Trainee Land Reclamation Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $73,859.00 - $92,010.00 Annually
Location : Washington County, PA
Job Type: Civil Service Permanent Full-Time
Job Number: CS-2026-56627-1112G
Department: Department of Environmental Protection
Division: EP DMO California Dstr Mng Off
Opening Date: 08/21/2026
Closing Date: 9/4/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Job Code: 1112G
Position Number: Multiple positions may be filled from this posting.
Union: AFSCME
Bargaining Unit: B4
Pay Group: ST07
Bureau / Division Code: 00355350
Bureau / Division: California District Mining Office
Worksite Address: 25 Technology Drive
City: Coal Center, Pennsylvania
Zip Code: 15423
Contact Name: Rob Konowitch
Contact Email: ra-depjobs@pa.gov
THE POSITION
Are you ready to use your engineering skills to protect Pennsylvania's communities and guide responsible mining practices? As a Civil Engineer with the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), you will help safeguard our state's natural resources and support safe mining operations. This role blends engineering expertise with public service to improve environmental outcomes. You will collaborate with professionals across many disciplines to ensure communities and land remain protected. Apply today to make a real difference across the bituminous mining region!
DESCRIPTION OF WORK
This role focuses on reviewing engineering plans and ensuring mining activities follow Pennsylvania laws and standards. You will support safe underground bituminous coal mining and related surface operations. As a Civil Engineer (General), you will perform the following duties:

• Regulatory Reviews: Evaluate permit applications for mining operations to ensure compliance with engineering standards and state regulations
• Engineering Analysis: Review structural, hydraulic, and environmental designs for mining activities and provide recommendations
• Subsidence Evaluation: Analyze mining plans and model subsidence impacts to protect structures, utilities, land, and streams
• Interagency Coordination: Work with internal teams and external agencies to resolve design issues and ensure regulatory requirements are met
• Site Assessments: Conduct field reviews to verify compliance with approved plans and support reclamation and restoration efforts
• Technical Guidance: Provide engineering assistance to staff, consultants, and other agencies concerning mining operations and design challenges

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.
• 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 Coal Center. 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:

• Successful completion of the Civil Engineer Trainee training program (Commonwealth job title or equivalent Federal Government job title, as determined by the Office of Administration); or
• Four years of civil engineering experience in the appropriate specialty, and an engineer-in-training certificate issued by or acceptable to the Pennsylvania State Registration Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists, and an associate's degree in civil engineering technology or a closely related engineering discipline; or
• Five years of civil engineering experience in the appropriate specialty, and an 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 civil engineering experience in the appropriate specialty, and a bachelor's degree in civil engineering or a closely related engineering discipline.

Special Requirement:

• This position requires possession of a valid driver's 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 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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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 current driver's license which is not under suspension?

• Yes
• No

02
If you responded "Yes" to the above question, please provide the license number and the expiration date. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below.
03
Have you successfully completed the Civil Engineer Trainee training program (while employed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania)?

• 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
Do you have one or more years of civil engineering experience?

• Yes
• No

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 associates degree or a conferred bachelor's degree in civil engineering or a closely related engineering discipline?
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.

• Yes
• No

08
Do you possess an 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, please provide the issuing state and certificate number. If you answered no, type N/A in the textbox below.
10
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