Geoscience Trainee

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; Pennsylvania; Hybrid; USD 53,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Department of Environmental Protection seeks a Geoscience Trainee to learn how to investigate soil and groundwater contamination and support remediation efforts across the Commonwealth.

The one-year program combines formal training with on-the-job experience in hydrogeology, data analysis, and reporting, with travel and a possible telework option up to three days per week.

Qualifications

• Active Geologist-in-Training certificate issued by or acceptable to the Pennsylvania State Registration Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists
• Bachelor's degree in geology, geophysics, geochemistry, engineering geology, or a closely related field including or supplemented by 30 college credits in geologic coursework
• An equivalent combination of experience and training that includes 30 college credits in geologic coursework
• Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within 3 months of graduating with a qualifying degree/credits

Responsibilities

• Contamination Investigation: Conduct hydrogeologic studies of pollution incidents, spills, and complaints
• Source Identification: Determine origins of contamination and recommend remedial actions
• Data Analysis: Compile and interpret hydrogeologic information through fieldwork, mapping, and laboratory reviews
• Report Preparation: Write memorandums supported by maps, charts, photographs, and other illustrations
• Technical Review: Evaluate reports on contaminated sites and make recommendations based on laws and standards
• Public Communication: Meet with officials, industries, and community groups to explain hydrogeologic principles

Education

Geologist-in-Training certificate

Bachelor's degree in geology/geophysics/geochemistry/engineering geology (with 30 geologic credits)

Equivalent combination of experience and training with 30 geologic credits

Graduate within 3 months of graduating with qualifying degree/credits

Job description

Would you like to enhance your skills while learning to solve complex environmental challenges that shape Pennsylvania's future? Join the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) as a Geoscience Trainee and help to protect the Commonwealth's soil and groundwater resources. Here, you will learn how to investigate contamination issues and support environmental cleanup efforts. You will also have the opportunity to collaborate with scientists, officials, and community groups to ensure responsible environmental practices.

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

Within this role, you will participate in a one-year formal and on-the-job training program to learn the specialized duties of a Geoscientist. This position focuses on investigating soil and groundwater contamination and supporting remediation efforts across the Commonwealth. Through your work, you will learn how to ensure proper environmental assessment and adherence to regulations for pollution issues. As a Geoscience Trainee, you will learn how to perform the following duties:

• Contamination Investigation: Conduct hydrogeologic studies of pollution incidents, spills, and complaints
• Source Identification: Determine origins of contamination and recommend appropriate remedial actions
• Data Analysis: Compile and interpret hydrogeologic information through fieldwork, mapping, and laboratory reviews
• Report Preparation: Write memorandums supported by maps, charts, photographs, and other illustrations
• Technical Review: Evaluate reports on contaminated sites and make recommendations based on laws and standards
• Public Communication: Meet with officials, industries, and community groups to explain hydrogeologic principles

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.
• 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 Harrisburg. 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 $59,149.00 (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:

• Possession of an active Geologist-in-Training certificate issued by or acceptable to the Pennsylvania State Registration Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists ; or
• A bachelor's degree in geology, geophysics, geochemistry, engineering geology, or a closely related field including or supplemented by 30 college credits in geologic coursework ; or
• An equivalent combination of experience and training that includes 30 college credits in geologic coursework .
• Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within 3 months of graduating with a qualifying degree/credits.

Special Requirement:

• This position requires possession and maintenance of an active Pennsylvania non-commercial Class C driver's license or equivalent.

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.

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.