With the weather warming up, seasonal jobs with the State Park Service are opening for applications.  Many of these jobs are ones that would jump-start an environmental career — such as naturalists, trail stewards or lifeguards. Hopatcong, Cheesequake and Wharton state parks are just some of the parks expecting lifeguard opportunities — with a starting pay of $17.50 an hour. 

Prior experience is not necessary to become a lifeguard, but candidates must pass running and swim tests. Seasonal lifeguards will be trained in CPR and defibrillator use. Junior lifeguards, who must be at least 15 years old, will be hired at $16 an hour, jump-starting their training though they can’t perform lifeguard duties for the public until age 16.  

State parks are still accepting applications for lifeguard positions but also for a range of other seasonal jobs, including maintenance personnel, office staff and trail stewards. Most seasonal jobs in the New Jersey state park system last from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Lifeguard work usually starts mid-June. New Jersey has  40 state parks, 11 state forests, over 50 historic sites and 430,000 acres of land.