RESOURCE INTERPRETIVE SPECIALIST TRAINEE

Code: 54400 State Non-Competitive Range: P95 (FY 2027) Work week NE: FLSA coveredOvertime table (4A:3, Appx. A)

Salary: $58,222.22 - $60,876.32/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 close supervision of a Resource Interpretive Specialist 4, or other supervisory official in the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), as a trainee and a productive worker, receives on-the-job training in developing and implementing educational and interpretive programs focused on natural and/or historic resources; learns to conduct research, develop publications, and promote information related to natural and/or historical resource interpretation and scheduled events; learns procedures for monitoring the use, preservation, and management of natural or historical resource facilities and related resources; conducts research, interprets data, and presents findings on topics related to New Jersey's natural resources or historical background; does other related duties as required.

Examples of work

Under close supervision as a trainee and productive worker: Receives training and learns to conduct research and develop and implement educational and interpretive programs focused on historical and/or environmental-based topics. Engages in resource stewardship within a forest, park, natural resource, or historical facility in the state, under close supervision. Learns the methods used to write and edit text and content for articles on program events and featured exhibits across various formats, including publications, brochures, websites, social media posts, and other digital or media layouts. Learns to develop audience-specific interpretive and educational programs, events, exhibits, and digital media posts to raise public awareness and appreciation of a historical or natural resource facility and to highlight its significance. Learns to develop and conduct interpretive programs, lectures, classes, educational programs, and guided tours for groups of various ages and interest levels at a historical or natural resource facility. Interprets the cultural, historical, ecological, or natural scientific significance of the site and its resources. Learns to maintain 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. Learns to plan public events and programs related to historical or natural resources. Learns to conduct research by using both primary and secondary sources and interprets the findings. Incorporates key elements into the design and implementation of special projects for environmental, natural, and/or historical, and resource events, programs, and exhibits. Learns to plan and develop media content for public events and programs related to historical or natural resources. Learns to draft content on environmental, natural, and or historic resource topics, including illustrations and text for publications and digital media posts. Learns to collaborate with the academic community and partner organizations to develop environmental and/or natural and/or historic resource education programs and initiatives for the facility. Learns to coordinate natural and/or historic resources and stewardship projects with a focus on public awareness and education. Specific activities may include conservation efforts aimed at invasive species management as well as habitat creation or artifact restoration. Learns to identify, develop, maintain, and provide information about interpretive facilities in both newly acquired and existing areas. Learns to provide recommendations for program displays and exhibits as part of a historical/natural resource interpretive program. Ensures that displays and brochure racks are professional, clean, and fully stocked, and distributes relevant program brochures and publications to the public. Learns to research and compile information on cultural, historical, environmental, and/or natural resource topics. Shares insights to raise public awareness, educate and inform visitors, and enhance visitor experiences by providing details about the facility's resources. Learns to compile information about the vendor bidding process for brochures and supplies related to cultural, historical, environmental, and/or natural resource programs. Learns about the steps in the grant writing process, including researching appropriate funding sources and drafting applications. Learns to recommend creative concepts for displays, articles, and features related to historical and/or natural resource topics for program events and publications. Learns to prepare, select, and arrange suitable photographic and illustrative content for articles and publications related to historical or natural resource topics. Learns to create and update program publications, including site guides, booklets, and brochures that detail the site's cultural, historical, environmental, or natural resources, and additional information about other state facilities. Ensures they are consistent with the established editorial policies for both content and style. Learns to coordinate distinct educational and interpretive programs and events related to historical or natural resources in collaboration with appropriate staff. These activities may include supporting a professional development training program for teachers. Learns to organize conferences, seminars, and workshops by providing background and written information to participants and other interested parties as needed. Learns to provide technical assistance to visitors and other interested parties in response to routine or basic inquiries. Learns to perform routine care and maintenance of the educational displays and supplies at a natural resource or historical facility. Learns methods for handling and protecting museum objects. Learns to prepare reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Learns to monitor the use of a historical and/or natural resource area by inspecting the site for deficiencies, such as overuse or damage, and notifying the appropriate authority to ensure conservation. Learns to identify and report hazardous or detrimental conditions to the appropriate authority and assists in conducting basic preventive maintenance at a historical resource facility. Learns to stay informed about new developments in natural or historical resource management, as well as museum curation techniques and technologies. Learns to investigate complaints of alleged violations of rules and regulations governing forests, parks, and/or natural areas at their assigned location. Learns to maintain a collection of artifacts at a historic house, museum, or village. Responsibilities may include tasks such as cleaning, cataloging, and basic conservation of historical objects using modern curation techniques and methods. May also be responsible for curatorial care and general museum upkeep. Learns about the archives and repositories for New Jersey and other historical source agencies. Learns to ensure the proper conditions of the museum's storage areas for artifacts and collections by monitoring them and the exhibits for potential environmental problems or other issues. Establishes and maintain essential records and files. 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

For Positions in Natural Resources: 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; or a bachelor's degree in education that includes or is supplemented by eighteen (18) credits in any combination of the previously listed areas. OR: For Positions in Historical Resources: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in 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 with 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.

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

Ability to learn about the history of New Jersey and its natural resources, including the State's flora and fauna. Ability to learn the basic principles and practices of natural resource management, after a period of training. Ability to learn how to coordinate activities with program volunteers. Ability to learn the basic principles of natural resources and/or historical interpretation, and to follow relevant guidelines for developing and delivering interpretive programs. Ability to learn methods for developing and delivering educational and interpretive programs related to environmental, natural resource, cultural, or historical topics. Ability to learn how to write and edit text and content for articles on program events and featured exhibits in various formats. This includes publications, displays, exhibits, brochures, websites, social media, and other digital or print media, after a period of training. Ability to learn and practice historical or natural resource management principles, after a period of training. Ability to learn how to recommend creative concepts for displays, articles, and or features on historical, cultural, environmental, or natural resource topics for program events and publications, including print or digital media posts, especially on social media. Ability to learn how to research, compile, and analyze information. Ability to learn how to maintain historic sites and museums, ensuring they remain authentic, clean, safe, and visually appealing. Ability to learn to perform routine care and maintenance of the educational displays and supplies at a natural resource facility. Ability to learn the methods used to prepare museum exhibits and displays. Ability to learn how to catalog museum objects using current museum methods and practices. Ability to learn the methods for handling and protecting museum objects. Ability to learn graphic design, layout, and publishing methods used in developing and maintaining historical resource publications. Ability to learn how to acquire artwork, exhibit items, or graphic arts content necessary for creating and maintaining publications, exhibits, and digital media posts for historical, environmental, or natural resource programs. Ability to communicate effectively with audiences of diverse ages and backgrounds. Ability to learn how to prepare, review, and edit various types of written material. Ability to learn how to prepare technical and other informative reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Ability to learn how to draft correspondence for review by a supervisor. Ability to learn how to conduct guided tours that highlight specific points of interest in historic or natural areas of a state facility and to interpret their significance, after a period of training. Ability to learn how to prepare, select, and arrange suitable photographic and illustrative content on cultural, historical, environmental, and/or natural resource topics for articles and program publications, after a period of training. Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with staff, volunteers, and other interested parties. Ability to learn how to plan state historical, environmental, and/or natural resource events, after a period of training. Ability to learn to identify and report hazardous or detrimental conditions, such as damage or misuse, to the appropriate authority and assist in conducting basic preventive maintenance of a historical or natural resource facility after a period of training. Ability to learn how to assist in investigating complaints concerning alleged rules and regulations governing forests, parks, or natural areas. Ability to learn how to implement interpretive and educational programs and plan environmental or natural resource events. Ability to learn how to establish and maintain records and files. Ability to learn to read, analyze, interpret, and apply policies, procedures, and basic rules and regulations within a state facility. 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: Appointees who successfully complete the twelve (12)-month training period will be eligible for advancement to one of the following titles in accordance with New Jersey Civil Service Commission procedures: Resource Interpretive Specialist 1 (Historical Resources), OR Resource Interpretive Specialist 1 (Natural Resources). The inability of an employee in this trainee title to attain a level of performance warranting advancement to a title listed above shall be considered as cause for separation.

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. Appointees may be required to obtain bonding from an appropriate agency that manages artifacts and collections.