Environmental Trainee - Clean Water

About the role

The Environmental Trainee position with the Department of Environmental Protection offers a chance to support the health of our waterways and communities. This role helps protect public resources while building strong technical and field skills. The work is meaningful and allows you to grow into a vital environmental professional. Join the Department as an Environmental Trainee and make a real difference in Pennsylvania. This role supports field inspections, data evaluation, and compliance activities that protect water quality across the Commonwealth.

Responsibilities

• Inspection Support: Assist with reviewing treatment facilities and stormwater operations for compliance with permits and regulations
• Data Evaluation: Examine monitoring reports and field measurements to identify potential violations
• Complaint Response: Investigate public concerns related to water pollution and document findings
• Report Preparation: Draft clear inspection summaries and correspondence for supervisors and facility operators
• Field Sampling: Collect water samples and assess results against applicable standards

Qualifications

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements: A 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 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. You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Schedule

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. 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 Bethlehem. 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).