Water Quality Specialist Trainee (Environmental Trainee)

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; Philipsburg (Centre County); Hybrid; USD 47,000 - 71,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Telework up to 2 days per week

Job summary

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Department of Environmental Protection seeks a Water Quality Specialist Trainee in Centre County to support inspections, complaint investigations, sampling, and documentation under the Clean Water Program. You will gain hands-on experience ensuring environmental compliance and learning essential practices for protecting waterways.

The role includes training, field work, and collaboration with supervisors and facility operators; telework possible part-time, with

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 three months of graduating with a qualifying degree.

Responsibilities

• Assist with inspections of sewage and industrial wastewater systems to confirm operation in accordance with permit conditions.
• Help investigate reports of pollution events such as discharges or fish kills and determine appropriate follow-up.
• Collect wastewater and stream samples and perform field tests including pH, dissolved oxygen, and conductivity.
• Record inspection findings, sample details, and compliance information in required electronic systems.
• Examine operational reports and monitoring data to evaluate facility performance and identify violations.
• Prepare correspondence and share information with operators, officials, and the public as needed.

Education

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

Job description

$46,827.00 - $70,592.00 Annually

Centre County, PA

Civil Service Permanent Full-Time

CS-2026-61451-75400

Department of Environmental Protection

EP NCRO Clean Wtr

11/04/2026

11/17/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

75400

00104290

AFSCME

B4

ST05

00354460

Northcentral Regional Office, Clean Water

186 Enterprise Drive

Philipsburg, Pennsylvania

16866

Alison Zener

[e-mail]

THE POSITION

Start a meaningful path as a Water Quality Specialist Trainee with the Department of Environmental Protection! This position gives you hands‑on experience in inspecting sites, resolving complaints, and learning key environmental practices. Your work will support safe waterways and stronger communities. Grow your skills while helping protect one of Pennsylvania's most valuable resources!

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

This role supports the Clean Water Program by assisting with inspections, complaint investigations, sampling, and documentation to ensure compliance with environmental laws. The position also involves ongoing training, recordkeeping, and cooperation with supervisors and facility operators. As a Water Quality Specialist Trainee, you will perform the following duties:

• Facility Inspections: Assist with inspections of sewage and industrial wastewater systems to confirm operation in accordance with permit conditions
• Complaint Investigation: Help investigate reports of pollution events such as discharges or fish kills and determine appropriate follow‑up
• Sample Collection: Collect wastewater and stream samples and perform field tests including pH, dissolved oxygen, and conductivity
• Data Entry: Record inspection findings, sample details, and compliance information in required electronic systems
• Report Review: Examine operational reports and monitoring data to evaluate facility performance and identify violations
• Communication Duties: Prepare correspondence and share information with operators, officials, and the public as needed

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 is required.
• Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part‑time, up to 2 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 Philipsburg. 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.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY

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 three months of graduating with a qualifying degree.

Special Requirement:

• All positions require possession of an active motor vehicle 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.