Environmental Engineering Specialist

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; Pennsylvania; Hybrid; USD 66,000 - 81,000; Full time

Job summary

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Department of Environmental Protection seeks an Environmental Engineering Specialist to safeguard water resources from day one. The role focuses on wastewater permitting, environmental analysis, and enforcement to maintain water quality across the Commonwealth.

You will review applications, develop effluent limits, perform facility inspections, and communicate with stakeholders. Travel is required, and telework may be available part-time.

Qualifications

• Required knowledge of environmental engineering principles for water quality and permitting.
• Licenses and certificates demonstrate professional eligibility.
• Substitution options may apply for experience vs. degrees.

Responsibilities

• Review industrial wastewater applications and set discharge limits.
• Evaluate NPDES permit submissions for compliance.
• Conduct on-site facility inspections to verify permit adherence.
• Analyze wastewater treatment designs and recommend actions.
• Communicate with stakeholders to resolve permitting questions.
• Enter and maintain project data in electronic systems.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering

Professional Engineer license

Engineer-in-Training certificate

Environmental Engineering Trainee program

Job description

THE POSITION

Make a positive difference in Pennsylvania from day one! As an Environmental Engineering Specialist with the Department of Environmental Protection, you will help safeguard our natural resources. This position empowers you to apply technical knowledge to real challenges in water quality management. You will be part of an agency that works to protect communities across the Commonwealth. This role offers meaningful work that strengthens Pennsylvania’s environment!

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

This role focuses on supporting wastewater permitting, environmental analysis, and enforcement activities designed to maintain water quality throughout the Commonwealth. It plays a key part in reviewing applications, developing effluent limits, and ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations. As an Environmental Engineering Specialist, you will perform the following duties:

• Application Review: Evaluate industrial wastewater discharge applications and determine appropriate discharge limitations based on water quality standards
• Permit Evaluation: Assess National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit submissions for new or existing discharges to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements
• Facility Inspection: Conduct on site inspections of treatment facilities to confirm adherence to issued permits
• Design Assessment: Analyze wastewater treatment facility designs and recommend actions for Water Quality Management Construction Permits
• Technical Communication: Meet with stakeholders to address questions and resolve issues related to permitting activities
• Data Management: Enter and maintain required information within electronic database systems

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 required for site visits
• Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time, up to 3 days per week. 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 Pittsburgh. 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 $73,859.00 (before taxes).
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

QUALIFICATIONS

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements

• Two years of professional experience in environmental engineering, and possession of a valid Engineer-in-Training certificate issued by or acceptable to the Pennsylvania State Registration Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists; or
• One year of professional experience in environmental engineering, and possession of a valid Professional Engineer license issued by the Pennsylvania State Registration Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists; or
• Successful completion of the training program for Environmental Engineering Trainee (Commonwealth job title or equivalent Federal Government job title, as determined by the Office of Administration); or
• One year of professional experience in environmental engineering, and a bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering or in any engineering field that includes or is supplemented by 9 credits in environmental engineering.
• Graduate study in environmental engineering or in a closely related field may be substituted for the required experience on a year-for-year basis.

Conditions of Employment

• This position requires possession of a valid driver’s license.

Other Requirements

• PA residency requirement is currently waived for this title.
• 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.

EXAMINATION INFORMATION

• 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.