COS-2026-1 Communications Operator Trainee (Continuous)

Communications Operator Trainee

Open To: General Public Work Week: 40 (40-hour) Work Week Salary: (O99) $45,146.92 (Non-Negotiable) Opening Date: 1/07/2026 Closing Date: When all vacancies are filled Program/Location Department of Environmental Protection Office of the Chief of Staff Emergency Management Program Bureau of Communication & Response Services 1400 Negron Drive Hamilton Township, NJ 08691 Scope of Eligibility Open to applicants who meet the requirements below.

Description Under the close supervision of a Communications Operator 3 or other supervisory official in a centralized or regional communications center, as a trainee and productive worker, learns to perform varied types of communications work; learns to monitor and operate radio, telephone, and electronic equipment; learns to receive various types of emergent and non-emergent calls, transmit alarms and radio communications, and dispatch personnel to appropriate locations; does other related duties as required.

Specific to the Position This position is an emergency essential title that requires preparedness to work on any assigned shift, to include weekends and holidays, times of extreme weather, and natural and man-made technological disasters. The Communication Center work hours are 24/7/365 with a 40-hour workweek. Candidates will sign a statement attesting to their understanding of these requirements.

NOTE: All candidates must undergo and successfully pass a criminal background check in order to be considered for this position, in accordance with Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) requirements. Candidates will be subjected to fingerprinting.

Preferred Skill Set Previous experience in law enforcement dispatch and use of computer aided dispatch to create concise reports.

Requirements LICENSE: Appointees must successfully complete IS-100.c: Introduction to the Incident Command System training within one (1) year of appointment. 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.

Advancement Appointees who successfully complete the twelve (12) month training period will be eligible for advancement to the Communications Operator 1, Environmental Protection title in accordance with the New Jersey Civil Service Commission procedures. The inability of an employee in this trainee title to complete the required ICS training and/or attain a level of performance warranting advancement to the title listed above shall be considered cause for separation.

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".

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 click.appcast.io, or call CSC at View phone number on click.appcast.io and select Option #3.

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

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.

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. 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.

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.

New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection