CSRR-2026-12 - Research Scientist 2

Open to: Division-Wide
Work Week: NL (35-hour) Work Week
Salary: (P28) $88,529.64 - $130,338.54
Opening Date: 2/12/2026
Closing Date: 2/26/2026
Existing Vacancies: 4

Program/Location
Department of Environmental Protection
Contaminated Site Remediation & Redevelopment
Environmental Evaluation & Remediation Review
Environmental Evaluation & Risk Assessment
401 East State Street
Trenton, NJ 08625

Scope of Eligibility
Open to permanent employees who work for the Division of Environmental Evaluation & Remediation Review and meet the requirements below.

Description
Under general supervision of a Research Scientist 1 or other supervisory official in a state department, institution, or agency, conducts research projects or participates in functional programs in a specified professional field; assumes appropriate administrative and scientific duties as delegated; heads complex projects and makes recommendations to the supervisor; does related work.

Specific to the Position:
Position 1: Proven ability to conduct technical component reviews for the complex Migration to Ground Water Exposure Pathway including vadose zone modeling through use of the SESOIL model to assist the regulated community and to ensure compliance with the Department’s Administrative Rules and Technical Guidance; ability to act as Department contact for the Migration to Ground Water Exposure Pathway and Capping of Volatile Organic Chemicals for the Migration to Ground Water Exposure Pathway; ability to develop and update calculator spreadsheets that are distributed to the regulated community; ability to research and apply expertise in the fate and transport of soil constituents including extractable petroleum hydrocarbons, volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds to assist in scientifically justified decision making; and ability to participate in the Remediation Standards Rule Making Committee and assist in updating Soil and Soil Leachate Soil Remediation Standards and providing scientifically based answers to Public Comments.

Position 2: Proven ability to conduct technical evaluations of remedial submissions for compliance averaging analyses, Fill Use Plans, and ecological evaluations pursuant to the Technical Requirements for Site Remediation (N.J.A.C. 7:26E) in support of the Licensed Site Remediation Professional (LSRP) program, Direct Oversight and Superfund cases; ability to serve as a Technical Expert for natural background and firing range evaluations; and ability to coordinate with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) in joint meetings providing technical assistance to LSRPs in satisfying the state and federal requirements for the cleanup of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contamination.

Position 3: Proven ability to conduct specialized reviews of ecologically sensitive areas and receptors for contaminated sites and provide technical feedback and guidance to licensed site remediation professionals and other bureaus in the program; ability to provide ecological evaluation and risk assessment training to both NJDEP staff and licensed site remediation professionals as well as other interested parties; ability to serve as the Contaminated Site Remediation and Restoration Program representative of the Mercury Workgroup; and ability to review alternative remediation standard applications to confirm protection of ecological receptors.

Position 4: Proven ability to review technical documents and provide comments for traditional oversight, publicly funded, and direct oversight cases (including RCRA and CERCLA sites) as they relate to the investigation and remediation of contaminated sites; ability to conduct component reviews on the application of compliance averaging methodologies (i.e., 95% UCL and arithmetic mean) to ensure attainment with the Department’s Remediation Standards and Site-specific Criteria; and ability to review ecological evaluations and risk assessments.

Preferred Skill Set:
Proven ability to conduct technical reviews, to support the lead bureaus within CSRR, for the most complex sites in the CSRR program in accordance with current regulations and guidance; evaluate remedial investigation and remedial actions reports related to the ecological evaluations/risk assessments, compliance averaging, and sites being implemented for solar farms. Act as the climate change representative. Supports program development initiatives, participates in technical consultations.

Requirements
EDUCATION:
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's degree in a discipline appropriate to the position.

EXPERIENCE:
Three (3) years of full-time experience in a field appropriate to the position.

NOTE: A Doctorate in a discipline appropriate to the position may be substituted for two (2) years of experience indicated above.

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.

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.