CNBNews

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection is accepting applications for more than 800 seasonal positions at state parks, forests and historic sites throughout the Garden State, and has increased salary rates this year at some locations, Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette announced today. These positions are critical for the safety and maintenance of some of the State’s busiest tourist attractions.

Available seasonal job opportunities include lifeguards, general maintenance personnel, visitor service assistants, office assistants, naturalists and history educators. Bilingual applicants are encouraged to apply. Peak season generally runs from Memorial Day through Labor Day, with select state parks extending positions from April to October based on operational needs.

Salaries for most positions start at $16 per hour. Positions at Liberty State Park in Jersey City, Hudson County, and The Greenway in Essex and Hudson counties start at $20 per hour.

“These positions are more than the typical summer season job,” Commissioner LaTourette said. “They make sure these highly visited destinations are safe and well-maintained for residents and tourists. They also offer a wide variety of skills that can be developed to help applicants kickstart a career in environmental protection, grow stewardship of our natural lands and build long-lasting connections to both people and nature. I encourage people of all backgrounds to apply for these opportunities.”

Interested applicants for any position are advised to reach out to their preferred state park office by early March to learn more about specific roles, schedules, and other job-related details.  Applications should be submitted promptly through  nj.gov/dep/workinparks.

“From lifeguards to naturalists, a seasonal job with the State Park Service offers a unique chance to contribute to the experiences that New Jersey’s state parks, forests and historic sites provide for millions of visitors,” said John Cecil, Assistant Commissioner for State Parks, Forests & Historic Sites. “Whether maintaining park amenities or ensuring safety, every role plays a vital part in conserving New Jersey’s natural and historic resources, while enhancing the visitor experience.”

Liberty State Park in Jersey City, Hudson County is hiring general maintenance personnel, visitor service assistants, naturalists and office workers. All positions offer a starting salary of $20 per hour.

As New Jersey’s most popular state park, Liberty State Park attracts more than 5 million visitors annually. The Murphy Administration has placed a special focus on Liberty State Park in recent years, formally launching the Liberty State Park Revitalization Program to explore how the park can better meet the needs of New Jersey residents and the millions of visitors from across the globe.

The Greenway, an approximately nine-mile former rail line spanning Essex and Hudson counties that is poised to become New Jersey’s newest state park, is seeking general maintenance personnel. Responsibilities include litter and debris removal, vegetation management, and assisting with public education and outreach. Salaries start at $20 per hour.

Lifeguard Opportunities

Lifeguards are needed at swimming areas across the state, with salaries starting at $18.50 per hour. Oceanfront lifeguards at Island Beach State Park in Ocean County earn a higher starting rate of $19.50 per hour. Prior experience is not necessary, but candidates must pass running and swimming tests prior to employment. The State Park Service will train lifeguards in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, Automated External Defibrillator use, first aid and other safety skills. Each lifeguard will also receive a U.S. Lifesaving Association certification upon successful completion of training.

Island Beach State Park’s swimming areas are scheduled to open on Saturday, May 24. All other swimming areas are expected to open in mid-June, when those locations begin to receive more visitors and swimmers.

Lifeguard opportunities are anticipated at High Point, Hopatcong, Swartswood and Wawayanda state parks in the northern part of the state, Cheesequake State Park and Round Valley Recreation Area in the central region, and Island Beach and Parvin state parks, along with Atsion Recreation Area (Wharton State Forest), Bass River and Belleplain state forests in the south.

The State Park Service also hires junior lifeguards who are at least 15 years old, at $17 per hour. Junior lifeguards cannot perform lifeguard duties for the public until age 16, but the position provides a head start on training for when they can provide full lifeguard duties the following summer.

General maintenance personnel are vital to the State Park Service’s summer operations. Applicants should expect to assist full-time staff in a variety of tasks that include mowing lawns, cleaning facilities and removing trash. Park improvement projects and other general maintenance functions are also required. Those with unique skills, such as carpentry or small-engine repair, are encouraged to apply for these positions. Salaries start at $16 per hour.

Naturalists and history educators work with park naturalists and historians at interpretive centers and historic sites to educate visitors. Typical activities include leading or assisting with interpretive programs and teaching visiting camp groups. These positions may also be assigned specific projects by their supervisor. Salaries start at $16 per hour.

Naturalist opportunities are available at Batsto Village Historic Site in Wharton State Forest and Island Beach State Park.

History educator positions are available at Waterloo Village Historic Site in the north, Wallace House and Old Dutch Parsonage Historic Site in the central part of the state, and Batsto Village Historic Site in Wharton State Forest, Double Trouble and Island Beach state parks in the south.

Visitor service and office assistants help register campers, collect entrance fees, respond to visitor inquiries, provide recordkeeping and conduct other customer service duties as required. In some areas, visitor service assistants work as trail stewards whose responsibilities include brushing and blazing trails, installing signs and fences, and performing general trail maintenance. Applicants may work with crowds and advise visitors about the Leave No Trace concept and parks regulations. Salaries start at $16 per hour.

To learn more about New Jersey’s Parks, Forests & Historic Sites, visit www.njparksandforests.org/.

Like New Jersey’s State Parks, Forests & Historic Sites page on Facebook at www.facebook.com/newjerseystateparks.

Follow the New Jersey State Park Service on Instagram @newjerseystateparks