Location: Meadville,PA, USA
THE POSITION
The Department of Environmental Protection is on the lookout for passionate individuals committed to safeguarding the well-being of both Pennsylvania's residents and its natural surroundings. If you aspire to advance your career within the Commonwealth as a Soils Scientist Trainee, we encourage you to submit your application today and join our dedicated team!
DESCRIPTION OF WORK
The individual selected for this role will engage in a comprehensive 12-month training program designed to familiarize them with the responsibilities outlined below. This position entails conducting thorough investigations, evaluations, and assessments of soil conditions. The incumbent will utilize their knowledge of soil science and its principles to effectively implement the Clean Water Program. Additionally, they will be responsible for reviewing permit applications and proposals related to soil investigations, ensuring that all submissions meet the technical standards and consistency required by the Clean Water Program. Furthermore, the role includes performing field inspections at biosolids facilities and on-site sewage disposal locations to ensure compliance and operational integrity.
Work Schedule and Additional Information:
* Full-time employment.
* Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with 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 Meadville.
* 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:
* A bachelor's degree in environmental resource management, environmental science, environmental studies, earth science, agricultural science, or a closely related field that includes 15 college credits in soil science; or
* Three years and six months of technical experience in soil testing, identification, classification, suitability, or remediation work, and 15 college credits in soil science; or
* An equivalent combination of experience and training that includes 15 college credits in soil science.
* Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within 3 months of graduating with a qualifying degree/credits.
Special Requirements:
* This position requires possession of a valid driver's license which is not under suspension.
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.
* 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.
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.employment.pa.gov/Additional Info/Pages/default.aspx and click the Veterans' Preference tab or contact us at ...@pa.gov.
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 video!
See the total value of your benefits package by exploring our benefits calculator.
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 www.employment.pa.gov and click on the benefits box.
* Eligibility rules apply.
01
CS-INSTRUCTIONS - SINGLE/DOUBLE FER, CERTIFICATION, ETC. 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 FAQ page.
* Yes
02
Necessary Special Requirement-Do you possess a current driver's license which is not under suspension?
* Yes
* No
03
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.
04
Have you completed at least 15 semester college credits of soils science 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 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. For more information on foreign education credentials, please visit Info/Pages/default.aspx#q3 and click on Other Information.
* Yes
* No
05
Do you possess a conferred bachelor's degree or higher, or are you within 3 months of possessing a conferred bachelor's degree or higher, in environmental resource management, environmental science, environmental studies, earth science, agricultural science, 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. 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. For more information on foreign education credentials, please visit Info/Pages/default.aspx#q3 and click on Other Information.
* Yes
* No
06
If you do not have a conferred bachelor's degree or higher in environmental resource management, environmental science, environmental studies, earth science, agricultural science, or a closely related field, on what date do you expect to receive your degree? Type N/A in the text box if this does not apply.
07
If you do NOT possess a conferred bachelor's degree in the above question, how much college coursework have you completed in environmental resource management, environmental science, environmental studies, earth science, agricultural science, or a closely related field? Choose option G if not applicable to you.
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 transcript(s) to the application after it has been submitted.
If you are claiming 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. For more information on foreign education credentials, please visit Info/Pages/default.aspx#q3 and click on Other Information.
* A. 120 credits or more
* B. 90 but less than 120 credits
* C. 60 but less than 90 credits
* D. 30 but less than 60 credits
* E. Less than 30 credits
* F. None
* G. Not applicable
08
How many years of full-time technical experience do you possess in soil testing, identification, classification, suitability, or remediation work?
* A. 4 years or more
* B. 3 but less than 4 years
* C. 2 but less than 3 years
* D. 1 but less than 2 years
* E. Less than 1 year
* F. None
09
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.
Required Question
Agency Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Address 613 North Street
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 17120
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