAQ / industrial hygiene (asbestos, mold, lead paint, etc.)
- Working knowledge of Phase I ESAs and environmental site assessments
- Experience with sampling techniques and field documentation
- Strong technical writing and communication skills
- Ability to work in a field-based environment
- Valid driver’s license
PREFERRED:
- AHERA / Asbestos Inspector or similar certifications
- Experience with Phase II ESAs and subsurface investigations
- 40-hour HAZWOPER (or ability to obtain)
CHECK OUT OUR PERKS:
In addition to our welcoming company culture and competitive compensation packages, our employees enjoy the below benefits:
- Comprehensive group medical insurance, including health, dental and vision
- Opportunity for professional growth and advancement
- Certification reimbursement
- Paid time off
- Company–observed paid holidays
- Company paid life insurance for employee, spouse and children
- Company paid short term disability coverage
- Other supplemental benefit offerings including long-term disability, critical illness, accident and identity theft protection
- 401K retirement with company matching of 50% on the first 6% of employee contributions
- Wellness program with incentives
- Employee Assistance Program
- Use of take-home Company Vehicle for daily travel to work sites with fuel card
ABOUT NOVA:
Established in 1996, NOVA was originally founded to provide Environmental Consulting, Geotechnical Engineering, and Construction Materials Testing and Inspection services to the design and construction community, largely in the southeastern United States. Since our founding, NOVA has added additional service lines such as Facilities and Building Envelope, Forensics, Municipal and more. We are dedicated to providing a wide variety of projects and services with an emphasis on collaboration and safety. We offer a stimulating and inspiring work environment where our employees are recognized for their efforts and achievements and are mentored for professional growth.
Currently, NOVA employs 650+ personnel in 20 offices serving clients throughout the southeastern United States and beyond. Our firm has professional and administrative support staff that includes registered professional engineers, registered professional geologists, environmental scientists, registered roof observers, LEED accredited professionals, soil/foundation engineers, laboratory specialists, materials technicians, ICC-certified inspectors, NICET-certified technicians, and AWS-certified welding inspectors. NOVA’s facilities include AASHTO-accredited laboratories in soils, concrete, aggregate and hot-mix asphalt testing/inspection. We also have CCRL-inspected laboratories for concrete sampling, curing, and testing. NOVA will continue to expand its reach and reputation as a leader in the testing, inspection, and consulting fields with a strong legacy of quality and integrity by promoting our best internal resources and recruiting a diverse culture of valued and exceptional talent.
NOVA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply. NOVA does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, ancestry, marital status, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.
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.
See all 70+ STEM OPT Environmental Scientist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new STEM OPT Environmental Scientist Jobs.
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.