LREP-2026-5 Legal Specialist 1 (Unclassified)
Trenton, NJ
Full Time
Legal, Regulatory and Enforcement Policy
Experienced
Open to: General Public
Work Week: NE (35-hour) Work Week
Salary: (P26) $80,755.57 - $118,678.17
Opening Date: 4/20/2026
Closing Date: 5/11/2026
Existing Vacancies: 1
Program/Location
Department of Environmental Protection
Legal & Regulatory Affairs
Chief Advisors Office
401 East State Street
Trenton, NJ 08625
Scope of Eligibility
Open to applicants who meet the requirements below.
Description
Under limited supervision of a Legal Specialist of higher grade or other supervisory official in a state department, institution, or autonomous agency, performs confidential legislative, legal, and policy-influencing research related to department programs, in conformance with guidelines established by the State Attorney General; acts as liaison between a state department and the Office of the Attorney General in receiving, formulating, and transmitting requests for legal advice on behalf of a state agency; prepares reports and recommendations on the impact of proposed or existing legislation; does other related duties as required.
Specific to the Position
Preferred Skill Set
Preference will go to candidates who demonstrated experience in litigation, administrative, and/or regulatory practice. Familiarity with the Department of Environmental Protection's mission and authorities, and/or work with another State agency. Experience with conducting legal research through computerized systems. Experience and/or familiarity with the State of New Jersey including the NJ Court Rules and/or the NJ federal court system, and the NJ Open Public Records Act.
Requirements
EDUCATION: Graduation from an accredited law school with Juris Doctor (J.D.) or a Bachelor of Laws (L.L.B.) degree.
OR
EDUCATION:
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree.
EXPERIENCE:
Three (3) years of experience involving legal or legislative research, drafting of rules, regulations, legislation, amendments, and/or the interpretation of statutes.
NOTE: Appointees currently matriculating in an accredited law school as an L.L.B or J.D. candidate may substitute such enrollment for the three (3) years of required experience on a year-for-year basis.
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.
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.
Employee Benefits
As a New Jersey State Department, NJDEP offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:
*Pursuant to the State/Department's policy, procedures, and/or guidelines.
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: NE (35-hour) Work Week
Salary: (P26) $80,755.57 - $118,678.17
Opening Date: 4/20/2026
Closing Date: 5/11/2026
Existing Vacancies: 1
Program/Location
Department of Environmental Protection
Legal & Regulatory Affairs
Chief Advisors Office
401 East State Street
Trenton, NJ 08625
Scope of Eligibility
Open to applicants who meet the requirements below.
Description
Under limited supervision of a Legal Specialist of higher grade or other supervisory official in a state department, institution, or autonomous agency, performs confidential legislative, legal, and policy-influencing research related to department programs, in conformance with guidelines established by the State Attorney General; acts as liaison between a state department and the Office of the Attorney General in receiving, formulating, and transmitting requests for legal advice on behalf of a state agency; prepares reports and recommendations on the impact of proposed or existing legislation; does other related duties as required.
Specific to the Position
- Conduct legal research and prepare memoranda at the request of Chief Advisor and/or Commissioner's Office.
- Reviews draft legal pleadings and briefs of the Div. of Law.
- Drafts and arranges for publication of settlement notices in the NJ Register.
- Arranges for and leads meetings with counsel, technical staff and management as requested on legal, regulatory, and policy matters.
- Prepares policy documents individually and in team settings on mission critical objectives such as Environmental Justice, emerging contaminants, natural resource damage and restoration, contaminated site remediation and redevelopment, climate resiliency and alternative energy development.
Preferred Skill Set
Preference will go to candidates who demonstrated experience in litigation, administrative, and/or regulatory practice. Familiarity with the Department of Environmental Protection's mission and authorities, and/or work with another State agency. Experience with conducting legal research through computerized systems. Experience and/or familiarity with the State of New Jersey including the NJ Court Rules and/or the NJ federal court system, and the NJ Open Public Records Act.
Requirements
EDUCATION: Graduation from an accredited law school with Juris Doctor (J.D.) or a Bachelor of Laws (L.L.B.) degree.
OR
EDUCATION:
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree.
EXPERIENCE:
Three (3) years of experience involving legal or legislative research, drafting of rules, regulations, legislation, amendments, and/or the interpretation of statutes.
NOTE: Appointees currently matriculating in an accredited law school as an L.L.B or J.D. candidate may substitute such enrollment for the three (3) years of required experience on a year-for-year basis.
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.
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.
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*
*Pursuant to the State/Department's policy, procedures, and/or guidelines.
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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