Air Quality Specialist Trainee (Environmental Trainee)

Commonwealth Of Pennsylvania; Old Stanton (PA); Hybrid; USD 47,000 - 71,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Telework option

Job summary

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania invites applications for an Air Quality Specialist Trainee in the Southwest Regional Office. The 12-month trainee program provides formal and on-the-job training to inspect facilities, review emissions data, and support compliance programs upholding air quality standards.

Telework may be available; travel is required. Starting salary is $46,827.00 per year, with potential to advance as you gain experience and complete the training.

Qualifications

• Four years of technical experience in environmental science, environmental engineering, environmental health, geology, biology, ecology, or closely related field.
• Bachelor's degree in environmental science, environmental engineering, environmental health, geology, biology, ecology, or closely related field.
• Equivalent combination of experience and training.
• Applicants will be considered within 3 months of graduating with a qualifying degree.
• Active motor vehicle license.
• Meet PA residency requirements.

Responsibilities

• Conduct compliance inspections at industrial facilities to verify adherence to air quality requirements.
• Investigate air pollution complaints and prepare documentation for follow-up actions.
• Review emission inventory data and update facility information in eFACTS and AIMS systems.
• Monitor stack tests and collect samples to support compliance determinations.
• Evaluate asbestos notifications and inspect demolition or removal operations.
• Document violations and assist in enforcement actions, participating in meetings with facility representatives.

Education

Bachelor's degree in environmental science, environmental engineering, environmental health, geology, biology, ecology, or related field

Job description

$46,827.00 - $70,592.00 Annually

Westmoreland County, PA

Civil Service Permanent Full-Time

Job Number: CS-2026-56195-75400

Job Code: 75400

Position Number: 00196928

Union: AFSCME

Bargaining Unit: B4

Pay Group: ST05

Bureau / Division Code: 00354570

Bureau / Division: Southwest Regional Office, Air Quality Program

Worksite Address: 131 Broadview Road

City: New Stanton, Pennsylvania

Zip Code: 15672

Contact Name: OA, CE DEP

Contact Email: [e-mail]

Opening Date: 08/17/2026

Closing Date: 8/30/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

THE POSITION

Are you ready for a rewarding career which will teach you the skills necessary to help protect the air we all depend on? Join the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) as an Air Quality Specialist Trainee and play a key role in safeguarding public health. Within this role, you will learn how to evaluate industrial facilities, support clean air initiatives, and ensure regulatory compliance throughout the southwest region. Your work will promote safer communities and stronger environmental standards. Apply today to step into a profession where your efforts help shape a cleaner future!

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

This is a 12 month trainee position in which you will receive formal and on-the-job training to learn the specialized duties of an Air Quality Specialist. Your work will focus on learning how to inspect industrial facilities, investigate complaints, review emissions data, and support compliance programs designed to uphold air quality standards. This position helps to ensure regulated facilities operate responsibly and follow all applicable environmental laws. As an Air Quality Specialist Trainee, you will learn how to perform the following duties:

• Compliance Inspections: Conduct inspections at industrial facilities to verify adherence to air quality requirements
• Complaint Review: Investigate air pollution complaints and prepare documentation for follow-up actions
• Data Verification: Review emission inventory data and update facility information in eFACTS and Air Information Management System (AIMS) systems
• Sampling Activities: Monitor stack tests and collect samples to support compliance determinations
• Asbestos Monitoring: Evaluate asbestos notifications and inspect demolition or removal operations
• Enforcement Collaboration: Document violations, assist in enforcement actions and participate in meetings with facility representatives

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.
• Travel is required.
• Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time, and report to the office 1 day per month. 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 $46,827.00 (before taxes).
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY

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 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.