Graduate Engineering Trainee Jobs in Pennsylvania

Salary: $73,859.00 - $92,010.00 Annually
Location : Allegheny County, PA
Job Type: Civil Service Permanent Full-Time
Job Number: CS-2026-56594-14520
Department: Department of Environmental Protection
Division: EP SWRO Clean Wtr
Opening Date: 09/02/2026
Closing Date: 9/15/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Job Code: 14520
Position Number: 00099432
Union: AFSCME
Bargaining Unit: B4
Pay Group: ST07
Bureau / Division Code: 00354560
Bureau / Division: Southwest Regional Office, Clean Water
Worksite Address: 400 Waterfront Drive
City: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Zip Code: 15222
Contact Name: OA, CE DEP
Contact Email: RA-DEPJobs@pa.gov
THE POSITION
Make a positive difference in Pennsylvania from day one! As an Environmental Engineering Specialist with the Department of Environmental Protection, you will help safeguard our natural resources. This position empowers you to apply technical knowledge to real challenges in water quality management. You will be part of an agency that works to protect communities across the Commonwealth. This role offers meaningful work that strengthens Pennsylvania's environment!
DESCRIPTION OF WORK
This role focuses on supporting wastewater permitting, environmental analysis, and enforcement activities designed to maintain water quality throughout the Commonwealth. It plays a key part in reviewing applications, developing effluent limits, and ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations. As an Environmental Engineering Specialist, you will perform the following duties:

• Application Review: Evaluate industrial wastewater discharge applications and determine appropriate discharge limitations based on water quality standards
• Permit Evaluation: Assess National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit submissions for new or existing discharges to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements
• Facility Inspection: Conduct on site inspections of treatment facilities to confirm adherence to issued permits
• Design Assessment: Analyze wastewater treatment facility designs and recommend actions for Water Quality Management Construction Permits
• Technical Communication: Meet with stakeholders to address questions and resolve issues related to permitting activities
• Data Management: Enter and maintain required information within electronic database systems

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.
• Travel required for site visits
• 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 Pittsburgh. 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 $73,859.00 (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:

• Two years of professional experience in environmental engineering, and possession of a valid Engineer-in-Training certificate issued by or acceptable to the Pennsylvania State Registration Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists; or
• One year of professional experience in environmental engineering, and possession of a valid Professional Engineer license issued by the Pennsylvania State Registration Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists; or
• Successful completion of the training program for Environmental Engineering Trainee (Commonwealth job title or equivalent Federal Government job title, as determined by the Office of Administration); or
• One year of professional experience in environmental engineering, and a bachelor's degree in environmental engineering or in any engineering field that includes or is supplemented by 9 credits in environmental engineering.
• Graduate study in environmental engineering or in a closely related field may be substituted for the required experience on a year-for-year basis.

Conditions of Employment:

• This position requires possession of a valid driver's license.

Other Requirements:

• PA residency requirement is currently waived for this title.
• 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
Condition of Employment - Do you possess a current drivers license which is not under suspension?

• Yes
• No

02
If you answered "Yes" to the above question, 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 successfully completed the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Environmental Engineering Trainee program?

• Yes
• No

04
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.
05
How many years of full-time professional experience in environmental engineering do you possess?

• 2 years or more
• 1 but less than 2 years
• Less than 1 year
• None

06
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.
07
Do you possess a conferred bachelor's degree in environmental engineering or in any engineering field that includes or is supplemented by 9 credits in environmental engineering?
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 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

08
Do you possess a valid Engineer-in-Training certificate issued by or acceptable to the Pennsylvania State Registration Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists?

• Yes
• No

09
If you answered "Yes" to the above question, please list your certification number and expiration date. If you answered "No", type N/A in the text box below.
10
Do you possess a valid Professional Engineer license issued by the Pennsylvania State Registration Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists?

• Yes
• No

11
If you answered "Yes" to the above question, please provide your license number and expiration date. If you answered "No", type N/A in the text box below.
12
How much graduate coursework have you completed in Environmental Engineering 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 a