Sanitarian Trainee (Environmental Trainee)

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

Job summary

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Department of Environmental Protection seeks a Sanitarian Trainee to learn essential public health skills while supporting safe drinking water across the state. This entry-level role blends training with fieldwork to protect water systems and communities.

You will perform inspections, assist with regulatory compliance, respond to emergencies, provide guidance to system operators, enter data, and collect samples.

Qualifications

• Four years of technical experience in environmental science, environmental engineering, environmental health, geology, biology, ecology, or a closely related field.
• A bachelor’s degree in environmental science, environmental engineering, environmental health, geology, biology, ecology, or a closely related field.
• 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.
• All positions require possession of an active motor vehicle license.

Responsibilities

• Field inspections: Conduct inspections of public water systems and prepare clear reports of findings.
• Compliance reviews: Identify violations and prepare notices based on current rules and regulations.
• Emergency response: Respond to water system emergencies and assist with public notifications.
• Technical guidance: Provide direction to system operators and officials on regulatory requirements.
• Data entry: Record inspection results, violations, and other information in required databases.
• Sample collection: Collect and handle water samples for laboratory and field analyses.

Education

Four years of technical experience in environmental science, environmental engineering, environmental health, geology, biology, ecology, or a closely related field

Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, environmental engineering, environmental health, geology, biology, ecology, or a closely related field

An equivalent combination of experience and training

Educational requirements met within three months of graduating with a qualifying degree

Job description

Join the Department of Environmental Protection as a Sanitarian Trainee and make a direct impact on community health! This role offers a chance to learn essential skills while supporting safe public water systems across the state. You will grow your knowledge through hands‑on work and real‑world experiences. The Sanitarian Trainee position gives you a strong start toward a rewarding environmental career.

This trainee role focuses on protecting public drinking water by monitoring systems and supporting regulatory requirements. The position includes both training and field activities that build important technical skills. As a Sanitarian Trainee, you will perform the following duties:

• Field Inspections: Conduct inspections of public water systems and prepare clear reports of findings
• Compliance Reviews: Identify violations and prepare notices based on current rules and regulations
• Emergency Response: Respond to water system emergencies and assist with public notifications
• Technical Guidance: Provide direction to system operators and officials on regulatory requirements
• Data Entry: Record inspection results, violations, and other information in required databases
• Sample Collection: Collect and handle water samples for laboratory and field analyses

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.
• Travel required for site visits
• Telework:You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time. You will have to report in office 1 day per month. 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 $46,827.00 (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 Requirement

• All positions require 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 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.