TRENTON, N.J. — The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection is accepting applications for the 2026-27 AmeriCorps New Jersey Watershed Ambassadors Program, which places volunteers across the state to educate communities about water quality and watershed protection.
The DEP is seeking 23 recruits for the program’s 27th year. Applications will be accepted through July 10, or until all positions are filled. The next class of Watershed Ambassadors will begin serving in September.
“New Jersey’s Watershed Ambassadors are an important link in helping the public understand how we protect local watersheds and preserve drinking water sources,” said Acting Commissioner Ed Potosnak. “From sampling waterways to performing educational demonstrations in communities, participants help bring focus and awareness to our water sources and get in-the-field experiences that may shape their future careers in stewardship.”
Watershed Ambassadors are assigned to host sites in 20 watershed management areas throughout New Jersey, from Sussex County to Cape May County, where they conduct water quality monitoring, educational outreach and community stewardship projects.
For the upcoming program year, the DEP will also recruit three full-time Source Water Protection Ambassadors to conduct public outreach and education focused on protecting drinking water sources in northern, central and southern New Jersey.
A watershed is an area of land that drains into a common body of water, and officials said activities such as lawn care, agriculture and urban development can all affect water quality.
“Ambassadors complement the work of the Division of Water Monitoring, Standards and Pesticide Control by delivering educational presentations and engaging the public in various stewardship trainings, which provides communities deeper and more curated engagement opportunities,” said Division Director Vic Poretti. “Ambassadors contribute approximately 600 data sets of waterbody assessments conducted at freshwater streams throughout the state on an annual basis.”
The DEP highlighted former participants who have used the program as a stepping stone to careers in environmental science.
“This program connected me with so many environmental specialists throughout the state, and I met my advisor for my Ph.D. through the program,” said Jamie Lubov, who served in the Mullica Watershed and will begin a doctoral program in environmental sciences at Montclair State University this fall. “Getting more involved in coastal communities was a really rewarding experience.”
“The Watershed Ambassadors Program has allowed me to learn from so many talented environmental professionals,” said Daniel Magda, who returned for a second term as a team leader after previously serving as the ambassador for the North and South Raritan watersheds. “I have had the opportunity to collaborate on implementing American Eel ladders and perform water quality testing at Budd Lake, as well as partner with a local community college to lead environmental trainings. The NJWAP has truly been an amazing opportunity and experience.”
Participants serve 10 months and complete 1,700 hours of service. The program offers an annual stipend of up to $25,000, with eligible members also qualifying for health insurance benefits, childcare assistance, SNAP benefits, deferment of qualified student loans during service and an education award of up to $7,395 upon successful completion.
Applications are available through the AmeriCorps website. More information about the program is available at www.nj.gov/dep/wms/bears/americorps.htm.
