Water Quality Specialist Trainee (Environmental Trainee)

About the role

As a Water Quality Specialist Trainee with the Department of Environmental Protection, you will help safeguard the environment while developing valuable professional skills. This role will introduce you to fieldwork, data analysis, and direct community support as you learn how to investigate and address environmental concerns. You will gain experience that prepares you for a future as a full Water Quality Specialist. Your work will support the protection of Pennsylvania’s waterways and public health.

In this role, you will support the monitoring, inspection, and documentation of oil and gas activities to protect water quality and uphold state and federal laws. As a Water Quality Specialist Trainee, you will perform the following duties:

• Data Management: Input data into electronic systems while ensuring accuracy and consistency
• Facility Inspections: Conduct routine inspections of oil and gas sites and related facilities to evaluate compliance with permits, environmental laws, and department requirements
• Complaint Investigations: Investigate reports of environmental damage, water supply impacts, or health and safety concerns by collecting samples and reviewing findings
• Compliance Enforcement: Issue violation notices, support enforcement actions, and assist with case preparation and hearing activities when needed
• Equipment Operation: Use scientific instruments to collect and interpret environmental measurements
• Plan Review: Review environmental plans, permits, restoration documents, and related submissions from operators for regulatory compliance
• Field Documentation: Record inspection results, photographs, videos, sample information, and other data in computer systems while maintaining data quality standards
• Public Assistance: Respond to questions from citizens, operators, consultants, and partner agencies regarding oil and gas activities and environmental requirements

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

Work Schedule and Additional Information

• Full-time employment
• Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch.
• Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) full-time. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in New Stanton. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time. Additional details may be provided during the interview.
• Salary: Selected candidates who are new to employment with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will begin employment at the starting annual salary of $46,827 (before taxes).
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements

• Four years of technical experience in environmental science, environmental engineering, environmental health, geology, biology, ecology, or a closely related field; or
• A bachelor’s degree in environmental science, environmental engineering, environmental health, geology, biology, ecology, or a closely related field; or
• An equivalent combination of experience and training.
• Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within 3 months of graduating with a qualifying degree.

Special Requirements

• This position requires possession of an active motor vehicle license.

Other Requirements

• You must meet the PA residency requirement. For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency Guidelines.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

How to Apply

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
• If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.
• All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant’s own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.

Veterans

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS)

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

Additional information

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or:
• your score may be lower than deserved.
• you may be disqualified.
• You may only apply/test once for this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.