Water Quality Specialist Trainee (Environmental Trainee)

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; Coal Center (Washington County); Hybrid; USD 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is seeking a Water Quality Specialist Trainee to learn inspection, sampling, investigation, and enforcement practices within the Department of Environmental Protection. The role includes field inspections, complaint response, and plan review to ensure regulatory alignment.

You will train with experienced professionals, gain hands-on experience, and contribute to protecting water resources and public health in Pennsylvania.

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 3 months of graduating with a qualifying degree.

Responsibilities

• Field Inspections: Conduct inspections of oil and gas sites to document conditions and evaluate compliance with environmental laws
• Complaint Response: Investigate citizen complaints by collecting samples, interpreting data, and documenting findings for review
• Enforcement Support: Notify operators of violations, assist in preparing enforcement actions, and participate in case documentation
• Plan Review: Review environmental plans and documents submitted by operators to ensure alignment with regulations
• Sample Collection: Collect and preserve environmental samples and use scientific instruments to support investigations
• Data Management: Input inspection and investigation information into electronic databases according to required standards

Education

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

Job description

The Water Quality Specialist Trainee position with the Department of Environmental Protection is an exciting chance to begin a career protecting Pennsylvania’s natural resources. This role gives you the opportunity to learn field investigation skills and understand how environmental laws are applied. You will gain confidence while working with experienced professionals who guide you through real-world inspections and environmental responses. This is a meaningful path for anyone motivated to support clean water and safe communities.

This position focuses on learning inspection, sampling, investigation, and enforcement practices through a structured training program. As a Water Quality Specialist Trainee, you will perform the following duties:

• Field Inspections: Conduct inspections of oil and gas sites to document conditions and evaluate compliance with environmental laws
• Complaint Response: Investigate citizen complaints by collecting samples, interpreting data, and documenting findings for review
• Enforcement Support: Notify operators of violations, assist in preparing enforcement actions, and participate in case documentation
• Plan Review: Review environmental plans and documents submitted by operators to ensure alignment with regulations
• Sample Collection: Collect and preserve environmental samples and use scientific instruments to support investigations
• Data Management: Input inspection and investigation information into electronic databases according to required standards

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 Coal Center. 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 (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;
• 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 3 months of graduating with a qualifying degree.

Special Requirements:

• This position requires 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.