How do I get a job at the local dept of environmental protection?
Asked by amethyst300
I have a BA in Environmental Studies, with a year of chemistry. I currently work for a lousy heating & cooling water treatment company as a lab tech. I really wanna work for the DEP but I don't qualify 100% for some of their lab openings, like they want 16 credits for chem and I only have 9. I have their contact info for their water quality labs so should I send a cold resume & cover letter?? (They don't have general forms or civil exams either)

Best Answer:
Submitting a "cold" resume and cover letter will not accomplish anything. Public sector jobs (whether Federal, state, or local) that are "open competitive" MUST be announced or advertised and the job seeker must apply within the specified time period for a specific position. Note that the above does not apply to positions that are open only to internal applicants or certain appointed (usually senior management) positions. With your academic background, I would suggest that in addition to lab positions, you may also want to look into certain entry level professional positions. These positions may be called Environmental Specialist 1, Environmental Protection Specialist 1, or other similar titles. Another option is to look for positions that deal with public information and communications or environmental education. Unfortunately, the core problem you are facing is that your academic background is not in science or engineering. Many/most of the lab and professional positions at environmental agencies require, at a minimum, a BS in science or engineering. Good luck with your job search.
me 15 years as an environmental regulator
Answered by Tao Scientist