Water Quality Specialist Trainee (Environmental Trainee)

Salary

$46,827.00 - $70,592.00 Annually

Location

Lackawanna County, PA

Job Type

Civil Service Permanent Full-Time

Job Number

CS-2026-60561-75400

Department

Department of Environmental Protection

Division

EP DOG NCDO

Opening Date

10/15/2026

Closing Date

10/29/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Job Code

75400

Position Number

50297310

Union

AFSCME

Bargaining Unit

B4

Pay Group

ST05

Bureau / Division Code

00358210

Bureau / Division

District Oil and Gas Operations, Northcentral District Office

Worksite Address

321 Biden Street

City

Scranton, Pennsylvania

Zip Code

18503

Contact Name

OA, CE DEP

Contact Email

View email address on click.appcast.io

THE POSITION

Make a strong impact on Pennsylvania communities as a Water Quality Specialist Trainee with the Department of Environmental Protection! This role gives you the chance to learn important skills that protect water sources and support safe environmental practices. You will gain field experience, work with experts, and grow into a vital member of the team. This is a great opportunity to start a career that helps safeguard public health!

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

This position supports inspections, field investigations, and training activities that help protect water quality and ensure compliance with environmental laws. The work builds the foundation needed to become a skilled Water Quality Specialist. As a Water Quality Specialist Trainee, you will perform the following duties:

• Regulatory Inspections: Conduct inspections of oil and gas activities to check compliance with environmental laws and pollution prevention measures
• Complaint Response: Investigate citizen complaints about water supply issues or environmental damage
• Sampling Work: Take water, wastewater, and sediment samples and use scientific instruments during field investigations
• Enforcement Support: Notify operators of violations and assist with enforcement actions and case documentation
• Plan Reviews: Review environmental plans and request additional information needed to make them acceptable
• Data Entry: Input inspection, sampling, and investigation details into departmental electronic systems

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.
• Some travel may be necessary for required trainings.
• Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) full-time. 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 Scranton. 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 $46,827.00 (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

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 three months of graduating with a qualifying degree.

Special Requirements:

• All positions require 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.

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.

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.