SECTION CHIEF, ENVIRONMENTAL

Code: 15881D 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 the general direction of a supervisory official in the Department of Transportation, is responsible for the management and supervision of work programs of two (2) or more defined work units in an Environmental related bureau (or organizational equivalent) having responsibility for ensuring Department compliance with various federal and State environmental laws, rules and regulations for all Department projects, facilities, and programs, through the preparation of appropriate environmental documents, permit applications, and/or reports; does other related duties as required.

Examples of work

• Plans, organizes, and prioritizes the work of the section and supervises the overall work operations.
• Is responsible for planning and implementing all complex environmental functions relative to the section's responsibilities.
• Plans, organizes, and assigns the work of the organizational unit and evaluates employee performance and conduct, enabling the effective recommendation of the hiring, firing, promoting, and disciplining of subordinates.
• Supervises section staff in achieving goals and objectives, is responsible for the accomplishment of section objectives in conformance with pertinent federal and state laws, rules, and regulations, and ensures that interagency objectives are met.
• Provides specific high-level technical information for legal actions and public forums pertinent to the section's functions and responsibilities.
• Supervises section activities and priorities, staff, and workload to conform to bureau and/or division priorities.
• Reviews and provides relevant technical guidance for legal and/or scientific documents relating to or affecting the specific objectives of a program or section.
• Plans, schedules, and participates in formal meetings and conferences involving state, federal, county, and local officials, those of other states, and private interests in reference to section matters.
• Plans and supervises the preparation of detailed reports containing problem identification, analysis, findings, conclusions, and recommendations, including but not limited to studies, compilations of data, computations, and analyses pertaining to the section's work.
• Supervises section staff in the preparation and review of environmental documents required to demonstrate compliance with U.S. Department of Transportation's procedures implementing provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), as well as compliance with Section 4(f) of the 1966 USDOT Act, Section 106 of the Historic Preservation Act, and N.J. Executive Order 215.
• Reviews and assists in developing guidelines, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures, and implements required changes relative to the section's work.
• Administers, interprets, and ensures compliance with applicable federal and state laws, rules, and regulations.
• Supervises section staff in the preparation and review of environmental permit applications in compliance with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's (NJDEP's) Land Use Regulation Program and/or the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' permit requirements pursuant to Section 404 of the Clean Waters Act and Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act.
• Supervises environmental compliance inspection staff in providing support to the Department and construction resident engineers by ensuring construction projects are in compliance with environmental commitments and permit conditions.
• Supervises section staff that oversee efforts required to demonstrate compliance with the NJDEP's Site Remediation Program, Solid Waste Management, Hazardous Waste Management, and/or Storm Water Management.
• Assists in the preparation of the budget, grant applications, and personnel needs requests for the section, and monitors expenses in conformance with established budgets.
• Prepares and/or supervises the preparation of complex correspondence in the course of official duties.
• Identifies specific operational or implementation problems within the section and supervises the staff in resolving these situations.
• Introduces progressive technical methods most applicable to section operations and, when pertinent, supervises the establishment and maintenance of computer data base systems relative to section operations.
• Addresses professional, technical, and lay groups for the purpose of providing public information relative to the section's work.
• Keeps immediate supervisor apprised of current activities, problems, and developments relative to the section's work.
• Keeps abreast of laws, current knowledge, information, and developments pertaining to the section's needs.
• Supervises the establishment and maintenance of essential files, records, data sources, and/or related materials.
• 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.

Education

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in one of the Physical Sciences, Environmental Sciences/Studies, Chemical Sciences, Biological Sciences, Environmental Planning, Physical Geography or in Civil Engineering, Sanitary Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, Mining Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or Bio-resource Engineering.

Experience

Five (5) years of experience in environmental work associated with the design or construction of transportation improvements sponsored by NJDOT (or the State) which include the preparation and review of environmental documents and the preparation and review of permit applications; and/or environmental work associated with facility and property management which include site remediation, obtaining permits, inspections, and/or storm water management; two (2) years of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity.

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 the essential duties of the position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Knowledge of environmental, engineering, and/or scientific theory and principles, and of the technical methods associated with an environmental control program.
• Knowledge of administrative practices and procedures and operational/organizational theories, and the application thereof in supervising overall work operations.
• Knowledge of the tools, techniques, principles, and practices utilized in the various environmental disciplines associated with the position.
• Knowledge of the state and federal laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures as they apply to the environmental functions and responsibilities of the section.
• Knowledge of the rules, including mitigation requirements, pertaining to permits from regulatory agencies such as NJDEP, Army Corps of Engineers, Delaware & Raritan Canal Commission, Pinelands Commission, and Highlands Commission.
• Knowledge of the Department's environmental process and procedures as they relate to NEPA, Section 4(f) and Section 106.
• Knowledge of the New Jersey Department of Transportation Standards for Soil Erosion and Sediment Control.
• Knowledge of rules, regulations and/or procedures that pertain to NJDEP's Site Remediation Program and/or Storm Water Management.
• Ability to supervise the preparation of reports on administrative, engineering, environmental, scientific, or technical matters with clear and accurate findings and sound recommendations, including appropriate implementation and scheduling.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with representatives of local, county, state, and federal governments industry, civic associations, and others interested in the goals, functions, and responsibilities of the section.
• Ability to plan and coordinate the work of the assigned section.
• Ability to evaluate section performance, identify problem areas, and develop and implement improved or corrective methods and procedures.
• Ability to effectively represent a section or Department at conferences, seminars, meetings, and negotiations.
• Ability to supervise the establishment and maintenance of essential records, files, and/or data sources.
• 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, and understand 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 the 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

A work unit for this purpose would typically consist of a primary level supervisor and at least three (3) professional and/or technical subordinates, as appropriate. Any deviation from this standard must be pre-approved by the Civil Service Commission before any appointments are made to the title.

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.

The following education requirements are applicable to positions in the Department of Transportation assigned to all programs except Environmental Services Support Unit (ESSU)/Facilities Hazard Compliance Monitoring.

Graduation from an accredited college with a Bachelor's degree in one of the following Physical, Natural or Social Sciences: Environmental Science, Environmental Policy, Chemical Science, Biological Sciences, Geology, Natural Resource Management, Environmental Planning, Natural History, Anthropology, Historic Architecture, Historic Preservation, Archaeology, Sociology, Urban Studies, Geography, Economics, Agricultural Science, Marine Science, Urban Planning, Transportation Planning and Geoscience; or a Bachelor's degree in Engineering in one of the following disciplines: Environmental Engineering, Civil Engineering, Sanitary Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, Industrial Engineering or Bio-Resource Engineering.

An Engineer-In-Training (EIT) certification issued by the Division of Consumer Affairs, New Jersey Office of the Attorney General may be substituted for the Bachelor's degree in Engineering. Applicants must submit proof of the EIT certification and the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam results. The area of discipline indicated on the FE exam results must be in Chemical, Civil, Electrical & Computer, Environmental, Industrial & Systems, Mechanical, or Other Disciplines.

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.