The New Jersey Watershed Ambassadors Program is an environmental stewardship-oriented AmeriCorps program designed to raise awareness about water concerns. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has hosted the program since 2000, and while the program has evolved over the last 22 years, its main goals have remained the same: promote watershed stewardship through education and direct community involvement, and monitor the health of our waterways through conducting stream assessments. 

Twenty (20) Watershed Ambassadors serve from partner host agency locations, with one located in each of New Jersey’s Watershed Management Areas. From Sussex to Cape May counties, Ambassadors serve with all sectors of society to improve the quality of New Jersey’s waterways by: 

• educating the public on watershed science. 
• implementing community green infrastructure. 
• encouraging them to get involved in local stewardship actions. 
• stewardship projects partnering with local organizations and community volunteers. 
• performing habitat and biological assessments following DEP monitoring protocols to monitor the health of their WMA’s streams. 

Throughout the program, extensive training in highly sought-after skills in the environmental field is provided, including ArcGIS, fieldwork experience, grant writing, project management, green infrastructure and science communication. Members exit the program prepared to further their career in the environmental field. 

Our recruitment page with more detailed position descriptions and application links: https://www.nj.gov/dep/wms/bears/recruitment.htm 

NJWAP description and recent program requirements. They are subject to change per grant cycle: https://bit.ly/3PeIpRT 

Our homepage on the NJDEP site: http://www.nj.gov/dep/wms/bears/americorps.htm 

Our fact sheet, which has all of our current Ambassadors’ contact information, host agencies, and WMA/ SWP locations: https://bit.ly/3yys6IS  

For questions regarding the application process, please contact Samantha Pfeffer, Program Staff via email (samantha.pfeffer@dep.nj.gov) 

Benefits:  

• Living Stipend up to $16,502 will be evenly distributed bi-weekly, over the 10-month term of service.  
• Segal education award of up to $6,495 upon completion of 1700 hrs. 
• Childcare assistance if eligible 
• Health Coverage 

Eligibility to Serve with the NJWAP:  

• Must have a bachelor’s degree or higher  
• Desire to serve your community  
• A valid driver’s license, 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 (40 hrs. per week, to be completed by Mid-July)