OCO-2026-5i Communications Intern

NJ Department of Environmental Protection; Trenton (NJ); On-site; USD 26,000 - 33,000; Part time

Job summary

NJ Department of Environmental Protection is seeking a Communications Intern in Trenton to support public outreach campaigns. You will draft social posts, help spotlight DEP staff and initiatives, and assist with internal communications and press events.

The internship provides hands-on experience in media relations, social media coordination, and video production within the Office of Communications & Outreach. Applicants must be enrolled in relevant programs.

Qualifications

• Enrollment in an undergraduate or graduate program in communications, photography/video production, environmental studies, journalism, media relations, public policy.

Responsibilities

• Draft social media posts for DEP campaigns.
• Identify opportunities to highlight DEP staff and initiatives.
• Assist with internal communications coordination.
• Capture and edit footage of DEP events.
• Assist with press events.

Skills

Writing

Social media coordination

Stakeholder outreach

Media relations

Video production

Education

Undergraduate/Graduate study in communications or related fields

Job description

Communications Intern

Posting Number: OCO-2026-5i

Closing Date: November 4, 2026

Start Date: February 8, 2027

End Date: April 30, 2027

Existing Vacancies: 1

Location: 401 East State Street, Trenton NJ 08625

Internship Hours Per Week: up to 35hours per week (5 days per week)

Hourly Rate: Sliding Scale based on Education Level ($19-$24 Per Hour)

Program: Office of Communications & Outreach

Program Description: The Office of Communications and Outreach is responsible for effectively communicating the priorities and functions of the DEP to the public and internally to DEP staff, promoting DEP priorities and principles, and promoting New Jersey as a national and global leader in environmental protection. Major functions of the office include coordinating media relations and press events, social media, stakeholder outreach, graphic and web design, constituent services, and photography and videography.

Project Description: Interns will assist with communications-related activities on several of DEP’s major public education outreach campaigns. The intern will also perform regular tasks and small special projects that familiarize them with DEP program areas, and the various roles and functions of the Communications Office. Tasks may include but are not limited to drafting social media posts, identifying opportunities to highlight DEP staff and initiatives, assisting with internal communications coordination, capturing and editing footage of DEP events, and assisting with press events.

Specific to the Position: As a member of a small team, this is both a coordination and strategy role, allowing the intern to develop a working knowledge of DEP programs and operations. Interns will develop skills in writing, stakeholder outreach, social media coordination, video production, and media relations.

Preferred Area of Study: Seeking individuals enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program at an accredited university/college studying communications, photography/video production, environmental studies, journalism, media relations, political science and/or public policy.

License: Appointee 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.

Employee Benefits

• Earned Sick Time*

*Pursuant to the State/Department's policy, procedures, and/or guidelines.

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.

Veteran's Preference

To qualify for New Jersey Veteran's Preference/status, you must establish Veteran's Preference through the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs.

For more information, visit https://nj.gov/military/veterans/services/civil-service/preference/

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.

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 Affimative 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.

In accordance with the Uniform Ethics Code, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) requires the disclosure of all relatives, consensual personal relationships, and cohabitants. *