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Salary: $60,538.00 - $92,010.00 Annually
Location : Dauphin County, PA
Job Type: Civil Service Permanent Full-Time
Job Number: CS-2026-55596-14230
Department: Department of Environmental Protection
Division: EP CC Bur Invstgn
Opening Date: 08/12/2026
Closing Date: 8/25/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Job Code: 14230
Position Number: 50386438
Union: AFSCME
Bargaining Unit: B4
Pay Group: ST07
Bureau / Division Code: 00356800
Bureau / Division: Bureau of Investigations
Worksite Address: 909 Elmerton Avenue
City: Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Zip Code: 17110
Contact Name: Cassandra Lehn
Contact Phone: 412.442.4264
Contact Email: clehn@pa.gov
THE POSITION
The Investigator, Environmental Protection Specialist position with the Department of Environmental Protection offers a meaningful way to protect public health and natural resources. This role allows you to take part in important investigative work that supports safe communities across the state. Each day brings new challenges that require curiosity, problem-solving, and strong communication skills. Join a team that values integrity and works to safeguard the environment for future generations.
DESCRIPTION OF WORK
This position conducts investigative, research, and administrative work that supports the Bureau of Investigation within the Department of Environmental Protection. It involves gathering information, coordinating evidence, and assisting legal and technical staff. As an Investigator, Environmental Protection Specialist, you will perform the following duties:

• Investigation Activities: Conduct interviews, collect evidence, perform site visits, and coordinate efforts with other agencies
• Search Warrant Tasks: Prepare warrant applications, coordinate execution with law enforcement, and maintain proper evidence handling
• Litigation Support: Serve legal documents, prepare affidavits, assist counsel, and support court proceedings
• Sampling Oversight: Develop sampling plans, manage equipment needs, collect samples, and maintain chain of custody records
• Safety Compliance: Ensure adherence to safety regulations, conduct safety meetings, and support hazardous operations monitoring
• Administrative Duties: Manage computer-based tasks, attend required training, complete reports, and assist with training development

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. May require evenings and weekends.
• This position will require travel throughout the region to include Dauphin, York, Perry, Cumberland, Lebanon, Adams, Bedford, Berks, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon, Juniata, Mifflin, and Lancaster counties.
• Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time, up to 5 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: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
• 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:

• One year of experience as a journey-level specialist in a waste management program; or
• Two years of experience in environmental protection and a bachelor's degree with major course work in biology, chemistry, or in a field closely related to environmental protection. A master's degree with major course work in any of the fields closely related to environmental protection may be substituted for one year of the required experience; or
• Any equivalent combination of experience and training which affords the applicant the required knowledges and abilities.

Special Requirements:

• This position requires possession of a valid motor vehicle operator's license as issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Other Requirement

• You must reside in or be willing to relocate toDauphin, York, Perry, Cumberland, Lebanon, or Lancaster County within 60 days of their start date.
• 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.

Legal Requirements:

• A conditional offer of employment will require submission of criminal history reports. See hiring agency contact information.
• You must pass a background investigation.

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
Necessary Special Requirement - Do you possess a valid driver's 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
Do you possess one or more years of full-time experience as a journey-level specialist in a waste management 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 experience in environmental protection 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
How much graduate coursework have you completed in environmental protection or any of the fields closely related to environmental protection?
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 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.

• 30 credits or more
• Less than 30 credits
• None

08
You must complete the supplemental questions below. These supplemental questions are the exam and will be scored. They are designed to give you the opportunity to relate your experience and training background to the major activities (Work Behaviors) performed in 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. You must complete the application and answer the supplemental questions. 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 questions 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 questions.
Read each question carefully. Determ