Environmental Trainee - Mining

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; Pennsylvania; On-site; USD 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania seeks an Environmental Trainee to learn and contribute to projects addressing abandoned mine drainage. The role blends fieldwork, monitoring, and project support to improve water quality and environmental health across Pennsylvania.

You will participate in environmental monitoring, field sampling, data management, and biological assessments while gaining hands-on training and career development under a structured program.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or four years of technical experience in environmental science or related field.
• Educational requirements may be satisfied within three months of graduation.
• Active driver’s license is required.
• Must meet PA residency requirements and perform essential job functions.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and sample streams, mine discharges, groundwater, and treatment systems to assess conditions.
• Collect water and mine-related samples and measure water quality, levels, and flow.
• Assist with developing reclamation plans and funding package information.
• Compile, verify and maintain environmental and project data in department systems.
• Support biological monitoring activities including aquatic organism collection.
• Maintain, calibrate, and care for monitoring equipment used in field investigations.

Skills

Environmental monitoring

Field sampling

Data management

Project support

Education

Bachelor's degree in environmental science or related field

Four years of technical experience in environmental science/related field

Equivalent combination of experience and training

Job description

The Department of Environmental Protection is seeking an Environmental Trainee who is ready to learn, grow, and make a difference. This position combines fieldwork, environmental monitoring, and project development to help address impacts from abandoned mine sites. You will gain valuable training, build technical skills, and contribute to projects that improve water quality and environmental health. Take on this rewarding opportunity to begin a career focused on environmental stewardship.

This position supports efforts to evaluate, monitor, and reduce environmental impacts caused by abandoned mine drainage. Through a structured training program, you will develop the knowledge and skills needed to assist with stream restoration and reclamation projects. As an Environmental Trainee, you will perform the following duties:

• Environmental Monitoring: Monitor and sample streams, mine discharges, groundwater, and treatment systems to assess environmental conditions


• Field Sampling: Collect water and mine-related samples and measure water quality, water levels, and flow data in the field


• Project Support: Assist with developing reclamation plans and preparing information needed for project design and funding packages


• Data Management: Compile, verify, enter, and maintain environmental and project information in department data systems


• Biological Assessments: Support biological monitoring activities including the collection of aquatic organisms and other field observations


• Equipment Maintenance: Maintain, calibrate, and care for monitoring equipment used during field investigations

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) 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 Ebensburg. 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.

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 three months of graduating with a qualifying degree.

Special Requirements

• This position requires possession of an active driver's 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.

• 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.