Professional Career Opportunities - Job Title Details

Environmental Chemist Trainee 1, G-13

Occupation Group

Natural and Physical Sciences

Salary Information

Starting Salary

$46,529

Career Ladder Information

Salary Information for Environmental Chemist Trainee 1
Title Grade Hiring Rate/yr Job Rate/yr
Environmental Chemist Trainee 1 13 $49,363 $63,169
Environmental Chemist Trainee 2 14 $52,198 $66,634
Environmental Chemist 1 18 $65,001 $82,656
Environmental Chemist 2 23 $84,156 $106,454
Environmental Chemist 3 27 $103,784 $127,830
Environmental Chemist 4 64 $120,187 $151,674

All salary grades for trainees titles are non-statutory (NS) equated to the salary grade identified. These grade equations apply to the starting salaries in their respective salary schedule for the traineeship levels.

Job Description

Environmental Chemists assist various environmental programs in all areas of environmental chemistry relating to sampling, laboratory procedures, laboratory analyses, data evaluation, and data interpretation. Employees test ground and surface water, soil, sediments, air, plants, animal or fish tissues, and solid and hazardous materials to determine the presence of contaminants, to identify their source, to gauge compliance with environmental laws and regulations, to evaluate current or potential adverse impacts on the environment, and the like.

Trainees will receive a combination of structured training, on-the-job training, and/or practical job performance to gain the knowledge and experience necessary to function at the full performance level.

Agencies with this Title

Minimum Qualifications

You must meet the requirements below to qualify for this title.

A bachelor's or higher degree including or supplemented by 24 semester credits in biochemistry or chemistry.

Advanced Placement

If chosen, you may, at the agency's discretion, be appointed to a higher level. You must inform the agency of any additional qualifications at your interview.

View Additional Qualifications

For Trainee 2 you must also have:

Either 1. One year of professional work experience in the field of chemistry, directly related to air or water pollution, solid or hazardous waste, analysis of biological tissue for chemical contaminants, or the regulation and analysis of pesticides; OR

2. A master's or higher degree in chemistry or biochemistry.

For the Full Performance Level you must also have:

Either 1. Two years of professional work experience in the field of chemistry, directly related to air or water pollution, solid or hazardous waste, analysis of biological tissue for chemical contaminants, or the regulation and analysis of pesticides; OR

2. A master's or higher degree in chemistry or biochemistry AND one year of professional work experience in the field of chemistry, directly related to air or water pollution, solid or hazardous waste, analysis of biological tissue for chemical contaminants, or the regulation and analysis of pesticides.

How to Apply

The November 2022 PCO Examination is closed, applications are no longer being accepted