Energy OPT Jobs in Colorado
Colorado's energy sector spans oil and gas operations along the Front Range, renewable energy development in the eastern plains, and cleantech research tied to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden. Companies like Xcel Energy, Chevron, and SolarWinds have hired F-1 OPT candidates in engineering and technical roles. Denver and Boulder anchor most sponsorship activity.
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INTRODUCTION
Xcel Energy (NASDAQ: XEL) is a leading energy provider and Fortune 500 company, dedicated to serving millions of electricity and natural gas customers across eight states: Minnesota, Colorado, Wisconsin, Michigan, North Dakota, South Dakota, New Mexico and Texas. We make energy work better for our customers, helping them thrive every day. That means always raising the bar - delivering better service and providing more reliable, resilient, and sustainable energy.
Xcel Energy is a place where you’ll have opportunities to grow, expand your skills, and help lead the clean energy transition. We offer meaningful rewards, recognition, and support to help you build your career and make an impact - both on the job and beyond. Most importantly, it means you’ll be joining a company that knows employees are the driving force behind its success and is committed to helping you be your best.
Xcel Energy supports a hybrid work model to enable collaboration and flexibility. Many roles are expected to work onsite three days per week (Tuesday–Thursday); however, work location expectations vary based on role, team, and business needs.
Position Summary
Designs, implements, and administers broad environmental studies and compliance programs and is responsible for securing and renewing permits and licenses. Practices originality and ingenuity on relatively difficult and complex issues. Works under minimal supervision conferring primarily on unusual matters and has appreciable latitude for unreviewed actions and/or decisions. Occasionally participates on special work teams and may act as a coordinator or technical consultant on small projects. May occasionally be assisted by Environmental Analyst I and II personnel. Possesses and applies broad knowledge of environmental theories, principles, techniques and related work disciplines and applies it along with related work experience in completing difficult job assignments.
The job summary below and responsibilities reflect the Environmental Analyst III role. The successfully chosen candidate will be placed at a level that is commensurate with their skills and experience as different skills and/or experience will be required at the Environmental Analyst IV level.
Essential Responsibilities
- Designs and develops environmental procedures and programs designed to minimize deficiencies and ensure compliance with existing federal, state, and local regulations, licenses, and permits pertaining to environmental control at the corporation's facilities. (Major areas may include air, water quality, and land quality; liquid and solid waste disposal, above ground and underground storage tanks, radiation, emergency plans, DOT compliance with pipeline and transportation and FAA safety regulations.)
- Designs and administers studies and monitoring programs. Conducts research and prepares and/or reviews data required to support permit applications, regulatory reports, management plans and performance indicators.
- Prepares technical reports and permit applications based on the interpretation of data, observations, and current regulations.
- Performs in-depth environmental reviews and inspections to facilitate compliance with applicable regulations. Conducts environmental assessment of sites and facilities to minimize corporate risk and liability.
- Provides technical guidance and formal regulatory required and requested environmental training and guidance to facility personnel and outside contractors to promote environmental compliance.
- As requested, reviews and comments on proposed new regulations and legislation as to its potential impact on each business unit. Once adopted, assist facilities in any modifications to procedures, processes or operation to come into compliance.
- Assists with budget preparation and works to implement programs within budget, time and regulatory constraints.
- Upon request, provides technical assistance to emergency incidents at facilities.
Environmental Analyst III Minimum Requirements
Salary Range: $73,700 - 104,633
- BS/BA in environmental science, engineering, applied science, or related fields and four years of professional environmental related work experience.
- (Note: An Associate college degree in areas of environmental or applied science and three years of progressive responsibilities in environmental related work experience may be substituted for the education portion of the requirement. The following additional advanced education in the field can be substituted for related work experience: MS/MA/MBA = 2 years; PhD/J.D. = 3 years.)
Environmental Analyst IV Minimum Requirements
Salary Range: $84,900 - 120,566
- BS/BA in environmental science, engineering, applied science, or related fields and six years of progressively more responsible environmental related work experience including, but not limited to environmental regulations, remedial procedures, audit procedures, and power generation processes.
- Demonstrated skills in technical writing, verbal communication, and negotiations.
- (Note: An Associate college degree in areas of environmental or applied science and three years of progressive responsibilities in related work experience may be substituted for the education requirement. The following additional advanced education in the field can be substituted for related work experience: MS/MA/MBA = 2 years; PhD/J.D. = 3 years.)
Our culture is grounded in shared values and employee commitments that guide how we work, support one another, and grow together.
Our Values
Connected, Committed, Trustworthy, Safe
Our Employee Commitments
- Work that makes a difference
- A team you can count of
- Opportunities to grow
- Rewards that help you thrive
Xcel Energy provides job applicants reasonable accommodations for disabilities throughout the application process. If you are in need of an accommodation to complete the application process, now or at any time in the future, please complete the Applicant Accommodation Request Form.
Non-Bargaining
The anticipated starting base pay for this position is: $73,700.00 to $120,566.00 per year
This position is eligible for the following benefits: Annual Incentive Program, Medical/Pharmacy Plan, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account, Health Care Flexible Spending Account, Health Savings Account (HSA) (if enrolled in eligible health plan), Limited-Purpose FSA (if enrolled in eligible health plan and HSA), Transportation Reimbursement Account, Short-term disability (STD), Long-term disability (LTD), Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Fitness Center Reimbursement (if enrolled in eligible health plan), Tuition reimbursement, Transit programs, Employee recognition program, Pension, 401(k) plan, Paid time off (PTO), Holidays, Volunteer Paid Time Off (VPTO), Parental Leave
Benefit plans are subject to change and Xcel Energy has the right to end, suspend, or amend any of its plans, at any time, in whole or in part.
In any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information including but not limited to dates of school attendance and graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.
Deadline to Apply: 11/10/26
EEO is the Law (PDF) | Equal Opportunity Statement (PDF) | Employee Rights (PDF)
All Xcel Energy employees and contractors share responsibility for protecting the company's information and systems by adhering to cybersecurity policies, standards, and best practices, recognizing that cybersecurity is everyone's responsibility.
Accessibility Statement
Xcel Energy endeavors to make https://www.xcelenergy.com and https://jobs.xcelenergy.com accessible to any and all users. If you are in need of an accommodation to complete the application process, now or at any time in the future, please complete the Applicant Accommodation Request Form. For any other application related questions, including application follow-ups or technical issues, please use our Recruiting Assistance, Electra, for assistance. Electra can be found in the lower right-hand corner of our Xcel Energy Careers site.
OPT Energy Job Roles in Colorado
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Search Energy Jobs in ColoradoEnergy OPT Sponsorship Jobs in Colorado: Frequently Asked Questions
Which energy companies sponsor F-1 OPT visas in Colorado?
Companies with a track record of hiring F-1 OPT candidates in Colorado's energy sector include Xcel Energy, Chevron's Denver operations, Suncor Energy, and various renewable developers active along the Front Range. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden also hires international students for research and engineering roles. Sponsorship availability varies by role, team headcount, and whether the position requires a specific technical degree.
Which cities in Colorado have the most energy F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs?
Denver is the primary hub, home to the regional headquarters of several oil and gas companies and large utilities. Boulder has a concentration of cleantech startups and research organizations, including proximity to NREL in Golden. Fort Collins and Greeley see hiring activity tied to upstream oil and gas operations in the DJ Basin. Remote roles with Colorado-based employers are also increasingly common in this sector.
What types of energy roles typically qualify for F-1 OPT sponsorship?
Roles that commonly qualify are those requiring a specific technical degree, such as petroleum engineering, electrical engineering, chemical engineering, environmental science, or data science applied to energy systems. Positions like reservoir engineer, grid analyst, renewables project engineer, environmental compliance specialist, and energy data analyst appear regularly in OPT hiring. Generalist business or operations roles are less consistently tied to OPT sponsorship in this industry.
How do I find energy F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in Colorado?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically by visa type and industry, so you can search for energy roles in Colorado that are open to F-1 OPT candidates without sorting through positions that don't apply to your situation. The platform aggregates sponsorship-confirmed listings across utilities, oil and gas, and renewables. Narrowing by location to Denver, Boulder, or the broader Front Range will surface the most active hiring markets for energy OPT roles.
Are there any Colorado-specific or energy-industry considerations for F-1 OPT sponsorship?
Colorado's oil and gas sector is regulated at the state level by the Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission, and some environmental and compliance roles may require U.S. citizenship or permanent residency due to federal permitting overlap. For STEM OPT extensions, your degree field must appear on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program list, which includes most engineering and applied science disciplines common in energy hiring. Starting your H-1B visa sponsorship conversation with employers well before your OPT authorization expires is important given cap timelines.