Surface Mine Conservation Inspector

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; Pottsville (Schuylkill County); On-site; USD 53,000 - 81,000; Full time

Job summary

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Environmental Protection, is seeking a Surface Mine Conservation Inspector for the Pottsville District Mining Office. You will inspect mining operations, respond to public concerns, and help enforce environmental and safety laws to protect land and water.

Responsibilities include investigations of complaints, site inspections, bond reviews, and data reporting, with a typical 8–4 schedule and potential telework options per policy.

Qualifications

• One year of experience as an Environmental Protection Trainee or equivalent.
• Three years of progressively responsible surface mining and conservation experience.
• Any equivalent combination of experience and training.

Responsibilities

• Complaint investigations: conduct investigations of public concerns related to blasting, water quality, environmental degradation, and public safety.
• Site inspections: perform complete, partial, follow-up, and non-routine inspections of coal and noncoal mining operations.
• Violation determination: evaluate findings to determine violations of environmental and safety laws and initiate enforcement actions.
• Bond review work: review and recommend action for Stage 1 bond release applications and conduct annual bond reviews.
• Accident investigations: support investigations of fatal and nonfatal mining accidents by gathering information, interviewing witnesses, and preparing reports.
• Data and reporting: collect samples, enter data, prepare reports, and maintain logs and case files.

Job description

Salary

$53,008.00 - $80,646.00 Annually

Location

Schuylkill County, PA

Job Type

Civil Service Permanent Full-Time

Job Number

CSSC-2026-60019-71580

Department

Department of Environmental Protection

Division

EP DMO Pottsville Dstr Mng Off

Opening Date

10/09/2026

Closing Date

10/22/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Job Code

71580

Position Number

00101048

Union

AFSCME

Bargaining Unit

G1

Pay Group

ST06

Bureau / Division Code

00355310

Bureau / Division

Pottsville District Mining Office

Worksite Address

5 W Laurel Boulevard

City

Pottsville, Pennsylvania

Zip Code

17901

Contact Name

Rob Konowitch

Contact Email

[e-mail]

THE POSITION

Step into the role of Surface Mine Conservation Inspector with the Department of Environmental Protection and help safeguard Pennsylvania's land and water! This position gives you hands-on experience investigating mine sites and supporting environmental health. You will work with professionals who believe in teamwork and public trust. Use your skills to support a cleaner, safer future!

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

This position plays a key role in protecting the environment and public safety by inspecting mining operations and responding to concerns from citizens and operators. The work supports statewide goals for responsible mining practices and environmental stewardship. As a Surface Mine Conservation Inspector, you will perform the following duties:

• Complaint Investigations: Conduct investigations of public concerns related to blasting, water quality, environmental degradation, and public safety
• Site Inspections: Perform complete, partial, follow-up, and non-routine inspections of coal and noncoal mining operations
• Violation Determination: Evaluate findings to determine violations of environmental and safety laws and initiate enforcement actions
• Bond Review Work: Review and recommend action for Stage 1 bond release applications and conduct annual bond reviews
• Accident Investigations: Support investigations of fatal and nonfatal mining accidents by gathering information, interviewing witnesses, and preparing reports
• Data and Reporting: Collect samples, enter data, prepare reports, and maintain logs and case files

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) full-time. 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 Pottsville. 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 $53,008.00 (before taxes).
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• One year of experience as an Environmental Protection Trainee in the surface mining program (Commonwealth job title or equivalent Federal Government job title, as determined by the Office of Administration); or
• Three years of progressively responsible surface mining and conservation experience; or
• Any equivalent combination of experience and training.

Other Requirements:

• This particular position also requires possession of a valid PA non-commercial Class C driver's license or equivalent.
• You must meet the PA residency requirement. For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency.
• 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.