Jobs and Careers
NE
WLM-2026-25 Section Chief, Environmental Protection
New Jersey Department of Environmental ProtectionUnited Statesfull_timeVerifiedPosted 21 Jul 2026
💰 $148,187/yr($100,498/yr – $148,187/yr)
About the role
Open to: Division-Wide
Work Week: NL (35-hour) Work Week
Salary: (S30) $100,498.48 - $148,186.78
Opening Date: 7/21/2026
Closing Date: 8/04/2026
Existing Vacancies: 1
Program/Location
Department of Environmental Protection
Watershed & Land Management
Land Resource Protection
Coastal Permitting
401 East State Street
Trenton, NJ 08625
Scope of Eligibility
Open to permanent employees in a competitive title who work in the Division of Land Resource Protection and meet the requirements below.
Description
Under the general direction of a Manager 4, Environmental Protection or other higher-level official in the Department of Environmental Protection, is responsible for the management and supervision of work programs of two (2) or more units in a technical, planning, engineering, environmental analysis, or scientific program; supervises staff and work activities. Prepares and signs official performance evaluations for subordinate staff; does other related work as required.
Specific to the Position
Under the general direction of a Manager 4, the Section Chief is responsible for managing and supervising multiple units within the Bureau, overseeing technical, planning, engineering, environmental analysis, and scientific programs. The position supervises staff and work activities, including completing ePAR evaluations and approving timesheets; prepares and signs permits; and represents the Bureau Manager in their absence. This role also coordinates training and professional development for permitting staff and manages appeals, including coordinating communications with Deputy Attorneys General on contested cases.
Preferred Skill Set
Extensive knowledge of the Program's rules and regulations. Knowledge of planning principles in directing work operations. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, federal, state and local governments.
Requirements
EDUCATION
A Bachelor's degree in one of the physical, environmental, chemical or biological sciences, geography or environmental planning, or civil, chemical, environmental, mechanical, sanitary, agricultural, mining, industrial or bio-resource engineering.
EXPERIENCE
Five (5) years of experience in the investigation, inspection or enforcement of technical, scientific or engineering environmental activities, or, five (5) years of project management experience in the design, planning, coordination, monitoring and completion of environmental projects; two (2) years of either experience must have been in a supervisory capacity.
NOTE: A Master's degree in any of the disciplines outlined above may be substituted for one (1) year of the non-supervisory experience as indicated.
NOTE: A valid Professional Engineer's license issued by the New Jersey Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors may be substituted for the Bachelor's degree in Engineering.
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.
Work Week: NL (35-hour) Work Week
Salary: (S30) $100,498.48 - $148,186.78
Opening Date: 7/21/2026
Closing Date: 8/04/2026
Existing Vacancies: 1
Program/Location
Department of Environmental Protection
Watershed & Land Management
Land Resource Protection
Coastal Permitting
401 East State Street
Trenton, NJ 08625
Scope of Eligibility
Open to permanent employees in a competitive title who work in the Division of Land Resource Protection and meet the requirements below.
Description
Under the general direction of a Manager 4, Environmental Protection or other higher-level official in the Department of Environmental Protection, is responsible for the management and supervision of work programs of two (2) or more units in a technical, planning, engineering, environmental analysis, or scientific program; supervises staff and work activities. Prepares and signs official performance evaluations for subordinate staff; does other related work as required.
Specific to the Position
Under the general direction of a Manager 4, the Section Chief is responsible for managing and supervising multiple units within the Bureau, overseeing technical, planning, engineering, environmental analysis, and scientific programs. The position supervises staff and work activities, including completing ePAR evaluations and approving timesheets; prepares and signs permits; and represents the Bureau Manager in their absence. This role also coordinates training and professional development for permitting staff and manages appeals, including coordinating communications with Deputy Attorneys General on contested cases.
Preferred Skill Set
Extensive knowledge of the Program's rules and regulations. Knowledge of planning principles in directing work operations. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, federal, state and local governments.
Requirements
EDUCATION
A Bachelor's degree in one of the physical, environmental, chemical or biological sciences, geography or environmental planning, or civil, chemical, environmental, mechanical, sanitary, agricultural, mining, industrial or bio-resource engineering.
EXPERIENCE
Five (5) years of experience in the investigation, inspection or enforcement of technical, scientific or engineering environmental activities, or, five (5) years of project management experience in the design, planning, coordination, monitoring and completion of environmental projects; two (2) years of either experience must have been in a supervisory capacity.
NOTE: A Master's degree in any of the disciplines outlined above may be substituted for one (1) year of the non-supervisory experience as indicated.
NOTE: A valid Professional Engineer's license issued by the New Jersey Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors may be substituted for the Bachelor's degree in Engineering.
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.
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