PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNICIAN WATER RESOURCES (R18)

Code: 59976D State Competitive Range: R18 (FY 2027) Work week 35: FLSA coveredOvertime table (4A:3, Appx. A)

Salary: $58,222.22 - $84,763.22/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 general supervision of the Supervising Environmental Technician or other supervisory official in the Department of Environmental Protection, plans and supervises the work of subordinates in the performance of technical, semi-skilled and other field and office work in connection with a phase of environmental engineering, sanitation, or environmental investigations and inspections pertaining to water resources, Supervises staff and work activities; prepares and signs official performance evaluations for subordinate staff; does other related duties.

Examples of work

• Plans and supervises field and office work in connection with a phase of environmental engineering, sanitation, or environmental quality investigation and inspection work pertaining to water.
• Assigns work and supervises staff collecting samples or specimens of surface water, potable water, ground water, industrial waste waters, soil, vegetation, sewage, or other matter and the transporting to assigned laboratories for analysis.
• Supervises records of samples and specimens.
• Supervises collection and recording of data.
• Acts as a witness for the department when legal action is required.
• Supervises staff operating and maintaining specialized collection, control and testing equipment, recording devices, measuring instruments and the necessary calibration adjustments.
• Oversees chemical, physical or bacteriological field tests and inspections.
• Prepares reports.
• Supervises the maintenance of records and files.
• Supervises the work operations and/or functional programs and has responsibility for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting and/or disciplining of employees.
• 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.

Experience

Three (3) years of experience conducting field inspections, investigations, and surveys, operating collection, measuring, recording, or testing equipment, and/or other work in sub- professional environmental engineering, sanitation or related work, pertaining to water resources.

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 the position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Knowledge of the fundamental concepts and principles of environmental investigations, inspections, and sampling techniques.
• Knowledge of department laws, rules regulations, requirements, and policies.
• Knowledge of the legal requirements and procedures for collecting samples and specimens and proper storage and transporting methods.
• Knowledge of the use of specific equipment and collection, recording, measuring and testing devices used in the environmental investigation programs and of the maintenance and field calibration of equipment and devices pertaining to water resources.
• Knowledge of dye testing techniques used to determine sources of contamination.
• Knowledge of maps, charts and diagram interpretation and its computations.
• Ability to conduct investigations and inspections.
• Ability to provide assignments and instruction to staff and supervise their work performance.
• Ability to read and interpret laws, rules and regulations and apply them to specific situations.
• Ability to conduct duties in hazardous environments.
• Ability to use and work from a small boat.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with coworkers and others interested in the work of the unit.
• Ability to collect and transmit samples and specimens to assigned laboratories.
• Ability to operate, calibrate and perform maintenance service on equipment and devices.
• Ability to read and interpret maps, diagrams and charts and make related computations.
• Ability to work harmoniously with co-workers and members of the public and other agencies.
• Ability to observe established safety rules and precautions.
• Ability to collect extensive data and prepare accurate reports.
• Ability to establish and maintain 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 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 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.

Applicants who do not possess the required experience may substitute college credits in natural, chemical, environmental, biological or engineering sciences on a year for year basis up to two (2) years. Twenty-two (22) semester hour credits in the above technical subjects and eight (8) semester hour credits in general subjects equal to one (1) year of college credits.