Water Quality Specialist Trainee (Environmental Trainee)

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; Old Stanton (PA); Remote; USD 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Department of Environmental Protection seeks a Water Quality Specialist Trainee to learn field inspection, water sampling, and compliance review, supporting investigations of water quality concerns and oil and gas activities. This role offers hands-on training and exposure to environmental enforcement processes while protecting local waterways.

You will perform duties such as inspection support, complaint response, documentation, and data entry, with a schedule

Qualifications

• Four years of technical experience in environmental science, environmental engineering, environmental health, geology, biology, ecology, or a closely related field.
• 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 within 3 months of graduation.

Responsibilities

• Inspection support: Assist with inspections of oil and gas facilities and compare site conditions to applicable permits.
• Complaint response: Help investigate environmental complaints by collecting field samples and reviewing data.
• Documentation work: Prepare memos, update schedules, and enter information into required electronic systems.
• Regulation learning: Study water quality laws, permits, and program requirements to support proper evaluations.
• Sampling activities: Collect soil and water samples following protocol and document findings for review.
• Enforcement assistance: Support preparation for enforcement actions by organizing records and case materials.

Education

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

Job description

Are you ready to help protect Pennsylvania’s water resources while learning the skills needed to ensure environmental safety? Dive into a rewarding career in environmental protection as a Water Quality Specialist Trainee with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). In this role, you will learn how to investigate water quality concerns, support inspections, and assist with reviews of oil and gas activities. You will gain hands‑on training from experienced staff while building skills that help protect local waterways and communities. Apply today to join a team dedicated to safeguarding the Commonwealth's natural resources!

This trainee position provides formal training and on-the-job experience in water quality inspections, complaint investigations, and environmental compliance. The work includes learning field techniques, reviewing environmental information, and assisting with enforcement activities. As a Water Quality Specialist Trainee, you will perform the following duties:

• Inspection Support: Assist with inspections of oil and gas facilities and compare site conditions to applicable permits
• Complaint Response: Help investigate environmental complaints by collecting field samples and reviewing data
• Documentation Work: Prepare memos, update schedules, and enter information into required electronic systems
• Regulation Learning: Study water quality laws, permits, and program requirements to support proper evaluations
• Sampling Activities: Collect soil and water samples following protocol and document findings for review
• Enforcement Assistance: Support preparation for enforcement actions by organizing records and case materials

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 New Stanton. 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 3 months of graduating with a qualifying degree.

Special Requirements

• 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.

• 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.