Environmental Specialist (Hourly)

Open to: General Public
Work Week: Up to 40 hours per week (Up to 900 hours max per fiscal year)
Salary: $20 - $30 per hour (Commensurate with experience and qualifications)
Opening Date: 6/1/2026
Closing Date: 6/22/2026
Existing Vacancies: 7

Program/Location
Department of Environmental Protection
State Parks, Forest, and Historic Sites
Office of Natural Lands Management
501 East State Street
Trenton, NJ 08625

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

Description
Under direction, is responsible for scientific investigations including field and office studies associated with endangered and rare plant species, land and species management; environmental education, project review and environmental assessment does related work as required.

Specific to Position
This position will report to the Administrator, Office of Natural Lands Management, or other full-time ONLM employees and be responsible for one or more of the following: conduct botanical field surveys of and research on rare and endangered plant species; conduct inspections to document property encroachments; perform habitat assessments to inform land management activities, including invasive species threats and control; perform environmental review of diverse projects and activities; and develop and market lesson plans to educators on the significance of plants and botanical diversity.

Preferred Skill Set
Currently working toward or has completed a bachelor’s degree in biology, botany, ecology, natural resource management, conservation, environmental education, or a related field.

Preferred candidates will possess background and/or expertise in one or more of the following disciplines or skills: applied plant and community ecology, including knowledge specific to the plant species and habitats of New Jersey; identification of native common and rare, and non-native invasive, plant species; property inspection and habitat assessments, including the ability to prescribe and/or perform activities to manage species and their habitats to mitigate threats and address encroachments; environmental education training and/or K12 teaching experience, including the ability to develop and market lesson plans and communicate and interact with educators; use of GPS devises and the ability to store, analyze, and map spatial data using GIS software; project review and environmental assessment; written and oral communication skills; the ability to research, prepare and deliver presentations to diverse professional and non-professional audiences.

License
Appointee 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.

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
TES / Hourly employee benefits include:

• Earned Sick Time*
• Enrollment in Defined Contribution Retirement Plan upon meeting minimum earnings threshold

*Earn one hour of earned sick leave for every 30 hours you work

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 Civil Service Commission at View phone number on click.appcast.io and select Option #3.

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.