SPFHS-2026-42 Parks and Wildlife Maintenance Apprentice

NJ Department of Environmental Protection•Lebanon, NJ

4d•$43,934 - $63,341•Onsite

About The Position

Under the close supervision of a supervisory official in the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), this position is a two-year training program to learn unskilled or semiskilled work associated with constructing, maintaining, repairing, and improving structures, facilities, equipment, and grounds at assigned state parks, forests, recreational areas, historic sites, wildlife management areas, marinas, or other state-owned facilities within the Natural and Historic Program area. Other related duties may be assigned. Position responsibilities include providing custodial services throughout the park to support patron health and safety; completing major and minor repairs; snow removal; basic painting and carpentry; and maintaining roadways and outdoor recreation facilities. The position is performed exclusively on-site. Work performance is reviewed and rated semi-annually during the two-year apprenticeship. After successfully completing the 24-month program, appointees are eligible for advancement to Parks and Wildlife Maintenance Specialist 1 in accordance with New Jersey Civil Service Commission procedures. Evidence of prior relevant training or experience may be submitted for evaluation and may, at the Appointing Authority’s discretion, reduce the required apprenticeship period.

Requirements

Appointees may need a valid New Jersey driver's license if operating a vehicle is necessary to perform essential duties.
Appointees may be required to possess a valid Commercial Driver’s License and applicable endorsements for the vehicle operated.
Appointees may be required to obtain a valid New Jersey Boat Operator’s license.
Appointees may be required to obtain a New Jersey Certified Pesticide Applicator’s or Operator’s License in required categories, depending on assignment.
Appointees may be required to attend training courses to obtain certifications required for their assignment.
Appointees may be required to wear an appropriate respirator and complete annual respiratory-protection training.
Appointees may be required to successfully complete a forest fire suppression course administered by the New Jersey Forest Fire Service.
Appointees may be designated essential personnel and required to report to their workstation during emergencies.
New hires must establish and maintain principal residence in New Jersey within one year of employment, subject to the New Jersey First Act.
Selected candidates must be authorized to work in the United States; the State of New Jersey does not provide citizenship sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

Experience with manual and power tools and equipment.
Eagerness to learn and enjoyment of working outdoors.
Prior training or experience in routine maintenance of buildings and grounds, or wildlife and/or fisheries management activities, may be submitted for possible credit toward the apprenticeship.

Responsibilities

Learn and perform construction, maintenance, repair, and improvement tasks involving structures, facilities, equipment, and grounds at assigned state-owned sites.
Provide custodial services throughout the park to support patron health and safety.
Complete major and minor repairs.
Remove snow.
Perform basic painting and carpentry.
Maintain roadways and outdoor recreation facilities.
Perform other related duties as required.