TECHNICIAN 2, FISH, GAME, AND WILDLIFE
Career Family: TECHNICIAN
Technician 2, Fish, Game, and Wildlife is a competitive state title, the kind you test for: the exam result, not a hiring manager's pick, decides where you land in line.
What it takes is 2 years of relevant experience. Pay on the FY2027 schedule runs $45,874 to $66,294, and state payroll currently lists about 18 people in the title, most of them at Environmental Protection.
How to apply
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Exam
This is an application to sit an exam and be placed on an eligible list for this title, not an application for a specific job. A $35 application fee applies to Non-Public-Safety announcements issued on or after 2026-02-01. There may be no current vacancy behind it, and the list it produces may not be certified for months or years.
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Exam
Open to permanent employees in the competitive division who hold a qualifying lower title in the same unit. A $35 application fee applies to Non-Public-Safety announcements issued on or after 2026-02-01. Like the open competitive exam, this places you on a list; it is not itself a job offer.
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Agency posting
Department of Environmental Protection posts its own vacancies directly, often before (or instead of) any civil service exam announcement. Provisional appointment against a posted vacancy is how most people are actually hired into this kind of title.
Pay ladder: Technician series
- Technician 2 Commercial Recording — $50,990 – $73,902
- Technician 1 Fish, Game and Wildlife — $52,308 – $75,954
Its top salary lands around the 12th percentile of all NJ civil service titles that publish a range.
Rungs are ordered by FY2027 pay. NJ level numbers are not always sequential, so ordering follows salary rather than the title number.
Who employs this title
State payroll records show 18 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $60,106. The agencies employing the most are:
- Environmental Protection (18)
Counts from NJ YourMoney agency payroll. See statewide workforce analytics.
Official job specification
The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator.
Definition
Under limited supervision of a Supervising Biologist or other supervisory official in the Department of Environmental Protection, performs technical work involved in collecting and processing samples and data associated with fish, game, and wildlife research and management; performs a variety of assignments at one or more field stations; does other related duties as required. NOTE: The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.
Examples of work
Conducts or assists in laboratory procedures on samples collected from field studies. Conducts or assists in fish, game, and wildlife population surveys, user surveys, and live trapping and mortality surveys using appropriate specialized equipment. Gathers data and information to be used in preparation of reports, research findings, and statistical evaluation. Constructs specialized equipment for use in fish, game, and wildlife programs. Purchases equipment and supplies. Uses scientific equipment, on and off road vehicles, boats, and hand and power tools. Prepares maps, charts, graphs, and other forms of data presentation. Prepares and distributes deer check station materials, game birds, and fish and other products and materials. Maintains and operates checking station programs such as deer, turkey, beaver, and fish. Conducts routine water quality tests and records results. Identifies fish, game, and wildlife species in samples, and records biological data. Performs preventive maintenance on laboratory and field equipment including vehicles, buildings, and grounds. Maintains files and records. Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
Experience
Two (2) years of experience in the collection, sampling, cataloging, and preparation of data on fish, game, and wildlife for research studies (i.e., sampling, surveys, simple tests using scientific equipment), one (1) year of which shall have involved general maintenance of field and sampling equipment. NOTE: Applicants who do not possess the required experience may substitute college credits with a concentration in biological sciences from an accredited college or university on a year-for-year basis with thirty (30) semester hour credits being equal to one (1) year of experience.
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 essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
Knowledge of fish, game, and wildlife research equipment and techniques. Knowledge of the safe operation, care, and maintenance of vehicles, boats, and trailers. Knowledge of division laws and regulations after a period of training. Knowledge of habitat requirements, behavior, and natural history of New Jersey fish, game, and wildlife. Knowledge of New Jersey vegetation and the relationship of plant communities to fish, game, and wildlife. Ability to operate, calibrate, and perform simple maintenance service on equipment and devices. Ability to perform simple drafting operations. Ability to interpret maps, diagrams, and charts. Ability to make computations. Ability to take tissue and other samples from wild animals in the field and safely transport same to other locations for analysis. Ability to maintain and/or operate scientific research equipment. Ability to understand written and oral directions. Ability to prepare correspondence. Ability to organize work and solve problems following prescribed procedures. Ability to identify major terrestrial, freshwater, and marine wildlife species inhabiting the Northeastern United States and to count, sort, weigh, measure, tag, and transport them safely. Ability to work effectively with others. Ability to maintain records and files. Ability to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units. Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication. Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.