Air Quality Specialist Trainee (Environmental Trainee)

As an Air Quality Specialist Trainee with the Department of Environmental Protection, you will receive focused training that helps you learn how to evaluate facilities and investigate air quality concerns. This role introduces you to important tools, data systems, and regulatory processes. You will gain experience while supporting inspections, complaint investigations, and environmental reviews. This training period prepares you for meaningful long-term work in environmental protection.

Responsibilities

• Inspection Training: Assist with supervised inspections of industrial facilities to learn compliance monitoring methods
• Complaint Support: Help investigate air pollution complaints and prepare documentation for follow-up reviews
• Data Review: Learn to verify emission inventory information and update AIMS and eFACTS systems
• Sampling Exposure: Observe stack tests and participate in supervised sample collection activities
• Asbestos Monitoring: Support reviews of asbestos notifications and help observe demolition or removal projects
• Enforcement Preparation: Assist with drafting basic reports and learning procedures for compliance and enforcement actions

Schedule

• Full-time employment
• Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch
• Travel will be required
• Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time, with 1 in-office day per month. 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.

Pay

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).

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.

Requirements

• This position requires possession of an active motor vehicle license.
• You must meet the PA residency requirement.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.