Air Quality Specialist Trainee (Environmental Trainee)
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Air Quality Specialist Trainee (Environmental Trainee)
Salary
$45,907.00 - $69,203.00 Annually
Location
Northampton County, PA
Job Type
Civil Service Permanent Full-Time
Job Number
CS-2026-41152-75400
Department
Department of Environmental Protection
Division
EP NERO Air Qlty
Opening Date
01/27/2026
Closing Date
2/9/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Job Code
75400
Position Number
Multiple positions may be filled from this posting.
Union
AFSCME
Bargaining Unit
B4
Pay Group
ST05
Bureau / Division Code
00354270
Bureau / Division
EP NERO Air Quality
Worksite Address
4530 Bath Pike
City
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Zip Code
18017
Contact Name
Susan Kreiser-Array
Contact Email
skreiserar@pa.gov
Description
Benefits
Questions
THE POSITION
Do you have a passion for science and a commitment to public health? Would you like to play a role in protecting the air that your fellow Pennsylvanian's breathe every day? If so, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) may have the position for you! We are eager to welcome an versatile and dependable Air Quality Specialist Trainee to join our team of professionals. Here, you will learn how to conduct sampling, compliance monitoring, and enforcement duties to ensure facilities within the Commonwealth remain compliant with Air Quality Control Act and the rules and regulations of the department. Apply today to turn your dedication to the environment into a career of impact!
DESCRIPTION OF WORK
At the Environmental Trainee level, you will participate in a comprehensive 12-month training program in which you will receive increased supervision as well as formal and on-the-job training. This trainee program is designed to equip you with the skills needed to fulfill the duties of an Air Quality Specialist and to effectively implement the goals of the Air Quality Program.
As an Air Quality Specialist Trainee, you will learn how to conduct inspection and compliance activities within the region on commercial and industrial facilities. Duties will involve planning and implementing an inspection schedule for sources under permit and those on the compliance monitoring schedule. You will learn how to conduct inspections of control equipment and air pollution sources to ensure compliance with permit conditions, department regulations, and applicable federal regulations. You will further have the opportunity to participate in enforcement actions such as investigating air pollution complaints; conducting follow-up inspections to determine the nature of extent of the air pollution problem; and writing Notices of Violation to companies and individuals found to be out of compliance. Additional assignments will entail learning how to collect air samples, fuel samples, volatile organic compound samples, and other samples as required to confirm compliance with regulatory standards.
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.
Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time, up to 3 days per week. 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. Additional details may be provided during the interview.
Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
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:
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 (https://www.employment.pa.gov/Additional%20Info/Pages/default.aspx) . For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link (https://www.employment.pa.gov/Additional%20Info/Pages/default.aspx) and click on Residency.
You must be able to perform essential job functions.
How to Apply:
Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents willnotbe 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 accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.
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.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.
Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):
711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).
If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.
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.
Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
You must provide complete and accurate information or:
your score may be lower than deserved.
you may be disqualified.
You may only apply/testoncefor this posting.
Your results will be provided via email.
Learn more about our Total Rewards by watching this shortvideo (https://www.youtube.com/embed/HtcSRnndflc?rel=0) !
See the total value of your benefits package by exploring ourbenefits calculator.
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, eight 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 visitwww.employment.pa.gov and click on the benefits box.
*Eligibility rules apply.
01
Do you possess a valid driver's license which is not under suspension?
Yes
No
02
If you answered "Yes", please provide your driver's license number and expiration date. If you answered "No", @type N/A in the text box below.
03
How much college coursework have you completed in environmental science, environmental engineering, environmental health, geology, biology, ecology, or a closely related field?
If you are claiming credits/degree, you must upload a copy of your college transcript(s) for this education to be considered in the eligibility decision. You must attach your transcript(s) prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add transcript(s) to the application after it has been submitted.
If your answer to this question is based on education acquired outside of the United States, you must upload a copy of your foreign credential evaluation report. We can only accept foreign credential evaluations from organizations that are members of the National Association of Credential Services (NACES). A list of current NACES members can be found by visitinghttps://www.naces.organd clicking the Evaluation Services link.
A conferred bachelor's degree or higher
120 credits or more
90 but les than 120 credits
60 but less than 90 credits
30 but less than 60 credits
Less than 30 credits
None
04
How many years of full-time technical experience do you possess in environmental science, environmental engineering, environmental health, geology, biology, ecology, or a closely related field?
4 years or more
3 but less than 4 years
2 but less than 3 years
1 but less than 2 years
Less than 1 year
None
05
If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experiencemustalso be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, @type N/A in the text box below.
06
Are you within three months of completing a bachelor's degree or higher in environmental science, environmental engineering, environmental health, geology, biology, ecology, or a closely related field? If you are claiming credits/degree, you must upload a copy of your college transcript(s) for this education to be considered in the eligibility decision. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. You must attach your transcript(s) prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add transcript(s) to the application after it has been submitted. If you answer "Yes" to this question based on education acquired outside of the United States, you must upload a copy of your foreign credential evaluation report. We can only accept foreign credential evaluations from organizations that are members of the National Association of Credential Services (NACES). A list of current NACES members can be found by visitinghttps://www.naces.organd clicking the Evaluation Services link.
Yes
No
07
If you are within three months of completing a bachelor's degree or higher in environmental science, environmental engineering, environmental health, geology, biology, ecology, or a closely related field, on what date do you expect to graduate? Enter N/A if not applicable.
08
You must complete the supplemental question below. This supplemental question is the exam and will be scored. The question is designed to give you the opportunity to relate your experience and training background to the field of this position. Failure to provide complete and accurate information may delay the processing of your application or result in a lower-than-deserved score or disqualification. Youmustcomplete the applicationandanswer the supplemental questions. Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents willnotbe reviewed for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position or to determine your score.
All information you provide on your application and supplemental question is subject to verification. Any misrepresentation, falsification or omission of material facts is subject to penalty. If requested, you must provide documentation, including names, addresses, and telephone numbers of individuals who can verify the validity of the information you provide in the application and supplemental question.
Read the question and each level carefully. Select the answer choice which most closely represents your highest level of experience/training. List the employer(s)/training source(s) from your Work or Education sections of the application where you gained this experience/training.The "Level of Performance" you choose for each work behavior must be clearly supported within the description of the experience and training information entered in your application or your score may be lowered.In order to receive credit for experience, you must have worked in a job for at least three months in which the experience claimed was a major function.
If you have read and understand these instructions, please click on the "Yes" button and proceed to the exam questions.
If you have general questions regarding the application and hiring process, please refer to ourFAQ page (https://www.employment.pa.gov/Additional%20Info/Pages/default.aspx) .
Yes
09
Please select the level below which best represents your level of experience/training.
A. I have at least three months of technical experience performing work tasks related to an AIR QUALITY program; OR I have successfully completed an internship related to AIR QUALITY.
B. I have at least three months of technical experience performing work tasks related to an ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OR CONSERVATION program; OR I have successfully completed an internship related to ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OR CONSERVATION. Neither of these is related to AIR QUALITY.
C. I have at least three months of technical experience performing work that included WRITING CUSTOMIZED NARRATIVE REPORTS THAT CONVEYED FINDINGS OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH OR REGULATORY INSPECTIONS; OR I have successfully completed an internship that included WRITING CUSTOMIZED NARRATIVE REPORTS THAT CONVEYED FINDINGS OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH OR REGULATORY INSPECTIONS. Neither of these is related to AIR QUALITY or ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OR CONSERVATION.
D. I do NOT possess three months of technical experience or a completed internship related to AIR QUALITY OR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OR CONSERVATION, or WRITING NARRATIVE SCIENTIFIC OR REGULATORY REPORTS.
10
If you are claiming experience in the previous question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience, the work tasks you performed, and the program area (i.e., air quality, environmental protection or conservation, etc.) in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application. If you are not claiming experience, @type N/A in the text box below.
11
If you are claiming an internship as described above, please provide the employer, dates you completed your internship, focus of internship (i.e., air quality, environmental protection or conservation, etc.), and work tasks performed in the text box below. If you received college credit for this internship, please indicate how many credits you received as shown on your attached transcript. If you are not claiming an internship, @type N/A in the text box below.
Required Question
Employer
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Address
613 North Street
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 17120
Website
http://www.employment.pa.gov
