Geoscience Trainee

Full Job Description

Are you an aspiring geology expert who is ready to take your career to the next level? The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is excited to welcome a dedicated Geoscience Trainee to assist in supporting the Subsurface Permitting Section of the District Oil & Gas Program. Here, you will gain the skills necessary to play a vital role in ensuring that oil, gas, and coal operations coexist safely and legally. If you are committed to safeguarding the health and safety of Pennsylvania's residents and environment, we want you on our team!

Requirements

As a Geoscience Trainee, you will participate in a 12-month training period, during which time you will be trained to perform the duties of a Geoscientist in the Oil and Gas program located in the Meadville Office.

You will learn how to effectively review drilling permit applications and coal pillar permit applications to ensure adherence to oil and gas laws and regulations.

Diverse data sources will be utilized to determine if coal is present and whether or not it is considered to be workable by underground methods.

In addition, you will learn how to analyze spacing or integration applications and supporting documentation, conduct spacing studies to determine reservoir limits, and prepare draft spacing orders. You will acquire the skills necessary to review and advise on final actions for various permit applications and recommend specific actions for requests for permit variances and exceptions. You will further learn how to draft deficiency letters with regulatory citations and provide professional and informative responses to any objections received from outside parties of interest.

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 Meadville. 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 $57,995.00 (before taxes).
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• Possession of an active Geologist-in-Training certificate issued by or acceptable to the Pennsylvania State Registration Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists; or
• A bachelor's degree in geology, geophysics, geochemistry, engineering geology, or a closely related field including or supplemented by 30 college credits in geologic coursework; or
• An equivalent combination of experience and training that includes 30 college credits in geologic coursework.
• Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within 3 months of graduating with a qualifying degree/credits.
  

Special Requirement:

• This position requires possession and maintenance of an active Pennsylvania non-commercial Class C driver's license or equivalent.

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.

How to Apply:

Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position.

Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).

If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.

Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.

Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.

All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant’s own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only.

Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.

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.

Additional 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.