F&W-2026-8 Parks and Wildlife Maintenance Apprentice

Open to: General Public
Work Week: 40-hour Work Week
Salary: (O12) $42,447.94 - $61,198.74
Opening Date: 6/5/2026
Closing Date: 6/26/2026
Existing Vacancies: 2

Program/Location
Department of Environmental Protection
Fish and Wildlife

Position 1
Land Management
1670 Buckshutem Road
Millville NJ 08322

Position 2
Marine Habitat and Shellfisheries
360 New York Road
Port Republic, NJ 08241

Scope of Eligibility
Open to permanent employees in a competitive title who work for the Fish & Wildlife Program and meet the requirements below.

Description
Under the close supervision of a supervisory official in the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), in a two-year training program, learns to perform various unskilled or semiskilled tasks associated with the construction, maintenance, repair, and improvement of structures, facilities, equipment, and grounds at assigned state parks, forests, recreational areas, historic sites, wildlife management areas, marinas, or any other state-owned facilities within the Fish and Wildlife Program area; does other related duties as required.

Specific to the Position
Position 1
Under the supervision of a Crew Supervisor or other supervisory officer, performs various unskilled and semi-skilled work involved in fish and game propagation, resource inventories, fish and game distribution, user surveys, habitat management and performs routine maintenance of equipment and grounds. Operates Commercial vehicles.

Position 2
Maintain and prepare all marine sampling equipment, vessels and vehicles needed for research and field sample collection. Responsible for operating small and large vessels, trailering boats and trailers. Maintains and repairs buildings, grounds, and facilities as necessary and may take the lead over part-time and/or temporary employees. Position will assist with all marine field sampling, collecting biological samples and identifying and enumerating marine finfish and shellfish specimens, assist in proofreading and entering data and participating in restoration and enhancement activities.

Preferred Skill Set
Position 1
Ability to follow Department regulations and procedures, understand and follow written and oral directions. Ability to work alone during various time periods. Ability to interact with the public. Ability to maintain various records. Ability to learn to utilize various electronic recording and information systems used by the agency. Ability to work cooperatively

Position 2
Candidate should bring ample hands-on experience in vessel operations, field equipment maintenance, loading and unloading materials (e.g., moving with tractors and related equipment). The role requires demonstrated ability to trailer, launch, and operate small vessels in coastal waters under varying weather and sea conditions and will include operation of larger vessels (up to 45'), with a thorough understanding of navigation, GPS use, with focus on maritime safety protocols.

Requirements
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 essential duties of this position.

Appointees may be required to obtain a valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and applicable endorsements for the class and type of vehicle being operated.

Appointees may be required to obtain a valid New Jersey Boat Operator’s license.

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

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.