Environmental Engineering Trainee

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; Pennsylvania; Hybrid; USD 61,000 - 74,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Environmental Protection in Pennsylvania seeks an Environmental Engineering Trainee to begin a one-year training program. You will learn to evaluate public water systems, support technical reviews, and protect drinking water across the northwest region of the Commonwealth.

You will gain hands‑on field experience through inspections, permit reviews, and technical guidance, while collaborating on statewide drinking water programs and enforcement actions when needed.

Qualifications

• One year of engineering experience and possession of an active Engineering Intern certificate issued by or acceptable to the Pennsylvania State Registration Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists; or
• A bachelor’s degree in engineering.
• Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within 3 months of graduating with a qualifying degree.

Responsibilities

• Field Inspections: Inspect new or modified public water supplies to review construction, design, and compliance.
• Permit Reviews: Evaluate construction permits, engineering plans, and specifications for public water systems.
• Technical Assistance: Provide engineering guidance during field visits and help resolve operations issues.
• Compliance Support: Review documents, issue field orders, and participate in enforcement actions when needed.
• Water System Guidance: Assist communities with water system improvements, funding needs, and technical questions.
• Program Coordination: Participate in meetings, trainings, and collaborative work that supports statewide drinking water programs.

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Job description

THE POSITION

Are you searching for a career where you can apply your engineering skills to real projects that help protect community water systems? The Environmental Engineering Trainee position with the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) gives you an exciting start to a meaningful career in the field of engineering. You will learn how to evaluate public water systems, support technical reviews, and help protect safe drinking water throughout the northwest region of the Commonwealth. This role allows you to grow your skills through hands-on training and real-world projects.

THE POSITION

Are you searching for a career where you can apply your engineering skills to real projects that help protect community water systems? The Environmental Engineering Trainee position with the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) gives you an exciting start to a meaningful career in the field of engineering. You will learn how to evaluate public water systems, support technical reviews, and help protect safe drinking water throughout the northwest region of the Commonwealth. This role allows you to grow your skills through hands-on training and real-world projects. Do not miss this opportunity to make a strong impact while developing your engineering knowledge.

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

Within this role, you will participate in a one-year training program to learn the duties of an Environmental Engineering Specialist. This position assists with engineering reviews, inspections, and consultations that support the Safe Drinking Water and Water Allocation Programs. It combines technical learning with hands-on field work and guided decision-making.

As an Environmental Engineering Trainee, you will perform the following duties:

• Field Inspections: Inspect new or modified public water supplies to review construction, design, and compliance
• Permit Reviews: Evaluate construction permits, engineering plans, and specifications for public water systems
• Technical Assistance: Provide engineering guidance during field visits and help resolve operations issues
• Compliance Support: Review documents, issue field orders, and participate in enforcement actions when needed
• Water System Guidance: Assist communities with water system improvements, funding needs, and technical questions
• Program Coordination: Participate in meetings, trainings, and collaborative work that supports statewide drinking water programs

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) 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 Meadville. 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 $67,658.00 (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:

• One year of engineering experience and possession of an active Engineering Intern certificate issued by or acceptable to the Pennsylvania State Registration Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists ; or
• A bachelor’s degree in engineering .
• Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within 3 months of graduating with a qualifying degree.

Special Requirement:

• This position requires 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.

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.