Water Program Specialist

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; Pennsylvania; Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Department of Environmental Protection is seeking a Water Program Specialist to support statewide water quality programs, focusing on Chesapeake Bay watershed planning and policy. This role involves research, data analysis, and collaboration with internal and external partners.

You will perform duties such as analyzing monitoring data, supporting model outputs, preparing reports, and engaging stakeholders to advance water quality goals.

Qualifications

• Three years of professional environmental protection experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in biological, physical, or environmental sciences, engineering, or related field.
• Valid Pennsylvania driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Data analysis to identify pollution trends and evaluate BMP reductions.
• Model support: review outputs and interpret results for program managers.
• Prepare technical reports and annual progress updates on BMP installations and outcomes.
• Technical review: evaluate scientific data and participate in multi-agency projects.
• Program coordination: share guidance with staff and partners, prepare instructional materials.

Skills

Data analysis

Technical writing

Stakeholder engagement

Project coordination

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in biological, physical, or environmental sciences, engineering, or related field

Job description

THE POSITION

Start an exciting career as a Water Program Specialist with the Department of Environmental Protection. This role supports important work that protects waterways and natural resources across the Commonwealth. Your efforts will help guide policies and programs that improve water quality. Join a team dedicated to keeping Pennsylvania's environment healthy.

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

This position provides technical and administrative support for statewide water quality programs, with a focus on Chesapeake Bay watershed planning and policy. The work involves research, data analysis, and collaboration with internal and external partners.

As a Water Program Specialist, you will perform the following duties:

• Data Analysis: Use monitoring information to identify pollution trends and evaluate reductions from Best Management Practices
• Model Support: Prepare BMP lists, review model output and interpret results for program managers
• Reporting Duties: Compile technical reports and provide annual progress updates on BMP installations and outcomes
• Technical Review: Evaluate scientific data, participate in multi-agency projects, and provide input on modeling and watershed issues
• Program Coordination: Share guidance with staff and partners, prepare instructional materials, and support field personnel
• Stakeholder Engagement: Represent the agency in workgroups, communicate program needs and explain water quality goals to interested groups

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.
• Some travel may be required
• 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 possess and maintain a REAL ID or passport for this position. Proof of possession will be needed at the time of a conditional offer of employment.
• 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.