SPFHS-2026-33 - State Park Police Officer

NJ Department of Environmental Protection; New Jersey; On-site; USD 65,000 - 79,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Benefit Leave

Holiday Pay

Telework

Pension

Deferred Compensation

Health Benefits

FSA/HSA

Commuter Tax Savings

PSLF

Tuition Reimbursement

Job summary

NJ Department of Environmental Protection, State Park Police, Bureau of Law Enforcement, seeks applicants for sworn public-safety duties across statewide locations. Patrol parks and facilities, enforce laws, issue summons, and educate the public while protecting natural and historic resources.

Candidates must meet education and training requirements, be US citizens, 18+, complete PTTC training, CPR/AED, firearms qualifications, and hold a valid NJ driver's license; the role offers comprehensive

Qualifications

• EDUCATION: Graduation from high school or equivalent.
• CITIZENSHIP: Must be a U.S. citizen.
• AGE: 18 years or older at closing date.
• TRAINING: Must complete Basic Police Training Course; CPR/First Aid/First Responder; firearms qualifications.

Responsibilities

• Patrol designated lands and facilities by foot, vehicle, bike, ATVs, snowmobiles, or watercraft.
• Enforce state and federal laws; issue summons and arrest warrants.
• Educate the public on environmental resources, safety, and regulations; coordinate with Homeland Security.

Job description

Open to: General Public

Work Week: 40 (40-hour) Work Week

Salary: (FA17) $71,668.13 (Non-Negotiable)

Opening Date: 8/26/2026

Closing Date: When all vacancies are filled

Existing Vacancies: TBD

Program/Location

Department of Environmental Protection

State Parks, Forests and Historic Sites

State Park Police

Bureau of Law Enforcement

Statewide locations to be determined.

Scope of Eligibility

Open to applicants who meet the requirements below.

Description

Under the direction of a State Park Police Sergeant or other higher level law enforcement officer in New Jersey State Park Police, State Parks, Forests & Historic Sites Program, or New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, during an assigned tour of duty, performs public assistance and resource protection; functions as a sworn law enforcement officer for State Parks, Forests & Historic Sites and other Department lands and facilities as needed; acts as liaison with the public; enforces laws and regulations for the protection and management of the health and safety of people and natural and historical resources, as well as environmental enforcement activities within the Department of Environmental Protection; executes all processes for violations within the State Parks, Forests & Historic Sites’ jurisdiction; effectuates arrests and issues summons; authorized to serve warrants; exercises all the powers and duties conferred by law while conducting regular tour of duty; educates and informs the public, through a working knowledge of forest, wildlife, habitat and watershed management practices, regarding the rules, regulations, laws and management practices of State Parks, Forests & Historic Sites and to enhance environmental awareness and stewardship; provides security services for people, water, land, and structures under the guidelines for Homeland Security; does other related duties as required.

Specific to Position

Applies established law enforcement procedures and techniques to enforce laws of the State of New Jersey, Homeland Security and the Federal government, and to protect visitors and natural, historical and physical resources. Patrols designated State Parks, Forests & Historic Sites and Natural Land Trusts lands and/or facilities by various means, which may include on foot, motor vehicle, mountain bicycle, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), snowmobiles, or watercraft to increase patrol visibility, prevent crime, ensure proper use of the area and protect the resources from illegal activity. Will be required to successfully complete police academy training and obtain a PTC certificate. Must be CPR/AED certified and pass bi-annual firearms requalification. Must be able to adhere to and apply departmental SOPs, DEP policies and procedures and Attorney General guidelines.

Requirements

EDUCATION: Graduation from high school or vocational school, or possession of an approved high school equivalency certificate.

CITIZENSHIP: Must be a citizen of the United States of America.

AGE: Applicants must be 18 years of age or older at the announced closing date.

TRAINING: Appointees must successfully complete a Basic Police Training Course certified by the Police Training Commission (PTC). An employee who fails, resigns, or is dismissed from the Basic Police Training Course may be removed from their position.

Appointees must successfully complete firearm qualifications in accordance with Police Training Commission guidelines on a semiannual basis.

Appointees will be required to attend and successfully complete an in-house field training course which will include but not be limited to, Standard Operating Procedures of the State Park Service, introduction into Fish & Wildlife Program rules, regulations, policies and procedures, introduction into Forest Fire Service rules, regulations, policies and procedures, natural lands management, domestic security, protection and preservation of natural and historic resources, communication and team building skills, cultural diversity, customer service and associated training related to the job assignment(s).

Appointees will be required to successfully complete training and maintain certification which includes but is not limited, to the following: Certified First Responder, First Aid, CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation), Oxygen Administration, Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) use and other potentially lifesaving equipment, baton certification and firearm qualifications in accordance with the Attorney Generals mandates and State Parks Forests & Historic Sites Program requirements; must be able to use State Parks Forests & Historic Sites Program vehicles based on operational need and work assignments.

License

Appointees must possess a driver's license valid for use in the State of New Jersey.

Appointees may be required to possess other operator's licenses as needed, which may include a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) and/or a Motorboat Operator's License.

Appointees will be required to acquire and maintain a professional license through the Police Training Commission (PTC). The license is required to be renewed every (3) three years. An employee who fails to maintain this license may be removed from their position.

NOTE: The responsibility for ensuring that employees possess the required operator's license (other than a valid driver's license) commensurate with the class and type of vehicle, equipment, or watercraft they operate, rests with the Appointing Authority.

SPECIAL NOTE: Appointees have no law enforcement powers or authority until they have successfully completed all required New Jersey State Park Police Field Training, PTC training and are officially sworn in.

Appointees will be required to use potential lifesaving equipment and to perform potential lifesaving functions when necessary.

WORKING TEST PERIOD: Appointees must successfully complete the required twelve (12) month working test period in accordance with N.J.A.C. 4A:4-5.2(d). The inability of an employee in this title to attain a satisfactory level of performance shall be considered a cause for separation.

MEDICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL EXAMINATION: Appointees certified from an open-competitive eligible list for this title will be required to pass a thorough medical and psychological examination administered by a qualified representative of the appointing authority.

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”.

Benefits

• 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 email [e-mail], or call CSC at [phone] and select Option #3.

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 Aff. 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

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.

Equal Opportunity Employer

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.