OEJ-2025-16i - Spark Environmental Justice Outreach & Engagement Intern

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection is hiring an Environmental Justice Outreach & Engagement Intern for a fully in-person role in Trenton, NJ. The internship, running from September 22 to December 15, 2025, involves supporting outreach and engagement efforts to improve environmental justice in vulnerable communities. Candidates should be enrolled in a graduate program related to environmental studies or urban planning, and strong research and writing skills are required.
Title: Environmental Justice Outreach & Engagement Intern
Posting Number: OEJ-2025-16i
Closing Date: July 1, 2025
Start Date: September 22, 2025
End Date: December 15, 2025
Existing Vacancies: 1
Location: 401 East State Street, Trenton NJ 08625

Internship Hours Per Week: Fully in person up to 35 hours per week

Hourly Rate: Sliding Scale based on Education Level ($18-$23 Per Hour)

Program: Office of Environmental Justice

Program Description: OEJ aims to improve the quality of life in New Jersey's most vulnerable communities by educating and empowering communities who are often outside of government decision-making processes and guiding DEP's programs and other state departments and agencies in implementing environmental justice.

OEJ focuses on three main priorities:
• Priority 1: Amend DEP's internal work to incorporate environmental justice.
• Priority 2: Facilitate a council of NJ agencies to amend the way the entire state achieves environmental justice.
• Priority 3: Engage with EJ communities and remove barriers to accessing resources so that communities are better informed and heard.

Project Description: The intern will work closely with OEJ staff to support outreach, engagement, and the implementation of priority 3 in OEJ - To engage with EJ communities and remove barriers to accessing resources so that communities are better informed and heard.

Specific to the Position:Strong research and writing skills required.

Preferred Area of Study: Seeking individuals enrolled in a graduate level program at an accredited university / college studying environmental studies, urban planning/design, or design research.

License: Appointee 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.

Employee Benefits
TES / Hourly employee benefits include:
• Earned Sick Time*
• Pursuant to the State/Department's policy, procedures, and/or guidelines.

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.

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

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 https://nj.gov/csc/same/overview/index.shtml, email [email protected], or call CSC at (609) 292- 4144 and select Option #3.

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.