Each year, between May and September, the New Jersey State Park Service hires approximately 700 seasonal staff to fill peak-season jobs at New Jersey’s parks, forests, recreation areas and historic sites.

No experience necessary to apply. Salaries for most positions start at $15.00 per hour. The minimum age to apply is is 16 years old.

Interested in applying? Click here to submit an application for one of the positions listed below. 

For information on full time employment with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, visit nj.gov/dep/jobs.

 2022 Lifeguard Test Dates

Northern Region 
Saturday – May 7 – 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. 
Saturday – May 14 – 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. 
Saturday – June 4 – 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Location 
Kittatinny Regional High School 
77 Halsey Road, Newton NJ 07860

Central Region 
Saturday – May 14 – 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. 
Saturday – May 21 – 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. 
Saturday – June 4 – 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Location 
Raritan Valley Community College Pool 
Athletic Way, Branchburg, NJ 08876

Southern Region 
Sunday – April 24 – 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. 
Sunday – May 1 – 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Location 
Ocean City Aquatics Center 
1735 Simpson Avenue, Ocean City, NJ 08226 

Island Beach State Park 
Saturday – April 30 – 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. 
Saturday – May 7 – 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Location 
Ocean County YMCA 
1089 West Whitty Rd. Toms River, NJ 08755

Available Positions

Lifeguards

Lifeguard positions are anticipated at several swimming areas across the state. 

Starting Salary $17.50 per hour in most areas, oceanfront guards at Island Beach State Park start at $18.50 per hour.Learn more

Visitor Service Assistants

Visitor Service Assistants provide accurate information to visitors at various facilities, patrol grounds and collect gatehouse fees.

Starting Salary $15 per hour Learn more

Junior Lifeguards

Junior lifeguards are hired at 15 years old and will work on skills training, giving new recruits a head start on their training. Junior lifeguards cannot perform lifeguard duties for the public until age 16.

Starting Salary $16 per hourLearn more

General Maintenance Personnel 

General maintenance personnel are the backbone of the State Park Service and help to maintain grounds, buildings and remove litter.

Starting Salary $15 per hourLearn more

Naturalists and History Educators

Naturalists and history educators work with park naturalists and historians at interpretive centers to educate visitors.

Starting Salary $15 per hourLearn more

Trail Stewards

Hike and maintain trails while educating visitors on park regulations the the “Leave No Trace” concept.

Starting Salary $15 per hourLearn more

Office Personnel 

Office personnel help register campers, answer phone calls and perform other customer service duties as requested by the park superintendent.

Starting Salary $15 per hour