RESOURCE INTERPRETIVE SPECIALIST 4
Career Family: RESOURCE INTERPRETIVE SPECIALIST
New Jersey treats Resource Interpretive Specialist 4 as a competitive-class job, so the gate is an examination and the ranked list it produces rather than a direct offer.
This is the senior rung of the Resource Interpretive Specialist series, the level you reach after Resource Interpretive Specialist 3. The minimum is a bachelor's degree and 4 years of relevant experience. The FY2026 range lands between $88,530 and $130,339, and state payroll currently lists 2 people in the title, most of them at Environmental Protection.
How to get hired
- Watch for an open-competitive announcement for Resource Interpretive Specialist 4 on the NJ Civil Service Commission jobs portal. Announcements run for a fixed filing window.
- Apply during that window and sit the examination. Depending on the title, that can be a written test, a rating of your training and experience, or a mix of the two.
- Passing scores go onto a ranked eligible list. Veterans get preference points added on top of their score.
- When an agency has a vacancy it must appoint from the top of that list under the "Rule of Three." Many competitive jobs are first filled provisionally while the list is being built.
Read the official specification at NJ Civil Service Commission.
Pay ladder: Resource Interpretive Specialist series
- Resource Interpretive Specialist 1, Natural Resources — $61,510 – $89,810
- Resource Interpretive Specialist 2, Historic — $67,312 – $98,503
- Resource Interpretive Specialist 3 — $77,144 – $113,264
- Resource Interpretive Specialist 4 — $88,530 – $130,339 (this title)
Its top salary lands around the 72nd percentile of all NJ civil service titles that publish a range.
Rungs are ordered by FY2026 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 2 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $121,977. The agencies employing the most are:
- Environmental Protection (2)
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.
Definition
Under the direction of a supervisory official in the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), supervises staff engaged in developing and implementing natural and/or historical resource-themed educational and interpretive programs; supervises staff and work activities; prepares and signs official performance evaluations for subordinate staff; does related duties as required.
Examples of work
Supervises the work operations and/or functional programs and has responsibility for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting, and/or disciplining of employees. Oversees arrangements for interpretive and educational programs and public events focused on environmental, historical, and natural resources. This involves ensuring that themes and content are cohesive with related publications, displays, exhibits, and digital media campaigns. This role involves overseeing the development of all printed materials, artwork, and informational graphics, including pictures, maps, photos, and other illustrations. Pursues, implements, and oversees strategies for creating and updating content used in facility tours, exhibits, digital media posts, and program publications, including books, pamphlets, and other reading materials. Additional responsibilities include reviewing, editing, and finalizing content and style based on established editorial standards. Compiles relevant information and analyzes the findings to develop and implement specialized projects and distinct exhibits focused on environmental conservation, natural resource management, and/or historical preservation for educational purposes. Oversees a system for referencing the procedures and graphic design elements used in developing historical or natural resource content for program materials and supplies as part of a public information initiative. Oversees arrangements for program classes, tours, conferences, seminars, projects, and workshops. Directs vendors on graphic design, print, and photography layouts for a range of program publications, ensuring timely and accurate delivery. Supervises project schedules to ensure that all program milestones are completed by established deadlines. Proactively identifies and addresses complex problems or critical issues as they arise. Drafts correspondence to provide updates and communicate with staff, the public, and other stakeholders. Establishes editorial standards for content and style and oversees staff adherence to these policies when drafting and updating program publications. Directs authors to create illustrations for articles about environmental, historical, and/or natural resource events according to established editorial standards. Oversees the creation of audio, video, and digital content for programs that align with Statewide educational initiatives and efforts toward ensuring public engagement in state-affiliated historical and/or natural programs and events. Leads the integration of the Statewide Interpretive Plan into programs and organizational objectives. Additional responsibilities include evaluating current facility programs to assess their impact on the established goals under the State Plan and developing new interpretive and educational initiatives as needed for adherence. This role may also involve creating site specific programs, as well as interpretive and general management plans in line with state objectives. Advises on the publishing schedule and the selection of articles and illustrative materials, ensuring that final selections align with the set editorial standards for program publications. Leads promotional efforts to enhance visibility and attendance at environmental, historical, and/or natural resource events. Coordinates an inter-divisional committee for resource interpretive initiatives, focusing on enhancing public awareness, designing graphics for program publications, and promoting interpretive and environmental events to the public. Fosters collaboration and positive working relationships with the academic community and other organizations or interested parties on shared interests related to interpretive programs and the utilization of their assigned historical or natural resource facility. Supervises the establishment and maintenance of essential records and files. Directs the stages of press releases to promote historical, environmental, or natural resource events and designs layouts for news advertisements. Plans public signings for enacted laws or acts related to these initiatives and extends invitations to elected public officials. Develops, implements, and supervises educational and interpretive programs, research efforts, and associated public programs at a historical, environmental, or natural resource facility. Develops and oversees distinct environmental or historical resource interpretive programs and events in collaboration with the academic community and appropriate staff. Additionally, develops and implements teacher training programs related to environmental, historical, and/or natural resource education. Oversees regional natural resource and/or historical site programs and facility use, supervising assigned interpretive staff and volunteers in operating and maintaining all educational, interpretive, conservation, and stewardship programs. Also oversees facility staff in the care and upkeep of museum, exhibits, collections, artifacts, and associated natural and historical site resources, ensuring their proper use, storage, conservation, and preservation. Oversees training programs and workshops for staff and volunteers. Provides technical assistance to visitors or other interested parties, responding to complex inquiries. Prepares grant applications and assists in preparing regional or statewide budget and spending plans. May be required to assess capital projects and land acquisition program proposals related to statewide environmental or historical resource education and interpretive initiatives. Oversees staff in identifying, locating, and procuring historical objects, artifacts, and materials used in newly created or updated curated collections and exhibits for the facility's interpretive or educational programs. Supervises the preparation of reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. 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 units.
Education
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in ecology, forestry, earth science, natural resource management, environmental science, environmental studies, environmental education, wildlife management, sustainability, a biological science, or a closely related natural or environmental scientific field, history, American History, art history, architectural history, American Studies, American Literature, anthropology, archaeology, museum studies, or a closely related historical or museum studies field; or a bachelor's degree in education, or English that includes or is supplemented by eighteen (18) credits in any combination of the previously listed areas.
Experience
Four (4) years of experience in any of the following areas: managing historical or natural resources, researching and preparing environmental, natural resource, or historical resource information; interpreting natural, or historical resources; implementing environmental, environmental education, or natural or historical resource programs; planning, preparing, and caring for museum exhibits, artistic or historical artifacts, or museum curation.
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 research methods and techniques. Knowledge of the methods used to write and edit text and content for articles on program events and featured exhibits in various formats, including publications, brochures, websites, and other digital and print media layouts. Knowledge of natural and historical resource management principles and practices. Knowledge of the methods used to prepare museum exhibits and displays. Knowledge of graphic arts design, layout, and publishing methods used in developing and maintaining environmental, historical, and natural resource publications. Knowledge of the methods for acquiring the artwork, exhibit items, or graphic arts content necessary for creating and maintaining publications, exhibits, and digital media posts for an environmental, natural resource, and/or historical resource program. Knowledge of the methods used to handle and protect museum objects. Knowledge of the supervisory methods and ability to apply these techniques in overseeing a historic or cultural site and facility. Ability to implement and oversee creative concepts for articles and features on environmental, historical, and/or natural resource topics for program events and publications. Ability to oversee staff activities in conducting guided tours that highlight key points of interest in natural areas or historic settings, while interpreting their natural, ecological, and historical significance. Ability to oversee the maintenance of historic sites and museums, ensuring they remain authentic, clean, safe, and visually appealing. Ability to communicate effectively with audiences of diverse ages and backgrounds. Ability to oversee the cataloging of museum objects using current museum methods and practices. Ability to supervise the research, compilation, and analysis of information. Ability to supervise the preparation, review, and editing of various types of written material. Ability to prepare technical and other informative reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Ability to supervise the preparation of correspondence. Ability to read, analyze, interpret, and apply policies, procedures, and basic rules and regulations in a state facility. Ability to supervise assigned staff and to plan, organize, and implement projects within the unit. Ability to direct the preparation of photographic and illustrative content for articles on environmental, historical, and/or natural resource topics. Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with staff and other state, federal, non-profit, and community partners. Ability to direct planning for state historical, environmental, and/or natural resource events and to serve as a liaison to other government offices and private entities. Ability to evaluate interpretive and educational programs, assess their effectiveness, and implement improvements as needed. Ability to oversee staff efforts to identify and report hazardous and detrimental conditions, such as damage or misuse, and to conduct preventive maintenance of a site and its resources. Ability to oversee staff efforts to investigate complaints concerning alleged violations of laws and regulations governing forests, parks, or natural resources. Ability to supervise the establishment and maintenance of essential records and files. 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.
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 master's degree in ecology, forestry, earth science, natural resource management, environmental science, environmental studies, environmental education, wildlife management, sustainability, a biological science, or a closely related natural or environmental scientific field, history, American History, American Literature, art history, architectural history, anthropology, archaeology, American Studies, museum studies, or a closely related historical or museum studies field; or a master's degree in education or English that includes or is supplemented by nine (9) credits in any combination of the previously listed areas may be substituted for one (1) year of experience. Appointees may be required to obtain a bond from an appropriate agency that manages artifacts and/or collections.