STEM OPT Hydrogeologist Jobs
Hydrogeologist roles in groundwater assessment, contamination remediation, and water resource management qualify for STEM OPT's 24-month extension when your degree is in geology, environmental science, or a related STEM field. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify to hire you under STEM OPT.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
What You'll Do:
- Supporting a broad spectrum of groundwater resource projects related to high-yield supply well installation and testing, mining dewatering evaluations, groundwater resource assessments, well rehabilitation, stormwater basin mounding analysis, construction dewatering evaluations, and much more. Work will be performed under the supervision of senior hydrogeologists, resulting in unique mentoring opportunities for a variety of hydrogeological tasks and applications.
- Assist with all aspects of a project with a focus on field work, project management, data analysis, map preparation, and technical reporting.
- Work with governmental, municipal, industrial, and commercial clients.
- Field evaluation work to include well logging, aquifer testing, groundwater sampling, subcontractor oversight, surface water monitoring, etc.
- Office work to include technical reporting, data analysis, client and subcontractor coordination, proposal preparation, and map preparation.
- Work in a variety of hydrogeologic environments, including coastal plain, crystalline bedrock, and karst aquifer systems.
- Overnight travel is infrequent but will be required at times.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- 0-3 years of related experience required
- Bachelor's and/or Master's of Science in Hydrogeology or related fields such as Geology or Environmental Engineering with a focus in Hydrogeology
- Must be proficient using Microsoft Word, Excel, and ArcPro. Experience with AQTESOLV and/or Visual MODFLOW Flex is preferred
- Excellent writing and communication skills and a commitment to continued learning
COMPENSATION
- The expected pay range for this role and location is $50,000-70,000/year. The final agreed-upon compensation will be determined based on specific location and other individual qualifications.
MILITARY QUALIFICATIONS
The following US Military ranks will qualify for this position IF they also meet the education requirements from the above section titled "Required Qualifications":
- + E-5
WHO WE ARE
ECS Group of Companies (ECS) was founded in 1988 with the goal to raise the standards of professional engineering consulting. Today, we are a leader in geotechnical, construction materials, environmental and building science + infrastructure consulting services. We are employee-owned with more than 3,000 employees in 100+ offices and testing facilities coast to coast. ECS is currently ranked #60 in Engineering News-Record’s Top 500 Design Firms (April 2026), #148 in Engineering News-Record’s Top 200 Environmental Firms (October 2025) and #38 in Zweig Group’s Hot Firm List (June 2026).
ECS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. To learn more, click here.
INTRODUCTION
What You'll Do:
- Supporting a broad spectrum of groundwater resource projects related to high-yield supply well installation and testing, mining dewatering evaluations, groundwater resource assessments, well rehabilitation, stormwater basin mounding analysis, construction dewatering evaluations, and much more. Work will be performed under the supervision of senior hydrogeologists, resulting in unique mentoring opportunities for a variety of hydrogeological tasks and applications.
- Assist with all aspects of a project with a focus on field work, project management, data analysis, map preparation, and technical reporting.
- Work with governmental, municipal, industrial, and commercial clients.
- Field evaluation work to include well logging, aquifer testing, groundwater sampling, subcontractor oversight, surface water monitoring, etc.
- Office work to include technical reporting, data analysis, client and subcontractor coordination, proposal preparation, and map preparation.
- Work in a variety of hydrogeologic environments, including coastal plain, crystalline bedrock, and karst aquifer systems.
- Overnight travel is infrequent but will be required at times.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- 0-3 years of related experience required
- Bachelor's and/or Master's of Science in Hydrogeology or related fields such as Geology or Environmental Engineering with a focus in Hydrogeology
- Must be proficient using Microsoft Word, Excel, and ArcPro. Experience with AQTESOLV and/or Visual MODFLOW Flex is preferred
- Excellent writing and communication skills and a commitment to continued learning
COMPENSATION
- The expected pay range for this role and location is $50,000-70,000/year. The final agreed-upon compensation will be determined based on specific location and other individual qualifications.
MILITARY QUALIFICATIONS
The following US Military ranks will qualify for this position IF they also meet the education requirements from the above section titled "Required Qualifications":
- + E-5
WHO WE ARE
ECS Group of Companies (ECS) was founded in 1988 with the goal to raise the standards of professional engineering consulting. Today, we are a leader in geotechnical, construction materials, environmental and building science + infrastructure consulting services. We are employee-owned with more than 3,000 employees in 100+ offices and testing facilities coast to coast. ECS is currently ranked #60 in Engineering News-Record’s Top 500 Design Firms (April 2026), #148 in Engineering News-Record’s Top 200 Environmental Firms (October 2025) and #38 in Zweig Group’s Hot Firm List (June 2026).
ECS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. To learn more, click here.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization in Hydrogeologist
Verify your CIP code before applying
Hydrogeology roles typically qualify under CIP codes for geology, environmental science, or hydrology. Confirm your degree's CIP code with your DSO before submitting applications so you know exactly which roles trigger STEM OPT extension eligibility.
Search for E-Verify enrolled environmental firms
Check E-Verify's employer search tool to confirm a firm is enrolled before you accept an offer. Many smaller environmental consulting firms do groundwater work but aren't enrolled, which disqualifies them as STEM OPT employers regardless of the role.
Target federal and state agency contractors
Environmental contractors working on federal projects are legally required to use E-Verify under executive order. Water districts, remediation contractors, and USGS subcontractors often meet this threshold, making them reliable STEM OPT-eligible employers for hydrogeologist positions.
Build your I-983 training plan around fieldwork
Your I-983 must connect your STEM degree to on-the-job learning objectives. For hydrogeologist roles, document specific training in aquifer testing, groundwater modeling software, or regulatory compliance work rather than listing generic job duties.
Use Migrate Mate to find verified hydrogeologist openings
Search Migrate Mate for hydrogeologist roles filtered by employers with active E-Verify enrollment and STEM OPT hiring history. This saves you from applying to firms that can't legally extend your work authorization.
Ask about the I-983 sign-off process during offers
Before accepting an offer, confirm that a supervisor with HR authority can sign your I-983 training plan. Some smaller geoscience firms lack a formal HR function, which can delay USCIS compliance reporting and put your STEM OPT status at risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a geology or environmental science degree qualify for STEM OPT to work as a hydrogeologist?
Yes, if your degree is in geology, hydrology, environmental science, or a closely related STEM field with a qualifying CIP code, you're eligible to apply for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Your DSO confirms the CIP code. Degrees in unrelated fields like business or communications don't qualify, even if you're working in a technical hydrogeology role.
Does my hydrogeologist employer need to be enrolled in E-Verify?
Yes, E-Verify enrollment is a hard requirement. Your employer must be actively enrolled in E-Verify for your entire STEM OPT period, not just at the time of hiring. Environmental consulting firms, water utilities, and government contractors vary widely on enrollment status, so verify directly through the E-Verify employer search before you sign an offer.
What goes into the I-983 training plan for a hydrogeologist role?
Your I-983 must describe how the position provides practical training related to your STEM degree. For hydrogeology, this means documenting specific learning goals like aquifer characterization, groundwater flow modeling, contaminant transport analysis, or regulatory reporting under EPA or state environmental programs. Vague duty lists don't satisfy USCIS requirements. Your supervisor must sign off and your DSO must authorize the plan before your extension is granted.
How does cap-gap protection apply if I'm transitioning from STEM OPT to H-1B as a hydrogeologist?
If your employer files an H-1B visa 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 you're selected in the lottery. You can continue working as a hydrogeologist during this period. USCIS issues a cap-gap notice on your I-20, and your employer should update your status in their E-Verify account accordingly.
Where can I find hydrogeologist jobs that accept STEM OPT students?
Migrate Mate lists hydrogeologist and environmental science positions from employers with verified E-Verify enrollment and STEM OPT hiring history. Filtering by STEM OPT on Migrate Mate helps you avoid applying to firms that lack E-Verify enrollment or have no experience managing OPT training plan requirements, which is a common problem with smaller geoscience consultancies.