Solid Waste Specialist Trainee (Environmental Trainee)

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; Meadville (Crawford County); Hybrid; USD 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Department of Environmental Protection invites you to join as a Solid Waste Specialist Trainee, blending field investigations, inspections, and environmental problem solving to protect public health and resources. This one-year training program builds the foundation for a career in waste management.

You will perform inspections, sampling, compliance reviews, and outreach while learning to support regulatory actions and enforcement.

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.
• Educational requirements may be met within three months of graduating with a qualifying degree.

Responsibilities

• Conduct facility inspections of waste generators, transporters, processing facilities, and disposal sites.
• Investigate environmental complaints related to waste management activities.
• Collect water, soil, and waste samples and operate monitoring equipment.
• Evaluate facility operations and documentation for regulatory compliance.
• Prepare reports, develop violation documentation, and participate in enforcement actions.
• Provide information presentations and guidance regarding waste management programs.

Skills

Technical Experience

Residency requirement

Education

Bachelor's degree in environmental science, environmental engineering, environmental health, geology, biology, ecology, or related field

Equivalent combination of experience and training

Job description

Are you ready to help protect Pennsylvania communities and the environment through meaningful field investigations and compliance work? Join the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) as a Solid Waste Specialist Trainee and take part in work that helps protect public health and natural resources. This position offers an exciting blend of field investigations, inspections, and environmental problem solving. Your efforts will support responsible waste management practices across the region.

Within this role, you will participate in a one-year formal and on-the-job training program to learn the duties of a Solid Waste Specialist. This position supports the Waste Management Program through inspections, investigations, monitoring, and compliance activities involving solid and hazardous waste operations. Your work will help ensure that facilities follow environmental laws while protecting public health and natural resources. As a Solid Waste Specialist Trainee, you will learn how to perform the following duties:

• Facility Inspections: Conduct inspections of waste generators, transporters, processing facilities, and disposal sites
• Complaint Response: Investigate environmental complaints related to waste management activities
• Sample Collection: Collect water, soil, and waste samples and operate monitoring equipment
• Compliance Review: Evaluate facility operations and documentation for regulatory compliance
• Enforcement Support: Prepare reports, develop violation documentation, and participate in enforcement actions
• Public Outreach: Provide information presentations and guidance regarding waste management programs

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 Meadville. 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.