Water Quality Specialist

Would you enjoy a career that helps protect water resources while working directly with field inspectors and environmental experts? The Water Quality Specialist position with the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) offers an exciting opportunity to safeguard Pennsylvania’s natural resources through the Oil and Gas Program. This role allows you to inspect sites, support investigations, and help ensure clean water for nearby communities. You will work with experienced staff in the Oil and Gas Program and learn advanced techniques for monitoring and environmental compliance. Apply today to build your skills while making a positive impact on the environment and the people of Pennsylvania!

This position conducts inspections, investigates complaints, and performs sampling activities to ensure compliance with environmental laws through the Oil and Gas Program. As a Water Quality Specialist, you will perform the following duties: Site Inspection: Conduct inspections of oil and gas operations and document findings using electronic systems Complaint Response: Investigate environmental damage or water supply concerns and work to identify causes and solutions Violation Notification: Notify operators of violations and assist with enforcement actions and related documentation Plan Review: Examine submitted environmental plans and work with staff and operators to ensure accuracy and compliance Sampling Duties: Collect water, wastewater, gas, and sediment samples following proper procedures and documentation requirements Public Assistance: Provide guidance to citizens and operators regarding environmental laws and regulations 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. This is a field position that will cover projects in Warren, McKean, Forest, and Elk County. Telework: You will not report into an in-office location on a regular basis. Instead, you will work from home (telework) when you are not traveling to project sites. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. 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.

This position conducts inspections, investigates complaints, and performs sampling activities to ensure compliance with environmental laws through the Oil and Gas Program. As a Water Quality Specialist, you will perform the following duties:

Site Inspection: Conduct inspections of oil and gas operations and document findings using electronic systems

Complaint Response: Investigate environmental damage or water supply concerns and work to identify causes and solutions

Violation Notification: Notify operators of violations and assist with enforcement actions and related documentation

Plan Review: Examine submitted environmental plans and work with staff and operators to ensure accuracy and compliance

Sampling Duties: Collect water, wastewater, gas, and sediment samples following proper procedures and documentation requirements

Public Assistance: Provide guidance to citizens and operators regarding environmental laws and regulations

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description .

QUALIFICATIONS Minimum Experience and Training Requirements: Successful completion of the training program for the Water Quality Specialist Trainee ; or Any equivalent combination of experience and training which affords the applicant the required knowledges and abilities . Special Requirement: This position requires p ossession of a valid motor vehicle operator's license as issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. 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. This position is subject to the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement or memorandum of understanding. You must be eligible for selection in accordance with merit system employment regulations. Recruitment Methods: Applicants must meet one of the following methods to be considered for this vacancy: Reassignment ( Only current civil service employees in the same agency who hold the same or similar job title, with the same maximum salary, within the same occupational group or where there is a logical career movement, will qualify for reassignment .) Meritorious service is defined as (a) the absence of any discipline above the level of written reprimand during the 12 months preceding the closing date of the posting, and (b) the last regular or probationary performance evaluation showing an overall rating of satisfactory or higher. Transfer ( Only current civil service employees who hold the same job title will qualify for transfer to another agency.) Meritorious service is defined as (a) the absence of any discipline above the level of written reprimand during the 12 months preceding the closing date of the posting, and (b) the last regular or probationary performance evaluation showing an overall rating of satisfactory or higher. Voluntary Demotion 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 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. All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant’s own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information. 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.

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

Successful completion of the training program for the Water Quality Specialist Trainee ; or

Any equivalent combination of experience and training which affords the applicant the required knowledges and abilities .

Special Requirement:

This position requires p ossession of a valid motor vehicle operator's license as issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

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.

This position is subject to the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement or memorandum of understanding.

You must be eligible for selection in accordance with merit system employment regulations.

Applicants must meet one of the following methods to be considered for this vacancy: Reassignment ( Only current civil service employees in the same agency who hold the same or similar job title, with the same maximum salary, within the same occupational group or where there is a logical career movement, will qualify for reassignment .) Meritorious service is defined as (a) the absence of any discipline above the level of written reprimand during the 12 months preceding the closing date of the posting, and (b) the last regular or probationary performance evaluation showing an overall rating of satisfactory or higher. Transfer ( Only current civil service employees who hold the same job title will qualify for transfer to another agency.) Meritorious service is defined as (a) the absence of any discipline above the level of written reprimand during the 12 months preceding the closing date of the posting, and (b) the last regular or probationary performance evaluation showing an overall rating of satisfactory or higher. Voluntary Demotion

Reassignment ( Only current civil service employees in the same agency who hold the same or similar job title, with the same maximum salary, within the same occupational group or where there is a logical career movement, will qualify for reassignment .) Meritorious service is defined as (a) the absence of any discipline above the level of written reprimand during the 12 months preceding the closing date of the posting, and (b) the last regular or probationary performance evaluation showing an overall rating of satisfactory or higher.

Meritorious service is defined as (a) the absence of any discipline above the level of written reprimand during the 12 months preceding the closing date of the posting, and

(b) the last regular or probationary performance evaluation showing an overall rating of satisfactory or higher.

Transfer ( Only current civil service employees who hold the same job title will qualify for transfer to another agency.) Meritorious service is defined as (a) the absence of any discipline above the level of written reprimand during the 12 months preceding the closing date of the posting, and (b) the last regular or probationary performance evaluation showing an overall rating of satisfactory or higher.

Voluntary Demotion

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 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.

All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant’s own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.

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.

Yes

No

1 year or more

6 months but less than 1 year

Less than 6 months

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 a transcript(s) to the application after it has been submitted.

30 credits or more

15 but less than 30 credits

Less than 15 credits

Required Question