WLM-2026-20 Program Specialist Trainee

About the role

Under the close supervision of a Program Specialist 3, Program Specialist 4, or other supervisory officer in a State department or agency, as a trainee and productive worker, receives on-the-job training while assisting in the professional, administrative, and analytical work to promote the planning, operation, implementation, monitoring and/or evaluation of human or social service programs, programs serving the socio-economic needs of specific client populations, or regulatory programs designed to ensure public safety, health and welfare, or protection of the environment; completes assignments which provide practical Program Specialist experience; does other related work.

Responsibilities

• Draft, edit, and track the execution of Simple Spending Plans, Project Partnership Agreements, and State Aid Agreements while reviewing budgets and resource allocations to ensure accuracy and alignment with program needs.
• Review office operations and standard operating procedures (SOPs) to recommend and implement process improvements, including new technologies, streamlined workflows, and enhanced data sharing.
• Represent the Assistant Director as needed and help ensure that program activities align with DEP priorities.

Requirements

• Applicants must meet one of the following, or a combination of both experience and education. Thirty (30) semester-hour credits are equal to one (1) year of relevant experience.
• Four (4) years of professional experience relevant to the position.
• Possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.

Preferred Skill Set

• Ability to oversee and monitor a wide range of expenditures and track HR actions.
• Coincordinate digital communications, organize meetings with internal and external agencies.

Benefits

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

Schedule

NE (35-hour) Work Week

Pay

$51,479.83 (Non-negotiable)

Contact Information

Department of Environmental Protection
Watershed and Land Management
Coastal Engineering
1510 Hooper Avenue
Toms River, NJ 08753

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.