PARKS AND WILDLIFE MAINTENANCE APPRENTICE
Parks and Wildlife Maintenance Apprentice is non-competitive, meaning the state checks your education and experience against the spec instead of ranking you on a test.
Pay on the FY 2027 schedule runs $43,934 to $63,341.
How to apply
This title is not filled by examination — agencies appoint directly.
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See where to apply for this title →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 close supervision of a supervisory official in the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), in a two-year training program, learns to perform various unskilled or semiskilled tasks associated with the construction, maintenance, repair, and improvement of structures, facilities, equipment, and grounds at assigned state parks, forests, recreational areas, historic sites, wildlife management areas, marinas, or any other state-owned facilities within the Natural and Historic Program area; does other related duties as required.
Examples of work
As an apprentice and productive worker: Learns to make simple repairs to state-owned facilities, buildings, property, and grounds, including but not limited to plumbing, electrical, wiring, fences, fireplaces, roofs, tables, benches, and other property. Assists in the construction and maintenance of trails, blinds, berms, and posting of property boundaries of assigned work areas. Assists in the maintenance of roads, dams, dikes, and other miscellaneous construction and maintenance projects and/or repairs. Learns to operate various types of power equipment and vehicles including bulldozers, front-end loaders, tractors, trucks including dump trucks, and snowplows. Learns to maintain trees and shrubs to include trimming, removal, and/or cutting. Learns to assist in the development of programs to clean and maintain roadways, walkways, fields, boat ramps, shooting ranges, raceways, parking areas, and grounds associated with the area of assignment. Learns to perform basic or routine ground maintenance services, including but not limited to grass cutting, field mowing and/or plowing, field maintenance, disking, liming and fertilization, planting and care of flowers, seedlings, shrubs, and trees to include tree maintenance. Learns to perform basic or routine maintenance repairs, including but not limited to painting of area facilities and/or buildings, simple masonry repairs, or repairing signs. Learns to build fire lines. Learns to monitor facility conditions to ensure health, safety, standards, and cleanliness, and to identify any irregularities or potential emergency situations within in the work area. Learns to operate and maintain program area equipment. Learns to identify and report emergency or life-threatening conditions. Learns to maintain security and adhere to program regulations on state parks, forest, recreational areas, wildlife management areas, fish propagation, hatcheries, habitat management, historic sites, marinas, or any other program facilities. May assist in the maintenance of fish hatchery storage facilities and/or wildlife cages and containment areas. Maintains and presents positive public image and wears assigned clothing/uniform in a prescribed manner. Learns to assist in maintenance activities related to agriculture and forestry within wildlife management areas and on all state-owned properties. Collects and disposes of trash and recyclables. Learns to identify needed repairs and/or improvements at assigned work area and notify a supervisor. Ensures that all public and employee sanitary facilities are clean and have adequate quantities of health care products; ensures that the levels and standards of maintenance are performed and achieved as per established by the Department of Health. Learns to operate and maintain all types of licensed and unlicensed vehicles and equipment including power and non-power tools, concrete mixers, and shop tools. Ensures that learned safety practices and standards are followed in the performance of all duties and responsibilities. Learns to use safety and personal protection equipment (PPE) in the prescribed manner as required and trained. Learns to prepare simple reports and maintain essential files and records. Will be required to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related fields.
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 this position. Appointees may be required to obtain a valid Commercial Driver's License (CDL) and applicable endorsements for the class and type of vehicle being operated. Appointees may be required to obtain a valid New Jersey Boat Operator's license.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
Ability to learn the equipment and techniques used to maintain buildings, grounds, and equipment. Ability to learn the uses and maintenance of roadways, walkways, field, parking areas, and grounds associated with the area of assignment. Ability to learn emergency procedures for safeguarding property. Ability to use specialized equipment based on area of assignment. Ability to complete all training courses as required by program management and based on area of assignment. Ability to follow department policies, procedures, rules, and regulations. Ability to understand and follow both oral and written directions. Ability to organize and solve problems involving prescribed procedures. Ability to work alone and with others for various time periods. Ability to interact and communicate effectively with the public. Ability to respond under pressure and in emergency or crisis situations. Ability to prepare simple reports and maintain records. Ability to learn how 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 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 if 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. ADVANCEMENT: Appointee's work performance will be reviewed and rated semi-annually during each twelve (12) months of the two (2) year apprenticeship program. Upon the successful completion of a twenty-four (24) month apprenticeship program, appointees will be eligible for advancement to Parks and Wildlife Maintenance Specialist 1 in accordance with New Jersey Civil Service Commission procedures. The inability of an employee in the apprentice title to attain a level of performance warranting advancement to Parks and Wildlife Maintenance Specialist 1 shall be considered as cause for separation. SPECIAL NOTE: Evidence of prior training and/or experience in the routine maintenance of buildings and grounds, or wildlife and/or fisheries management activities may be submitted with your application for evaluation by the Appointing Authority for possible credit. Applicants deemed qualified may not be required to complete the entire twenty-four (24) month apprenticeship program, based upon the discretion of the Appointing Authority. The Appointing Authority is responsible for verification of the credentials.
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. The responsibility for ensuring that employees possess the required motor vehicle licenses, commensurate with the class and type of vehicles they operate, rests with the Appointing Authority. SPECIAL NOTES: Appointees may be required to obtain a NJ Certified Pesticide Applicator's or Operator's License in the required categories based on area of assignment. Appointees may be designated as essential personnel and must report to their workstation during emergency situations. Appointees may be required to attend training courses to obtain certifications that may be required based on area of assignment. Appointees may be required to wear an appropriate respirator and complete an annual training course in respiratory protection. Appointees may be required to successfully complete a forest fire suppression course administered by the New Jersey Forest Fire Service.