A great way to enter the environmental field! The AmeriCorps New Jersey Watershed Ambassadors Program is an environmental community service program administered by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to raise public awareness about water and watershed issues and to promote watershed stewardship through direct community involvement. The program works to improve water quality by exploring relationships between people and the environment, nurturing community-based environmental activities, and empowering residents to make responsible and informed decisions regarding their watershed.

Every year, the AmeriCorps New Jersey Watershed Ambassadors Program places twenty new AmeriCorps members with host agencies in each of New Jersey's twenty Watershed Management Areas to serve as "Watershed Ambassadors" to their watershed communities. Over the course of 1700 hours, these ambassadors learn from Department staff and then train local volunteers to monitor the waters in their community using state and federally-approved visual and biological monitoring techniques.

Locations/Host Agencies

Watershed Ambassadors also visit schools and community organizations to share information and educate the community about water and watershed issues in New Jersey and to encourage students and residents to become involved in protecting their watershed. Ambassadors engage the community in watershed education and restoration activities such as stream clean-ups, invasive species removal, storm drain stenciling and labeling, watershed festivals, and other water quality enhancement projects.

Terms of Service (2012 - 2013 Program Year)

• The program will commence in mid-September
• Members will complete 1700 hours of service in a ten- to twelve-month period and receive a living stipend of $12,100 over the course of their term of service
• Upon completion of the program, members will receive a $5,550 educational award, which can be used to pay off student loans or for further education
• Members are eligible for health benefits during their term of service
• Members will receive training prior to and throughout their term of service
• The service responsibilities include field work, environmental education components, and working with the community
• Must be a U.S. Citizen and have a Bachelor's Degree to apply
• Must have a valid driver's license and reliable transportation for field work

To Apply  

At this time, all of our positions have been filled and we are no longer accepting applications. If you are still interested in service opportunities, please visit www.americorps.gov to see if there are any vacancies in other AmeriCorps Programs in New Jersey. We will begin accepting applications for our 2013-2014 Program Year in May 2013. If you would like to apply to participate in our Program, you may do so at that time.

Other Opportunities

We also encourage you to participate as a citizen volunteer in one of our watershed projects. For more information, check the Events/Training page on the Department's Volunteer Monitoring Web site or contact the AmeriCorps NJ Watershed Ambassador assigned to your watershed (click here for Contact Information).

Additional Information

For more information about the AmeriCorps New Jersey Watershed Ambassadors Program, please contact:

AmeriCorps NJ Watershed Ambassadors Program
NJ Department of Environmental Protection
401 East State Street, P.O. Box 420
Mail Code: 401-041
Trenton, NJ 08625-0420
NJWAP@dep.state.nj.us
Phone: (609) 633-1441
Fax: (609) 292-0687