WRM-2025-11 Environmental Services Trainee

NJ
Full Time
Water Resource Management
Entry Level
Open to: General Public
Work Week: NE (35-hour) Work Week
Salary: $53,807.27 (Non-negotiable)
Opening Date: September 12, 2025
Closing Date: October 3, 2025

Existing Vacancies: 4

Program/Location
Department of Environmental Protection
Water Resource Management
Water Supply and Geoscience
Water Resources and Geoscience (Position 1 and 2)
25-35 Arctic Parkway
Ewing, NJ 08638

Water Resource Management
Water Supply and Geoscience
Safe Drinking Water (Position 3)
401 East State Street
Trenton, NJ 08625

Water Resource Management
Water Supply and Geoscience
Water System Engineering (Position 4)
401 East State Street
Trenton, NJ 08625



Scope of Eligibility
Open to applicants who meet the requirements below.
                                                    
Description
Under the close supervision of a supervisory official, in an Environmental Services Program, learns to conduct routine surveys, studies, inspections, and/or investigations relating to the improvement and/or monitoring of environmental conditions, and/or the enforcement of environmental laws/regulations; does other related duties.

Specific to the Position
Position 1: The duties specific to this position include developing, maintaining, enhancing, and running water supply computer models of surface waters, ground waters, and the land phase of the hydrologic cycle. This position will support the unit pertaining to statewide, regional, and interstate water supply planning, permitting, emergency response, and policy development.

Position 2: The duties specific to this position include statewide, regional, and interstate water supply planning and policy support; water use data analysis; interpretation of environmental legislative/regulatory policies; demographic analysis and climate science with respect to water supply; ground and surface water resource evaluation; grant writing and fulfillment; and drought management. The position will provide technical and policy support to permitting programs; facilitate stakeholder interactions to refine and enhance planning initiatives; participate in advisory councils and related state and federal agencies; assist with the development of water resource analyses and policies; and provide support for priority projects.

Position 3: This position will support the implementation of the Federal and State Safe Drinking Water Acts, specifically focusing on acute drinking water standards that have immediate public health effects, such as the Revised Total Coliform Rule, Ground Water Rule, and Surface Water Treatment Rule. This position will also develop and implement regular compliance checks; provide technical assistance to systems to return to compliance following violations; support the development of toolbox for water systems and consumers including website, SOPs, forms, FAQs, letter templates and policies; and support emergency response functions of the element as needed.

Position 4: This position will develop guidelines, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures for unregulated contaminants such as legionella, 1,4-dioxane, PFAS, and Harmful Algal Blooms under the Federal and State Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) standards for all regulated contaminants. This position will also work with the Drinking Water Quality Institute on evaluating the feasibility of treatment for emerging contaminants such as 1,4-dioxane and GUDI; assist with overseeing the monitoring under EPA's Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule and issuing synthetic organic compound waivers for water systems; and be responsible for source water assessment program activities to protect sources of drinking water.

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, 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:  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.

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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