New Jersey State Parks Hiring Hundreds of Seasonal Staff

New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection is eager to welcome a throng of visitors to its State Parks, Forests, and Historic Sites this year and is on the hunt for hundreds of seasonal employees to help keep things running smoothly. Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette made the exciting announcement today.

From lifeguards and naturalists, to history educators and maintenance personnel, the Department has a wide range of job opportunities available in fields that are essential to preserving and protecting the state's cultural, natural, and historical resources. The positions also offer a fantastic chance for those who aspire to start a career in the environmental sector.

To find out which parks and sites are hiring or to apply for a specific job, hop on over to www.nj.gov/dep/workinparks. The Department encourages applicants to reach out to the park office of their choice by phone or email for more information on specific positions, schedules, and other job-related inquiries. Applications are due by March 1, so don't hesitate!

While most of the jobs are from Memorial Day through Labor Day, some parks require part-time help all year long. Keep in mind that the majority of these jobs are outdoors and require weekend and holiday work, as park facilities are open every day. However, the State Park Service is accommodating to students and teachers with limited availability during the year.

The number and type of positions available at each location vary depending on the recreational and educational activities offered. Applicants must be 16 years old or older and starting hourly salaries range from $15 to $18.50, depending on the position. So if you're looking to spend your summer days surrounded by nature and history, don't miss this opportunity to join the Department of Environmental Protection.

Lifeguards:

The State Park Service is in need of lifeguards at various swimming areas throughout the state, offering salaries beginning at $17.50 per hour. Those who wish to work as lifeguards at Island Beach State Park will start at a higher rate of $18.50 per hour. No prior experience is necessary, but applicants must pass a swim-and-run test before being hired. 

The State Park Service will provide training in CPR/AED use, first aid, and other medical procedures, and each lifeguard will receive certification from the U.S. Lifesaving Association. Swimming areas are expected to open in mid-June, with Island Beach State Park set to open on May 27.

Opportunities for lifeguards are available at various state parks in New Jersey, including High Point, Hopatcong, Swartswood, and Wawayanda in the north, Cheesequake State Park and Round Valley Recreation Area in central NJ, and Island Beach State Park, Atsion Recreation Area, Bass River, and Belleplain State Forest in the south.

Building on the success of its pilot program in 2022, the State Park Service will continue to expand its aquatics program by hiring junior lifeguards, who must be at least 15 years old, at $16 per hour. Junior lifeguards will not be able to perform lifeguard duties until they turn 16, but the position will give them a head start on their training for the following summer. 

Regional Lifeguard Trainer and Water Safety Supervisor positions are also available, both starting at $27 per hour.

Trail Stewards & Other Positions:

The State Park Service is currently hiring for Trail Steward positions at Cheesequake State Park, Island Beach State Park, Stokes State Forest, Wharton State Forest, and Worthington State Forest. 

Candidates must be at least 18 years old and able to hike for long periods daily. Applicants should possess excellent interpersonal skills, assertiveness, and professionalism, as they will be working with large groups of people and providing guidance on the Leave No Trace principle and park rules. 

The job may also involve tasks such as clearing and marking trails, putting up signs and fences, and maintaining the trails.

Visitor Service and Office Assistant positions are available, with responsibilities including registering campers, collecting entrance fees, answering phone calls, maintaining records, and providing customer service.

Naturalists and History Educators will be working with park naturalists and historians at interpretive centers and historical sites to educate visitors. This may involve leading or supporting interpretive programs, teaching visiting groups, demonstrating crafts, and creating educational materials. These positions may also have specific projects assigned by their supervisor.

Naturalist positions are available at Liberty State Park, High Point State Park, Stokes State Forest in the north, Leonard State Maria, Cheesequake, and Washington Crossing state parks in the central region, and Batsto Village Historic Site (Wharton State Forest) and Island Beach State Park in the south.

History Educator positions are available at Ringwood State Park and Waterloo Village Historic Site in the north, Twin Lights Historic Site, and Washington Crossing State Park in central New Jersey, and Batsto Village Historic Site (Wharton State Forest), Double Trouble, and Island Beach state parks in the south.

Maintenance Personnel play a critical role in the State Park Service's summer operations. Applicants can expect to support the full-time staff with tasks such as mowing lawns, cleaning facilities, removing trash, implementing park improvement projects, and other general maintenance duties. Individuals with specialized skills, such as carpentry, are encouraged to apply.

Applications are being accepted at www.nj.gov/dep/workinparks.

The DEP’s State Park Service manages more than 453,000 acres of land, including 40 state parks, 11 state forests, three recreation areas, and more than 50 historic sites and districts.

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

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