Water Program Specialist

Full Job Description

The Department of Environmental Protection is seeking motivated individuals who are passionate about safeguarding and restoring the natural resources of Pennsylvania’s communities.

As a Water Program Specialist, you will play a key role in protecting the Commonwealth’s waterways and supporting environmental restoration across the state.

This is an excellent opportunity to advance your career with the Commonwealth while contributing to meaningful work that has a lasting impact on public health and the environment.

If you are ready to take the next step in your professional journey and join a team committed to environmental excellence, we encourage you to apply.

Requirements

This position serves as a Water Program Specialist within the Bureau of Waterways Engineering and Wetlands, Division of Wetlands, Encroachments, and Training. The employee reports directly to the Environmental Program Manager for the Division.

In this role, you will conduct environmental reviews of wetland and waterway restoration projects statewide under Chapter 105 regulatory authority. This includes, but is not limited to, evaluating projects submitted through the in-lieu-fee and mitigation banking programs.

You will be responsible for developing and maintaining a strong working knowledge of the environmental programs and regulatory requirements associated with the Dam Safety and Encroachments Act, the Clean Streams Law, the Flood Plain Management Act, and the Department’s Chapter 105 Dam Safety and Waterway Management and Chapter 106 Flood Plain Management regulations.

Additional authorities and responsibilities under the Division’s purview will also be part of your ongoing technical understanding.

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 4:30 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 60-minute lunch.
• This position may require travel as needed, including occasional overnight stays.
• This position is approved for Flexible Headquarters at any of the following locations:
  • Rachel Carson State Office Building (RCSOB) 400 Market Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101
  • Altoona District Office (ADO) 3001 Fairway Drive, Altoona, PA 16602
  • New Stanton District Office (NSDMO) 131 Broadview Road, New Stanton, PA 15672
  • Southwest Regional Office (SWRO) 400 Waterfront Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15222

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. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time.

Additional details may be provided during the interview.

• Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
• 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:

• Three years of professional environmental protection experience; and a bachelor’s degree in the biological, physical, or environmental sciences, engineering, or in a field closely related to environmental protection or regulation; or
• An equivalent combination of experience and training that includes three years of professional environmental protection experience.

Conditions of Employment:

• This position requires possession of a valid Pennsylvania driver’s 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.

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.