ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST 4 (R30)
Career Family: ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST
Environmental Scientist 4 is a state title in New Jersey's competitive civil service, which means the way in is an open exam rather than a direct appointment.
It is a middle Environmental Scientist grade, between Environmental Scientist 3 below and the better-paid Environmental Scientist 1 above. Candidates need a doctoral degree and 4 years of relevant experience. Pay on the FY 2027 schedule runs $100,498 to $148,187, and state payroll currently lists about 10 people in the title, led by Environmental Protection.
How to apply
This title is filled by competitive examination.
See every real route in, and where to apply. 2 agencies employ it. We don't track live vacancies.
See all 2 employers and how to apply →Who employs this title
Environmental Scientist 4 appears on the State payroll at 2 departments, most of them at Department of Environmental Protection.
State departments
| Employer | Employees |
|---|---|
| Department of Environmental Protection | 5 |
| Department of Health | 5 |
State payroll and independent authority payroll are separate systems and are never merged. See data sources.
Pay ladder: Environmental Scientist series
- Environmental Scientist 2 — $91,628 – $134,900
- Environmental Scientist 3 — $91,628 – $134,900
- Environmental Scientist 4 — $100,498 – $148,187 (this title)
- Environmental Scientist 1 — $105,267 – $155,359
Promoting to Environmental Scientist 1 raises the top of the band by about $7,172. Its top salary lands around the 88th percentile of all NJ civil service titles that publish a range.
Rungs are ordered by FY 2027 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 10 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $138,568. The agencies employing the most are:
- Environmental Protection (5)
- Health and Senior Services (5)
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. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.
Examples of work
- Provides direction, advice and guidance on specialized scientific programs and problems.
- Develops and organizes environmental programs.
- Reviews and evaluates proposed legislation.
- Keeps current with the developments relating to the improvement and preservation of the total environment.
- Develops research proposals for submission to Federal agencies for funding.
- Coordinates inter-divisional ecological surveillance activities.
- Prepares reports on environmental problems; develops plans for solutions.
- Develops broad-based environmental surveillance systems.
- Reviews and comments on research proposals.
- Provides technical advice on scientific matters.
- Supervises the work operations and/or functional programs and has responsibility for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting and/or disciplining of employees.
- Collaborates in the development of scientific projects.
- Represents the Department in meetings with Federal, State, Regional and Local Environmental Planning Agencies.
- Establishes liaison between the Department and Federal, State and industrial establishments, organizations and agencies.
- Provides assignments and instruction to Environmental Scientists and supervises their work performance.
- Assigns, instructs and supervises the work of Environmental Scientists II, and III, and other staff.
- Prepares and presents papers at scientific meetings and conferences.
- Develops mathematical and sound ecological models.
- Keeps current with trends of thought, literature, and new developments in the field of environmental science.
- Prepares correspondence.
- Prepares reports containing findings, conclusions and recommendations.
- Establishes and maintains records and files.
- May 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.
- <b>REQUIREMENTS
- EDUCATION</b>
- Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's degree in one of the physical, biological or environmental sciences.
Experience
Four (4) years of experience involving research and the application of the physical, biological or environmental sciences.
License
Appointee 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.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
- Knowledge of the principles and practices of environmental science and ecology.
- Knowledge of the ecological and toxicological effects of air and water pollution.
- Knowledge of the methods used to conduct studies and surveys.
- Knowledge of research methods.
- Ability to provide assignments and instruction to specialized staff and supervise their work performance.
- Ability to develop research proposals.
- Ability to develop and organize environmental programs and initiatives.
- Ability to analyze environmental problems and to develop plans for solutions.
- Ability to coordinate specific disciplines with specialists in various fields.
- Ability to develop research proposals.
- Ability to analyze laws, rules and regulations and apply them to specific situations.
- Ability to review and evaluate proposed legislation.
- Ability to provide technical advice on scientific matters.
- Ability to evaluate scientific documents relating to the environment.
- Ability to prepare correspondence.
- Ability to prepare clear, technically sound, accurate and informative scientific reports containing findings, conclusions and formal recommendations.
- Ability to maintain records and files.
- Ability to learn 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, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the 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 with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
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.
A Doctorate degree in one of the indicated fields may be substituted for two (2) years of experience.