CIER-2025-12 Environmental Specialist 2 (Internal Posting)

Open to: Division-Wide
Work Week: NE (35-hour) Work Week
Salary: (P22) $ 67,312.27– $ 98,503.27
Opening Date: 8/18/2025
Closing Date: 9/01/2025
Existing Vacancies: 1

Program/Location
Department of Environmental Protection
Community Investment & Economic Revitalization
Green Acres
401 East State Street
Trenton, NJ 08625

Scope of Eligibility
Open to employees who work for the Division of Green Acres and meet the requirements below.

Description
Under the limited supervision of a supervisory official in a state department, institution, agency, or local government agency, performs complex technical or scientific work including field and office studies, surveys, inspections, or investigations associated with enforcement of environmental laws and/or regulations, and environmental review and control work, or organizes and carries out programs/projects designed to study and evaluate environmental impact of specific projects on the environment; organizes and develops tests and reports to assess environmental impacts on physical, natural, and/or human environments; investigates environmental complaints concerning projects; conducts contract, grant, and/or loan processing; may be required to function as a lead worker providing guidance to lower-level Environmental Specialists; does other related duties as required.

Specific to the Position
Review Preliminary Assessments, Site Investigation Reports, and other remediation-related documents submitted in order identify eligibility for Green Acres funding. Perform due diligence on all properties being acquired by the Green Acres Program. This includes: Sending questionnaires to owners, local officials and health departments. Reviewing DEP databases (NJEMS, BWA well search, GIS, etc.) Reviewing aerial photographs. Inspecting building and properties to evaluate the presence of USTs, wells and septic systems and other areas of concern. Performing subsurface evaluations involving the use of various types of equipment (such as hand augers, drills, shovels, magnetic detectors, slambars, and other field instruments). Updating and maintaining the Green Acres’ Hazard Review database. Creating georeferenced, GIS-based maps accurate navigation of properties during inspections. Performing soil and ground water sampling.

Preferred Skill Set
Preference will be given to candidates with familiarity with Trimble handheld units (and subsequent post processing of data) and field navigation apps. Familiarity with ArcGIS, Microsoft Access, NJEMS. Aerial photography review. Familiarity with Site Remediation-related sampling protocols. Knowledge of various rules, regulations, policies and guidance documents associated with the remediation of contaminated properties (Technical Requirements for Site Remediation, Field Sampling Procedures Manual, UST regs, etc.) Ability to perform physical labor as needed.

Requirements
EDUCATION:

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in one of the Physical Sciences, Environmental Sciences/Studies, Chemical Sciences, or Biological Sciences; or in Environmental Planning, Environmental Policy, or Physical Geography; or in Civil Engineering, Sanitary Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, Mining Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or Bio-resource Engineering.

NOTE:   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.

EXPERIENCE:

Two (2) years of experience in environmental control work including field investigations, inspection, and preparing reports on the environment or the preparation or review of Environmental Impact Statements.

NOTE: A Master's degree in one of the fields specified above may be substituted for one (1) year of the above experience.

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.

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”.

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.

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.