Environmental Trainee - Clean Water

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; Shimer (PA); Hybrid; USD 47,000 - 71,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Telework option

Job summary

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Department of Environmental Protection is seeking an Environmental Trainee to support field inspections, data evaluation, and compliance activities that protect water quality across the Commonwealth.

This full-time position offers a 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM schedule, possible telework within Pennsylvania, and a starting salary of $46,827 with room to grow to $70,592 as you gain experience and complete qualification requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in environmental science, environmental engineering, environmental health, geology, biology, ecology, or a closely related field.
• Four years of technical experience 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.
• Active motor vehicle license is required.
• PA residency requirement applies; must be able to perform essential job functions.
• Veterans' preference exists under Pennsylvania law.

Responsibilities

• Inspection Support: Review treatment facilities and stormwater operations for compliance with permits and regulations.
• Data Evaluation: Examine monitoring reports and field measurements to identify potential violations.
• Complaint Response: Investigate public concerns related to water pollution and document findings.
• Report Preparation: Draft clear inspection summaries and correspondence for supervisors and facility operators.
• Field Sampling: Collect water samples and assess results against applicable standards.

Education

Bachelor's degree in environmental science or related field

Job description

Salary $46,827.00 - $70,592.00 Annually

Location Northampton County, PA

Job Type Civil Service Permanent Full-Time

Job Number CS-2026-60064-75400

Job Code 75400

Position Number 00128214

Union AFSCME

Bargaining Unit B4

Pay Group ST05

Bureau / Division Code 00354260

Bureau / Division Northeast Regional Office, Clean Water

Worksite Address 4530 Bath Pike

City Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Zip Code 18015

Open Date 10/07/2026

Closing Date 10/21/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Contact Name Alison Zener

Contact Email [e-mail]

Environmental Trainee

THE POSITION

The Environmental Trainee position with the Department of Environmental Protection offers a chance to support the health of our waterways and communities. This role helps protect public resources while building strong technical and field skills. The work is meaningful and allows you to grow into a vital environmental professional. Join the Department as an Environmental Trainee and make a real difference in Pennsylvania.

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

This role supports field inspections, data evaluation, and compliance activities that protect water quality across the Commonwealth. As a Environmental Trainee, you will perform the following duties:

• Inspection Support: Assist with reviewing treatment facilities and stormwater operations for compliance with permits and regulations
• Data Evaluation: Examine monitoring reports and field measurements to identify potential violations
• Complaint Response: Investigate public concerns related to water pollution and document findings
• Report Preparation: Draft clear inspection summaries and correspondence for supervisors and facility operators
• Field Sampling: Collect water samples and assess results against applicable standards

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.
• 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 Bethlehem. 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 (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:

• A bachelor's degree in environmental science, environmental engineering, environmental health, geology, biology, ecology, or a closely related field; or
• Four years of technical experience 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:

• This position requires 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.
• 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.