My name is Michelle and I work for the NJ Department of Environmental Protection with the AmeriCorps NJ Watershed Ambassadors Program. I wanted to reach out to let you know that we have recently started accepting applications for our 2024-2025 term of service!
This program is great for anyone interested in any aspect of environmental science/studies, biology, hydrology, geology, watershed science, community outreach, and public service (but any interested person is welcome to apply regardless of academic major). This is an impactful program for recent grads, those looking to make a career change, and those looking to gain experience in the environmental field.
See below for more information about the program, program requirements, and application details.
Program Overview
The AmeriCorps NJ Watershed Ambassadors Program, is administered by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Water Monitoring, Standards, and Pesticides Control. The goals of the program are to promote watershed stewardship through education and direct community involvement, and to monitor stream health through performing visual and biological assessments. Individual AmeriCorps members are assigned to each of New Jersey’s 20 watershed management areas (WMAs) to serve as “Watershed Ambassadors” to their watershed communities.
This program is a full-time commitment of 35-40 hours a week, for a total of 1700 hours over a ten-month span (September – July). While outside activities like graduate school and other jobs are allowed, members are asked to make NJWAP their priority while they are serving.
There may be opportunities for part time positions at a later time.
Benefits of being an Ambassador?
✅Gain experience in the environmental field
✅Develop public speaking and presentation skills
✅Learn field work and citizen science methods
✅Enhance your ability to manage programs and events
✅Build your professional network
✅Increase your knowledge of local and state government
✅Make lasting friendships
✅ and more!
Eligibility to Serve with the NJWAP:
- Must have a bachelor’s degree or higher (in any field or major)
- Desire to serve your community
- A valid driver’s license, and a dependable car for service assignment travel
- Must be a U.S Citizen or provide required documentation of permanent residence
- Must commit to a 1700 hr. term, 35-40 hours weekly
Program Benefits:
- $25,000 living stipend evenly distributed bi-weekly over the 10 months of service
- Segal Education Award upon completion of 1700 hours (up to $6,895). You can use the award to repay qualified student loans and to pay current educational expenses at eligible institutions of higher education and training programs.
- Health coverage provided
- Childcare assistance if eligible
How to apply:
Application for the Full-Time Watershed Ambassador Position: https://bit.ly/3NL9kHm
Part-Time positions may become available at a later time.
All interested applicants should create an account on the “My AmeriCorps” website before they apply. Since this is an AmeriCorps Program, applicants apply through the AmeriCorps Portal: https://my.americorps.gov/mp/recruit/registration.do
Once you have created an application, you will be able to use it to apply to our program specifically!
We like to see an applicant include why they want to apply to our program specifically in their Motivational Statement, as well as which WMA they are interested in.
We accept applications on a rolling basis once the portal opens, and choice of Watershed Management Area (WMA) is assigned on a first come first serve basis to those accepted into the program. We urge applicants to apply early in the application window to ensure they get a position in their preferred area if they are accepted.
Interested applicants can reach out to me, Michelle Hatfield (michelle.hatfield@dep.nj.gov), and Amanda Baksa (amanda.baksa@dep.nj.gov) with any questions or concerns.
Open Houses
We will be holding a virtual Open House on Thursday July 18 at 1 PM. We will also be holding an in-person Open House (“Walk and Talk”) on Wednesday July 24. Time and location TBD.
During these Open Houses we will go over program requirements, what an average day as an ambassador is like, how to apply, and other relevant program details. We will also have testimonials from current ambassadors and alum. The virtual Open House will be structured, while the Walk and Talk will be casual.
To sign up for our Open Houses please fill out the form here: https://forms.gle/scpdaL7xJGpL18X26
Open Houses are for anyone interested in applying or learning more about the program. We urge applicants to still apply for the program if interested, and not wait for the open house, since we review applications in the order they are received.
Below are some links relevant to our program –
🌟Our homepage on the NJDEP site: http://www.nj.gov/dep/wms/bears/americorps.htm
🌟 Our Fact Sheet, which has all of our host agency locations: https://dep.nj.gov/wp-content/uploads/bears/fact-sheet.pdf
🌟Our social media pages where we post what our ambassadors are up to, volunteer events, and recruitment information:
💙 www.facebook.com/njwap
❤️ www.instagram.com/americorps_njwap
🌟An interactive map of the 20 Watershed Management Areas in NJ: https://bit.ly/40lrv9g
🌟The AmeriCorps New Jersey website, where you can learn more about service in New Jersey and AmeriCorps overall: https://nationalservice.gov/impact-our-nation/state-profiles/nj
Michelle Hatfield she/her
Program Support Specialist | AmeriCorps NJ Watershed Ambassadors Program
609-940-5568
