Geoscience Jobs in Pennsylvania (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $59,149.00 - $80,464.00 Annually
Location : Dauphin County, PA
Job Type: Civil Service Permanent Full-Time
Job Number: CS-2026-56894-14900
Department: Department of Environmental Protection
Division: EP SCRO Env Clnup Brwnflds Rdv
Opening Date: 08/24/2026
Closing Date: 9/6/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Job Code: 14900
Position Number: 00171839
Union: AFSCME
Bargaining Unit: B4
Pay Group: ST06
Bureau / Division Code: 00354350
Bureau / Division: Southcentral Regional Office, Environmental Cleanup and Brownfields Redevelopment
Worksite Address: 909 Elmerton Avenue
City: Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Zip Code: 17110
Contact Name: Julie Wolfrays
Contact Email: ra-depjobs@pa.gov
THE POSITION
Would you like to enhance your skills while learning to solve complex environmental challenges that shape Pennsylvania's future? Join the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) as a Geoscience Trainee and help to protect the Commonwealth's soil and groundwater resources. Here, you will learn how to investigate contamination issues and support environmental cleanup efforts. You will also have the opportunity to collaborate with scientists, officials, and community groups to ensure responsible environmental practices. Apply today to step into a position where your dedication and expertise strengthen public health and environmental safety!
DESCRIPTION OF WORK
Within this role, you will participate in a one-year formal and on-the-job training program to learn the specialized duties of a Geoscientist. This position focuses on investigating soil and groundwater contamination and supporting remediation efforts across the Commonwealth. Through your work, you will learn how to ensure proper environmental assessment and adherence to regulations for pollution issues. As a Geoscience Trainee, you will learn how to perform the following duties:

• Contamination Investigation: Conduct hydrogeologic studies of pollution incidents, spills, and complaints
• Source Identification: Determine origins of contamination and recommend appropriate remedial actions
• Data Analysis: Compile and interpret hydrogeologic information through fieldwork, mapping, and laboratory reviews
• Report Preparation: Write memorandums supported by maps, charts, photographs, and other illustrations
• Technical Review: Evaluate reports on contaminated sites and make recommendations based on laws and standards
• Public Communication: Meet with officials, industries, and community groups to explain hydrogeologic principles

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 position requires travel.
• 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 Harrisburg. 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 $59,149.00 (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:

• Possession of an active Geologist-in-Training certificate issued by or acceptable to the Pennsylvania State Registration Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists; or
• A bachelor's degree in geology, geophysics, geochemistry, engineering geology, or a closely related field including or supplemented by 30 college credits in geologic coursework; or
• An equivalent combination of experience and training that includes 30 college credits in geologic 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 and maintenance of an active Pennsylvania non-commercial Class C driver's license or equivalent.

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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*Eligibility rules apply.
01
You must complete the supplemental question(s) below. Failure to provide complete and accurate information may delay the processing of your application or result in a lower-than-deserved score or disqualification. You must complete the application and answer the supplemental question(s). Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be 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(s) is subject to verification. Any misrepresentation, falsification or omission of material facts is subject to penalty. Read the question(s) carefully. Determine and select the option that most closely represents your highest level of experience/training/certification. The option you choose must be clearly supported if requested.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 our

• Yes

02
Special Requirement - Do you possess a current driver's license which is not under suspension?

• Yes
• No

03
If you answered "Yes" to the above question, please provide the issuing state, license number, and expiration date. If you answered "No", type N/A in the text box below.
04
Do you possess a conferred bachelor's degree or higher, or are you within three months of conferring a bachelor's degree or higher in geology, geophysics, geochemistry, or engineering geology, or a 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 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

05
If you are within three months of completing bachelor's degree or higher in geology, geophysics, geochemistry, or engineering geology, or a related field, on what date do you expect to graduate? If this does not apply to you, please type N/A in the text box.
06
Do you possess a conferred bachelor's degree or higher, or are you within three months of conferring a bachelor's degree or higher, in a closely related geology field which includes or is supplemented by 30 college credits in geologic 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

07
If you have not yet conferred a bachelor