Air Quality Specialist Trainee (Environmental Trainee)

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; Muncy (Lycoming County); Remote; USD 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Telework option

Travel required

Job summary

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is seeking an Air Quality Specialist Trainee with the Department of Environmental Protection to learn and assist in air quality inspections, investigations, and enforcement activities across PA. The role emphasizes field observation, report drafting, sample collection, and handling citizen complaints while studying applicable air quality regulations.

This full-time trainee position includes structured training, potential telework options, and travel requirements;

Qualifications

• Four years of technical experience in environmental science, environmental engineering, environmental health, geology, biology, ecology, or a closely related field.
• A bachelor’s degree in environmental science, environmental engineering, environmental health, geology, biology, ecology, or a closely related field.
• An equivalent combination of experience and training.
• All positions require possession of an active motor vehicle license.

Responsibilities

• Observe field inspections, learn evaluation methods, and assist in reviewing facility operations.
• Draft inspection memos, document findings, and help maintain schedules for required activities.
• Collect materials for lab analysis to support compliance reviews and pollution investigations.
• Participate in investigating citizen complaints and identifying potential air quality issues.
• Study state and federal air quality laws, guidelines, and program requirements.
• Support specialists with data entry, monitoring tasks, and preparation for enforcement actions.

Skills

Inspection support

Report writing

Sample collection

Field work

Regulatory knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree in environmental science/engineering/health/geology/biology/ecology

Job description

Are you ready for an exciting profession where you can help protect Pennsylvania communities by identifying and addressing air pollution concerns? Embark upon a meaningful career as an Air Quality Specialist Trainee with the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). In this role, you will learn the skills necessary to help protect public health by monitoring air quality issues across the region. You will work with various facilities, investigate potential problems, and support efforts that improve environmental conditions. Apply today to join a mission-driven agency committed to safeguarding Pennsylvania’s air and promoting responsible industry practices!

This trainee position provides structured training and field exposure to support air quality inspections, investigations, and enforcement activities. Your work will include observing inspection techniques, reviewing reports, learning regulations, and conducting supervised field tasks. As an Air Quality Specialist Trainee, you will perform the following duties:

• Inspection Support: Observe field inspections, learn evaluation methods, and assist in reviewing facility operations
• Report Preparation: Draft inspection memos, document findings, and help maintain schedules for required activities
• Sample Collection: Collect materials for lab analysis to support compliance reviews and pollution investigations
• Complaint Follow-Up: Participate in investigating citizen complaints and identifying potential air quality issues
• Regulatory Learning: Study state and federal air quality laws, guidelines, and program requirements
• Field Assistance: Support specialists with data entry, monitoring tasks, and preparation for enforcement actions

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.
• This position requires travel.
• 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 Williamsport. 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 $46,827.00 (before taxes).
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

QUALIFICATIONS

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 Requirement:

• All positions require possession of an active motor vehicle license.

Other Requirements:

• You must possess and maintain a REAL ID or passport for this position. Proof of possession will be needed at the time of a conditional offer of employment.
• 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.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

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

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.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

• 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.