Trainee Environmental Software Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $45,907.00 - $69,203.00 Annually
Location : Montgomery County, PA
Job Type: Civil Service Permanent Full-Time
Job Number: CS-2026-51644-75400
Department: Department of Environmental Protection
Division: EP SERO Air Qlty
Opening Date: 06/22/2026
Closing Date: 7/5/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Job Code: 75400
Position Number: 00182107
Union: AFSCME
Bargaining Unit: B4
Pay Group: ST05
Bureau / Division Code: 00354170
Bureau / Division: EP SERO Air Quality
Worksite Address: 2 E. Main Street
City: Norristown, Pennsylvania
Zip Code: 19401
Contact Name: Susan Kreiser-Array
Contact Email: ra-DEPjobs@pa.gov
THE POSITION
Are you searching for a career path where your dedicated work efforts contribute to cleaner, healthier air for everyone? As an Air Quality Specialist Trainee with the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), you will learn how to review reports, gather essential data, and help to ensure that facilities are compliant with environmental regulations. This position offers meaningful opportunities to solve problems and support statewide air quality goals. Apply today to step into a role where your efforts make a positive impact throughout the environment!
DESCRIPTION OF WORK
Within this role, you will participate in a 12-month training period during which time you will be trained to perform the duties of an Air Quality Specialist. This position focuses on learning how to successfully inspect facilities, review air pollution concerns, and collect emission data to support compliance with environmental laws. Through your work you will acquire the skills necessary to assist with enforcing the Clean Air Act and ensuring that air pollution issues are identified and resolved. As an Air Quality Specialist Trainee, you will learn how to perform the following duties:

• Facility Inspections: Visit assigned facilities to observe operations, verify compliance, and document inspection results
• Emission Tracking: Collect, review, and enter emission inventory information into the Air Information Management System (AIMS) for assigned facilities
• Compliance Review: Evaluate facility submissions, identify violations, and recommend actions to correct non-compliance
• Complaint Response: Investigate air quality complaints by interviewing residents and operators and documenting findings
• Sampling Activities: Observe stack testing, gather samples, and review results to determine compliance status
• Program Enforcement: Participate in enforcement actions, meetings, and follow-up inspections to support regulatory compliance

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the .
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 Norristown. 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:

• Four years of technical experience in environmental science, environmental engineering, environmental health, geology, biology, ecology, or a closely related field; or
• A bachelor's degree in environmental science, environmental engineering, environmental health, geology, biology, ecology, or a closely related field; or
• An equivalent combination of experience and training.
• Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within 3 months of graduating with a qualifying degree.

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.

Learn more about our Total Rewards by watching this short !
See the total value of your benefits package by exploring our
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 valid 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
How much college coursework have you completed in environmental science, environmental engineering, environmental health, geology, biology, ecology, or a closely 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. 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.

• A conferred bachelor's degree or higher
• 120 credits or more
• 90 but les than 120 credits
• 60 but less than 90 credits
• 30 but less than 60 credits
• Less than 30 credits
• None

04
Are you within three months of completing a bachelor's degree or higher in environmental science, environmental engineering, environmental health, geology, biology, ecology, or a closely 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. 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

05
How many years of full-time technical experience do you possess in environmental science, environmental engineering, environmental health, geology, biology, ecology, or a closely related field?

• 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

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
You must complete the supplemental question below. This supplemental question is the exam and will be scored. The question is designed to give you the opportunity to relate your experience and training background to the field of 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 question is subject to verification. Any misrepresentation, falsification or omission of material facts is subject to penalty. If requested, you must provide do