Water Quality Specialist Trainee; Environmental Trainee

Overview

As a Water Quality Specialist Trainee with the Department of Environmental Protection, you will step into a role that helps safeguard the Commonwealth's water quality. This position gives you hands‑on experience with inspections, field work, and regulatory support. It is a great opportunity to build your career while making a positive impact. Become part of a team dedicated to protecting Pennsylvania's natural resources.

In this position, you will participate in a 12‑month training program to learn how to support the regulation of facilities to help protect water quality across the Commonwealth. The work you will do contributes to the Clean Water Program by assisting with inspections, reviews, and field activities. As a Water Quality Specialist Trainee, you will perform the following duties:

• Facility Inspections: Inspect sewage and industrial treatment facilities to assess compliance with permits and state requirements.
• Report Review: Examine Discharge Monitoring Reports and record any violations or issues in the appropriate systems.
• Field Sampling: Collect water quality samples and field data using portable testing equipment and submit samples for laboratory analysis.
• Complaint Investigation: Investigate public complaints related to water pollution, nuisance conditions, or potential environmental violations.
• Emergency Response: Assist with emergency incidents involving known and/or non‑hazardous substances and conduct follow‑up evaluations when needed.
• Documentation Duties: Prepare inspection reports, Notices of Violation, and related correspondence within required time frames.

• Full‑time employment.
• Work hours:
  
  8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday – Friday, with a 30‑minute lunch break.
• Telework: Opportunity to work from home full‑time if you have a securely configured high‑speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If telework is not possible, you may report to the headquarters office in Wilkes‑Barre.
• Salary: Starting annual salary of $45,907 for candidates new to employment with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

• 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.

• This position requires possession of an active motor vehicle license.

• You must meet the Pennsylvania residency requirement.
• You must be able to perform the essential job functions.

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.