Water Program Specialist

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; Pennsylvania; Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Telework option (up to 3 days/week)

Job summary

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania seeks a Water Program Specialist in the Department of Environmental Protection to safeguard drinking water for residents and reduce lead exposure. You will work with state-wide teams to strengthen the Safe Drinking Water Program and guide public water systems through compliance and reporting requirements.

Telework may be available part-time, with a standard 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM schedule.

Qualifications

• Three years of professional environmental protection experience and a bachelor’s degree in the biological, physical, or environmental sciences, engineering, or a closely related field.
• An equivalent combination of experience and training that includes three years of professional environmental protection experience.

Responsibilities

• Program Evaluation: Assess effectiveness of surveillance, compliance, enforcement, and data management activities related to the Safe Drinking Water Program.
• Regulation Development: Assist in creating and updating rules, policies, and procedures that guide public water system operations.
• Data Review: Examine system data to identify errors and recommend solutions that strengthen reporting accuracy.
• Project Coordination: Support efforts that help water systems minimize lead exposure while completing federally funded projects.
• Training Support: Provide instruction on technical topics to improve field operations and strengthen compliance with program requirements.

Skills

Environmental protection experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree in environmental/biological/physical sciences or engineering

Job description

THE POSITION

Join the Department of Environmental Protection as a Water Program Specialist and become a key part of safeguarding safe drinking water for Pennsylvania residents! This position allows you to support statewide efforts to reduce lead exposure and promote high standards for water quality. You will collaborate with teams across the Commonwealth while helping advance essential public health goals. This is a rewarding way to build your career and contribute to meaningful environmental progress.

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

This position supports statewide efforts to strengthen the Safe Drinking Water Program and reduce lead exposure in public water systems. The role focuses on evaluating field operations, coordinating project activities, and guiding water systems through compliance and reporting requirements. As a Water Program Specialist, you will perform the following duties:

• Program Evaluation: Assess effectiveness of surveillance, compliance, enforcement, and data management activities related to the Safe Drinking Water Program
• Regulation Development: Assist in creating and updating rules, policies, and procedures that guide public water system operations
• Data Review: Examine system data to identify errors and recommend solutions that strengthen reporting accuracy
• Project Coordination: Support efforts that help water systems minimize lead exposure while completing federally funded projects
• Training Support: Provide instruction on technical topics to improve field operations and strengthen compliance with program requirements

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 to training events, meetings, conferences and regional offices
• 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:In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
• 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

• Three years of professional environmental protection experience; and a bachelor’s degree in the biological, physical, or environmental sciences, engineering, or in a field closely related to environmental protection or regulation; or
• An equivalent combination of experience and training that includes three years of professional environmental protection experience.

Condition of Employment

• This position requires possession of a valid Pennsylvania driver’s 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.

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.