COS-2026-5 Program Specialist 2 (Internal Posting)
Be an Early Applicant
The Role
The role involves leading program activities, managing social media content, and promoting DEP initiatives while coordinating with stakeholders and responding during emergencies.
Summary Generated by Built In
Open to: Division-Wide
Work Week: NE (35-hour) Work Week
Salary: (P21) $64,340.11 - $94,061.71
Opening Date: 4/24/26
Closing Date: 5/8/26
Existing Vacancies: 1
Program/Location
Department of Environmental Protection
Office of the Chief of Staff
Division of Communications
Office of Communications and Outreach
401 East State Street
Trenton, NJ 08625
Scope of Eligibility
Open to permanent employees in a competitive title who work in the Office of the Chief of Staff and meet the requirements below.
Description
Under the limited supervision of a Program Specialist 3 or 4, or other supervisory official in a state department, institution or agency, or in a local jurisdiction, takes the lead over professional and/or technical staff engaged in program activities; performs professional, administrative and analytical work to promote the planning, operation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of various programs and services administered by the Department of assignment; conducts the research and field work necessary to meet the needs of the appropriate state and/or local public or private agencies; does other related work.
Specific to the Position
Overall, this position will provide consistent and clear messaging on social media regarding DEP initiatives, news, projects, and other work. Specifically, the position will post daily content on DEP’s social media platforms; maintain a social media planning calendar; develop and implement social media campaigns in collaboration with the Deputy Communications Director; coordinate with DEP program-specific social media accounts, as well as sister agency and stakeholder social media accounts; provide real-time updates during environmental emergencies; and respond to public outreach when appropriate.
Preferred Skill Set
A strong candidate for this role has experience managing social media content across a variety of platforms, including Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, etc. They exhibit strong time management, writing, and graphical communications skills (e.g., Canva), which they utilize to produce compelling written and visual content. The candidate must also have experience taking and editing photos in a professional setting.
Requirements
Applicants must meet one of the following or a combination of both experience and education. Thirty (30) semester hour credits are equal to one (1) year of relevant experience.
Six (6) years of professional experience in planning, monitoring, coordinating, implementing, modifying and/or evaluating agency programs and services.
OR
Possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; and two (2) years of the above-mentioned professional experience.
OR
Possession of a Master's degree from an accredited college or university in a discipline appropriate for the position; and one (1) year of the above-mentioned professional experience.
NOTE: All U.S. degrees and transcripts must be from an accredited college or university. All foreign degrees and transcripts must be evaluated for accreditation by a recognized evaluation service by the closing date of this posting. Failure to provide documentation may result in ineligibility.
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.
Benefits
As a New Jersey State Department, NJDEP offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:
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.
Work Week: NE (35-hour) Work Week
Salary: (P21) $64,340.11 - $94,061.71
Opening Date: 4/24/26
Closing Date: 5/8/26
Existing Vacancies: 1
Program/Location
Department of Environmental Protection
Office of the Chief of Staff
Division of Communications
Office of Communications and Outreach
401 East State Street
Trenton, NJ 08625
Scope of Eligibility
Open to permanent employees in a competitive title who work in the Office of the Chief of Staff and meet the requirements below.
Description
Under the limited supervision of a Program Specialist 3 or 4, or other supervisory official in a state department, institution or agency, or in a local jurisdiction, takes the lead over professional and/or technical staff engaged in program activities; performs professional, administrative and analytical work to promote the planning, operation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of various programs and services administered by the Department of assignment; conducts the research and field work necessary to meet the needs of the appropriate state and/or local public or private agencies; does other related work.
Specific to the Position
Overall, this position will provide consistent and clear messaging on social media regarding DEP initiatives, news, projects, and other work. Specifically, the position will post daily content on DEP’s social media platforms; maintain a social media planning calendar; develop and implement social media campaigns in collaboration with the Deputy Communications Director; coordinate with DEP program-specific social media accounts, as well as sister agency and stakeholder social media accounts; provide real-time updates during environmental emergencies; and respond to public outreach when appropriate.
Preferred Skill Set
A strong candidate for this role has experience managing social media content across a variety of platforms, including Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, etc. They exhibit strong time management, writing, and graphical communications skills (e.g., Canva), which they utilize to produce compelling written and visual content. The candidate must also have experience taking and editing photos in a professional setting.
Requirements
Applicants must meet one of the following or a combination of both experience and education. Thirty (30) semester hour credits are equal to one (1) year of relevant experience.
Six (6) years of professional experience in planning, monitoring, coordinating, implementing, modifying and/or evaluating agency programs and services.
OR
Possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; and two (2) years of the above-mentioned professional experience.
OR
Possession of a Master's degree from an accredited college or university in a discipline appropriate for the position; and one (1) year of the above-mentioned professional experience.
NOTE: All U.S. degrees and transcripts must be from an accredited college or university. All foreign degrees and transcripts must be evaluated for accreditation by a recognized evaluation service by the closing date of this posting. Failure to provide documentation may result in ineligibility.
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.
Benefits
As a New Jersey State Department, NJDEP offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:
- Paid Benefit Leave
- Holiday Pay
- Alternative Workweek Program*
- Telework*
- Pension
- Deferred Compensation
- Health Benefits (medical, prescription drug, dental & vision care) and Life Insurance
- Flexible and Health Spending Accounts (FSA/HSA)
- Commuter Tax Savings Program
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
- Tuition Reimbursement*
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.
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The Company
What We Do
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) is a government agency responsible for managing the state's natural resources, protecting its air, land, and water, and addressing issues related to pollution, thereby making New Jersey a stronger and fairer state.
