Water Quality Specialist Trainee (Environmental Trainee)

Salary: $46,827.00 - $70,592.00 Annually
Location : Crawford County, PA
Job Type: Civil Service Permanent Full-Time
Job Number: CS-2026-56728-75400
Department: Department of Environmental Protection
Division: EP NWRO Env Clnup Brwnflds Rdv
Opening Date: 08/25/2026
Closing Date: 9/7/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Job Code: 75400
Position Number: 00026538
Union: AFSCME
Bargaining Unit: B4
Pay Group: ST05
Bureau / Division Code: 00354650
Bureau / Division: Northwest Regional Office, Environmental Cleanup and Brownfields Redevelopment
Worksite Address: 230 Chestnut Street
City: Meadville, Pennsylvania
Zip Code: 16335
Contact Name: Alison Zener
Contact Email: View email address on click.appcast.io


THE POSITION
Join the Department of Environmental Protection as a Water Quality Specialist Trainee and begin a career that supports the protection of community health and natural resources. This role provides structured training that helps you build important skills while learning how storage tank systems are inspected and monitored. You will gain valuable experience in environmental investigations, data review, and compliance work. This position offers a strong foundation for future growth in environmental protection.
DESCRIPTION OF WORK
This trainee role helps you learn the skills needed to inspect storage tank facilities, review data, and support environmental investigations. As a Water Quality Specialist Trainee, you will perform the following duties:

• Data Entry: Input and update information in electronic systems to meet quality standards
• Report Review: Examine inspection reports and identify issues related to compliance
• Facility Inspection: Assist in inspecting storage tank sites to determine compliance with regulations
• Complaint Follow-up: Help investigate concerns about tank removals, installations, discharges, and releases
• Sample Handling: Collect and transport water and soil samples for testing purposes
• Enforcement Support: Document violations and assist with case summaries and notices

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 $46,827 (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
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 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.

V eterans:

• 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.

EXAMINATION 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.

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Health & Wellness

We offer multiple health plans so our employees can choose what works best for themselves and their families. Our comprehensive benefits package includes health coverage, vision, dental, and wellness programs.*

Compensation & Financial Planning
We invest in our employees by providing competitive wages and encouraging financial wellness by offering multiple ways to save money and ensure peace of mind including multiple retirement and investment plan options.


Work/Life Balance
We know there's more to life than just work! Our generous paid leave benefits include paid vacation, paid sick leave, eight weeks of paid parental leave, military leave, and paid time off for most major U.S. holidays, as well as flexible work schedules and work-from-home opportunities.*


Values and Culture
We believe in the work we do and provide continual opportunities for our employees to grow and contribute to the greater good. As one of the largest employers in the state, we provide opportunities for internal mobility, professional development, and the opportunity to give back by participating in workplace charitable giving.

Employee Perks
Sometimes, it is the little "extras" that make a big difference. Our employees receive special employee-only discounts and rates on a variety of services and memberships.

For more information on all of these Total Rewards benefits, please visit and click on the benefits box.

*Eligibility rules apply.
01



Special Requirement - Do you possess a valid driver's license which is not under suspension?

• Yes
• No

02


If you answered yes, please provide your driver's license number and expiration date. If you answered no, type N/A in the text box below.
03


How much college coursework have you completed in environmental science, environmental engineering, environmental health, geology, biology, ecology, or a closely related field?
If you are claiming credits/degree, you must upload a copy of your college transcript(s) for this education to be considered in the eligibility decision. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. You must attach your transcript(s) prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add a transcript(s) to the application after it has been submitted.
If you answer this question based on education acquired outside of the United States, you must upload a copy of your foreign credential evaluation report. We can only accept foreign credential evaluations from organizations that are members of the National Association of Credential Services (NACES). A list of current NACES members can be found by visiting and clicking the Evaluation Services link.

• A conferred bachelor's degree or higher
• 120 credits or more
• 90 but les than 120 credits
• 60 but less than 90 credits
• 30 but less than 60 credits
• Less than 30 credits
• None

04


Are you within three months of completing a bachelor's degree or higher in environmental science, environmental engineering, environmental health, geology, biology, ecology, or a closely related field?

• Yes
• No

05


If you answered yes to the above question, what date do you expect to receive your degree? If you answered no, type N/A in the text box below.
06


How many years of full-time technical experience do you possess in environmental science, environmental engineering, environmental health, geology, biology, ecology, or a closely related field?

• 4 years or more
• 3 but less than 4 years
• 2 but less than 3 years
• 1 but less than 2 years
• Less than 1 year
• None

07


If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below.
08


You must complete the supplemental question below. This supplemental question is the exam and will be scored. The question is designed to give you the opportunity to relate your experience and training background to the field of this position. Failure to provide complete and accurate information may delay the processing of your application or result in a lower-than-deserved score or disqualification. You must complete the application and answer the supplemental questions. Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position or to determine your score.
All information you provide on your application and supplemental question is subject to verification. Any misrepresentation, falsification or omission of material facts is subject to penalty. If requested, you must provide documentation, including names, addresses, and telephone numbers of individuals who can verify the validity of the information you provide in the application and supplemental question.

Read the question and each level carefully. Select the answer choice which most closely represents your highest level of experience/training. List the employer(s)/training source(s) from your Work or Education sections of the application where you gained this experience/training. The "Level of Performance" you choose for each work behavior must be clearly supported within the description of the experience and training information entered in your application or your score may be lowered. In order to receive credit for experience, you must have worked in a job for at least three months in which the experience claimed was a major function.

If you have read and understand these instructions, please click on the "Yes" button and proceed to the exam questions.


If you have general questions regarding the application and hiring process, please refer to our

• Yes

09


Please select the level below which best represents your level of experience/training.

• A. I have at least three months of technical experience performing work tasks related to a STORAGE TANK or PETROLEUM SERVICES industry/program; OR I have successfully completed an internship related to STORAGE TANKS or PETROLEUM SERVICES.
• B. I have at least three months of technical experience performing work tasks related to MECHANICAL OR ELECTRICAL trades; OR I have successfully completed an internship related to MECHANICAL OR ELECTRICAL TRADES. Neither of these is related to STORAGE TANKS or PETROLEUM SERVICES.
• C. I have at least three months of technical experience performing work tasks related to an ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OR CONSERVATION industry/program; OR I have successfully completed an internship related to ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OR CONSERVATION. Neither of these is related to STORAGE TANKS, PETROLEUM SERVICES, or MECHANICAL OR ELECTRICAL TRADES.
• D. I do not possess three months of technical experience or a completed internship related to STORAGE TANKS, PETROLEUM SERVICES, MECHANICAL OR ELECTRICAL TRADES, or ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OR CONSERVATION.

10


If you are claiming experience in the previous question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience, the work tasks you performed, and the industry/program area (i.e. storage tanks, petroleum services, mechanical or electrical trades, environmental protection or conservation, etc. ) in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application. If you are not claiming experience, type N/A in the text box below.
11


If you are claiming an internship as described above, please provide the employer, dates you completed your internship, focus of internship (i.e., storage tanks, petroleum services, mechanical or electrical trades, environmental protection or conservation, etc.), and work tasks performed in the text box below. If you received college credit for this internship, please indicate how many credits you received as shown on your attached transcript. If you are not claiming an internship, type N/A in the text box below.
Required Question