Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, PA

Norristown, Pennsylvania

Environmental Protection Specialist

Hybrid$60,538 - $92,010/yrPosted 1 week ago

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Job details

Location: Norristown, Pennsylvania
Work type: Hybrid
Compensation: $60,538 - $92,010/yr
Posted: 1 week ago
Apply on: governmentjobs.com

About this role

About the Department

Are you ready for a career where you can help communities strengthen recycling and waste reduction efforts through meaningful environmental work? Join the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) as an Environmental Protection Specialist and support programs that encourage responsible waste management. This role allows you to work directly with local officials, review important plans, and contribute to programs that benefit both communities and the environment. Do not miss this opportunity to enhance your professional skills while contributing to long-term environmental improvements. Apply today to step into a position where your dedication makes a positive difference every day!

Position Duties

This position supports recycling, planning, and waste reduction activities by guiding local officials, reviewing grant materials, and coordinating key programs. As an Environmental Protection Specialist, you will perform the following duties:

Grant Oversight: Review applications, conduct pre-application meetings, prioritize submissions, and coordinate funding recommendations
Planning Support: Assist counties and municipalities with developing and updating solid waste management plans
Technical Assistance: Provide guidance on recycling, resource recovery, waste minimization, and household hazardous waste programs
Program Coordination: Work with regional and central staff to support effective recycling and waste reduction activities
Compliance Review: Evaluate plans, registrations, and facility activities to ensure alignment with statutory requirements
Record Management: Maintain tracking systems for grants, recycling programs, and municipal waste plan updates

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 Norristown. 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 $60,538.00 (before taxes).
You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

Minimum Qualifications

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 Requirement:

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

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.

Other Qualifications

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.

Benefits

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.

Supplemental Questions

Necessary Special Requirement - Do you possess a valid driver's license which is not under suspension?

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.

Do you possess one or more years of full-time experience as a journey-level specialist in a waste management program?

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.

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

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 https://www.naces.org and clicking the Evaluation Services link.

30 credits or more
Less than 30 credits
None

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. Determine and select which "Level of Performance" most closely represents your highest level of experience/training. List the employer(s)/training source(s) from your Work or Education sections of the application where you gained this experience/training. The "Level of Performance" you choose must be clearly supported within the description of the experience and training information entered in your application or your score may be lowered. In order to receive credit for experience, you must have worked in a job for at least six months in which the experience claimed was a major function.

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.

WORK BEHAVIOR 1 – TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE Answers questions regarding the technical and administrative requirements of the municipal waste planning and recycling grants program from the regulated community, department staff, citizens, and public officials.

Levels of Performance

Select the "Level of Performance" which best describes your claim.

A. I have experience answering questions from the regulated community, department staff, citizens, or public officials regarding the technical and administrative requirements of a municipal waste planning and recycling grants program.
B. I have experience answering questions from the regulated community, department staff, citizens, or public officials regarding the technical and administrative requirements of an environmental program OTHER THAN a municipal waste planning and recycling grants program.
C. I have experience answering questions from others regarding technical or administrative requirements of any program NOT related to an environmental program.
D. I have successfully completed college-level coursework related to public relations or communications.
E. I have NO experience or education related to this work behavior.

In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to the level of performance you claimed in this work behavior. Please be sure your response addresses the items listed below which relate to your claim. If you indicated you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N/A in the box below.

The name(s) of the employer(s) where you gained this experience.
The topic(s) of questions you answered.
The parties to whom you provided answers.

If you have selected the level of performance pertaining to college coursework, please provide your responses to the items listed below. If you indicated you have no education/training related to this work behavior, type N/A in the text box below.

College/University
Course Title(s)
Credits/Clock Hours

WORK BEHAVIOR 2 – DEVELOPS AND CONDUCTS TRAINING
Develops and updates training content, and conducts training sessions for the regulated community, local officials, and their staff related to municipal waste management planning, resource recovery technologies, recycling, composting, and household hazardous waste (HHW) management programs.

Levels of Performance

Select the "Level of Performance" which best describes your claim.

A. I have experience DEVELOPING recycling and municipal waste management programs training.
B. I have experience CONDUCTING recycling and municipal waste management programs training, but the content was developed by someone else.
C. I have experience DEVELOPING training on topics OTHER THAN recycling and municipal waste management programs.
D. I have experience CONDUCTING training on topics OTHER THAN recycling and municipal waste management programs, but the content was developed by someone else.
E. I have successfully completed college-level coursework related to adult learning.
F. I have NO experience or education related to this work behavior.

The name(s) of the employer(s) where you gained this experience.
The duties you performed related to developing training.
The duties you performed related to conducting training.
The topic(s) of the training you developed or conducted.

College/University
Course Title(s)
Credits/Clock Hours

WORK BEHAVIOR 3 – CONDUCTS AUDITS/SITE VISITS
Conducts site visits of municipal solid waste processing and disposal facilities to determine compliance with regulations. Performs audits at grant-funded facilities to ensure recycling equipment adheres to grant requirements. Recommends enforcement actions for noncompliance.

Levels of Performance

Select the "Level of Performance" which best describes your claim.

A. I have experience conducting site visits at solid waste processing or disposal facilities to determine compliance with regulations or performing audits to ensure recycling equipment adheres to grant requirements. I recommended enforcement actions for noncompliance.
B. I have experience conducting site visits at solid waste processing or disposal facilities to determine compliance with regulations or performing audits to ensure recycling equipment adheres to grant requirements. I reported my findings to SOMEONE else who was responsible for recommending enforcement actions.
C. I have experience conducting site visits at facilities NOT related to solid waste processing or disposal to determine compliance with regulations.
D. I have successfully completed college-level coursework related to auditing or compliance.
E. I have NO experience or education related to this work behavior.

The name(s) of the employer(s) where you gained this experience.
The duties you performed related to conducting site visits to determine compliance with regulations.
The duties you performed related to conducting audits to ensure recycling equipment adheres to grant requirements.
Your experience recommending enforcement actions.

College/University
Course Title(s)
Credits/Clock Hours

WORK BEHAVIOR 4 – WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
Composes narrative content such as letters and memos regarding recycling grants and county municipal waste plans. Writes correspondence to grant applicants, municipal and county officials, and the public.

Levels of Performance

Select the "Level of Performance" which best describes your claim.

A. I have experience writing narrative content regarding recycling grants or county municipal waste plans. I ALSO have experience writing correspondence to grant applicants, municipal and county officials, or the public.
B. I have experience writing narrative content regarding recycling grants or county municipal waste plans; OR I have experience writing correspondence to grant applicants, municipal and county officials, or the public.
C. I have experience writing narrative content/correspondence NOT related to recycling grants or county municipal waste plans.
D. I have successfully completed college-level coursework related to technical writing or scientific writing.
E. I have NO experience or education related to this work behavior.

The name(s) of the employer(s) where you gained this experience.
The type(s) of letters/correspondence you wrote.
To whom you wrote letters/correspondence.

If you have selected the level of performance pertaining to college coursework, please provide your responses to the three items listed below. If you indicated you have no education/training related to this work behavior, type N/A in the text box below.

College/University
Course Title(s)
Credits/Clock Hours

Required Question

Agency Information

EmployerCommonwealth of PennsylvaniaAddress 613 North Street

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 17120 Website http://www.employment.pa.gov

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About Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, PA

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, PA

Norristown, Pennsylvania

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