EMERGENCY RESPONSE SPECIALIST 4

Code: 15875 State Competitive Range: S31 (FY 2027) Work week N4: FLSA exemptOvertime table (4A:3, Appx. A)

Salary: $105,267.31 - $155,358.91/year FY 2027 schedule (last updated 2026-07-27)

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.

Definition

Under general supervision of a Bureau Chief or higher level supervisory official in the Emergency Management Program, Department of Environmental Protection, responds to emergencies for the purpose of assessing environmental impacts including hazardous substances, materials and chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, explosive (CBRNE), acts of terrorism and acts of nature (i.e.: hurricanes, snow, floods, droughts, etc.) as well as functioning as departmental On Scene Coordinator and National Incident Management System (NIMS) Incident Command Representative during activation of the State Emergency Operations Center with other responding agencies; supervises staff in the course of official duties; assists with administering and supervising grants and budget expenditures; during emergency response has authority to authorize expenditures from the New Jersey Spill Fund; as representative for DEP, coordinates with other State, County and Local governmental agencies for emergency response planning; coordinates with other chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, explosive (CBRNE) teams as assigned; responsible for representing the Bureau on various committees to plan and explain DEP policies and procedures in regards to Emergency Response; functions as the Departmental Incident Command representative at the Command/General staff level during emergencies; is responsible for the issuance of complete and comprehensive incident reports; provides emergency services for people, water, land and structures within the State; supervises staff and work activities; prepares and signs official performance evaluations for subordinate staff; does related work as required.

Examples of work

• Under the general direction of a higher level supervisor responds to, administers, and/or supervises responses to emergencies on a 24 hour, sever (7) day a week basis.
• Supervises the work operations and has the responsibility for employee evaluations and for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting and/or disciplining of employees.
• Supervises the preparation of timely and technically accurate reports regarding responses to discharges and/or releases of hazardous substances, hazardous materials, (and) chemical, biological, nuclear, radiological, explosive, and acts of nature (i.e. snow, floods, droughts, etc.)
• Functions as the Department representative during activation of the State Emergency Operations Center and facilitates agency actions during emergencies of any type. Works under the direction of the DEP's Emergency Response Coordinator.
• Supervises the completion of investigative and incident reports regarding environmental emergencies to ensure compliance with State environmental laws and regulations; and may review and evaluate incident reports of Emergency Response Specialists of lower rank.
• Utilizes and/or supervises the utilization of field monitoring equipment to assess environmental conditions for potential health and safety hazards, often in a hazardous environment.
• Prepares and/or supervises the preparation of evidence for use in court actions and hearings associated with the enforcement of federal, state and local environmental regulations.
• Supervises the training of Emergency Response Specialists for each assigned task.
• During emergency situations, (is) responsible for maintaining and updating management as per established procedures and DEP's Centralized Communications Center-Trenton Dispatch as necessary.
• Maintains a calm attitude during emergencies for the purpose of ensuring response action is taken without undue delay.
• Participates in and supervises the development and oversight of unit budget including grants and expenditures.
• Participates in and supervises meetings, hearings, conferences, seminars, training sessions and other gatherings associated with assigned duties.
• Trained in the use of the National Incident Management System (NIMS) during emergencies.
• Required to work under varying conditions.
• Prepares and/or supervises the preparation of correspondence in the course of official duties.
• Maintains and, as required, supervises the maintenance of essential records and files.
• Will be required to learn and to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office or related units.

Education

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in one of the physical sciences, biological sciences, chemical sciences, environmental sciences, environmental studies, public health, or engineering.

Experience

Five (5) years of professional and/or technical experience involving emergency response field activities associated with environmental or atmospheric conditions which pose potential public health hazards and/or significant adverse environmental effects, especially those involving potentially acute hazards, two (2) years must have been in a supervisory capacity with direct supervision of staff.

License

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey.

<b>SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS</b>

Appointees will be required to have completed the following Incident Command System (ICS) courses or equivalent Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approved courses:

ICS 100 - Introduction to ICS ICS 200 - ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents ICS 300 - Intermediate ICS for Expanding Incidents ICS 400 - Advanced ICS IS 700 - National Incident Management System (NIMS), An Introduction IS 800 - National Response Framework (NRF), An Introduction

Appointees will be required to carry a communication device and must be able to respond to emergencies on a 24 hour, 7 day a week basis.

Appointees will be required to establish residence in a geographic region assigned area within six (6) months of permanent appointment as defined by the Program.

Appointee must be capable of using assigned equipment and performing the essential functions of the position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Knowledge of the principles, techniques and methodologies utilized in emergency response field activities associated with environmental or atmospheric conditions which pose potential public health and/or environmental significance with particular emphasis on those involving potential acute hazards.
• Knowledge of New Jersey and Federal laws and the rules, regulations, policies, procedures and standards of the Department's Emergency Management Program for all aspects of emergency response after a period of training.
• Knowledge of the relationship and coordination required at state, county and local levels as well as with other intra and interstate, and federal agencies concerned with or responsible for emergency response programs relating to the discharge and/or release of hazardous substances, (and) hazardous materials, and chemical, biological or nuclear/radiological releases.
• Knowledge of the concepts and principles of environmental investigations and sampling techniques; and of the use and calibration of specific equipment and recording, measuring and testing devices used in monitoring and assessing environmental conditions during periods of emergency.
• Knowledge of supervisory techniques.
• Knowledge of the use of a Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus and other personal safety equipment and direct its use.
• Knowledge of the use, understanding and preparation of maps, charts and diagrams for incident responses, reports and courtroom exhibits.
• Knowledge of and the ability to use the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and the ability to function as the department representative as either command or staff function as directed by Emergency Response Coordinator.
• Ability to acquire knowledge of the legal requirements and procedures for collecting samples and of their proper storage and transportation after a period of training.
• Ability to read, interpret and apply the laws, rules and regulations relating to the environmental parameters of the State of New Jersey.
• Ability to maintain a calm attitude during periods of stress and emergency for the purpose of ensuring response action is taken without undue delay.
• Ability to organize technical and supervisory work, and develop appropriate work methods for assigned emergency response program area.
• Ability to prepare incident reports regarding environmental and/or atmospheric conditions which pose potential public health and/or environmental significance, especially those involving potential acute hazards; and the ability to review and evaluate incidents reports of other Emergency Response Specialists.
• Ability to effectively implement and follow established safety rules, precautions, policies and procedures in work assignments.
• Ability to assist in the training of other Emergency Response Specialists.
• Ability to prepare and/or supervise the preparation of clear, technically sound, accurate and informative reports containing findings, conclusions and recommendations.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Ability to prepare and/or supervise the preparation of clear, accurate and concise correspondence in the course of official duties.
• Ability to maintain and/or supervise the maintenance of essential records and files.
• Ability to supervise assigned staff and plan, organize, and implement projects within the unit.
• Ability to learn (and) 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 following examples of work 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.

Possession of a valid Professional Engineer's license issued by the New Jersey State Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors may be substituted for the Bachelor's degree in engineering.

A Master's degree in a physical science, biological science, chemical science, environmental science, environmental studies, engineering, public health, may be substituted for one (1) year of the non-supervisory experience.