Water Quality Specialist Trainee (Environmental Trainee)

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania • Lackawanna County, PA

4d • Remote

About The Position

The Water Quality Specialist Trainee supports inspections, field investigations, and training activities that protect water quality and ensure compliance with environmental laws. The role provides field experience and training to build the skills needed to become a Water Quality Specialist. Duties include inspecting oil and gas activities for compliance and pollution prevention; investigating citizen complaints about water supply issues or environmental damage; collecting water, wastewater, and sediment samples and using scientific instruments; notifying operators of violations and assisting with enforcement actions and documentation; reviewing environmental plans and requesting information needed to make them acceptable; and entering inspection, sampling, and investigation data into departmental electronic systems.

This is a full-time position with work hours of 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday, with a 30-minute lunch. Some travel may be necessary for required trainings. The position may be performed remotely full-time from an approved location in Pennsylvania with a securely configured high-speed internet connection. If telework is not available to the employee, reporting to the headquarters office in Scranton is an option. Telework eligibility may change. New Commonwealth of Pennsylvania employees start at an annual salary of $46,827 before taxes.

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 one of these fields or a closely related field; or an equivalent combination of experience and training.
• Applicants may meet the educational requirement when they are within three months of graduating with a qualifying degree.
• Possession of an active motor vehicle license.
• Must meet the Pennsylvania residency requirement.
• Must be able to perform essential job functions.

Responsibilities

• Conduct inspections of oil and gas activities for compliance with environmental laws and pollution prevention measures.
• Investigate citizen complaints concerning water supply issues or environmental damage.
• Collect water, wastewater, and sediment samples and use scientific instruments during field investigations.
• Notify operators of violations and assist with enforcement actions and case documentation.
• Review environmental plans and request additional information needed to make them acceptable.
• Enter inspection, sampling, and investigation details into departmental electronic systems.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level