COS-2025-7 Emergency Response Specialist Trainee

Ewing, NJ

Full Time

Office of the Chief of Staff

Entry Level

Open to: General Public
Work Week: 4E (40-hour) Work Week
Salary: (P95) $61,510.13 (Non-negotiable)
Opening Date: 10/24/2025
Closing Date: 11/14/2025
Existing Vacancies: 1

Program/Location
Department of Environmental Protection
Office of the Chief of Staff
Emergency Management Program
Bureau Emergency Response – Southern Office
33 Arctic Parkway
Ewing, NJ 08625

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

Description
Under the close supervision of an Emergency Response Specialist 3 or other higher level supervisory official in the Emergency Management Program, Department of Environmental Protection, learns to assist in responding to emergencies for the purpose of assessing environmental impacts including hazardous substances, materials and chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, explosive (CBRNE), acts of terrorism and acts of nature (hurricanes, snow, floods, droughts, etc.) as well as functioning as departmental On Scene Coordinator and National Incident Management System (NIMS) Incident Command Representative during activation of the State Emergency Operations Center with other responding agencies; learns to coordinate with other Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosive (CBRNE) team as assigned; learns to assist in issuance of incident reports; assists in providing emergency services for people, water, land and structures within the State; does related duties as
required.

Specific to the Position
DEP Emergency Management (DEP EM) is committed 24/7/365 to ensure the safety of the people of New Jersey and protect the environment during all-hazard emergency situations by supporting the network of DEP responders and working closely with federal, state, county, and local partners. As an entry-level ERS position, the appointee will be trained to the Technician level of Hazardous Material Response and will work under the direct supervision of senior responders to become knowledgeable of DEP and Bureau SOPs, pertinent statutes/regulations, gain proficiency using assigned equipment and performing essential Bureau functions for the position in the areas of: field and investigative work, hazard monitoring, personal protection, documentation and report writing, equipment maintenance and purchasing, on-scene coordination and work within Incident/Unified Command as a subject matter expert. The Appointee will be required to carry a communication device and be able to respond 24/7/365.

Preferred Skill Set
Completion of the OSHA 40-hour HazWoper 1910.120 and NJSP 80-hour HazMat Technician courses. FEMA courses completed: ICS-100, ICS-200, and IS-700. Continued professional/technical growth and development as an emergency response specialist. Process the following traits: team player, self-motivated, ability to work independently, strong organizational / documentation skills, ability to multi-task, capacity to manage projects, strong oral and written communication skills. Experience with Microsoft Office applications.

Requirements
EDUCATION:
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in one of the following: the physical sciences, biological sciences, chemical sciences, environmental science, environmental studies, public health or engineering.

NOTE: Possession of a valid Professional Engineer's license issued by the New Jersey State 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.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Appointees will be required to have completed the following Incident Command System (ICS) courses or equivalent Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approved courses by the end of the training period:

ICS 100 – Introduction to ICS

ICS 200 – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents

ICS 700 – National Incident Management System (NIMS), An Introduction

Appointees will be required to carry a communication device and must be able to respond to environmental emergencies on a 24-hour, 7 day a week basis.

Appointees will be required to establish residence in a geographic region assigned area within six (6) months of permanent appointment as defined by the Element.

License
Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey.

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.

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 visit SAME Program, email [email protected], or call CSC at (609) 292-4144 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 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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Please upload letter of interest. Please do not include personal medical information in your cover letter. If applying through the SAME program, please follow the instructions below.*

This job contains specific education/experience requirements in order to be considered for employment. Please select the option that applies:*

Emergency Management is a 24/7/365 operation. When emergencies arise, you will be expected to work after hours, on holidays and weekends. Are you able and willing to work in the evenings, on holidays and weekends?*

Do you have any prior emergency management experience or related education?*

Please upload your unofficial transcripts (if college degree is required). If selected for this position, official transcripts will be required prior to your hire date.

Are you applying through the SAME program? If you answer "Yes" to this question, please send your supporting documents (Schedule A or B letter) to [email protected]*

I am a veteran with established veteran's preference through the NJ Department of Military and Veteran's Affairs.*

If you answered yes to the above question, please upload proof of your Veteran's Preference which must be established through the Department of Military and Veteran's Affairs.

In accordance with the Uniform Ethics Code, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) requires the disclosure of all relatives, consensual personal relationships, and cohabitants.*

If you selected, "I DO have a relative or a consensual personal relationship with someone working for the DEP." please enter the DEP employee's name(s), their relationship to you, and their program/work location within the Department.

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