F&W-2026-17 Biologist Trainee

Job Description

Job Description

Open to: General Public
Work Week: NE (35-hour) Work Week
Salary: (P95) $58,222.22 (Non-Negotiable)
Opening Date: 10/5/2026
Closing Date: 10/26/2026
Existing Vacancies: 1

Program/Location
Department of Environmental Protection
Fish and Wildlife
Marine Fisheries
360 New York Road
Port Republic, NJ 08241

Scope of Eligibility
Open to applicants who meet the requirements below.

Description
Under the close supervision of a Principal Biologist or other supervisory official in a state department or local government agency, as a trainee and productive worker, works in a specialized field requiring the application of biological principles; learns to perform the various research and testing activities of the assigned area; does other related duties as required.

Specific to the Position
The candidate will provide support to the Bureau's fishery dependent and fishery independent monitoring programs. Tasks may include monitoring of commercial harvest reports; outreach to commercial and recreational stakeholders and the general public; participating as a crew member on various field surveys and laboratory projects; collecting and processing biological samples; data entry and analysis; and gear and equipment maintenance. The candidate may also serve as the Bureau's technical representative to state or regional bodies for certain fisheries or protected species.

Preferred Skill Set
Familiarity with the basic concepts and goals of fisheries management; knowledge of state and federal regulations pertaining to commercial and recreational fisheries and protected species; experience with commonly employed fisheries sampling gear and laboratory procedures; ability to correctly identify common marine and estuarine fish species at various life stages; proficient with Microsoft Office applications; excellent written and oral communications skills.

Requirements
EDUCATION:
Graduation from an accredited college with a Bachelor's degree in one of the biological sciences.

NOTE: All U.S. degrees and transcripts must be from an accredited college or university. All foreign degrees and transcripts must be evaluated for accreditation by a recognized evaluation service by the closing date of this posting. Failure to provide documentation may result in ineligibility.

License
Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.
SAME Applicants
If you are applying under the NJ SAME program, your supporting documents (Schedule A or B letter) must be submitted along with your resume by the closing date indicated above. For more information on the SAME program, please email View email address on ziprecruiter.com, or call CSC at View phone number on ziprecruiter.com and select Option #3.

Employee Benefits
As a New Jersey State Department, NJDEP offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

· Paid Benefit Leave
· Holiday Pay
· Alternative Workweek Program*
· Telework*
· Pension
· Deferred Compensation
· Health Benefits (medical, prescription drug, dental & vision care) and Life Insurance
· Flexible and Health Spending Accounts (FSA/HSA)
· Commuter Tax Savings Program
· Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
· Tuition Reimbursement*

*Pursuant to the State/Department's policy, procedures, and/or guidelines.

Veteran's Preference
To qualify for New Jersey Veteran's Preference/status, you must establish Veteran's Preference through the Department of Military and Veteran's Affairs. Please submit proof of your Veteran's Preference along with your resume as indicated. For more information, please visit -service-preference/

Residency
All persons newly hired on or after September 1, 2011, have one year from the date of employment to establish, and then maintain principal residence in the State of New Jersey subject to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 52:14-7 (L.2011, Chapter 70), also known as the “New Jersey First Act”.

Authorization to Work
Selected candidates must be authorized to work in the United States per the Department of Homeland Security, United States Citizenship, and Immigration Services regulations. NOTE: The State of New Jersey does not provide sponsorship for citizenship to the United States.

Equal Opportunity Employment
The State of New Jersey seeks to increase the richness and diversity of its workforce, and in doing so, become the employer of choice for all people seeking to work in State Government.  To evaluate the effectiveness of our efforts to attract and employ a diverse workforce, applicants are asked to voluntarily answer a few brief questions on the NJ Affirmative Action Information Form.  All information is considered confidential and will be filed separately with the agency's affirmative action officer.  This information will not be part of your application for employment and will not be considered in any hiring decision. 

DEP Notices of Vacancy have a 4:00 p.m. deadline on the closing date. When filing for these opportunities, please be sure to have your letter of interest and credentials sent electronically before 4 p.m. on the closing date.

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to inclusive hiring and a diverse workforce. We strongly encourage people from all backgrounds to apply. Accommodations under ADA will be provided upon request.

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