SPFHS-2025-4H Environmental Educator - Hourly
Trenton, NJ
Part Time
State Parks, Forests, and Historic Sites
Entry Level
Open to: General Public
Work Week: 20-35 Hours per week
(Up to 900 hours max per fiscal year)
Hourly Rate: $20.00 – $30.00 per hour (Commensurate with experience and qualifications)
Opening Date: 5/8/2025
Closing Date: 5/29/2025
Existing Vacancies: 1 or more
Program/Location
Department of Environmental Protection
State Parks, Forests & 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 the supervision of an official in the Office of Natural Lands Management (ONLM), State Parks, Forests, and Historic Sites, this position involves developing, marketing, and presenting educational materials—such as curriculum supplements and resources—to non-formal educators and K-12 teachers of biology and environmental science. These materials support climate-based environmental education requirements outlined in the New Jersey Student Learning Standards for Science.
Specific to Position
This position supports ONLM’s Botanical Literacy initiative, addressing “plant blindness”—a cognitive and cultural bias that leads people to overlook the presence and significance of plants in daily life. The selected candidate will lead outreach efforts for lesson plans developed by the ONLM, which integrate outdoor and experiential learning to foster plant interest and nature empathy; will work with formal and informal educators, homeschool groups, and others across the state, and develop new materials to inspire curiosity about plants while aligning with New Jersey’s Student Learning Standards for Science.
Preferred Skill Set
Possesses a strong understanding of biodiversity, basic botany, plant species identification in the field, and the ecological processes that sustain natural communities and habitats. Demonstrates excellent oral and written communication skills, effectively conveying information from diverse sources, including the scientific literature, to educators and other audiences. Exhibits a positive attitude and a deep passion for New Jersey’s botanical and biodiversity resources. Prior teaching experience—formal or informal—is a plus.
Requirements
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor of Science degree in environmental education, biology, botany, plant ecology, or related environmental field. Equivalent experience in a relevant field may be considered in lieu of a degree.
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
Operation of a state vehicle will require appointee to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey.
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.
Work Week: 20-35 Hours per week
(Up to 900 hours max per fiscal year)
Hourly Rate: $20.00 – $30.00 per hour (Commensurate with experience and qualifications)
Opening Date: 5/8/2025
Closing Date: 5/29/2025
Existing Vacancies: 1 or more
Program/Location
Department of Environmental Protection
State Parks, Forests & 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 the supervision of an official in the Office of Natural Lands Management (ONLM), State Parks, Forests, and Historic Sites, this position involves developing, marketing, and presenting educational materials—such as curriculum supplements and resources—to non-formal educators and K-12 teachers of biology and environmental science. These materials support climate-based environmental education requirements outlined in the New Jersey Student Learning Standards for Science.
Specific to Position
This position supports ONLM’s Botanical Literacy initiative, addressing “plant blindness”—a cognitive and cultural bias that leads people to overlook the presence and significance of plants in daily life. The selected candidate will lead outreach efforts for lesson plans developed by the ONLM, which integrate outdoor and experiential learning to foster plant interest and nature empathy; will work with formal and informal educators, homeschool groups, and others across the state, and develop new materials to inspire curiosity about plants while aligning with New Jersey’s Student Learning Standards for Science.
Preferred Skill Set
Possesses a strong understanding of biodiversity, basic botany, plant species identification in the field, and the ecological processes that sustain natural communities and habitats. Demonstrates excellent oral and written communication skills, effectively conveying information from diverse sources, including the scientific literature, to educators and other audiences. Exhibits a positive attitude and a deep passion for New Jersey’s botanical and biodiversity resources. Prior teaching experience—formal or informal—is a plus.
Requirements
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor of Science degree in environmental education, biology, botany, plant ecology, or related environmental field. Equivalent experience in a relevant field may be considered in lieu of a degree.
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
Operation of a state vehicle will require appointee to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey.
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.
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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