SPFHS-2026-6 Assistant Division Forest Firewarden (Internal Posting)
NJ
Full Time
State Parks, Forests, and Historic Sites
Experienced
Open to: Division-Wide
Work Week: N4 (40-hour) Work Week
Salary: (P24) $73,706.89 - $108,073.49
Opening Date: 1/28/2026
Closing Date: 2/11/2026
Existing Vacancies: 5
Program/Location
Department of Environmental Protection
State Parks, Forests & Historic Sites
Forest Fire Service & Forestry
Position 1: Forest Fire Management – Coyle Field
Vacancies: 1
1052 Route 72 Mile Marker 10.5
Chatsworth, NJ 08019
Position 2: Forest Fire Management – Division B Fire Service
Vacancies: 2
103 Shinns Road
New Lisbon, NJ 08064
Position 3: Forest Fire Management – Division C Fire Service
Vacancies: 2
5555 Atlantic Avenue
Mays Landing, NJ 08330
Scope of Eligibility
Open to permanent employees in a competitive title who work for the Division of Forest Fire Service & Forestry and meet the requirements below.
Description
Under direction of a Division Forest Firewarden or other supervisor in the Department of Environmental Protection, has charge of an area consisting of not less than 1,000,000 acres of state and private land in the Forest Fire Management Program including the preparation of fire suppression and presuppression programs and forest fire prevention plans or studies designed to protect life and property from wildfire including participation in technical planning assistance to interstate compact organizations and intrastate cooperating agencies; does related work as required.
Specific to Position
*Due to nature of the role, this position is performed exclusively on-site.
Requirements
EDUCATION: Graduation from an accredited college or university with an Associate's degree in Forestry, Forest Management, Forest Science, Natural Resources Management, Forest Resources, or Fire Science.
EXPERIENCE: Four (4) years of experience involving the prevention, presuppression, and/or suppression of forest fires
NOTE: Additional semester hour credits in the above fields, up to the level of a Bachelor's degree, may be substituted for up to two (2) years of the required experience. Thirty (30) semester hour credits is equivalent to one (1) year of experience.
SPECIAL NOTE: Appointees will be required to establish residence in an assigned area within thirty (30) days of appointment. (The appointee must live within the forest region assigned).
Appointees will be required to complete an internal forest fire training course administered by the Department of Environmental Protection involving the administration of laws covering the protection of forests from wildfire.
Appointees must maintain qualifications as a forest firefighter and/or show proof of Red Card Certification as Type II Incident Commander under the National Interagency Fire Qualification System (NIFQS) standards as established by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group. Failure to maintain qualifications will result in progressive disciplinary action.
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 must possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey.
Appointees may also be required to possess a valid Commercial Driver's License (CDL) and applicable endorsements for the class and type of vehicle being operated.
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: N4 (40-hour) Work Week
Salary: (P24) $73,706.89 - $108,073.49
Opening Date: 1/28/2026
Closing Date: 2/11/2026
Existing Vacancies: 5
Program/Location
Department of Environmental Protection
State Parks, Forests & Historic Sites
Forest Fire Service & Forestry
Position 1: Forest Fire Management – Coyle Field
Vacancies: 1
1052 Route 72 Mile Marker 10.5
Chatsworth, NJ 08019
Position 2: Forest Fire Management – Division B Fire Service
Vacancies: 2
103 Shinns Road
New Lisbon, NJ 08064
Position 3: Forest Fire Management – Division C Fire Service
Vacancies: 2
5555 Atlantic Avenue
Mays Landing, NJ 08330
Scope of Eligibility
Open to permanent employees in a competitive title who work for the Division of Forest Fire Service & Forestry and meet the requirements below.
Description
Under direction of a Division Forest Firewarden or other supervisor in the Department of Environmental Protection, has charge of an area consisting of not less than 1,000,000 acres of state and private land in the Forest Fire Management Program including the preparation of fire suppression and presuppression programs and forest fire prevention plans or studies designed to protect life and property from wildfire including participation in technical planning assistance to interstate compact organizations and intrastate cooperating agencies; does related work as required.
Specific to Position
*Due to nature of the role, this position is performed exclusively on-site.
Requirements
EDUCATION: Graduation from an accredited college or university with an Associate's degree in Forestry, Forest Management, Forest Science, Natural Resources Management, Forest Resources, or Fire Science.
EXPERIENCE: Four (4) years of experience involving the prevention, presuppression, and/or suppression of forest fires
NOTE: Additional semester hour credits in the above fields, up to the level of a Bachelor's degree, may be substituted for up to two (2) years of the required experience. Thirty (30) semester hour credits is equivalent to one (1) year of experience.
SPECIAL NOTE: Appointees will be required to establish residence in an assigned area within thirty (30) days of appointment. (The appointee must live within the forest region assigned).
Appointees will be required to complete an internal forest fire training course administered by the Department of Environmental Protection involving the administration of laws covering the protection of forests from wildfire.
Appointees must maintain qualifications as a forest firefighter and/or show proof of Red Card Certification as Type II Incident Commander under the National Interagency Fire Qualification System (NIFQS) standards as established by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group. Failure to maintain qualifications will result in progressive disciplinary action.
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 must possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey.
Appointees may also be required to possess a valid Commercial Driver's License (CDL) and applicable endorsements for the class and type of vehicle being operated.
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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