Energy STEM OPT Jobs in Colorado
F-1 STEM OPT energy jobs in Colorado put you inside one of the country's most active clean energy markets, with employers like Xcel Energy, SolarWinds, and national labs such as NREL in Golden filing consistent OPT sponsorship records. Denver, Boulder, and Fort Collins anchor most hiring, spanning roles in renewable energy engineering, grid systems, and energy data analytics.
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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.
STEM OPT Energy Job Roles in Colorado
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Search Energy Jobs in ColoradoEnergy STEM OPT Sponsorship Jobs in Colorado: Frequently Asked Questions
Which energy companies in Colorado have sponsored F-1 STEM OPT workers?
Companies with documented OPT sponsorship activity in Colorado's energy sector include Xcel Energy, Vestas, and SolarWinds, alongside federally funded research employers like the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden. Larger utilities and independent power producers tend to file more consistently than smaller contractors, though sponsorship eligibility depends on the specific role, employer size, and whether the position meets STEM OPT criteria at the time of hiring.
Which cities in Colorado have the most energy F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs?
Denver is the center of gravity for Colorado energy hiring, hosting corporate offices for utilities, oil and gas firms, and clean energy developers. Boulder and Golden are particularly active for research-oriented roles, driven by NREL and university-affiliated programs at the University of Colorado. Fort Collins has a growing concentration of wind and grid technology employers. Pueblo and Alamosa see activity tied to large-scale solar and wind project development, though corporate sponsorship infrastructure is more limited there.
What types of energy roles typically qualify for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in Colorado?
Roles that commonly qualify are those mapped to STEM-designated STEM degree classifications recognized by the Department of Homeland Security. In Colorado's energy sector, this includes electrical engineers, power systems analysts, environmental engineers, software engineers supporting grid or energy management platforms, and data scientists working on energy modeling. The position must be a paid, degree-related role at a STEM-designated employer enrolled in E-Verify. Technician or field operations roles without a degree-level requirement may not meet the specialty occupation standard needed for STEM OPT.
How do I find energy F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs in Colorado?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for this search, you can filter by visa type, state, and industry to surface Colorado energy employers with verified F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship history. Because sponsorship willingness isn't always stated in job postings, Migrate Mate surfaces employers based on actual DOL filing records rather than self-reported badges. Focus your search on Denver, Boulder, and Golden for the highest concentration of qualifying openings, and prioritize employers who are already E-Verify enrolled.
Are there any Colorado-specific considerations for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in the energy industry?
Colorado's energy transition policy, including its aggressive renewable portfolio standards, has expanded hiring at clean energy companies, which in turn increases the pool of employers actively recruiting STEM talent. However, many smaller renewable developers operating in the state may not have prior OPT sponsorship experience, which can slow the authorization process. NREL and state university research programs offer structured paths that are generally more familiar with STEM OPT requirements. Colorado also has no state-level immigration filing beyond federal requirements, so the process follows standard USCIS and DOL procedures.