WLM-2026-25 Section Chief, Environmental Protection
Trenton, NJ
Full Time
Watershed & Land Management
Manager/Supervisor
Open to: Division-Wide
Work Week: NL (35-hour) Work Week
Salary: (S30) $100,498.48 - $148,186.78
Opening Date: 7/21/2026
Closing Date: 8/04/2026
Existing Vacancies: 1
Program/Location
Department of Environmental Protection
Watershed & Land Management
Land Resource Protection
Coastal Permitting
401 East State Street
Trenton, NJ 08625
Scope of Eligibility
Open to permanent employees in a competitive title who work in the Division of Land Resource Protection and meet the requirements below.
Description
Under the general direction of a Manager 4, Environmental Protection or other higher-level official in the Department of Environmental Protection, is responsible for the management and supervision of work programs of two (2) or more units in a technical, planning, engineering, environmental analysis, or scientific program; supervises staff and work activities. Prepares and signs official performance evaluations for subordinate staff; does other related work as required.
Specific to the Position
Under the general direction of a Manager 4, the Section Chief is responsible for managing and supervising multiple units within the Bureau, overseeing technical, planning, engineering, environmental analysis, and scientific programs. The position supervises staff and work activities, including completing ePAR evaluations and approving timesheets; prepares and signs permits; and represents the Bureau Manager in their absence. This role also coordinates training and professional development for permitting staff and manages appeals, including coordinating communications with Deputy Attorneys General on contested cases.
Preferred Skill Set
Extensive knowledge of the Program's rules and regulations. Knowledge of planning principles in directing work operations. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, federal, state and local governments.
Requirements
EDUCATION
A Bachelor's degree in one of the physical, environmental, chemical or biological sciences, geography or environmental planning, or civil, chemical, environmental, mechanical, sanitary, agricultural, mining, industrial or bio-resource engineering.
EXPERIENCE
Five (5) years of experience in the investigation, inspection or enforcement of technical, scientific or engineering environmental activities, or, five (5) years of project management experience in the design, planning, coordination, monitoring and completion of environmental projects; two (2) years of either experience must have been in a supervisory capacity.
NOTE: A Master's degree in any of the disciplines outlined above may be substituted for one (1) year of the non-supervisory experience as indicated.
NOTE: A valid Professional Engineer's license issued by the New Jersey Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors may be substituted for the Bachelor's degree in Engineering.
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.
Employee Benefits
As a New Jersey State Department, NJDEP offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:
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 https://www.nj.gov/military/veterans/services/civil-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.
Work Week: NL (35-hour) Work Week
Salary: (S30) $100,498.48 - $148,186.78
Opening Date: 7/21/2026
Closing Date: 8/04/2026
Existing Vacancies: 1
Program/Location
Department of Environmental Protection
Watershed & Land Management
Land Resource Protection
Coastal Permitting
401 East State Street
Trenton, NJ 08625
Scope of Eligibility
Open to permanent employees in a competitive title who work in the Division of Land Resource Protection and meet the requirements below.
Description
Under the general direction of a Manager 4, Environmental Protection or other higher-level official in the Department of Environmental Protection, is responsible for the management and supervision of work programs of two (2) or more units in a technical, planning, engineering, environmental analysis, or scientific program; supervises staff and work activities. Prepares and signs official performance evaluations for subordinate staff; does other related work as required.
Specific to the Position
Under the general direction of a Manager 4, the Section Chief is responsible for managing and supervising multiple units within the Bureau, overseeing technical, planning, engineering, environmental analysis, and scientific programs. The position supervises staff and work activities, including completing ePAR evaluations and approving timesheets; prepares and signs permits; and represents the Bureau Manager in their absence. This role also coordinates training and professional development for permitting staff and manages appeals, including coordinating communications with Deputy Attorneys General on contested cases.
Preferred Skill Set
Extensive knowledge of the Program's rules and regulations. Knowledge of planning principles in directing work operations. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, federal, state and local governments.
Requirements
EDUCATION
A Bachelor's degree in one of the physical, environmental, chemical or biological sciences, geography or environmental planning, or civil, chemical, environmental, mechanical, sanitary, agricultural, mining, industrial or bio-resource engineering.
EXPERIENCE
Five (5) years of experience in the investigation, inspection or enforcement of technical, scientific or engineering environmental activities, or, five (5) years of project management experience in the design, planning, coordination, monitoring and completion of environmental projects; two (2) years of either experience must have been in a supervisory capacity.
NOTE: A Master's degree in any of the disciplines outlined above may be substituted for one (1) year of the non-supervisory experience as indicated.
NOTE: A valid Professional Engineer's license issued by the New Jersey Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors may be substituted for the Bachelor's degree in Engineering.
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.
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*
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 https://www.nj.gov/military/veterans/services/civil-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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