Environmental Chemist 1

State of Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Full Time

Email Address

Apply Now

THE POSITION

The Department of Environmental Protection is on the lookout for a passionate individual committed to safeguarding the well-being of both the citizens and the environment of Pennsylvania. In this position, you will have the opportunity to share your expertise as you serve as a technical resource person involved with most aspects of the Waste Management Program. If you are eager to start a new chapter in your career with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as an Environmental Chemist 1, we encourage you to submit your application today and join our dedicated team!

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

As an Environmental Chemist 1 in our Southwest Region, you will be responsible for reviewing requests and permit applications for the management of waste materials involving the evaluation of the toxicity, bio-accumulation potential, and environmental risks associated with the disposal, discharge, handling, storage, and treatment of hazardous and non-hazardous wastes. In this role, you will function as a non-laboratory chemist, requiring knowledge of analytical instrumentation, testing and sampling methods, and quality assurance procedures concerning the characterization of solid waste. Field sampling and field testing of waste materials and toxic substances may also be required. This position requires public communication and coordination with township and county authorities, industrial personnel and legislative officials. You will also have the opportunity to interact with technical staff, other department bureaus, other state agencies, and the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Apply today to make a tangible impact on environmental safety and sustainability!

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.
Travel is required for site visits.
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 Pittsburgh.
Salary: Selected candidates who are new to employment with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will begin employment at the starting annual salary of $59,345.00 (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:

Six years of professional chemical analytical experience which included analyzing a wide variety of chemicals and interpreting the analysis; or
A bachelor degree with major course work in chemistry, and two years of professional chemical analytical experience; or
Any equivalent combination of experience and training.

Other Requirements:

This particular position also requires possession of a valid PA Class C non-commercial driver's license.
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.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 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.

Selective Certification Requirement - Do you possess a current driver's license which is not under suspension?

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.

How many years of full-time professional chemical analytical experience do you possess which included analyzing a wide variety of chemicals and interpreting the analysis?

6 years or more
5 but less than 6 years
4 but less than 5 years
3 but less than 4 years
2 but less than 3 years
1 but less than 2 years
Less than 1 year
None

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 much graduate coursework have you completed in chemistry, biochemistry, or a related area? If you are claiming credits/degree, you must upload a copy of your 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 your education was 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 and click on Other Information.

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 - CHEMICAL/DATA ANALYSIS Reviews chemical analyses to determine whether a material is a waste, and if a waste, the classification (municipal, residual, or hazardous), appropriate treatment, processing, storage, or disposal method. Levels of Performance Select the Level of Performance that best describes your claim.

A. I have experience reviewing chemical analyses related to WASTE issues to make determinations.
B. I have experience reviewing chemical analyses to make determinations. This is not related to waste issues.
C. I have successfully completed college-level coursework related to environmental science, physical chemistry, general chemistry, or organic chemistry.
D. 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 duties you performed related to reviewing chemical analyses.
The type of chemical analyses you reviewed.
Examples of the types of determinations you made.

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 - TECHNICAL GUIDANCE Consults with waste generators and permit holders to recommend suitable options for storage, disposal, or treatment of various types of municipal, residual, or hazardous waste. Discusses corrective actions or site clean-up and closure if necessary. Levels of Performance Select the Level of Performance that best describes your claim.

A. I have experience consulting with businesses to provide information and guidance on environmental protection issues related to WASTE issues.
B. I have experience consulting with businesses to provide information and guidance on environmental protection issues. This is not related to waste issues.
C. I have experience consulting with businesses to provide information and guidance on non-environmental protection relates issues.
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.

The name(s) of the employer(s) where you gained this experience.
The duties you performed related to consulting.
The types of businesses you consulted with.
The topic of consultation.

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

WORK BEHAVIOR 3 - PERMITS AND AUTHORIZATIONS Reviews residual and municipal waste landfill and processing facility and hazardous treatment storage and disposal facility permit applications to ensure compliance with regulations and provide comments to the supervisor. Also evaluates waste authorization to determine acceptance or denial. Levels of Performance Select the Level of Performance that best describes your claim.

A. I have experience reviewing or preparing WASTE related permit applications while ensuring compliance with regulations.
B. I have experience reviewing or preparing non-waste related permit applications while ensuring compliance with regulations.
C. I have successfully completed college-level coursework related to regulatory compliance or environmental law or policy.
D. 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 reviewing or preparing permit applications.
The type of permit application you reviewed or prepared.

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

WORK BEHAVIOR 4 - WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS Writes deficiency letters identifying compliance issues related to permitting or waste management regulatory citations encountered during the review process. Levels of Performance Select the Level of Performance that best describes your claim.

A. I have experience writing letters identifying compliance issues related to permitting or waste management regulatory citations encountered during the review process at WASTE related facilities.
B. I have experience writing letters identifying compliance issues related to permitting or regulatory citations encountered during the review process at NON-WASTE related facilities.
C. I have experience writing professional letters to businesses.
D. I have successfully completed college-level coursework related to technical writing, non-fiction writing, or scientific writing.
E. I have NO experience or education related to this work behavior.