ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNICIAN
To land Environmental Technician in New Jersey you go through the competitive route: you sit an announced exam and the score puts you on the eligible list agencies hire from.
To be eligible you bring a high school diploma and 1 year of relevant experience. The FY2026 range lands between $43,237 and $62,340.
How to apply
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Exam
This is an application to sit an exam and be placed on an eligible list for this title, not an application for a specific job. A $35 application fee applies to Non-Public-Safety announcements issued on or after 2026-02-01. There may be no current vacancy behind it, and the list it produces may not be certified for months or years.
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Exam
Open to permanent employees in the competitive division who hold a qualifying lower title in the same unit. A $35 application fee applies to Non-Public-Safety announcements issued on or after 2026-02-01. Like the open competitive exam, this places you on a list; it is not itself a job offer.
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 supervision of a Principal Environmental Technician, Supervising Environmental Technician, Environmental Engineer, Scientist, or other supervisory official in a state department, institution, or agency, performs semi-skilled and technical engineering or investigation and inspection work in an environmental program; does other related duties as required.
Examples of work
- Performs semi-skilled and technical field or office work in connection with a phase of environmental engineering or environmental quality investigation and inspection work
- Participates in field surveys, collecting and analyzing samples such as air, soil or ground water
- Working individually or as a member of a team, collects samples and/or specimens of air contaminants, vegetation, or other matter; packages field samples for laboratory analysis; transports samples to the laboratory
- Gathers pertinent data and information
- Key enters data into a prescribed computer database or spreadsheet
- Conducts basic measurements and calculations
- Maintains records of samples, monitoring data, and specimens in accordance with established procedures
- Set up, tests, operates, calibrates and maintains specialized control and testing equipment, recording devices and measuring instruments used at designated monitoring sites
- Assists in the investigation and inspection of facilities for compliance with environmental regulations
- Assists in the preparation of reports involving engineering studies and surveys, including special environmental surveys
- Reviews technical documents to ensure completeness and conformance to requirements
- Tests water involved in environmental studies
- Tabulates data; prepares maps, graphs, and charts associated with environmental studies
- Maintains essential records and files
- Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and computerized information system used by the agency, office, or related units
Education
Appointees will be required to provide verification of the satisfactory completion of one or more course in mathematics (algebra, trigonometry, geometry, pre-calculus or calculus) AND one or more course in science (physics, chemistry, environmental, or biological) required in various high school level college preparatory curriculum.
Experience
One (1) year of experience performing field inspections, investigations, and surveys, operating control and testing equipment, recording devices and measuring instruments, and/or providing technical support to an Environmental Scientist, Environmental Specialist, or Environmental Engineer.
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 the fundamental concepts and principles of environmental investigations, inspections, and sampling techniques Knowledge of the methods and procedures used to collect samples and specimens, and of proper storage and transporting methods Knowledge of the equipment and recording, measuring, and testing devices used in the environmental quality program, and the routine maintenance and field calibration of equipment and devices Knowledge of basic algebra and geometry Ability to collect, analyze and interpret simple technical data Ability to perform environmental investigations and inspections, either working alone or as one of a group, and collect and transport samples and specimens to department laboratories Ability to understand and follow written and oral directions Ability to operate, calibrate, and perform simple maintenance on testing equipment and devices Ability to perform simple drafting operations, to read and interpret maps, diagrams, and charts, and to make related computations Ability to perform work in hazardous environments when assigned to a team conducting transportation-related environmental studies Ability to observe established safety rules and precautions Ability to make simple mathematic calculations Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public, co-workers, and others involved in the work of the unit Ability to maintain essential records and files 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, or 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 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. This job specification is applicable to the following title code(s) which are different work week or work month and/or variants of the job class title: Job Spec Code State, Local or Common Class of Service Work Week State Class Code Local Class Code Salary Range
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. Semester hour credits from an accredited college or university in subject areas identical to, or closely related to, the high school coursework identified above will be accepted towards meeting the educational requirement. SPECIAL NOTE: The responsibility for ensuring that employees have satisfactorily completed the required education rests with the Appointing Authority. Thirty (30) semester hour credits from an accredited college or university, which shall have included at least twenty-one (21) semester credit hours in any combination of natural, chemical, environmental, biological, or engineering sciences, may be substituted for one (1) year of work experience. SC4013N/AI14-SC3513N/AI12- This job specification is for government use only. Salary range is only applicable to state government. Local salaries are established by individual local jurisdictions. 10/19/2013