Be an Early Applicant
The Role
Communications interns support public education campaigns and DEP communications through social media drafting, stakeholder outreach, internal communications coordination, event footage capture and editing, and press event assistance. The role develops skills in writing, media relations, video production, social media coordination, and communications strategy while familiarizing interns with environmental agency programs and operations.
Summary Generated by Built In
Title: Communications Intern
Posting Number: OCO-2026-5i
Closing Date: November 4, 2026
Start Date: February 8, 2027
End Date: April 30, 2027
Existing Vacancies: 1
Location: 401 East State Street, Trenton NJ 08625
Internship Hours Per Week: up to 35 hours per week (5 days per week)
Hourly Rate: Sliding Scale based on Education Level ($19-$24 Per Hour)
Program: Office of Communications & Outreach
Program Description: The Office of Communications and Outreach is responsible for effectively communicating the priorities and functions of the DEP to the public and internally to DEP staff, promoting DEP priorities and principles, and promoting New Jersey as a national and global leader in environmental protection. Major functions of the office include coordinating media relations and press events, social media, stakeholder outreach, graphic and web design, constituent services, and photography and videography.
Project Description: Interns will assist with communications-related activities on several of DEP’s major public education outreach campaigns. The intern will also perform regular tasks and small special projects that familiarize them with DEP program areas, and the various roles and functions of the Communications Office. Tasks may include but are not limited to drafting social media posts, identifying opportunities to highlight DEP staff and initiatives, assisting with internal communications coordination, capturing and editing footage of DEP events, and assisting with press events.
Specific to the Position: As a member of a small team, this is both a coordination and strategy role, allowing the intern to develop a working knowledge of DEP programs and operations. Interns will develop skills in writing, stakeholder outreach, social media coordination, video production, and media relations.
Preferred Area of Study: Seeking individuals enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program at an accredited university/college studying communications, photography/video production, environmental studies, journalism, media relations, political science and/or public policy.
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:
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.
Posting Number: OCO-2026-5i
Closing Date: November 4, 2026
Start Date: February 8, 2027
End Date: April 30, 2027
Existing Vacancies: 1
Location: 401 East State Street, Trenton NJ 08625
Internship Hours Per Week: up to 35 hours per week (5 days per week)
Hourly Rate: Sliding Scale based on Education Level ($19-$24 Per Hour)
Program: Office of Communications & Outreach
Program Description: The Office of Communications and Outreach is responsible for effectively communicating the priorities and functions of the DEP to the public and internally to DEP staff, promoting DEP priorities and principles, and promoting New Jersey as a national and global leader in environmental protection. Major functions of the office include coordinating media relations and press events, social media, stakeholder outreach, graphic and web design, constituent services, and photography and videography.
Project Description: Interns will assist with communications-related activities on several of DEP’s major public education outreach campaigns. The intern will also perform regular tasks and small special projects that familiarize them with DEP program areas, and the various roles and functions of the Communications Office. Tasks may include but are not limited to drafting social media posts, identifying opportunities to highlight DEP staff and initiatives, assisting with internal communications coordination, capturing and editing footage of DEP events, and assisting with press events.
Specific to the Position: As a member of a small team, this is both a coordination and strategy role, allowing the intern to develop a working knowledge of DEP programs and operations. Interns will develop skills in writing, stakeholder outreach, social media coordination, video production, and media relations.
Preferred Area of Study: Seeking individuals enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program at an accredited university/college studying communications, photography/video production, environmental studies, journalism, media relations, political science and/or public policy.
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*
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.
Skills Required
- Currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program at an accredited college or university
- Must be authorized to work in the United States under Department of Homeland Security and USCIS regulations
- Valid New Jersey driver's license if operating a vehicle is necessary for essential duties
- Preferred fields of study include communications, photography or video production, environmental studies, journalism, media relations, political science, or public policy
Am I A Good Fit?
Get Personalized Job Insights.
Our AI-powered fit analysis compares your resume with a job listing so you know if your skills & experience align.
Success! Refresh the page to see how your skills align with this role.
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.
.jpg){kind=logo}
