Environmental Protection Specialist

Environmental Protection Specialist

Are you ready for a career in which you can support environmental safety by helping to ensure waste is managed responsibly across the region? Join the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) as an Environmental Protection Specialist and help protect our communities by contributing to safe waste management practices. This position provides the opportunity to grow your environmental skills while guiding important inspections and reviews. Here, you will support strong, responsible operations that keep facilities safe and compliant. Apply today to begin a meaningful profession that supports a healthier environment for our great state!

This position serves as a regional expert for waste management programs and supports inspections, permit reviews, and remediation activities. Through your work, you will help to ensure that facilities follow regulations, maintain safe operations, and provide accurate information to the department. As an Environmental Protection Specialist, you will perform the following duties:

• Inspection Support: Conduct field inspections for permitted waste facilities and evaluate compliance with regulations
• Permit Assistance: Assist with the review of permits, financial assurance documents, and compliance histories
• Remediation Oversight: Manage cleanup activities funded through abatement programs and review technical project documents
• Data Management: Maintain inspection and enforcement information in department systems to ensure accuracy
• Staff Coordination: Support training efforts and share knowledge to help new staff understand program requirements
• Regulatory Compliance: Review operations and documentation to ensure facilities follow established policies and procedures

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.
• This position requires travel for site visits.
• 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 Pittsburgh. 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 $60,538.00 (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

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• One year of experience as a journey-level specialist in a waste management program; or
• Two years of experience in environmental protection and a bachelor's degree with major course work in biology, chemistry, or in a field closely related to environmental protection. A master's degree with major course work in any of the fields closely related to environmental protection may be substituted for one year of the required experience; or
• Any equivalent combination of experience and training which affords the applicant the required knowledges and abilities.

Special Requirement:

• This position requires possession of a valid motor vehicle operator's license as issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

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 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.