SPFHS-- State Park Police Officer

Open to:
General Public

Work Week: 40 (40-hour) Work Week

Salary: (FA17) $71,668.13 (Non-Negotiable)

Opening Date: 8/26/2026

Closing Date:
When all vacancies are filled

Existing Vacancies: TBD

Department of Environmental Protection

State Parks, Forests and Historic Sites

State Park Police

Bureau of Law Enforcement

Statewide locations to be determined.

Open to applicants who meet the requirements below.

Under the direction of a State Park Police Sergeant or other higher level law enforcement officer in New Jersey State Park Police, State Parks, Forests & Historic Sites Program, or New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, during an assigned tour of duty, performs public assistance and resource protection; functions as a sworn law enforcement officer for State Parks, Forests & Historic Sites and other Department lands and facilities as needed;

acts as liaison with the public; enforces laws and regulations for the protection and management of the health and safety of people and natural and historical resources, as well as environmental enforcement activities within the Department of Environmental Protection; executes all processes for violations within the State Parks, Forests & Historic Sites’ jurisdiction; effectuates arrests and issues summons; authorized to serve warrants;

exercises all the powers and duties conferred by law while conducting regular tour of duty; educates and informs the public, through a working knowledge of forest, wildlife, habitat and watershed management practices, regarding the rules, regulations, laws and management practices of State Parks, Forests & Historic Sites and to enhance environmental awareness and stewardship; provides security services for people, water, land, and structures under the guidelines for Homeland Security;

does other related duties as required.

Applies established law enforcement procedures and techniques to enforce laws of the State of New Jersey, Homeland Security and the Federal government, and to protect visitors and natural, historical and physical resources. Patrols designated State Parks, Forests & Historic Sites and Natural Land Trusts lands and/or facilities by various means, which may include on foot, motor vehicle, mountain bicycle, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), snowmobiles, or watercraft to increase patrol visibility, prevent crime, ensure proper use of the area and protect the resources from illegal activity.

Will be required to successfully complete police academy training and obtain a PTC certificate. Must be CPR/AED certified and pass bi-annual firearms requalification. Must be able to adhere to and apply departmental SOPs, DEP policies and procedures and Attorney General guidelines.

EDUCATION: Graduation from high school or vocational school, or possession of an approved high school equivalency certificate.

CITIZENSHIP: Must be a citizen of the United States of America.

AGE: Applicants must be 18 years of age or older at the announced closing date.

TRAINING: Appointees must successfully complete a Basic Police Training Course certified by the Police Training Commission (PTC). An employee who fails, resigns, or is dismissed from the Basic Police Training Course may be removed from their position.

Appointees must successfully complete firearm qualifications in accordance with Police Training Commission guidelines on a semiannual basis.

Appointees will be required to attend and successfully complete an in-house field training course which will include but not be limited to, Standard Operating Procedures of the State Park Service, introduction into Fish & Wildlife Program rules, regulations, policies and procedures, introduction into Forest Fire Service rules, regulations, policies and procedures, natural lands management, domestic security, protection and preservation of natural and historic resources, communication and team building skills, cultural diversity, customer service and associated training related to the job assignment(s).

Appointees will be required to successfully complete training and maintain certification which includes but is not limited, to…