Full Time Entomologist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $26.57 Hourly
Location : Luzerne County, PA
Job Type: Civil Service Limited Term Full-Time
Job Number: CS-2026-50257-14710
Department: Department of Environmental Protection
Division: EP NERO Clean Wtr
Opening Date: 05/27/2026
Closing Date: 6/9/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Job Code: 14710
Position Number: 50703654
Union: AFSCME
Bargaining Unit: B4
Pay Group: ST06
Bureau / Division Code: 0035/4260
Bureau / Division: EP NERO Clean Water
Worksite Address: Northeast Regional Office
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
As an Aquatic Biologist 1 for the Department of Environmental Protection, you will be part of a team dedicated to understanding and improving water quality. This position blends outdoor fieldwork, laboratory tasks, and scientific analysis to support statewide environmental goals. You will gain valuable experience studying lakes and streams and helping identify environmental concerns. It is a rewarding opportunity for someone who wants to make a difference in water protection.
DESCRIPTION OF WORK
This position focuses on studying the health of aquatic environments by collecting field data, analyzing biological samples, and preparing technical findings. The work helps protect water quality by identifying impacts from pollution, supporting environmental decisions, and providing accurate scientific information. As an Aquatic Biologist 1, you will perform the following duties:

• Field Studies: Conduct field surveys to assess how waste discharges affect aquatic life in lakes and streams
• Water Quality Surveys: Collect samples and document conditions to evaluate stream uses, fish health, and pollution impacts
• Lab Analysis: Examine biological samples under microscopes and classify organisms based on pollution tolerance
• Data Reporting: Compile investigation results and prepare technical reports and recommendations
• Interagency Coordination: Work with partner agencies to conduct joint lake and stream studies
• Permit Review: Evaluate permit applications for aquatic treatments and provide recommendations

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.
Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time, limited-term employment (6 months)
• Work hours are 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch.
• Telework: You will not have the option to telework in this position.
• 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 with a major in a biological science, natural science, environmental science, or natural resource management, including or supplemented by six college credits in freshwater aquatic biology, aquatic ecology, aquatic botany, water pollution biology, entomology, limnology, or closely related aquatic science coursework; or
• An equivalent combination of experience and training that includes six college credits in freshwater aquatic biology, aquatic ecology, aquatic botany, water pollution biology, entomology, limnology, or closely related aquatic science coursework.
• Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within 3 months of graduating with a qualifying degree/credits.

Special Requirement:

• This position requires possession of an active motor vehicle license.

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.

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.

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/test once for this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.

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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 visit and click on the benefits box.
*Eligibility rules apply.
01
Special Requirement - Do you possess a current 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
Have you completed six or more semester college credits in freshwater aquatic biology, aquatic ecology, aquatic botany, water pollution biology, entomology, limnology, or closely related aquatic science coursework?
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.
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 visiting and clicking the Evaluation Services link.

• Yes
• No

04
If you responded "Yes" to the above question regarding completion of six or more semester college credits in the coursework listed in that question, please list the course names of those specific courses which you consider to meet this criterion, as supported by your attached college transcripts (please list all courses).
05
Have you successfully completed, or are within three months of completing, a bachelor's degree with a major in a biological science, natural science, environmental science, or natural resource management?
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.
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 visiting and clicking the Evaluation Services link.

• Yes
• No

06
If you are within three months of completing a bachelor's degree with a major in a biological science, natural science, environmental science, or natural resource management, on what date do you expect to graduate? If this does not apply to you, please type N/A in the text box.
07
How much college coursework have you completed in a biological science, natural science, environmental science, or natural resource management?
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.
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 visiting and clicking the Evaluation Services link.

• 120 or more credits
• 90 but less than 120 credits
• 60 but less than 90 credits
• 30 but less than 60 credits
• Less than 30 credits
• None

08
How many years of full-time paraprofessional or technical level experience do you possess in a biological science, natural science, environmental science, or natural resource management?

• 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

09
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 experience must also 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.
10
You must complete the supplemental questions below. These supplement...