Water Quality Specialist Trainee (Environmental Trainee)

Salary $45,907.00 - $69,203.00 Annually Location Allegheny County, PA Job Type Civil Service Permanent Full-Time Job Number CS-2026-49208-75400 Department Department of Environmental Protection Division EP SWRO Clean Wtr Opening Date 05/08/2026 Closing Date 5/21/2026 11:59 PM Eastern Job Code 75400 Position Number 00075863 Union AFSCME Bargaining Unit B4 Pay Group ST05 Bureau / Division Code 00354560 Bureau / Division Southwest Regional Office, Clean Water Worksite Address 400 Waterfront Drive City Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Zip Code 15222 Contact Name OA, CE DEP Contact Email RA-DEPJobs@pa.gov THE POSITION Are you searching for a fulfilling career, dedicated to protecting the health of Pennsylvania's residents and the environment in which they live? Join the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) as a Water Quality Specialist Trainee and learn how to help safeguard the waterways that support communities across the Commonwealth. This role allows you to acquire the skills necessary to work in the field, travel to different facilities, and support enforcement of critical environmental laws. Your work will help ensure clean streams and safe practices while enhancing public health. Apply today to step into a position where your efforts make a positive impact for the future of our great state! DESCRIPTION OF WORK Within this role, you will participate in a one-year formal and on-the-job training program to learn the duties of a Water Quality Specialist. You will learn how to protect Pennsylvania waters by inspecting facilities, reviewing data, and ensuring overall compliance with environmental laws. Your duties will involve learning how to conduct field work, prepare detailed reports, and coordinate directly with permittees and the public. As a Water Quality Specialist Trainee, you will learn how to perform the following duties: Facility Inspections: Conduct inspections of treatment facilities and dischargers to evaluate compliance with permits and regulations Data Review: Examine Discharge Monitoring Reports (DMRs), sampling results, and correspondence to identify violations or concerns Sampling Work: Collect wastewater and stream samples, perform field testing, and maintain calibration records Report Preparation: Create inspection reports, enforcement documents, and written summaries using agency systems Violation Response: Recommend corrective actions, cite facilities for violations, and support enforcement processes Public Interaction: Investigate complaints, meet with officials, and provide information to communities and partners 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. Travel is required for site visits. Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time, and report to the office 1 day per month. 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 $45,907.00 (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 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 accept Required Preferred Job Industries Other