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Posted: February 20, 2026 (0 days ago)

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Water Quality Specialist Trainee - Environmental Trainee

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Department of Environmental Protection

Fresh

Location

Pennsylvania, 17120

Salary

$45,907 - $69,203

per year

Closes

March 7, 2026

Job Description

Summary

This entry-level job trains you to become a water quality specialist, where you'll learn to inspect factories, sewage plants, and other sites to ensure they aren't polluting Pennsylvania's rivers, lakes, and streams.

You'll spend a year in hands-on and classroom training to check if places follow environmental rules and suggest fixes if they don't.

It's a great fit for recent college grads or those with some experience in science fields who care about keeping water clean and safe for everyone.

Key Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, environmental engineering, environmental health, geology, biology, ecology, or a closely related field
  • Or four years of technical experience in one of those fields
  • Or an equivalent combination of experience and education
  • Within 3 months of graduating with a qualifying degree
  • Ability to participate in a 12-month training program including inspections and compliance checks
  • Full-time availability for 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM schedule, Monday through Friday
  • Reliable high-speed internet for potential telework after training

Full Job Description

Are you eager to join a dynamic team dedicated to protecting the health and environment of the residents of Pennsylvania? If so, explore the opportunity of becoming a Water Quality Specialist Trainee within the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Bureau of Clean Water. Apply today to exercise your passion for the environment as you learn how to ensure the Commonwealth is maintaining clean and safe water resources!

Requirements

As a Water Quality Specialist Trainee, you will participate in a 12-month program which consists of formal and on-the-job training to learn the duties of a Water Quality Specialist.

You will learn how to inspect, survey, and investigate persons, establishments, and municipalities that are discharging to the waters of the Commonwealth.

Some inspections will be routine, while others will be geared towards compliance sampling inspections, compliance evaluation inspections, and joint program and multi-media inspections of the assigned industrial establishments and municipal or privately owned sewage treatment facilities.

You will learn how to determine compliance of the assigned facilities with the Pennsylvania Clean Streams Law, National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) and Part II permit conditions, and department rules and regulations.

You will also learn how to determine final dispositions for each inspection, inclusive of providing detailed recommendations for appropriate remedial or corrective action plans, or verifying that permit requirements have been fulfilled.


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) full-time, upon successful completion of the training period.

    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 Harrisburg. 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 $45,907.00 (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:

  • 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.

Special Requirement:

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

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.
  • 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.

  • 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.

    Check your resume before applying to catch common mistakes

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    Posted on NEOGOV: 2/20/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 2/20/2026

    Source: NEOGOV | ID: neogov-pabureau-5238142