OCR-2025-13i Climate Resilience Policy Intern

The NJ Department of Environmental Protection is hiring a Climate Resilience Policy Intern to assist with the implementation of climate resilience initiatives. The intern will support outreach, research, and materials development related to climate change strategies. This part-time position offers 20-25 hours per week at an hourly rate of $18-$23 and is open to applicants in their senior year or graduate programs in relevant fields. The job is located in Trenton, NJ.
Open to: General Public
Work Week: 20-25 Hours Per Week
Hourly Rate: $18-$23 based on education
Existing Vacancies: 1

Program/Location
Department of Environmental Protection
The Office of Climate Resilience
44 South Clinton Ave
Trenton, NJ 08625

Scope of Eligibility
Open to applicants who meet the requirements below.

Program Description
The Office of Climate Resilience (OCR) oversees, coordinates, and implements major state initiatives and programs related to building New Jersey’s resilience to the impacts of climate change, and provides technical guidance and support to local governments in their efforts to plan for and address the current and anticipated impacts of climate change. In his role of Chief Climate Resilience Officer, Nick Angarone works to coordinate statewide resilience policy, and leads and directs the development of the Statewide Climate Change Resilience Strategy (Resilience Strategy). Through Executive Order No. 89, the Interagency Council on Climate Resilience (IAC or Interagency Council) was established to develop short- and long-term action plans that will promote the mitigation, adaptation, and resilience of New Jersey’s economy, communities, infrastructure, and natural resources. The Chief Resilience Officer serves as Vice-Chair of the Interagency Council and the OCR provides staff support. Project Description: The Climate Resilience Policy Interns will work closely with the Office of Climate Resilience staff on advancing implementation of Climate Change Resilience Strategy and Extreme Heat Resilience Action Plan in close coordination with the Interagency Council. The successful candidate will demonstrate capacity to support the implementation of statewide climate resilience initiatives, assisting with desktop research, materials development, and stakeholder engagement, under the direction of the Deputy Chief Climate Resilience Officer and/or the chairs of IAC workgroups.

Project Description
To address the wide range of topics affected by climate change, the Interagency Council established workgroups focusing on specific issues and tasks. Current workgroup topics include IAC Outreach and Engagement Strategy, Extreme Heat Coordinated Communications, and Vulnerability Assessments. The Summer 2025 Resilience Policy Intern will be tasked with supporting outreach to external audiences (e.g., support with publication drafting, resilience-related communications materials, social media and website content, extreme heat awareness and preparedness outreach, etc.) as well as preparing research briefs and drafting materials for workgroup discussion and consideration (e.g., issue or project memos, literature reviews, meeting slides, etc.). The Climate Resilience Policy Intern will also be assigned duties supporting the OCR Communications & Outreach workgroup as they work to accelerate and expand the reach of OCR projects, initiatives, publications and work products.

Preferred Skill Set
Seeking individuals enrolled in an accredited university/college who are in their senior year or graduate level program studying Political Science, Environmental Studies, Climate Resilience, Public Policy or other related fields. Applied project or coursework experience with climate-related outreach and stakeholder engagement is highly preferred, where available. Submission of writing samples or other materials demonstrating the candidate’s efforts at translating science.

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.

SAME Applicants
If you are applying under the NJ SAME program, your supporting documents (Schedule A or B letter) must be submitted along with your resume by the closing date indicated above. For more information on the SAME program, please visit SAME Program, email SAME@csc.nj.gov, or call Civil Service Commission at (609) 292-4144 and select Option #3.

Veteran's Preference
To qualify for New Jersey Veteran's Preference/status, you must establish Veteran's Preference through the Department of Military and Veteran's Affairs. Please submit proof of your Veteran's Preference along with your resume as indicated. For more information, please visit https://www.nj.gov/military/veterans/services/civil-service-preference/

Residency
All persons newly hired on or after September 1, 2011, have one year from the date of employment to establish, and then maintain principal residence in the State of New Jersey subject to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 52:14-7 (L.2011, Chapter 70), also known as the “New Jersey First Act”.

Authorization to Work
Selected candidates must be authorized to work in the United States per the Department of Homeland Security, United States Citizenship, and Immigration Services regulations. NOTE: The State of New Jersey does not provide sponsorship for citizenship to the United States.

Equal Opportunity Employment
The State of New Jersey seeks to increase the richness and diversity of its workforce, and in doing so, become the employer of choice for all people seeking to work in State Government. To evaluate the effectiveness of our efforts to attract and employ a diverse workforce, applicants are asked to voluntarily answer a few brief questions on the NJ Affirmative Action Information Form. All information is considered confidential and will be filed separately with the agency's affirmative action officer. This information will not be part of your application for employment and will not be considered in any hiring decision.

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to inclusive hiring and a diverse workforce. We strongly encourage people from all backgrounds to apply. Accommodations under ADA will be provided upon request.