New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
Jobs
LREP-2026-2H Research Analyst/Paralegal (Hourly)
Be an Early Applicant
The Role
Provides legal and paralegal assistance for public real estate acquisitions, including reviewing title searches, title insurance policies, recorded instruments, contracts, closing documents, correspondence, and legal agreements. Prepares memoranda and related documents, supports real estate closings and post-closing administration, and collaborates with regulatory officers, attorneys general, and paralegal staff.
Summary Generated by Built In
Open to: General Public
Work Week: 35 Hours Per Week (up to 944 hours maximum per fiscal year)
Salary: $25 Per Hour
Opening Date: 8/20/2026
Closing Date: 9/10/2026
Existing Vacancies: 2
Program/Location
Department of Environmental Protection
Legal Regulatory & Enforcement Policy
Office of Transactions and Public Land Administration
Legal and Transactional Operations
401 East State Street
Trenton, NJ 08625
Scope of Eligibility
Open to applicants who meet the requirements below.
Description
Under supervision of a supervisory official or other designated official in a state department, institution, or agency, performs varied work incidental to the acquisition of real estate or interests therein, including review of title searches and title insurance policies, the determination of the legal effect of recorded instruments and the preparation of memoranda and other required documents; does related work as required.
Specific to the Position
Provide legal assistance, including the preparation and review of acquisition contracts, as well as real estate closing documents and correspondence. The selected candidate will work directly with DEP regulatory officers, Deputy Attorneys General (DAsG), and existing paralegal/research analyst staff who handle contract preparation, real estate closings, and post-closing administration (which also may include assistance with the preparation and review of legal agreements to utilize DEP land).
Preferred Skill Set
Preference will be given to candidates with prior experience working on or handling real estate agreements and transactions, particularly those involving public entities. Excellent analytical skills; professional written and oral communication skills, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to work independently, as well as in a group/team atmosphere.
Requirements
Graduation from an accredited college or university with an Associate's degree in Paralegal Studies, or an Associate’s degree and a Certificate of Proficiency in Paralegal Studies.
NOTE: A Juris Doctorate (JD) degree may be substituted for the above education requirement. If you are substituting a Juris Doctorate (JD) for the required education, please upload a copy of your transcript with your application. Failure to do so will result in ineligibility.
AND
Two (2) years of experience as a paralegal in a law firm, legal tribunal, or legal department in a public or private entity whose primary function is the research, enactment, enforcement, or litigation of legal matters.
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.
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/
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 email [email protected], or call CSC at (609) 292-4144 and select Option #3.
Employee Benefits
TES / Hourly employee benefits include:
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: 35 Hours Per Week (up to 944 hours maximum per fiscal year)
Salary: $25 Per Hour
Opening Date: 8/20/2026
Closing Date: 9/10/2026
Existing Vacancies: 2
Program/Location
Department of Environmental Protection
Legal Regulatory & Enforcement Policy
Office of Transactions and Public Land Administration
Legal and Transactional Operations
401 East State Street
Trenton, NJ 08625
Scope of Eligibility
Open to applicants who meet the requirements below.
Description
Under supervision of a supervisory official or other designated official in a state department, institution, or agency, performs varied work incidental to the acquisition of real estate or interests therein, including review of title searches and title insurance policies, the determination of the legal effect of recorded instruments and the preparation of memoranda and other required documents; does related work as required.
Specific to the Position
Provide legal assistance, including the preparation and review of acquisition contracts, as well as real estate closing documents and correspondence. The selected candidate will work directly with DEP regulatory officers, Deputy Attorneys General (DAsG), and existing paralegal/research analyst staff who handle contract preparation, real estate closings, and post-closing administration (which also may include assistance with the preparation and review of legal agreements to utilize DEP land).
Preferred Skill Set
Preference will be given to candidates with prior experience working on or handling real estate agreements and transactions, particularly those involving public entities. Excellent analytical skills; professional written and oral communication skills, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to work independently, as well as in a group/team atmosphere.
Requirements
Graduation from an accredited college or university with an Associate's degree in Paralegal Studies, or an Associate’s degree and a Certificate of Proficiency in Paralegal Studies.
NOTE: A Juris Doctorate (JD) degree may be substituted for the above education requirement. If you are substituting a Juris Doctorate (JD) for the required education, please upload a copy of your transcript with your application. Failure to do so will result in ineligibility.
AND
Two (2) years of experience as a paralegal in a law firm, legal tribunal, or legal department in a public or private entity whose primary function is the research, enactment, enforcement, or litigation of legal matters.
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.
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/
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 email [email protected], or call CSC at (609) 292-4144 and select Option #3.
Employee Benefits
TES / Hourly employee benefits include:
- Earned Sick Time*
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.
Skills Required
- Associate's degree in Paralegal Studies, or an Associate's degree plus a Certificate of Proficiency in Paralegal Studies
- A Juris Doctorate may substitute for the required education; transcript must be submitted
- Two years of experience as a paralegal in a law firm, legal tribunal, or public or private legal department
- Authorization to work in the United States
- Valid New Jersey driver's license if operating a vehicle is necessary for essential duties
- Prior experience with real estate agreements and transactions, particularly involving public entities
- Excellent analytical, written, oral communication, and interpersonal skills; ability to work independently and collaboratively
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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.
