WRM-2026-42 Research Scientist 1

NJ Department of Environmental Protection; Trenton (NJ); On-site; USD 100,000 - 148,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Benefit Leave

Holiday Pay

Alternative Workweek Program

Telework

Pension

Deferred Compensation

Health Benefits

Flexible and Health Spending Accounts

Commuter Tax Savings Program

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Tuition Reimbursement

Job summary

NJ Department of Environmental Protection in Trenton, NJ seeks a senior environmental scientist to lead and coordinate high-level research and program initiatives within Water Resource Management, Water Quality, and Surface Water and Pretreatment Permitting. The role supervises staff and reports results for inter- and intra-agency responses.

The position focuses on QA plans, long-range analyses, data review, and coordination with permit writers.

Qualifications

• Master's degree required in a discipline appropriate to the position.
• Four (4) years of full-time experience in a field appropriate to the position.
• A Doctorate in a discipline appropriate to the position may be substituted for two (2) years of experience.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and/or review Quality Assurance Project Plans and related analyses (anti-degradation, dilution, ammonia toxicity, CPO demand) and various studies.
• Review effluent and water quality data; assist permit writers in development of waste load allocations and narrative permit conditions.
• Participate in public hearings and testify in adjudicatory hearings when required; supervise staff and conduct performance evaluations.
• Conduct time sheets and staff training as part of ongoing program management.

Education

Master's degree in a discipline appropriate to the position

Job description

Open to: Division-Wide

Work Week: NL (35-hour) Work Week

Salary: (R30) $100,498.48 - $148,186.78

Opening Date: 10/27/206

Closing Date: 11/10/2026

Existing Vacancies: 1

Program / Location

Department of Environmental Protection

Water Resource Management

Water Quality

Surface Water and Pretreatment Permitting

401 East State Street - 4th Floor

Trenton, NJ 08625

Scope of Eligibility

Open to permanent DEP employees who work for the Division of Water Quality and meet the requirements below.

Description

Under general supervision of a division director or other supervisory official in a state department, institution, or agency, independently initiates and coordinates a research or developed program in a specified professional field; may supervise lower levels of Research Scientists and other technical staff, manages high level technical projects and reports results to designated officials for inter- and intra-agency response; does related work.

Specific to the Position

This position will conduct and/or review and approve Quality Assurance Project Plans, anti-degradation analyses, dilution studies, ammonia toxicity analyses, CPO demand and decay studies, WER, translator and hardness studies, WET analyses, and request for wastewater treatment additives. Additional duties include reviewing effluent, water quality data and technical reports; assisting permit writers in the development of waste load allocations, effluent limits, and narrative permit conditions; participating in public hearings and testifying in adjudicatory hearings when required; supervising assigned staff; and completing related duties which include work product reviews, performance evaluations, staff training, and time sheets.

Requirements

EDUCATION:

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

EXPERIENCE:

Four (4) 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

• 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 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 ... 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.