SPFHS-2026-33 - State Park Police Officer

Scope of Eligibility

Open to applicants who meet the requirements below.

Description

Under the direction of a State Park Police Sergeant or other higher level law enforcement officer in New Jersey State Park Police, State Parks, Forests & Historic Sites Program, or New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, during an assigned tour of duty, performs public assistance and resource protection; functions as a sworn law enforcement officer for State Parks, Forests & Historic Sites and other Department lands and facilities as needed; acts as liaison with the public; enforces laws and regulations for the protection and management of the health and safety of people and natural and historical resources, as well as environmental enforcement activities within the Department of Environmental Protection; executes all processes for violations within the State Parks, Forests & Historic Sites’ jurisdiction; effectuates arrests and issues summons; authorized to serve warrants; exercises all the powers and duties conferred by law while conducting regular tour of duty; educates and informs the public, through a working knowledge of forest, wildlife, habitat and watershed management practices, regarding the rules, regulations, laws and management practices of State Parks, Forests & Historic Sites and to enhance environmental awareness and stewardship; provides security services for people, water, land, and structures under the guidelines for Homeland Security; does other related duties as required.

Specific to Position

• Applies established law enforcement procedures and techniques to enforce laws of the State of New Jersey, Homeland Security and the Federal government, and to protect visitors and natural, historical and physical resources.
• Patrols designated State Parks, Forests & Historic Sites and Natural Land Trusts lands and/or facilities by various means, which may include on foot, motor vehicle, mountain bicycle, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), snowmobiles, or watercraft to increase patrol visibility, prevent crime, ensure proper use of the area and protect the resources from illegal activity.
• Will be required to successfully complete police academy training and obtain a PTC certificate.
• Must be CPR/AED certified and pass bi-annual firearms requalification.
• Must be able to adhere to and apply departmental SOPs, DEP policies and procedures and Attorney General guidelines.

Requirements

• EDUCATION: Graduation from high school or vocational school, or possession of an approved high school equivalency certificate.
• CITIZENSHIP: Must be a citizen of the United States of America.
• AGE: Applicants must be 18 years of age or older at the announced closing date.
• TRAINING: Appointees must successfully complete a Basic Police Training Course certified by the Police Training Commission (PTC).
• Must be able to adhere to and apply departmental SOPs, DEP policies and procedures and Attorney General guidelines.

License

• Appointees must possess a driver's license valid for use in the State of New Jersey.
• Appointees may be required to possess other operator's licenses as needed, which may include a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) and/or a Motorboat Operator's License.
• An employee who fails to maintain this license may be removed from their position.

Note

• The responsibility for ensuring that employees possess the required operator's license (other than a valid driver's license) commensurate with the class and type of vehicle, equipment, or watercraft they operate, rests with the Appointing Authority.

Special Note

Appointees have no law enforcement powers or authority until they have successfully completed all required New Jersey State Park Police Field Training, PTC training and are officially sworn in. Appointees will be required to use potential lifesaving equipment and to perform potential lifesaving functions when necessary.

Medical and Psychological Examination

Appointees certified from an open-competitive eligible list for this title will be required to pass a thorough medical and psychological examination administered by a qualified representative of the appointing authority.

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”.

Benefits

• Paid Benefit Leave
• Holiday Pay
• Alternative Workweek Program*
• Telework
• Health Benefits (medical, prescription drug, dental & vision care)
• Life Insurance
• Flexible and Health Spending Accounts (FSA/HSA)
• Commuter Tax Savings Program
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
• Tuition Reimbursement**

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.

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 Affirmative Action Information Form. 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.