Graduate Environmental Scientist

City-of-Philadelphi; Pennsylvania; On-site; USD 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Philadelphia is seeking an entry-level Environmental Scientist to support the Water Department and Parks and Recreation assignments. The role focuses on analyzing data, solving environmental problems, and assisting in routine data collection for projects.

Employees will learn and apply analytic skills, perform sampling plans, and assist other technical personnel in laboratory and field tests under supervision by a manager or supervisor responsible for environmental program activities.

Qualifications

• Completion of a bachelor’s degree in a qualifying scientific field is required.
• Entry-level role with training in environmental science techniques.

Responsibilities

• Analyze data and carry out sampling plans for projects or program activities.
• Learn to use analytic skills to perform environmental techniques and procedures.
• Assist in laboratory and field tests and support other technical personnel.
• Work under supervision of a Parks and Recreation Operations Manager or an Environmental Scientist Supervisor or City Planner Supervisor.

Skills

Data analysis

Field sampling

Laboratory testing

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Aquatic Sciences

Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences

Bachelor’s degree in Earth Sciences

Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Policy & Environmental Resource Management

Bachelor’s degree in Plant Sciences

Job description

This is entry level environmental science work of a training nature analyzing data, assisting in solving environmental problems, and assisting in routine data collection for projects or program activities. Positions in this class are allocated to one of the following assignments in the Water Department: Aquatic Sciences, Earth Sciences, Biological Sciences, Plant Sciences, Environmental Policy and Environmental Resource Management, or in the Department of Parks and Recreation in the Plant Sciences or the Environmental Policy and Environmental Resource Management Assignments only. Employees in this class learn to use analytic skills to perform select environmental or natural resource science techniques, and procedures, analyze data, and carry out sampling plans. Employees assist other technical personnel conducting laboratory and field tests. Work is performed under the direction of a Parks and Recreation Operations Manager in the Parks and Recreation Department assignments or an Environmental Scientist Supervisor, Engineer, or City Planner Supervisor responsible for directing environmental program activities in the Water Department assignments.

ELIGIBLE LIST: OPEN-COMPETITIVE

Only an Open-Competitive eligible list will be established as a result of this examination. Permanent City employees will receive no promotional preference in this examination.

Candidates who pass the exam and are placed on the civil service list will be retained on the list for a minimum of one year and a maximum of two years after the establishment of the Eligible List.

RESIDENCY WAIVER

The Civil Service Commission has waived the usual requirement that candidates must be residents of Philadelphia for one year prior to appointment. Establishment of residency in Philadelphia will be required no later than one (1) year after appointment.

PREFERENCE FOR PHILADELPHIA RESIDENTS

Candidates who have maintained a bona fide residence in Philadelphia for at least one year prior to the date of the civil service examination shall have priority over all other people receiving an identical test score.

To receive such preference, candidates must respond to the question regarding residence on this application. This response will be used to determine eligibility for preference for residents. Documentation of residence may be required if there is any question as to whether you meet the residency preference requirements.

If an applicant does not respond to the appropriate residence question, it will be assumed that the applicant does not qualify for residence preference. Eligibility for residence preference must be determined by the date of the test administration. No requests for residence preference will be granted after the test administration.

INDEBTEDNESS NOTICE

As a condition of employment with the City, any person offered employment shall be required to certify that such person either is fully current on any and all debts, taxes, fees, judgments, claims, and other accounts and obligations due and owing to the City; or has voluntarily entered into a payment agreement with the City. For so long as the person is employed by the City, the amount of the payment as set forth in the payment agreement (not to exceed, for any pay period, twenty percent (20%) of the person’s gross pay for such period, without the person’s consent) shall be withheld from each paycheck until such payment agreement is fully satisfied.

Such person shall also be required to certify as a condition of employment that he or she is fully current on any and all debts, taxes, fees, judgments, claims, and other accounts and obligations due and owing to the Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) or has voluntarily entered into a payment agreement with PGW.

Failure to enter into a payment agreement shall result in the cancellation of the appointment and removal from the certification. The name of the eligible candidate will be returned to the eligible list.

PREFERENCE POINTS FOR CANDIDATES FOR OPEN-COMPETITIVE EXAMS

Candidates who pass Open-Competitive exams may be eligible for additional points added to their final score. Preference Points may be claimed from the time of application until 30 days after the eligible list is established. The required documentation for the preference must be provided to receive the points.

U.S. VETERAN'S PREFERENCE

Ten points will be added to the scores of eligible veterans. You must be honorably discharged from the U.S. armed forces. Attach a DD214, member 4, or NGB-22 to your application if you wish your eligibility to be reviewed. Spouses of disabled or deceased veterans may also be considered. Veteran’s Points may be claimed at any time before the list expires.

LEGACY PREFERENCE

Ten points will be added to the scores of the children or grandchildren of Philadelphia Firefighters or Police Officers who were killed or died in the line of duty.

NATIONAL VOLUNTEER SERVICE PREFERENCE

Up to 5 points will be added to the score of any candidate who has:

1. Successfully completed a term of volunteer service with Peace Corps, AmeriCorps NCCC (including FEMA Corps), or AmeriCorps VISTA are eligible for additional points
2. Successfully completed at least 450 hours of service with AmeriCorps State and National (including Teach for America).

For Peace Corps, such candidates will be awarded five (5) points for the completion of a two-year term of service or three (3) points for the completion of a one-year term of service.

Such candidates will have:

• 1 point added to their final score if they have completed 450 Hours of the above service.
• 2 points added to their final score if they have completed 675 Hours of the above service.
• 3 points added to their final score if they have completed 900 Hours of the above service.
• 5 points added to their final score if they have completed 1700 Hours of the above service.

PHILADELPHIA SCHOOL DISTRICT CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION PREFERENCE

Up to 5 points will be added to the score of candidates who have completed and graduated from a career technical education (CTE) program of the School District of Philadelphia within the last three years before the examination announcement date. If the 5 additional points from the CTE preference would rank a CTE graduate above a veteran, additional points shall be applied to the CTE candidate’s passing score to rank them directly below the veteran.

PROJECTED EXAM DATE

This examination will be scheduled for October 1, 2026. Please note that this examination date is subject to change.

Candidates will need access to a desktop computer or laptop with a webcam and internet access to take the examination. Candidates will need to be able to operate computerized software proficiently and independently.

An Eligible List will be established the week of October 12, 2026. Please note that this date may change.

ANTICIPATED ELIGIBILITY

Candidates who meet all eligibility requirements within nine months of the application deadline will be admitted to this examination. Candidates may not be hired until all requirements have been satisfied. Candidates must indicate their anticipated graduation date.

EDUCATION:

Completion of a bachelor’s degree program at an accredited college or university in a qualifying scientific field. *

*Qualifying scientific fields include

• Aquatic Sciences: Aquatic Biology, Aquatic Ecology, Aquatic Toxicology, Limnology, Marine Biology, Marine Ecology, Oceanography, Wetland Sciences, Wildlife and Fisheries Management
• Biological Sciences: Bacteriology, Biology, Biological Sciences, Ecology, Environmental Science, Microbiology, Molecular Biology
• Earth Sciences: Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology, Geosciences, Geology, Geochemistry, Hydrology
• Environmental Policy and Environmental Resource Management: Forest Science, Environmental Management, Environmental Policy, Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, Natural Resource Management, Sustainable/Renewable Energy Management, Watershed Management, Wildlife Science
• Plant Sciences: Botany, Forestry, Plant Biology, Plant Taxonomy, Soil Sciences

NOTE: Selective Factor Certification may be utilized, as needed, to fill specific positions.

In accordance with Civil Service Regulation 11.032 - Selective Factor Certification – the appointing authority may request certification of eligible candidates with the specified education or training to fill specific positions in this class. Certification to fill such position will be made from the two highest ranking eligible candidates on the eligible list who possess the specified qualification.

PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS

Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND/OR CERTIFICATES

Possession of a valid proper class motor vehicle operator's license as issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania prior to appointment and during tenure of employment as a Graduate Environmental Scientist if required by work assignment.