Waste Management & Environmental Services OPT Jobs in California
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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Company Description
Veolia has acquired Clean Earth. As Clean Earth completes its integration into Veolia, recruiting and hiring for this role is being managed in partnership with the Clean Earth talent acquisition team.
Veolia in North America is the top-ranked environmental company in the United States for three consecutive years, and the country’s largest private water operator and technology provider as well as hazardous waste and pollution treatment leader. It offers a full spectrum of water, waste, and energy management services, including water and wastewater treatment, commercial and hazardous waste collection and disposal, energy consulting and resource recovery. Veolia helps commercial, industrial, healthcare, higher education and municipality customers throughout North America. Headquartered in Boston, Veolia has more than 10,000 employees working at more than 350 locations across North America.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Handles hazardous materials including inventorying, identifying, segregating, and packaging waste material in accordance with Lab Pack policies, procedures and practices and all applicable regulations.
- Perform onsite services which may include waste collection, consolidation (i.e., bulking, repackaging), sampling, safety/compliance inspections, and other related activities required by the customer/contract. Assists other business groups, i.e., Depack, Retail and HHW, both internal and onsite as needed.
- Preparing shipment of packaged waste by inspecting, labeling, marking, and loading into the transport vehicle.
- Properly completes documentation including shipping papers, Land Disposal Restrictions (LDR’s), evaluations/certifications and other required documentation in accordance with appropriate regulations and procedures.
- Maintain a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with Hazmat Endorsement to legally operate Clean Earth vehicles necessary for transporting personnel and waste to and from customers’ job locations.
- Follows, understands, and promotes by example, all Health & Safety /Job Safety Analysis (JSA’s) procedures including development of on-site Health & Safety plans/JSA’s as outlined in the procedures and policies.
- Perform unknown field testing for classification and packaging for transportation and disposal.
- Mentor and assist new employees in field work duties.
- Complete site walks to inventory and assess requirements for potential and awarded work.
- Assist sales in creating estimates for lab pack work.
- Lead/coordinate field service/lab pack jobs requiring multiple personnel/days.
- Assist in other areas as directed including but not limited to assistance in scheduling and support of staff training.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Basic Requirements:
- Associate College in general science (BS preferred) is required for the Lab Pack Chemist.
- Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with Hazardous Material endorsement and a clear record.
- Moderate to extensive travel with 20% overnight travel.
- Physical ability to lift and move material of various weights frequently exceeding 55 lbs.
- Basic understanding of chemistry through general chemistry or biology.
- Advanced knowledge of EPA and DOT.
- Minimum two (2) years lab pack experience.
- 40-hour OSHA HAZWOPER.
- 8 hours DOT Training.
- PPE Training which includes Respirators.
- 40 hours Depack Experience.
This position requires a CDL B to be obtained within a 6-month period from your start date. Failure to obtain a CDL B within the 6-month period will mean you are no longer eligible for the Lab Pack Chemist position.
This position is also contingent upon successful completion of a DOT physical, DOT Drug Screen and any other DOL or company requirements.
Additional Information
Starting pay: $37.00 - $38.00 hourly.
Benefits: Comprehensive benefits package includes paid time off policies, as well as health, dental, vision, life insurance, tuition reimbursement, paid volunteering and more. In addition, commencing no later than January 1, 2027, benefits package will include participation in an employer sponsored 401(k) plan, to save for retirement. Pay and benefits for employees represented by a union are outlined in their collective bargaining agreement.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer! All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.
Disclaimer: The salary, other compensation, and benefits information is accurate as of the date of this posting. The Company reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.
OPT Waste Management & Environmental Services Job Roles in California
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Search Waste Management & Environmental Services Jobs in CaliforniaWaste Management & Environmental Services OPT Sponsorship Jobs in California: Frequently 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.