Environmental Inspector

WV Department of Environmental Protection; Fairmont (MN); On-site; USD 41,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

12 paid holidays

insurance and flexible benefits

ample annual and sick leave accrual

flexible work schedules

Employee Assistance Program

Wellness Initiatives

an optional 457 defined contribution

and more

Job summary

The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection seeks an Environmental Inspector (DEP2700062) within the Division of Water and Waste Management in West Virginia. The role covers Calhoun, Doddridge, Gilmer, Ritchie and Wirt counties, with significant travel to assigned sites.

Responsibilities include inspections, complaint investigations, spill response, sample collection, and enforcement actions under state law. A four-year degree and a valid driver’s license are required.

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in natural or applied science, engineering, or occupational safety and health.
• One year of full-time or equivalent part-time paid professional employment in environmental inspection or compliance in the appropriate area.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and pass required medical examinations within six months of employment.

Responsibilities

• Conduct regular inspections of sites to ensure compliance with laws, regulations, and permit conditions.
• Investigate complaints related to environmental harm from regulated or non-regulated sources.
• Respond to emergencies such as spills and hazardous discharges in accordance with procedures.
• Collect soil, water, waste and effluent samples for laboratory analyses and support enforcement actions.

Skills

Driver's license

Education

Bachelor's degree in natural or applied science, engineering, or occupational safety and health

Job description

SALARY: $41,194.00 – $71,789.00 Annually

LOCATION: Marion County, WV

JOB TYPE: Full-Time Permanent

JOB NUMBER: DEP2700062

DEPARTMENT: Environment – Environmental Protection

OPENING DATE: 10/27/2026

CLOSING DATE: 11/10/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

LOCATION OF VACANCY: CALHOUN, DODDRIDGE, GILMER, RITCHIE, WIRT

CIVIL SERVICE TYPE: Classified-Exempt – This Position is Not Covered Under the DOP Merit System

Nature of Work

DEP2700062 Environmental Inspector

West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection

Division of Water and Waste Management; Environmental Enforcement; Water & Waste

Designated Region: Calhoun, Doddridge, Gilmer Ritchie and Wirt Counties

Office Location: 1000 Technology Drive, Suite 3220, Fairmont, WV 26554

Also refer to DEP2700061, Environmental Inspector-In-Training. One position will be filled with either title.

We welcome you to join our team where we value work/life balance and diversity.

• 12 paid holidays
• insurance and flexible benefits
• ample annual and sick leave accrual
• flexible work schedules
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellness Initiatives
• an optional 457 defined contribution retirement savings plan
• and more

Employee will be assigned to the Division of Water and Waste Management, Office of Environmental Enforcement (EE). Under limited/direct supervision, works in a training inspector capacity or in a full performance inspector capacity (dependent upon experience) performing technical and field inspection duties related to solid waste management and water pollution control programs.

Duties include:

• Employee will make regular inspections of sites and facilities to determine compliance with laws, rules, regulations, permit conditions, etc.
• Employee will investigate complaints pertaining to suspected environmental harm from regulated or non-regulated sources.
• Will respond in accordance with procedures to emergency situations, such as spills, truck wrecks, hazardous substance discharge, etc.
• Employee will be responsible for the initiation and follow-up of appropriate enforcement actions, collecting soil, water, waste and effluent samples for laboratory analyses.
• Initiation of criminal prosecution, utilization of administrative procedures or other action provided by law to affect prosecution / compliance with established procedures.
• Written and electronically submitted inspections, reports and other data.
• Responsibilities may also include other duties as assigned regarding water pollution control and solid waste management.

Employee may be required to attend public meetings and provide technical assistance to program staff. Will receive training in the areas of environmental investigation and inspection and will be provided training directive in the area of personal protection, use of equipment necessary for job performance. May be subject to emergency response, being on-call and temporary assignment to a different geographical area of the state as necessitated by environmental conditions and/or agency needs. Employee will perform other duties as required.

This position has responsibilities for multiple counties, this may require a considerable amount of overnight travel.

Employee expectations:

• The selected employee must reside within a reasonable driving distance of one of the above offices.
• Must be eligible to be licensed to operate a motor vehicle in West Virginia.
• Must be able to communicate orally in an effective manner.
• Must be able to walk long distances in adverse weather over rugged terrain and to lift and carry equipment for a considerable distance.
• Must take and pass a physical examination with the first six months of employment and submit to annual follow-up examinations. Failure to pass the initial examination will result in termination of employment. Failure to pass the annual examination may result in reassignment of duties.
• Preference may be given to applicants possessing job related experience as an environmental inspector and/ or environmental inspector-in-training.

Notes

• The geographic area of assignment of this position is subject to future variation.
• The recommended candidate will be subject to a search of his or her motor vehicle record (MVR) prior to being hired.
• Applicants cannot be hired as an Environmental Inspector unless they have been an Environmental Inspector-in- Training and served the appropriate training period.

Minimum Qualifications

Training: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in natural or applied science, engineering, or occupational safety and health.

Substitution: Full-time or equivalent part-time paid inspection, technical, or professional employment in one of the areas of assignment may substitute for the required training on a year-to-year-basis.

Experience: One year of full-time or equivalent part-time paid professional employment in the field of environmental inspection or environmental compliance in one of the areas of assignment.

Special Requirements: Must possess a valid driver’s license. For work in the areas of hazardous waste management and solid waste management, must take and pass physical examination within the first six months of employment and submit to annual follow-up examinations. Failure to pass the initial examination will result in termination of employment. Failure to pass a subsequent examination may result in reassignment.

Note: Personnel engaged in activities associated with hazardous wastes risk exposure to situations or chemicals which may cause illness or injury if proper procedures are not followed.

Areas of Assignment

Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation

Environmental Compliance Monitoring

Hazardous Waste Management

Surface Mining Reclamation

Solid Waste Management

Water Pollution Control

Air Quality

Other Information

PG: 15 $41,194 – $71,789

Market Rate: $63,870

Applicants cannot be hired as an Environmental Inspector unless they have been an Environmental Inspector-in-Training and served the appropriate training period.