Waste Management & Environmental Services Jobs in California with F-1 OPT Sponsorship
California is one of the strongest states for waste management and environmental services F-1 OPT jobs, with major employers like Republic Services, Clean Harbors, and Veolia operating across Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Sacramento. The state's strict environmental regulations and clean energy mandates drive consistent demand for environmental scientists, engineers, and sustainability specialists who qualify for OPT work authorization.
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Position Summary: The Safety Representative provides support to one or more divisions to successfully instill a safety sensitive culture into local operations by interpreting Company policies, and federal and state regulations and guidelines, and implementing safety programs that specifically target and encourage proactive and sustainable safety sensitive behaviors.
PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Ensures operations management conducts regularly scheduled safety meetings with drivers, shop employees, landfill employees, office employees, and management regarding safe driving, operating and working principles.
- Coordinates and participates in accident investigations and follow-up accident reporting for the division.
- Recommends post-accident and post-incident corrective action.
- Ensures driver evaluations and re-evaluations are conducted in accordance with company standards.
- Administers and/or monitor drug testing policy to ensure it meets pre-employment, random and post-accident/post-injury testing requirements, and regulatory and company standards.
- Ensures division managers and supervisors are properly trained in health and safety regulatory requirements.
- Ensures all accident registers and files, safety and workers compensation records and driver certification files are maintained according to federal and state requirements, and Company policy by regularly inspecting files.
- Conducts and records employee observations, premise and shop inspections, landfill/transfer station/Recycling Centers equipment inspections and periodic vehicle safety inspections.
- Conducts site visits to confirm ineffective documentation of records and where evident, takes action to correct the maintenance of such records.
- Participates in the investigation of serious accidents/injuries.
- Provides accident data, and accident reduction goals to division management.
- Performs other job-related duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Prior experience in an OSHA regulated environment.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
- High school diploma or G.E.D.
- Minimum of 3 years of experience is a safety related position.
- Valid driver’s license.
Pay Range: The pay range for this position is $86,400.00 to $118,800.00* which reflects the minimum wage in multiple jurisdictions. The actual range will depend on the locality in which you are hired.
Bonus Plan Details (if applicable):
Rewarding Compensation and Benefits
Eligible employees can elect to participate in:
- Comprehensive medical benefits coverage, dental plans and vision coverage.
- Health care and dependent care spending accounts.
- Short- and long-term disability.
- Life insurance and accidental death & dismemberment insurance.
- Employee and Family Assistance Program (EAP).
- Employee discount programs.
- 401(k) plan with a generous company match.
- Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP).
- Paid Time Off (PTO)
Benefits
The statements used herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by an employee in this position, and are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties and skills required by an incumbent so classified. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the Company.
EEO STATEMENT: Republic Services is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, relationship or association with a protected veteran (spouses or other family members), genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
ABOUT THE COMPANY
Republic Services, Inc. (NYSE: RSG) is a leader in the environmental services industry. We provide customers with the most complete set of products and services, including recycling, waste, special waste, hazardous waste and field services. Our industry-leading commitments to advance circularity and support decarbonization are helping deliver on our vision to partner with customers to create a more sustainable world.
In 2023, Republic’s total company revenue was $14.9 billion, and adjusted EBITDA was $4.4 billion. We serve 13 million customers and operate more than 1,000 locations, including collection and transfer stations, recycling and polymer centers, treatment facilities, and landfills.
Although we operate across North America, the collection, recycling, treatment, or disposal of materials is a local business, and the dynamics and opportunities differ in each market we serve. By combining local operational management with standardized business practices, we drive greater operating efficiencies across the company while maintaining day-to-day operational decisions at the local level, closest to the customer.
Our customers, including small businesses, major corporations and municipalities, want a partner with the expertise and capabilities to effectively manage their multiple recycling and waste streams. They choose Republic Services because we are committed to exceeding their expectations and helping them achieve their sustainability goals. Our 41,000 team members understand that it's not just what we do that matters, but how we do it.
Our company values guide our daily actions:
- Safe: We protect the livelihoods of our colleagues and communities.
- Committed to Serve: We go above and beyond to exceed our customers’ expectations.
- Environmentally Responsible: We take action to improve our environment.
- Driven: We deliver results in the right way.
- Human-Centered: We respect the dignity and unique potential of every person.
We are proud of our high employee engagement score of 86. We have an inclusive and diverse culture where every voice counts. In addition, our team positively impacted 4.6 million people in 2023 through the Republic Services Charitable Foundation and local community grants. These projects are designed to meet the specific needs of the communities we serve, with a focus on building sustainable neighborhoods.
STRATEGY
Republic Services’ strategy is designed to generate profitable growth. Through acquisitions and industry advancements, we safely and sustainably manage our customers’ multiple waste streams through a North American footprint of vertically integrated assets.
We focus on three areas of growth to meet the increasing needs of our customers: recycling and waste, environmental solutions and sustainability innovation.
With our integrated approach, strengthening our position in one area advances other areas of our business. For example, as we grow volume in recycling and waste, we collect additional material to bolster our circularity capabilities. And as we expand environmental solutions, we drive additional opportunities to provide these services to our existing recycling and waste customers.
Recycling and Waste
We continue to expand our recycling and waste business footprint throughout North America through organic growth and targeted acquisitions. The 13 million customers we serve and our more than 5 million pick-ups per day provide us with a distinct advantage. We aggregate materials at scale, unlocking new opportunities for advanced recycling. In addition, we are cross-selling new products and services to better meet our customers’ specific needs.
Environmental Solutions
Our comprehensive environmental solutions capabilities help customers safely manage their most technical waste streams. We are expanding both our capabilities and our geographic footprint. We see strong growth opportunities for our offerings, including PFAS remediation, an increasing customer need.
SUSTAINABILITY INNOVATION
Republic’s recent innovations to advance circularity and decarbonization demonstrate our unique ability to leverage sustainability as a platform for growth.
The Republic Services Polymer Center is the nation’s first integrated plastics recycling facility. This innovative site processes rigid plastics from our recycling centers, producing recycled materials that promote true bottle-to-bottle circularity. We also formed Blue Polymers, a joint venture with Ravago, to develop facilities that will further process plastic material from our Polymer Centers to help meet the growing demand for sustainable packaging. We are building a network of Polymer Centers and Blue Polymer facilities across North America.
We continue to advance decarbonization at our landfills. As demand for renewable energy continues to grow, we have 70 landfill gas-to-energy projects in operation and plan to expand our portfolio to 115 projects by 2028.
RECENT RECOGNITION
- Barron’s 100 Most Sustainable Companies
- CDP Discloser
- Dow Jones Sustainability Indices
- Ethisphere’s World’s Most Ethical Companies
- Fortune World’s Most Admired Companies
- Great Place to Work
- Sustainability Yearbook S&P Global

Position Summary: The Safety Representative provides support to one or more divisions to successfully instill a safety sensitive culture into local operations by interpreting Company policies, and federal and state regulations and guidelines, and implementing safety programs that specifically target and encourage proactive and sustainable safety sensitive behaviors.
PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Ensures operations management conducts regularly scheduled safety meetings with drivers, shop employees, landfill employees, office employees, and management regarding safe driving, operating and working principles.
- Coordinates and participates in accident investigations and follow-up accident reporting for the division.
- Recommends post-accident and post-incident corrective action.
- Ensures driver evaluations and re-evaluations are conducted in accordance with company standards.
- Administers and/or monitor drug testing policy to ensure it meets pre-employment, random and post-accident/post-injury testing requirements, and regulatory and company standards.
- Ensures division managers and supervisors are properly trained in health and safety regulatory requirements.
- Ensures all accident registers and files, safety and workers compensation records and driver certification files are maintained according to federal and state requirements, and Company policy by regularly inspecting files.
- Conducts and records employee observations, premise and shop inspections, landfill/transfer station/Recycling Centers equipment inspections and periodic vehicle safety inspections.
- Conducts site visits to confirm ineffective documentation of records and where evident, takes action to correct the maintenance of such records.
- Participates in the investigation of serious accidents/injuries.
- Provides accident data, and accident reduction goals to division management.
- Performs other job-related duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Prior experience in an OSHA regulated environment.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
- High school diploma or G.E.D.
- Minimum of 3 years of experience is a safety related position.
- Valid driver’s license.
Pay Range: The pay range for this position is $86,400.00 to $118,800.00* which reflects the minimum wage in multiple jurisdictions. The actual range will depend on the locality in which you are hired.
Bonus Plan Details (if applicable):
Rewarding Compensation and Benefits
Eligible employees can elect to participate in:
- Comprehensive medical benefits coverage, dental plans and vision coverage.
- Health care and dependent care spending accounts.
- Short- and long-term disability.
- Life insurance and accidental death & dismemberment insurance.
- Employee and Family Assistance Program (EAP).
- Employee discount programs.
- 401(k) plan with a generous company match.
- Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP).
- Paid Time Off (PTO)
Benefits
The statements used herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by an employee in this position, and are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties and skills required by an incumbent so classified. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the Company.
EEO STATEMENT: Republic Services is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, relationship or association with a protected veteran (spouses or other family members), genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
ABOUT THE COMPANY
Republic Services, Inc. (NYSE: RSG) is a leader in the environmental services industry. We provide customers with the most complete set of products and services, including recycling, waste, special waste, hazardous waste and field services. Our industry-leading commitments to advance circularity and support decarbonization are helping deliver on our vision to partner with customers to create a more sustainable world.
In 2023, Republic’s total company revenue was $14.9 billion, and adjusted EBITDA was $4.4 billion. We serve 13 million customers and operate more than 1,000 locations, including collection and transfer stations, recycling and polymer centers, treatment facilities, and landfills.
Although we operate across North America, the collection, recycling, treatment, or disposal of materials is a local business, and the dynamics and opportunities differ in each market we serve. By combining local operational management with standardized business practices, we drive greater operating efficiencies across the company while maintaining day-to-day operational decisions at the local level, closest to the customer.
Our customers, including small businesses, major corporations and municipalities, want a partner with the expertise and capabilities to effectively manage their multiple recycling and waste streams. They choose Republic Services because we are committed to exceeding their expectations and helping them achieve their sustainability goals. Our 41,000 team members understand that it's not just what we do that matters, but how we do it.
Our company values guide our daily actions:
- Safe: We protect the livelihoods of our colleagues and communities.
- Committed to Serve: We go above and beyond to exceed our customers’ expectations.
- Environmentally Responsible: We take action to improve our environment.
- Driven: We deliver results in the right way.
- Human-Centered: We respect the dignity and unique potential of every person.
We are proud of our high employee engagement score of 86. We have an inclusive and diverse culture where every voice counts. In addition, our team positively impacted 4.6 million people in 2023 through the Republic Services Charitable Foundation and local community grants. These projects are designed to meet the specific needs of the communities we serve, with a focus on building sustainable neighborhoods.
STRATEGY
Republic Services’ strategy is designed to generate profitable growth. Through acquisitions and industry advancements, we safely and sustainably manage our customers’ multiple waste streams through a North American footprint of vertically integrated assets.
We focus on three areas of growth to meet the increasing needs of our customers: recycling and waste, environmental solutions and sustainability innovation.
With our integrated approach, strengthening our position in one area advances other areas of our business. For example, as we grow volume in recycling and waste, we collect additional material to bolster our circularity capabilities. And as we expand environmental solutions, we drive additional opportunities to provide these services to our existing recycling and waste customers.
Recycling and Waste
We continue to expand our recycling and waste business footprint throughout North America through organic growth and targeted acquisitions. The 13 million customers we serve and our more than 5 million pick-ups per day provide us with a distinct advantage. We aggregate materials at scale, unlocking new opportunities for advanced recycling. In addition, we are cross-selling new products and services to better meet our customers’ specific needs.
Environmental Solutions
Our comprehensive environmental solutions capabilities help customers safely manage their most technical waste streams. We are expanding both our capabilities and our geographic footprint. We see strong growth opportunities for our offerings, including PFAS remediation, an increasing customer need.
SUSTAINABILITY INNOVATION
Republic’s recent innovations to advance circularity and decarbonization demonstrate our unique ability to leverage sustainability as a platform for growth.
The Republic Services Polymer Center is the nation’s first integrated plastics recycling facility. This innovative site processes rigid plastics from our recycling centers, producing recycled materials that promote true bottle-to-bottle circularity. We also formed Blue Polymers, a joint venture with Ravago, to develop facilities that will further process plastic material from our Polymer Centers to help meet the growing demand for sustainable packaging. We are building a network of Polymer Centers and Blue Polymer facilities across North America.
We continue to advance decarbonization at our landfills. As demand for renewable energy continues to grow, we have 70 landfill gas-to-energy projects in operation and plan to expand our portfolio to 115 projects by 2028.
RECENT RECOGNITION
- Barron’s 100 Most Sustainable Companies
- CDP Discloser
- Dow Jones Sustainability Indices
- Ethisphere’s World’s Most Ethical Companies
- Fortune World’s Most Admired Companies
- Great Place to Work
- Sustainability Yearbook S&P Global
Job Roles in Waste Management & Environmental Services in California
See all 115+ Waste Management & Environmental Services California jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Waste Management & Environmental Services California roles.
Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Which waste management and environmental services companies sponsor F-1 OPT visas in California?
California-based operations of national firms like Republic Services, Clean Harbors, Veolia, and Stericycle have historically hired OPT workers in technical and engineering roles. Smaller environmental consulting firms, including those specializing in hazardous waste remediation and water quality, also participate in OPT hiring. Sponsorship is not guaranteed, and each company's willingness to hire OPT workers varies by role, location, and hiring cycle.
Which cities in California have the most waste management and environmental services F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs?
Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Sacramento tend to concentrate the most environmental services roles in California, given their large municipal contracts, port-adjacent industrial activity, and state agency headquarters. The San Francisco Bay Area in particular has strong demand for environmental compliance and sustainability roles, driven by dense corporate sustainability teams and proximity to environmental regulatory bodies.
What types of waste management and environmental services roles typically qualify for F-1 OPT sponsorship?
Roles most commonly associated with OPT eligibility in this industry include environmental engineers, environmental scientists, hydrogeologists, sustainability analysts, and hazardous materials specialists. These positions typically require a relevant bachelor's or advanced degree in environmental science, civil engineering, chemistry, or a related field. OPT authorization must be directly related to your degree program, so confirming the connection between your field of study and the role is important before applying.
How do I find waste management and environmental services F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in California?
Migrate Mate is a job board built specifically for international students and visa holders, making it easier to identify waste management and environmental services employers in California that are open to F-1 OPT candidates. Rather than filtering through general job boards, Migrate Mate focuses on sponsorship-friendly listings, so you can focus your applications on roles where OPT work authorization is a realistic fit for your degree and timeline.
Are there California-specific considerations for F-1 OPT workers in waste management and environmental services?
California's stringent environmental regulations under agencies like the California Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Toxic Substances Control mean that many roles require knowledge of state-specific compliance frameworks, which can be an advantage for candidates with relevant coursework. OPT students should also be mindful of their work authorization end date and whether a role's project timeline aligns with their remaining OPT period, including any STEM OPT extension eligibility.
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