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Environmental Trainee Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Environmental Trainee information

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$25.5K

$43.5K

$63.5K

How much do environmental trainee jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for environmental trainee in the United States is $43,530.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $33,000.00 and $51,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are Environmental Trainees?

Environmental Trainees are entry-level professionals who assist in environmental protection, management, and compliance tasks. They typically work under the supervision of experienced environmental scientists or engineers, helping with data collection, site inspections, and reporting. This role provides foundational experience in areas like pollution control, environmental legislation, and sustainability practices. Environmental Trainees often work for government agencies, consulting firms, or non-profit organizations, gaining practical skills to advance in the environmental field.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Environmental Trainee, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Environmental Trainee, you typically need a bachelor's degree in environmental science, biology, or a related field, along with foundational knowledge of environmental regulations and scientific methods. Familiarity with data collection tools, GIS software, and laboratory equipment is often required. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication are important soft skills for this role. These skills and qualifications are essential to accurately assess environmental conditions, ensure compliance, and contribute meaningfully to environmental protection efforts.

What types of projects or tasks can an Environmental Trainee expect to work on during their first year?

As an Environmental Trainee, you can expect to support a variety of projects, such as conducting field surveys, assisting with data collection and environmental sampling, and helping prepare reports for regulatory compliance. You'll often work alongside experienced environmental scientists and engineers, learning to use specialized equipment and software. Collaboration with multidisciplinary teams is common, and you may participate in site visits, environmental impact assessments, or community outreach initiatives. The hands-on experience gained during this period is crucial for building your technical skills and understanding industry standards.

What is the difference between Environmental Trainee vs Environmental Technician?

AspectEnvironmental TraineeEnvironmental Technician
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or associate's degree; some roles may prefer a bachelor'sAssociate's or bachelor's degree in environmental science or related field
Work EnvironmentEntry-level, supervised field and office workFieldwork, sampling, data collection, and analysis
Employer & Industry UsageInternships, entry-level positions in environmental agencies and firmsEnvironmental consulting firms, government agencies, industrial sites

The Environmental Trainee role is typically an entry-level position focused on learning and assisting with environmental projects, often requiring minimal experience. In contrast, an Environmental Technician usually has more hands-on responsibilities in sampling and data collection, often requiring specific technical skills or certifications. Both roles are common in environmental industries, but the Technician position generally involves more direct fieldwork and technical tasks.

More about Environmental Trainee jobs
What cities are hiring for Environmental Trainee jobs? Cities with the most Environmental Trainee job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Environmental jobs? The most popular types of Environmental jobs are:
What states have the most Environmental Trainee jobs? States with the most job openings for Environmental Trainee jobs include:
Infographic showing various Environmental Trainee job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 84% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $43,530 per year, or $20.9 per hour.
Sanitarian Trainee (Environmental Trainee)

Sanitarian Trainee (Environmental Trainee)

Commonwealth Of Pennsylvania

Wilkes Barre, PA โ€ข On-site

$45K - $69K/yr

Other

This job post hasย expired 1 day ago.ย Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

Salary

$45,907.00 - $69,203.00 Annually

Location

Luzerne County, PA

Job Type

Civil Service Permanent Full-Time

Job Number

CS-2026-51594-75400

Department

Department of Environmental Protection

Division

EP NERO Sf Drnkg Wtr

Opening Date

06/25/2026

Closing Date

7/8/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Job Code

75400

Position Number

50546246

Union

AFSCME

Bargaining Unit

B4

Pay Group

ST05

Bureau / Division Code

00354280

Bureau / Division

Northeast Regional Office, Safe Drinking Water

Worksite Address

2 Public Square

City

Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

Zip Code

18701

Contact Name

Susan Kreiser-Array

Contact Email

RA-DEPjobs@pa.gov

THE POSITION

Join a team that works every day to ensure clean and reliable water for the people of Pennsylvania! As a Sanitarian Trainee with the Department of Environmental Protection, you will start a career that truly makes a difference. This role allows you to build technical knowledge while helping public water systems stay safe and dependable. You will gain confidence through structured training and real-world responsibilities. This is your chance to support healthy communities and grow in an important environmental field!


DESCRIPTION OF WORK

During your 12-month training period, you will learn how to support the Safe Drinking Water Program by carrying out inspection, compliance, and public assistance activities within an assigned area. The work helps ensure public water systems meet state standards and protect community health. As a Sanitarian Trainee, you will perform the following duties:

  • Field Inspections: Learn about conducting inspections of public water systems to check facilities, operations, and water quality
  • Compliance Review: Assist in the evaluation of records, test results, and system performance to verify adherence to drinking water regulations
  • Technical Assistance: Provide guidance to operators, officials, and the public on water system practices and regulatory requirements
  • Plan Evaluation: Help with the review of water system plans, monitoring documents, and emergency procedures for completeness and accuracy
  • Data Management: Update electronic systems with inspection results, inventory updates, and compliance information
  • Public Outreach: Share information and training materials to support safe drinking water efforts in local communities


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.
  • 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 Wilkes-Barre. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time. Additional details may be provided during the interview.
  • Salary: Selected candidates who are new to employment with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will begin employment at the starting annual salary of $45,907.00 (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

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania logo

About Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is not a traditional company but rather a state government entity headquartered in Middletown, Pennsylvania, United States. Through its official website pa.gov, the government provides a broad range of services to its residents, including but not limited to, health services, education, transportation, and regulatory functions. Founded in 1787, the Commonwealth holds a rich history dating back to the foundation of the United States itself. The government's core mission is to serve and improve the lives of Pennsylvanians, fostering a more prosperous, informed, and secure state.

Industry

Public administration

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Harrisburg, PA, US

Year founded

1787