STEM OPT Environmental Technician Jobs
Environmental Technician roles in environmental monitoring, remediation, and compliance qualify for the STEM OPT extension when your degree carries an eligible CIP code. You get 24 additional months of work authorization, bringing your total to 36, as long as your employer is enrolled in E-Verify and you file a completed I-983 training plan.
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Get Access To All JobsCompany Description
Work site will be in Chicago IL
Clean Earth is a leading provider of environmental services in the United States providing remediation, disposal, recycling, and beneficial reuse solutions for hazardous and non-hazardous waste, contaminated soil, and dredged material. Our vast portfolio of technologies and services touches nearly every industry that generates waste including energy, infrastructure, commercial, industrial, retail, and healthcare markets.
Every day our teams across the country take a hands-on, dedicated approach to recycling and beneficially reusing waste that would otherwise go into landfills. We value our employees as our most important asset, and this is reflected in many areas across our company including recently being named a 2024 Most Loved Workplace ®. We are committed to creating a positive work culture that fosters growth and development while ensuring the health and safety of our employees.
Why join Clean Earth?
In addition to competitive pay, we also offer:
- Health benefits available Day 1
- 401k available Day 1
- 10+ paid holidays/year
- Free HAZWOPER training and certification
- Overtime opportunities
- Ability to be cross-trained into different roles
Job Description
Primary Responsibilities:
- Consolidate, treat, store, transport and/or dispose of hazardous and non-hazardous wastes in accordance with environmentally responsible and compliant practices, policies, and procedures.
- Perform routine inspections of customer site to meet environmental requirements.
- Prepare compliant labeling and shipping documents to ship wastes to approved treatment or recycling facilities.
- Perform cleanup of small leaks or spills in accordance with company and customer health and safety guidelines.
- Use forklift and/or pallet jack as needed for movement of containers and loading of trailers.
- Inventory and label containers in accordance with EPA and DOT regulations prior to shipment.
- Maintain adequate supplies for collection and shipment of waste and recyclable materials.
- Perform other reasonably related duties as assigned by management.
Basic requirements:
- 2+ years of prior experience working with hazardous materials
- Ability to operate equipment, including a forklift and pallet jack
- Ability to wear company provided personal protection equipment including eye protection, steel toed shoes, gloves, Tyvek coveralls, and respirator as needed.
- Have the ability to read, write and speak in English
- Must be 18 years of age or older
- Must be able to work indoor and outdoor in all weather conditions
Preferred Qualifications:
- Proficiency with Windows based programs (i.e. Excel and Word)
- Knowledge of OSHA, DOT, and RCRA Regulations
- Has the ability to operate a powered industrial truck, e.g., forklift and possesses safe driving record.
- Able to work in a team environment or alone based on business needs
- Good attendance record and safe work history
Additional Information
Clean Earth offers competitive benefits including health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance plans starting on the first day of employment; paid time off, wellness benefits, employee discount program, tuition assistance, and a 401k with company matching.
We provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, gender identity, or genetics. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
If you have a difficulty applying for any job posted on Harsco Clean Earth’s website because a disability prevents you from using the online system, Clean Earth offers the following alternate application procedure: Call toll free (833) 209-2659 and leave your name, phone number, city and state of residence. Clean Earth will arrange for an alternate method of applying and will consider your application together with all other applications received for the job. This line is dedicated to disability applications only. No other inquiries will receive a response.
Company Description
Work site will be in Chicago IL
Clean Earth is a leading provider of environmental services in the United States providing remediation, disposal, recycling, and beneficial reuse solutions for hazardous and non-hazardous waste, contaminated soil, and dredged material. Our vast portfolio of technologies and services touches nearly every industry that generates waste including energy, infrastructure, commercial, industrial, retail, and healthcare markets.
Every day our teams across the country take a hands-on, dedicated approach to recycling and beneficially reusing waste that would otherwise go into landfills. We value our employees as our most important asset, and this is reflected in many areas across our company including recently being named a 2024 Most Loved Workplace ®. We are committed to creating a positive work culture that fosters growth and development while ensuring the health and safety of our employees.
Why join Clean Earth?
In addition to competitive pay, we also offer:
- Health benefits available Day 1
- 401k available Day 1
- 10+ paid holidays/year
- Free HAZWOPER training and certification
- Overtime opportunities
- Ability to be cross-trained into different roles
Job Description
Primary Responsibilities:
- Consolidate, treat, store, transport and/or dispose of hazardous and non-hazardous wastes in accordance with environmentally responsible and compliant practices, policies, and procedures.
- Perform routine inspections of customer site to meet environmental requirements.
- Prepare compliant labeling and shipping documents to ship wastes to approved treatment or recycling facilities.
- Perform cleanup of small leaks or spills in accordance with company and customer health and safety guidelines.
- Use forklift and/or pallet jack as needed for movement of containers and loading of trailers.
- Inventory and label containers in accordance with EPA and DOT regulations prior to shipment.
- Maintain adequate supplies for collection and shipment of waste and recyclable materials.
- Perform other reasonably related duties as assigned by management.
Basic requirements:
- 2+ years of prior experience working with hazardous materials
- Ability to operate equipment, including a forklift and pallet jack
- Ability to wear company provided personal protection equipment including eye protection, steel toed shoes, gloves, Tyvek coveralls, and respirator as needed.
- Have the ability to read, write and speak in English
- Must be 18 years of age or older
- Must be able to work indoor and outdoor in all weather conditions
Preferred Qualifications:
- Proficiency with Windows based programs (i.e. Excel and Word)
- Knowledge of OSHA, DOT, and RCRA Regulations
- Has the ability to operate a powered industrial truck, e.g., forklift and possesses safe driving record.
- Able to work in a team environment or alone based on business needs
- Good attendance record and safe work history
Additional Information
Clean Earth offers competitive benefits including health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance plans starting on the first day of employment; paid time off, wellness benefits, employee discount program, tuition assistance, and a 401k with company matching.
We provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, gender identity, or genetics. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
If you have a difficulty applying for any job posted on Harsco Clean Earth’s website because a disability prevents you from using the online system, Clean Earth offers the following alternate application procedure: Call toll free (833) 209-2659 and leave your name, phone number, city and state of residence. Clean Earth will arrange for an alternate method of applying and will consider your application together with all other applications received for the job. This line is dedicated to disability applications only. No other inquiries will receive a response.
See all 93+ Environmental Technician jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Environmental Technician roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as an Environmental Technician
Verify your CIP code before applying
Check that your degree's CIP code appears on the STEM Designated Degree Program List maintained by USCIS. Environmental science, environmental engineering, and natural resources degrees qualify, but interdisciplinary programs sometimes carry non-STEM codes that block the extension.
Confirm E-Verify status before accepting offers
Ask hiring managers whether the company is enrolled in E-Verify before you reach the offer stage. Environmental firms, especially smaller regional contractors doing government site work, aren't always enrolled, and your STEM OPT extension depends entirely on that enrollment status.
Target environmental consulting firms with federal contracts
Federal contractors are legally required to use E-Verify, making them structurally safer employers for STEM OPT students. Environmental consulting firms that hold EPA, Army Corps, or DOD remediation contracts typically already run E-Verify for all new hires.
Build your I-983 around field-specific learning objectives
Your training plan must connect hands-on field work, such as soil sampling or air quality monitoring, to the STEM knowledge from your degree. Generic objectives get flagged by DSOs; tie each goal to a specific technique or regulatory standard you'll apply on the job.
Search Migrate Mate to find verified Environmental Technician roles
Migrate Mate filters Environmental Technician listings by employers with confirmed E-Verify enrollment, so you're not wasting applications on firms that can't legally hire you on STEM OPT. Use it to identify active openings before reaching out directly to hiring managers.
File your STEM OPT extension 90 days before OPT expires
USCIS requires your extension application to be received before your current EAD expires. For Environmental Technician roles with seasonal field schedules, a lapse in authorization mid-project can disqualify you from ongoing site work, so file as early as the 90-day window opens.
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Find Environmental Technician JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Does an environmental science or environmental engineering degree qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes, if your degree's CIP code appears on the USCIS STEM Designated Degree Program List. Environmental science (CIP 03.0104), environmental engineering (CIP 14.1401), and natural resources management (CIP 03.0201) are common qualifying codes. Interdisciplinary or sustainability-focused programs sometimes carry non-STEM codes, so verify your specific CIP code with your DSO before applying for the extension.
Does my Environmental Technician employer need to be enrolled in E-Verify?
Yes. E-Verify enrollment is a mandatory condition for STEM OPT authorization. If your employer is not enrolled in E-Verify at the time you file your extension, USCIS will deny it. Confirm enrollment directly with your HR department or look up the employer's E-Verify status through the E-Verify employer search tool before accepting any offer.
What should my I-983 training plan include for an Environmental Technician role?
Your I-983 must describe how the work directly applies knowledge from your STEM degree. For Environmental Technician positions, that means documenting specific activities, such as conducting soil or water sampling, operating field instruments, or analyzing environmental compliance data, and explaining how each connects to your coursework. Generic descriptions don't satisfy DSO review; learning objectives should reference actual field methods and regulatory frameworks you'll use on the job.
How does cap-gap protection apply if I'm an Environmental Technician on STEM OPT and my employer files an H-1B petition?
If your employer files an H-1B petition on your behalf before your STEM OPT EAD expires, cap-gap automatically extends your work authorization through September 30 of that fiscal year. If your H-1B is selected and approved, your authorization continues. If it's not selected, your STEM OPT authorization ends on September 30 and you'll need to stop working unless you have another status to fall back on.
Where can I find Environmental Technician jobs where employers are already set up to hire STEM OPT students?
Migrate Mate lists Environmental Technician roles filtered by employers enrolled in E-Verify, which is the single structural requirement that makes STEM OPT hiring possible. Searching there means you're seeing opportunities from employers who can actually complete the authorization process, rather than firms that would need to enroll in E-Verify from scratch after extending you an offer.
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