How does $174K a year sound? These Pennsylvania state jobs are hiring and paying well
As summer nears its end, Pennsylvania’s workforce appears to be in solid shape.
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry’s July unemployment report, the commonwealth’s unemployment rate sits at 3.5%, marking the lowest rate on record dating back to January 1976. The record-setting trend came as unemployment in Pennsylvania dropped by roughly 15,000 jobs, while total non-farm positions increased by about 14,400 jobs, setting a record-high of about 6.15 million jobs, the agency said.
If you’re still on the hunt for a job with steady pay and strong benefits, working in the public sector might be your best bet. Here’s a look at six of the highest-paying jobs open and advertised publicly through the commonwealth’s online portal as of late August.
Dentist openings
Salary: $128,274 to $174,358
Agency: Department of Corrections
Description: The commonwealth is searching for a handful of dentists to work with inmates and oversee dental operations at several state correctional facilities.
“As a Dentist... you will be responsible for supervising the work of the dental staff on a daily basis. You will be responsible for all aspects of the clinical services provided to the inmate population by DOC dental clinic staff,” their job descriptions read.
Positions are open at correctional facilities in Cambria, Clearfield, Forest, Greene, Huntingdon (SCI Smithfield and SCI Huntingdon) and Somerset counties. Candidates should have a license to practice dentistry, plus training through graduation from an approved school of dentistry.
Public health toxicologist
Salary: $104,998 to $159,551
Agency: Department of Health
Description: A toxicologist in this role would work within the Pennsylvania Bureau of Epidemiology’s Division of Environmental Health. Much of the work surrounds evaluating toxicological information related to environmental chemical exposures, largely to “ensure accurate and timely dissemination of information to the public and other stakeholders,” the listing reads. Other key responsibilities include supervising staff, developing policies and procedures and conducting follow-up studies and investigations.
The job, based in Harrisburg, is eligible for remote work part-time, generally up to three days per week. Requirements for the role include at least three years of post-doctoral experience in toxicology or pharmacology, plus a doctoral degree in toxicology or a closely related field.
Director, Equal Employment Opportunity Office
Salary: $104,998 to $156,089
Agency: Executive Offices
Description: As the director of Pennsylvania’s Equal Employment Opportunity Office, you could lead the commonwealth’s efforts to modernize its EEO processes, which generally cover the fair treatment in employment, promotion, training and other personnel actions without discrimination related to race, religion, sex, age, origin or disabilities. The position’s key responsibilities include leading the statewide EEO office while working to “ensure the legality of policies and procedures and identify how changes in laws impact these policies and programs.”
The full-time job, based in Harrisburg, offers options for remote work for up to two days per week. Requirements include at least seven years of professional experience in EEO programs that “includes two years in a supervisory or administrative capacity, and a bachelor’s degree” or an equivalent combination of experience and training that also works in experience as a supervisor or administrator.
Manager of Compliance, Payment Processing and Reporting
Salary: $92,030 to $139,815
Agency: Office of Budget
Description: Pennsylvania’s Office of Budget hopes to hire a manager for its Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP), a grant program that covers “the acquisition and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational and historical improvement projects.”
One of the position’s main responsibilities is the daily administration of oversight, monitoring, payment processing and close-out audit functions for the RACP. A successful candidate would also become responsible for payment request processing, reporting, program metrics and project oversight for existing grant agreements, all while ensuring internal controls and compliance needs are met.
This role is based in Harrisburg, but some remote work opportunities will be available, the job listing says. No minimum experience or training requirements are listed in the online job posting, but candidates should feel comfortable performing all essential job functions.
Executive director, Film Production Tax Credit Program
Salary: $80,568.00 to $125,504.00
Agency: Department of Community and Economic Development
Description: This role is hiring for the next executive director of Pennsylvania’s Film Production Tax Credit Program, which grants tax credits for films when at least 60% of their production expenses occur in Pennsylvania. According to the program, eligible productions include feature films, television films, talk shows, game shows, television commercials and television pilots.
The program’s executive director plans and, of course, directs its development and application evaluations. Other responsibilities include coordinating policies and regulations with other agencies, updating office website and online guides, developing and maintaining relationships with regional film offices and preparing annual reports, policy papers and research activities.
This position is based in Harrisburg. Key qualifications include at least six years of professional experience in economic development, tax credit administration or marketing or film location management — two years of which should be as a supervisor. A bachelor’s degree in business or public administration, the arts or a closely related field is also requested.
Licensed psychologist manager
Salary: $80,568.00 to $122,504
Agency: Department of Corrections
Description: The commonwealth is searching for a handful of professionals to serve as licensed psychologist managers within several state correctional facilities.
Professionals in such a role are tasked with coordinating psychological services programs for institutions, developing new policies and procedures for existing programs and chairing a psychiatric review team. These managers must also help perform psychological testing and evaluations of inmates.
As of late August, openings for these roles are available at corrections facilities in Cumberland, Greene, Huntingdon, Indiana, Schuylkill (SCI Frackville and SCI Mahanoy) and Wayne counties. Applicants should have at least one year of experience as a licensed psychologist, plus previous employment as a licensed professional psychologist in the treatment of inmates or those with disabilities.
