SENIOR WILDLIFE WORKER
Senior Wildlife Worker is non-competitive, meaning the state checks your education and experience against the spec instead of ranking you on a test.
The main requirement is 1 year of relevant experience. Pay on the FY 2027 schedule runs $42,084 to $60,577, and state payroll currently lists about 21 people in the title, most of them at Environmental Protection.
How to apply
This title is not filled by examination — agencies appoint directly.
See every real route in, and where to apply. One agency employs it. We don't track live vacancies.
See where to apply for this title →Who employs this title
Senior Wildlife Worker appears on the State payroll at one department, Department of Environmental Protection.
State departments
| Employer | Employees |
|---|---|
| Department of Environmental Protection | 21 |
State payroll and independent authority payroll are separate systems and are never merged. See data sources.
Who employs this title
State payroll records show 21 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $56,742. The agencies employing the most are:
- Environmental Protection (21)
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.
Definition
Under the supervision of a Crew Supervisor or other supervisory official in the Division of Fish and Wildlife, Department of Environmental Protection, performs various duties involved in fish and game propagation, growth and health maintenance, resource inventories, fish and game distribution, user surveys, habitat management and performs routine maintenance of buildings, equipment and grounds; does other related work as required.
Examples of work
- Monitors environmental conditions for health, safety and cleanliness, and to detect abnormalities or emergency situations which may endanger the health or life of fish or game or which exceed legally prescribed limitations.
- Initiates or assists in correcting emergency or life-threatening conditions.
- Conducts sampling of fish and aquatic invertebrate populations involving the use of equipment such as seines, gill nets, trawls, plankton nets, rakes, electrofishing equipment, chemicals, trap nets, bottom grabs and dredges; conducts sampling of aquatic or environmental conditions.
- Collects data on fishery and wildlife resources, environmental parameters, human use of resources and other relevant.
- Maintains and repairs Division buildings, grounds, and facilities as necessary.
- Operates and maintains equipment, including but not limited to, pumps, sorters, air blowers, nets, electrofishing gear, boats, boat trailers, outboard motors, water sampling gear, fish tanks, filters, egg pickers, oxygen systems, tractors, trucks, saws, mowers, generators, air compressors, air tools, seeders, incubators, hatchers and brooders.
- Conducts fish and game propagation and maintenance activities including selecting broodstock, monitoring of spawning, hatching and incubation, sexing, feeding, health monitoring and disease control.
- Constructs and maintains trails, blinds, and other informational and educational facilities and equipment.
- Conducts agricultural and forest management activities on wildlife management areas, including but not limited to, preparing seed beds and plant foods, cutting selected trees, utilizing soil erosion control measures, and maintaining waterways, dams and ponds.
- May drive a fish hatchery and game farm distribution trucks to established release sites and liberates the designated number of game fish or birds at each site.
- Monitors life support systems and/or the welfare of fish or game while in transit.
- Provides information and directions to visitors and to the public at fish or game functions, or during pick-up, delivery or distribution of fish and game.
- Operates dump trucks involved in the maintenance of roads, dams and dikes and other miscellaneous construction and maintenance projects.
- Assists in the maintenance of security and adherence to Division regulations on state wildlife management areas, game farms, hatcheries and other Division facilities.
- Maintains and operates deer, turkey, beaver and otter checking stations, as required.
- May take the lead over part-time and/or temporary employees.
- Prepares reports and files.
- Maintains records and files.
- 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
One (1) year of experience in routine wildlife or fisheries management activities including habitat developments, maintenance, propagation and/or conservation.
<b>SPECIAL NOTE</b>
Appointee may be required to wear a half-face respirator and complete an annual training course in respiratory protection.
Appointee may be required to obtain a valid New Jersey boat operator's license.
License
Appointees may be required to possess a valid Commercial Driver's License (CDL) and applicable endorsements for the class and type of vehicle being operated.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
- Knowledge of the equipment and techniques used to maintain buildings, grounds and equipment.
- Knowledge of the uses and maintenance of vehicles, boats and trailers.
- Knowledge of the methods and techniques used to stock fish and game.
- Knowledge of the methods and techniques to collect wildlife resource use data.
- Knowledge of emergency procedures for safeguarding property, fish and game.
- Ability to use specialized methods and the equipment for propagation of fish and game, and wildlife habitat improvement.
- Ability to follow Department regulations and procedures.
- Ability to understand and follow both oral and written directions.
- Ability to organize and solve problems involving prescribed procedures.
- Ability to count, handle, sort, weigh, measure, tag and transport wildlife without causing losses due to excessive strain.
- Ability to read and use maps to perform duties.
- Ability to work alone and with others for various time periods.
- Ability to interact and communicate effectively with the general public.
- Ability to respond under pressure and in emergency or crisis situations.
- Ability to maintain records.
- 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, 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 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
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 license, commensurate with the class and type of vehicles they operate, rests with the Appointing Authority.