THE POSITION

Looking to start an exciting career in the field of environmental protection? Want to put your bachelor's degree in a physical, biological or engineering field to good use? Don't want to be tied to a desk? Look no further than to Environmental Trainee opportunities with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)!

DEP has immediate openings for college graduates with no professional environmental protection experience required!

We are seeking environmentally friendly and energetic individuals who are committed to protecting and preserving Pennsylvania's resources through the regulation of air, water, waste, mining, radiation sources, and oil and gas. Environmental Trainees are hired into a 12-month training program, which consists of on-the-job training to learn the duties of an environmental inspector in a specific environmental field. Employees in the trainee job will learn applicable regulations and policies, and assist more experienced employees in performing inspections of assigned facilities. Trainees may become Safe Drinking Water inspectors, Storage Tanks inspectors, Wastewater Treatment Plant inspectors, Air Quality inspectors, among others.

Travel is required for these positions, but does not typically include overnight stays. Applicants must possess a valid driver's license as issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. DEP vehicles can be signed out to facilitate travel to and from inspection sites.

Inspections may require employees to negotiate uneven or rough terrain, sometimes while carrying test equipment.

Employees who complete the Environmental Trainee year often move on to higher-level specialist and supervisory job titles in the future.

IMPORTANT: YOU MUST APPLY TO THIS ONLINE EXAM POSTING, MEET ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS, AND RECEIVE YOUR SCORE PRIOR TO APPLYING TO A SPECIFIC VACANCY POSTING FOR THIS TITLE.

PLEASE NOTE: Once you have obtained a score, you may receive email notifications as vacancies are posted. To review all available vacancies for this title, please refer to the Open Jobs page of our website. You must apply to each vacancy for which you are interested. If you apply to a vacancy posting prior to receiving a score, you will be deemed ineligible and directed to apply to this examination posting.

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  Must be willing to travel. Travel expenses will be paid
• Must participate in a training program
• Must successfully complete training period for promotion with a salary increase

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY

• Must meet PA residency requirement – For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency
• Minimum Experience and Training Requirements - A bachelor's degree with major coursework in an appropriate physical or biological science or a closely related environmental field.
• Necessary Special Requirement - Possession of a valid motor vehicle operator's license as issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
• Do not submit resumes, cover letters, and similar documents. These documents will not be reviewed and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position or to determine your score. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
• A copy of your college transcripts needs to be submitted with your application. You may upload your document as an Attachment during the application process. You must still complete the application and answer the supplemental questions.
• Must be able to perform essential job functions

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 www.employment.pa.gov/Additional%20Info/Pages/default.aspx and click the Veterans' Preference tab or contact us at ra-cs-vetpreference@pa.gov.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS): 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals)

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.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or:
  • your score may be lower than deserved.
  • you may be disqualified.
• You may retest 6 months after date of last exam
• Your results will be provided via email.
• Only your most recent exam score is counted.

Learn more about our Total Rewards by watching this short video!

Health & Wellness

We offer multiple health plans so our employees can choose what works best for themselves and their families. Our comprehensive benefits package includes health coverage, vision, dental, and wellness programs.*

Compensation & Financial Planning
We invest in our employees by providing competitive wages and encouraging financial wellness by offering multiple ways to save money and ensure peace of mind including multiple retirement and investment plan options.

Work/Life Balance
We know there’s more to life than just work! Our generous paid leave benefits include paid vacation, paid sick leave, six weeks of paid parental leave, military leave, and paid time off for most major U.S. holidays, as well as flexible work schedules and work-from-home opportunities.*

Values and Culture
We believe in the work we do and provide continual opportunities for our employees to grow and contribute to the greater good. As one of the largest employers in the state, we provide opportunities for internal mobility, professional development, and the opportunity to give back by participating in workplace charitable giving.

Employee Perks
Sometimes, it is the little “extras” that make a big difference. Our employees receive special employee-only discounts and rates on a variety of services and memberships.

For more information on all of these Total Rewards benefits, please visit www.employment.pa.gov and click on the benefits box.

• Eligibility rules apply.