Water Quality Specialist Trainee (Environmental Trainee)

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

Job summary

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Environmental Protection, Northcentral Regional Office in Williamsport, seeks a Water Quality Specialist Trainee. The role supports the Clean Water Program through inspections, sampling, and enforcement activities to protect Pennsylvania waterways.

Travel is required; telework may be available part-time up to 2 days/week. Starting salary is $46,827 per year with opportunities for growth within the civil service.

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.
• Equivalent combination of experience and training.

Responsibilities

• Inspection Activities: Learn how to conduct inspections of sewage and industrial wastewater systems to check for proper operation and permit compliance.
• Sampling Work: Help collect wastewater and stream samples and perform field tests such as pH, dissolved oxygen, and conductivity.
• Complaint Response: Assist in the investigation of sewage and industrial waste complaints and document findings.
• Data Management: Enter inspection and sampling information into required electronic systems and maintain accurate records.
• Report Review: Examine facility reports and discharge monitoring data to identify violations and track compliance.

Skills

Four years of technical experience in

Education

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

Job description

Salary

$46,827.00 - $70,592.00 Annually

Location

Lycoming County, PA

Job Type

Civil Service Permanent Full-Time

Job Number

CS-2026-61453-75400

Department

Department of Environmental Protection

Division

EP NCRO Clean Wtr

Opening Date

11/03/2026

Closing Date

11/16/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Job Code

75400

Position Number

50592737

Union

AFSCME

Bargaining Unit

B4

Pay Group

ST05

Bureau / Division Code

00354460

Bureau / Division

Northcentral Regional Office, Clean Water

Worksite Address

208 West 3rd Street

City

Williamsport, Pennsylvania

Zip Code

17701

Contact Name

Alison Zener

Contact Email

[e-mail]

THE POSITION

Make a real difference in the health of Pennsylvania's waterways! As a Water Quality Specialist Trainee with the Department of Environmental Protection, you will help protect streams, rivers, and communities across the region. This role gives you hands‑on learning and a clear path for growth.

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

This position supports the Clean Water Program through learning about inspections, sampling, complaint investigation, and enforcement activities. The role helps ensure that facilities follow environmental laws and that water resources remain protected. As a Water Quality Specialist Trainee, you will perform the following duties:

• Inspection Activities: Learn how to conduct inspections of sewage and industrial wastewater systems to check for proper operation and permit compliance
• Sampling Work: Help collect wastewater and stream samples and perform field tests such as pH, dissolved oxygen, and conductivity
• Complaint Response: Assist in the investigation of sewage and industrial waste complaints and document findings
• Data Management: Enter inspection and sampling information into required electronic systems and maintain accurate records
• Report Review: Examine facility reports and discharge monitoring data to identify violations and track compliance

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 Williamsport. 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.