Waste Management & Environmental Services Green Card Sponsorship Jobs in Virginia
Green Card sponsorship jobs in Virginia's waste management and environmental services sector span roles in environmental remediation, water treatment, and solid waste operations across the state. Major employers including Clean Harbors, U.S. LBM, and Covanta operate facilities near Northern Virginia, Richmond, and Hampton Roads, making Virginia one of the more active Mid-Atlantic markets for sponsored permanent residency in this industry.
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Get Access To All JobsRequisition ID: 110531
Share Our Purpose. Be Yourself. Feel Valued.
People are the heart of our business. As an American Water employee, you will be offered a competitive salary and health benefits package, along with opportunities to develop, grow, and evolve your career. Our benefits packages focus on key areas such as health & wellness, emotional & well-being, and savings for current & future goals.
We are Beautifully Different. We strongly believe having diversity across our company makes us more successful and helps us provide essential services to our customers. We are stronger because we embrace different ideas, viewpoints, experiences, and backgrounds. American Water is the best choice for your next role! Click here for more information on our inclusion, diversity, and equity journey.
About American Water
American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States. With a history dating back to 1886 and celebrating 140 years in 2026, We Keep Life Flowing® by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to approximately 14 million people with regulated operations in 14 states and on 18 military installations. American Water’s approximately 7,000 talented professionals leverage their significant expertise and the company’s national size and scale to achieve excellent outcomes for the benefit of customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders.
For more information, visit amwater.com and join American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Job Title: Utility Worker (Backhoe Operator) - $33.87/hour
Posting Start Date: 10/27/26
Position Information
Posted Range: $33.87/hour
This position may be eligible for annual incentive pay and contracted increases as determined by the collective bargaining agreement, and you will have the opportunity for continued salary growth.
In addition to compensation, you will be offered a comprehensive benefits package including 401(k), Defined Contribution Plan, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, medical, prescription, dental and vision coverage, plus disability, paid time off, life insurance, voluntary benefits, health and wellness programs and much more!
American Water is also proud to offer employees learning opportunities and work experiences to grow professionally!
Primary Role
The Utility Worker role performs skilled tasks associated with the construction, operation, and maintenance of the water distribution system including, but not limited to, fire and domestic services, meter settings, water mains and valves. Routinely drives truck equipped with dump body to transport and dump loose materials such as sand, gravel, crushed rock, coal or bituminous paving materials. Performs tasks associated with the operation and maintenance of pump stations, facilities, grounds, and equipment including electrical and mechanical pumps, motors.
This role requires backhoe experience. Candidates must have backhoe experience to be considered for the opportunity.
Key Accountabilities
- Performs all functions in a safe and conscientious manner, with constant regard for the safety of fellow employees and the general public.
- Cuts, threads, and joins pipe sections as directed. Performs wet taps using large and small tapping machines, installs repair sleeves, flares copper, installs meter setting and yokes.
- Cuts, threads, and screws together sections of pipe forming service line and lays service line into trench.
- Erects barricades and places safety lights around worksites to protect workers from street traffic; may flag traffic as required.
- Breaks up pavement, using air hammer, manually digs a ditch preparatory to laying or removing pipe or service lines. Operates, maintains and controls electric motors, pumps, and valves to regulate flow of water.
- Feeds specified amounts of chemicals, such as chlorine, ammonia, and corrosion inhibitor into water supply and/or adjust automatic devices that admit specified amounts of chemicals into water to disinfect and otherwise treat water.
- Documents chemical feed activities and system performance with written reports and automatic charts.
- Records data such as residual content of chemicals, water pressure, power consumption, water output and chemical consumption.
- Monitors panel board(s) and adjusts controls to regulate flow rates and water storage and distribution of water.
- Repairs and lubricates machines and equipment, using hand tools and power tools. Collects water samples and tests to determine basic water quality parameters.
- Troubleshoots and repairs electrical and control circuits, using diagnostic equipment and hand tools.
- Reads and adjusts flowmeters and gauges to regulate equipment according to water consumption and demand.
- Maneuvers pipe sections, valves, and fittings into position.
- Backfills excavations using compaction equipment on dirt, crushed stone and cold-mix asphalt.
- Removes and installs water meters, reads meter after installation.
- Performs maintenance work on company property and grounds.
- Drives company vehicles, including dump truck, may pull trailers/equipment.
- Pulls levers or turns crank to tilt body and dump contents.
- Moves hand and foot controls to jerk truck forward and backward to loosen and dump material adhering to body.
- Loads dump truck by hand and/or by operating mechanical loader.
- Inspects truck, equipment and supplies such as tires, lights, brakes, gas/diesel, oil antifreeze and water.
- Cuts, threads, and joins pipe sections as directed. Other duties may be assigned.
Knowledge/Skills
- Broad working knowledge of distribution system components, including their installation, such as valves, hydrants, tapping devices and various types of pipe materials.
Experience/Education
- High School diploma/GED
- Experience in water distribution systems.
Work Environment
- Regularly works in outside weather conditions.
- Frequently works near moving mechanical parts and is frequently exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals and extreme cold.
- Occasionally works in high, precarious places and occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, extreme heat and risk of electrical shock.
- The noise level is usually loud.
Other
- Works overtime as required.
- Must pass pulmonary function test necessary for use of self-contained breathing apparatus and, if requested, a range of motion test.
Competencies
Plans & Aligns
Decision Making
Communicates Effectively
Builds Networks
Action Oriented
Requisition ID: 110531
Share Our Purpose. Be Yourself. Feel Valued.
People are the heart of our business. As an American Water employee, you will be offered a competitive salary and health benefits package, along with opportunities to develop, grow, and evolve your career. Our benefits packages focus on key areas such as health & wellness, emotional & well-being, and savings for current & future goals.
We are Beautifully Different. We strongly believe having diversity across our company makes us more successful and helps us provide essential services to our customers. We are stronger because we embrace different ideas, viewpoints, experiences, and backgrounds. American Water is the best choice for your next role! Click here for more information on our inclusion, diversity, and equity journey.
About American Water
American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States. With a history dating back to 1886 and celebrating 140 years in 2026, We Keep Life Flowing® by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to approximately 14 million people with regulated operations in 14 states and on 18 military installations. American Water’s approximately 7,000 talented professionals leverage their significant expertise and the company’s national size and scale to achieve excellent outcomes for the benefit of customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders.
For more information, visit amwater.com and join American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Job Title: Utility Worker (Backhoe Operator) - $33.87/hour
Posting Start Date: 10/27/26
Position Information
Posted Range: $33.87/hour
This position may be eligible for annual incentive pay and contracted increases as determined by the collective bargaining agreement, and you will have the opportunity for continued salary growth.
In addition to compensation, you will be offered a comprehensive benefits package including 401(k), Defined Contribution Plan, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, medical, prescription, dental and vision coverage, plus disability, paid time off, life insurance, voluntary benefits, health and wellness programs and much more!
American Water is also proud to offer employees learning opportunities and work experiences to grow professionally!
Primary Role
The Utility Worker role performs skilled tasks associated with the construction, operation, and maintenance of the water distribution system including, but not limited to, fire and domestic services, meter settings, water mains and valves. Routinely drives truck equipped with dump body to transport and dump loose materials such as sand, gravel, crushed rock, coal or bituminous paving materials. Performs tasks associated with the operation and maintenance of pump stations, facilities, grounds, and equipment including electrical and mechanical pumps, motors.
This role requires backhoe experience. Candidates must have backhoe experience to be considered for the opportunity.
Key Accountabilities
- Performs all functions in a safe and conscientious manner, with constant regard for the safety of fellow employees and the general public.
- Cuts, threads, and joins pipe sections as directed. Performs wet taps using large and small tapping machines, installs repair sleeves, flares copper, installs meter setting and yokes.
- Cuts, threads, and screws together sections of pipe forming service line and lays service line into trench.
- Erects barricades and places safety lights around worksites to protect workers from street traffic; may flag traffic as required.
- Breaks up pavement, using air hammer, manually digs a ditch preparatory to laying or removing pipe or service lines. Operates, maintains and controls electric motors, pumps, and valves to regulate flow of water.
- Feeds specified amounts of chemicals, such as chlorine, ammonia, and corrosion inhibitor into water supply and/or adjust automatic devices that admit specified amounts of chemicals into water to disinfect and otherwise treat water.
- Documents chemical feed activities and system performance with written reports and automatic charts.
- Records data such as residual content of chemicals, water pressure, power consumption, water output and chemical consumption.
- Monitors panel board(s) and adjusts controls to regulate flow rates and water storage and distribution of water.
- Repairs and lubricates machines and equipment, using hand tools and power tools. Collects water samples and tests to determine basic water quality parameters.
- Troubleshoots and repairs electrical and control circuits, using diagnostic equipment and hand tools.
- Reads and adjusts flowmeters and gauges to regulate equipment according to water consumption and demand.
- Maneuvers pipe sections, valves, and fittings into position.
- Backfills excavations using compaction equipment on dirt, crushed stone and cold-mix asphalt.
- Removes and installs water meters, reads meter after installation.
- Performs maintenance work on company property and grounds.
- Drives company vehicles, including dump truck, may pull trailers/equipment.
- Pulls levers or turns crank to tilt body and dump contents.
- Moves hand and foot controls to jerk truck forward and backward to loosen and dump material adhering to body.
- Loads dump truck by hand and/or by operating mechanical loader.
- Inspects truck, equipment and supplies such as tires, lights, brakes, gas/diesel, oil antifreeze and water.
- Cuts, threads, and joins pipe sections as directed. Other duties may be assigned.
Knowledge/Skills
- Broad working knowledge of distribution system components, including their installation, such as valves, hydrants, tapping devices and various types of pipe materials.
Experience/Education
- High School diploma/GED
- Experience in water distribution systems.
Work Environment
- Regularly works in outside weather conditions.
- Frequently works near moving mechanical parts and is frequently exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals and extreme cold.
- Occasionally works in high, precarious places and occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, extreme heat and risk of electrical shock.
- The noise level is usually loud.
Other
- Works overtime as required.
- Must pass pulmonary function test necessary for use of self-contained breathing apparatus and, if requested, a range of motion test.
Competencies
Plans & Aligns
Decision Making
Communicates Effectively
Builds Networks
Action Oriented
Green Card Waste Management & Environmental Services Job Roles in Virginia
See all Waste Management & Environmental Services Green Card Jobs in Virginia
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Search Waste Management & Environmental Services Jobs in VirginiaWaste Management & Environmental Services Green Card Sponsorship Jobs in Virginia: Frequently Asked Questions
Which waste management and environmental services companies sponsor Green Cards in Virginia?
Employers with documented Green Card sponsorship activity in Virginia's environmental sector include Clean Harbors, Covanta, Veolia North America, and U.S. Ecology. Larger municipal contractors and environmental remediation firms operating near Northern Virginia, Richmond, and the Hampton Roads region have historically filed PERM labor certifications for environmental engineers, chemists, and operations managers. Sponsorship patterns vary by employer size, role criticality, and workforce planning cycles.
Which Virginia cities have the most waste management and environmental services Green Card sponsorship jobs?
Northern Virginia, particularly the Fairfax and Arlington corridor, concentrates the highest number of sponsored environmental services roles due to federal contractor proximity and regional infrastructure demand. Richmond sees activity in solid waste operations and water treatment, while Hampton Roads supports marine environmental and hazardous waste roles tied to naval and port operations. Smaller markets like Roanoke and Charlottesville have limited but occasional sponsorship activity.
What types of waste management and environmental services roles typically qualify for Green Card sponsorship in Virginia?
Roles most commonly qualifying for PERM-based Green Card sponsorship include environmental engineers, hydrogeologists, environmental scientists, hazardous materials specialists, wastewater treatment plant operators with advanced licensing, and environmental compliance managers. These positions typically require at minimum a bachelor's degree in an environmental or engineering discipline. Generalist roles in collection or transport rarely qualify unless they carry specialized technical or supervisory requirements tied to a specific degree field.
How do I find waste management and environmental services Green Card sponsorship jobs in Virginia?
Migrate Mate lets you filter specifically for waste management and environmental services positions in Virginia with verified Green Card sponsorship history, so you can focus on employers who have already navigated the PERM and immigrant visa process for similar roles. This saves time compared to applying broadly and asking about sponsorship in interviews. Checking employer PERM filing records through the DOL's OFLC database alongside Migrate Mate listings gives you the clearest picture of active sponsors in Virginia.
Are there Virginia-specific considerations for Green Card sponsorship in waste management and environmental services?
Virginia's proximity to federal agencies and the Department of Defense means many environmental services firms hold federal contracts, which can affect sponsorship timelines. Employers with federal contracts must maintain E-Verify enrollment, and some may face additional compliance steps during the PERM recruitment process. Virginia does not impose state-level immigration filing requirements, but prevailing wage obligations under PERM are determined by DOL using regional BLS wage data specific to Virginia metropolitan statistical areas.
What is the prevailing wage for Green Card waste management & environmental services jobs in Virginia?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.