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Sewage Planning Specialist (Environmental Trainee)

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Sewage Planning Specialist (Environmental Trainee)

Salary

$44,890.00 - $67,678.00 Annually

Location

Luzerne County, PA

Job Type

Civil Service Permanent Full-Time

Job Number

CS-2025-26727-75400

Department

Department of Environmental Protection

Division

EP NERO Clean Wtr

Opening Date

06/04/2025

Closing Date

6/17/2025 11:59 PM Eastern

Job Code

75400

Position Number

00144029

Union

AFSCME

Bargaining Unit

B4

Pay Group

ST05

Bureau / Division Code

35/4260

Bureau / Division

EP NERO Clean Water

Worksite Address

2 Public Square

City

Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania

Zip Code

18701

Contact Name

Susan Kreiser-Array

Contact Email

[email protected]

+ Description

+ Benefits

+ Questions

THE POSITION

The Department of Environmental Protection is actively looking to hire a Environmental Trainee to join their team under the guidance of the Sewage Planning Supervisor. This role is crucial for ensuring the effective implementation of the Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act (Act 537) within the Northeast Regional Office. As a Environmental Trainee, the selected candidate will benefit from close supervision and hands-on training, which will equip them to assess Official Sewage Facilities Plans and their subsequent updates. This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to vital environmental initiatives, and interested applicants are encouraged to apply today!

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

Environmental Trainees are engaged in a comprehensive 12-month training program designed to equip them with the skills necessary for the role of an environmental inspector within a specific sector. Throughout this program, trainees will receive hands-on experience that allows them to familiarize themselves with relevant regulations and policies while supporting seasoned professionals in conducting inspections of designated facilities.

In this role, you will be tasked with enforcing the Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act across a specified geographic region, with a focus on protecting public health and mitigating environmental pollution. Your responsibilities will encompass a thorough evaluation of sewage planning modules, where you will assess exemptions and provide recommendations for approval or denial. You will also address inquiries and perform follow-up investigations when an Official Sewage Facilities Plan or Update Revision is deemed necessary for a municipality. This will involve analyzing various factors such as zoning laws, population trends, economic implications, and existing challenges, allowing you to offer valuable insights to your supervisor and the responsible engineer regarding specific aspects of the proposals.

Moreover, you will manage and coordinate the assigned Official Base Plans and Update Revisions, overseeing the process from the initial identification of needs to the execution of approved strategies. This includes reviewing and providing feedback on all Base Plan activities within your jurisdiction. You will conduct site surveys to evaluate the feasibility of proposed on-lot and stream discharge systems, as well as address citizen complaints concerning malfunctioning on-lot systems or any misconduct by sewage enforcement officers. Additionally, your role will involve assessing the performance of sewage enforcement officers by reviewing issued permits and verifying site conditions, along with making recommendations for enhancing their performance. You will also evaluate local agencies to ensure compliance with established standards and practices.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

+ Full-time employment.

+ Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with 30-minute lunch.

+ Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time up to 3 days a 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 Wilkes Barre.

+ Salary: S elected candidates who are new to employment with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will begin employment at the starting annual salary of $44,890.00 (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 (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 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.

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 a t [email protected] .

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/test oncefor 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 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 your education was 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. For more information on foreign education credentials, please visithttps://www.employment.pa.gov/Additional%20Info/Pages/default.aspx#q3and click on Other Information.

+ A. A conferred bachelor's degree or higher

+ B. 120 credits or more

+ C. 90 but les than 120 credits

+ D. 60 but less than 90 credits

+ E. 30 but less than 60 credits

+ F. Less than 30 credits

+ G. None

04

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?

+ Yes

+ No

05

If you answered yes to the above question, what date do you expect to receive your degree? If you answered no, type N/A in the text box below.

06

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?

+ A. 4 years or more

+ B. 3 but less than 4 years

+ C. 2 but less than 3 years

+ D. 1 but less than 2 years

+ E. Less than 1 year

+ F. None

07

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.

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 a WATER QUALITY program; OR I have successfully completed an internship related to WATER 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 WATER QUALITY.

+ C. I do NOT possess three months of technical experience or a completed internship related to WATER QUALITY OR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OR CONSERVATION.

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. water 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., water 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