NJ Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness

OPPORTUNITY

The New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness (NJOHSP) is accepting applications for a Governor’s Fellow. This is a full-time position for one year.

This position will be an unclassified appointment, meaning it is at-will and serves at the pleasure of the agency. In addition, this position will be designated as “confidential” meaning it is not union represented. Applicants must meet the minimum job requirements as specified below.

We offer a generous benefit package for our full-time employees which includes vacation, personal and sick leave as well as 13 annual paid holidays, medical, dental and prescription plans, retirement plans, life insurance, flexible spending account plans, commuter Tax$ave program and professional development courses. For more information on careers at NJOHSP please visit: Careers | New Jersey OHSP.

POSTING #                         26-12-S

TITLE:                                 Governor's Fellow

ISSUE DATE                       August 3, 2026

CLOSING DATE                 August 24, 2026       

SALARY                              $75,000.00

LOCATION                          Hamilton, New Jersey

JOB DESCRIPTION 

As a Governor’s Fellow you will support the Sherrill-Caldwell Administration’s top priorities and NJOHSP’s mission to lead and coordinate all homeland security issues and efforts, including counterterrorism, counterintelligence, cybersecurity, preparedness, and resiliency across all levels of government, law enforcement, and the private sector.

This role will center on supporting the collaboration between NJOHSP and the New Jersey Department of Education’s youth initiative on targeted violence, threatening behavior, and terrorism prevention training. Duties will include but are not limited to:

• Conduct research and policy analysis on threat assessment, behavioral intervention, and terrorism prevention strategies aligned with the administration’s top priorities.
• Review and evaluate NJOHSP existing policies, procedures, and processes to ensure alignment with strategic plan and assess the impact on youth-focused targeted violence, threatening behavior, and terrorism prevention initiatives within the state.
• Attend meetings, analyzing case trends, and contribute to collaborative efforts aimed at preventing targeted acts of violence.
• Prepare briefs, reports, and presentations with evidence-based recommendations for NJOHSP leadership, interagency partners, and external stakeholders.
• Assist with other agency projects involving youth initiatives, to include the New Jersey Suspicious Activity Reporting (SAR) program, school threats, Interfaith Advisory Council, and the New Jersey 
  Statewide Threat Assessment Team, which will involve project coordination, stakeholder communication, and special assignments as needed.
• Participate in group programs for Governor’s Fellows sponsored by the Governor’s Office.

REQUIREMENTS

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master’s degree or Bachelor's degree and 2 years of work experience in a relevant field. 

In addition to the educational requirements, selection as a Governor’s Fellow is based on a combination of established excellence in academics and/or professional achievement; proven leadership ability and potential for further growth; demonstrated commitment to public service; effective written communication skills as demonstrated by writing assignment; evidence of effective teamwork.

Applicants may also be considered if they have successfully completed military service or long-term public service work with an organization such as AmeriCorps, Teach for America or the Peace Corps. Other service will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Note: Applicants may utilize college credits in combination with the  indicated experience to meet the job requirements.  These credits will be applied on a year-for-year basis with thirty (30) semester hour 
credits being equal to one (1) year of experience.

Note: Participation in the Governor's Fellowship Program shall not exceed one year.

Note: "Professional experience" refers to work that is creative, analytical, evaluative, and interpretive; requires a range and depth of specialized knowledge of the profession's principles, concepts, theories, and practices; and is performed with the authority to act according to one's own judgment and make accurate and informed decisions.

License: Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform essential duties of the position.

Resume Note: Eligibility determinations will be based upon information presented in resume only.  Applicants who possess foreign degrees (degrees earned outside of the U.S.) are required to provide an evaluation indicating the U.S. equivalency.

SECURITY CLEARANCE REQUIREMENT: Applicants should be aware that all NJOHSP employees must be a U. S. Citizen due to the fact that they need to be eligible to obtain a Secret or Top-Secret Clearance from the federal government.  U. S. citizenship is a requirement for obtaining such clearance.  Additionally, a criminal and personal background investigation is conducted on all NJOHSP personnel.

REMOTE WORK OR ALTERNATE WORKWEEK PROGRAM: NJOHSP currently offers a hybrid work schedule of up to 2 days remote work provided you meet the requirements of NJOHSP’s Pilot Telework Program. NJOHSP also offers a flexible workweek with one day off per week or per pay period.  Approval is based on nature of work and operational needs.

NJ RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS: In accordance with the New Jersey First Act P.L. 2011 c70, effective September 1, 2011, new public employees are required to obtain New Jersey residency within one (1) year of employment.

NJ ETHICS REQUIREMENTS: Applicants accepting employment with NJOHSP are required to adhere to the Conflicts of Interest Law N.J.S.A. 52:13D-12 et seq., the Uniform Ethics Code N.J.A.C. 19:61-1.1. et seq., and LPS Supplementary Ethics Code which may limit or preclude outside activities and/or outside employment.  Employees in certain positions are required to annually file financial disclosure statements.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY: NJOHSP is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to inclusive hiring and dedicated to diversity in our staff. We strongly encourage people from all groups and communities to apply.

NJ SAME Program Applicants: NJOHSP participates in the “State as a Model Employer of People with Disabilities” (SAME) program. If you are applying under the NJ “SAME” program, you must submit any of the supporting documentation specified in N.J.S.A. 11A:7-13.3 along with your resume by the closing date as indicated above. If you have questions, please email careers@njohsp.gov or call 609-584-4000.

NJOHSP provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application hiring process, please notify the agency via careers@njohsp.gov and request the ADA Coordinator contact you. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

TO APPLY: Interested applicants should submit a letter of interest/cover letter, resume, unofficial transcript, an independently prepared writing sample and State of NJ Application for Employment. All submissions must be received no later than 4 p.m. on the closing date. Failure to submit all required documentation may result in your disqualification from consideration.