NJ Employment
New Jersey Employment, Job Training & Reentry-Friendly Options
This directory lists New Jersey programs and tools that may help people on probation, parole, or pretrial release find work. It includes workforce centers, reentry employment programs, and other job-search options. Your officer must know where you work and your schedule. Some charges or supervision levels limit certain jobs (for example, security work, cash-handling, or jobs around minors, weapons, or alcohol).
Travel & supervision reminder: Getting a job in another county or out of state may require written permission and sometimes a schedule review. Before accepting any job, especially one with travel, night shifts, home visits, or driving, review your judgment and sentence and talk with your officer about whether the job fits your conditions.
North Jersey – Newark, Paterson & Surrounding Counties
Counties: Essex, Hudson, Passaic, Bergen, Union, Morris & nearby
✅ Verified Workforce & Reentry Programs
Newark / Essex County One-Stop Career & Workforce Center
Helps job seekers with resumes, job leads, training referrals, and sometimes paid work programs. Many probation and parole officers send people here as a first step.
Helps job seekers with resumes, job leads, training referrals, and sometimes paid work programs. Many probation and parole officers send people here as a first step.
Ask for job-search workshops or reentry-friendly employers; share your schedule with probation.
Newark / Essex
Hudson County Workforce / One-Stop Career Center – Jersey City
County workforce office serving Jersey City and surrounding towns with job search help, basic skills classes, and referrals to training or apprenticeships.
County workforce office serving Jersey City and surrounding towns with job search help, basic skills classes, and referrals to training or apprenticeships.
Let staff know you are on supervision so they can avoid jobs that conflict with your conditions.
Hudson County
Passaic County / Paterson Reentry & Employment Services
Local workforce and nonprofit programs that support adults with criminal records through job readiness classes, placement assistance, and limited supportive services.
Local workforce and nonprofit programs that support adults with criminal records through job readiness classes, placement assistance, and limited supportive services.
Ask specifically for programs that are comfortable working with probation and parole clients.
Paterson / Passaic
🛠️ Eligible Employers & Job Options
Warehouse, Manufacturing & Entry-Level Employers
North Jersey has many warehouses, food service, cleaning, and light manufacturing employers that sometimes hire people with records, especially for night or weekend shifts.
North Jersey has many warehouses, food service, cleaning, and light manufacturing employers that sometimes hire people with records, especially for night or weekend shifts.
Check supervision rules on late shifts, driving forklifts, or working around restricted items
before accepting a position.
North Jersey region
Staffing & Temp Agencies
Temp agencies can be a quick way to start earning while you build experience. Placements may change often and can be in different counties or shifts.
Temp agencies can be a quick way to start earning while you build experience. Placements may change often and can be in different counties or shifts.
Share each new assignment location with your officer and ask what to do if you are moved or laid off.
Major cities in North Jersey
Central Jersey – Trenton, Middlesex & Surrounding Counties
Counties: Mercer, Middlesex, Somerset, Monmouth, Hunterdon & nearby
✅ Verified Workforce & Training Services
Mercer County Workforce Development / One-Stop – Trenton
Provides job search support, resume help, and referrals to training or apprenticeship programs for residents in and around Trenton.
Provides job search support, resume help, and referrals to training or apprenticeship programs for residents in and around Trenton.
Ask about reentry or second-chance hiring partners and how to report hours to your officer.
Trenton / Mercer
Middlesex County Workforce & Training Services
Offers job matching, skills training, and sometimes tuition help for approved programs in Middlesex and neighboring counties.
Offers job matching, skills training, and sometimes tuition help for approved programs in Middlesex and neighboring counties.
If a training program meets during supervision hours, talk with your officer before enrolling.
Middlesex County
Central Jersey Reentry Employment & Coaching Programs
Nonprofits that help people with records prepare for interviews, explain their history, and connect to employers open to second-chance hiring.
Nonprofits that help people with records prepare for interviews, explain their history, and connect to employers open to second-chance hiring.
Ask if they can coordinate with your officer on verification letters or progress reports.
Central NJ
🛠️ Eligible Local Employers & Side Gigs
Retail, Restaurants & Basic Service Jobs
Many people start with jobs in retail, restaurants, cleaning, landscaping, or hotels while building recent work history. Some roles involve handling cash or alcohol.
Many people start with jobs in retail, restaurants, cleaning, landscaping, or hotels while building recent work history. Some roles involve handling cash or alcohol.
Check your orders for any limits around cash-handling, alcohol sales, or contact with specific groups.
Central Jersey region
Gig Work & App-Based Jobs
Some people pick up app-based delivery or gig work for extra income. These often require driving, a smartphone, and background checks by the company.
Some people pick up app-based delivery or gig work for extra income. These often require driving, a smartphone, and background checks by the company.
Confirm with your officer before signing up, especially if your license status, driving, or
contact with customers is restricted.
Central NJ
South Jersey – Camden, Atlantic City & Southern Counties
Counties: Camden, Atlantic, Cumberland, Gloucester, Salem, Cape May & nearby
✅ Verified Workforce & Job-Training Programs
Camden County Workforce / Reentry Employment Services
County and nonprofit partners that help adults with records in Camden City and nearby towns find jobs, training, or transitional work experience.
County and nonprofit partners that help adults with records in Camden City and nearby towns find jobs, training, or transitional work experience.
Ask about employer expectations on attendance, drug testing, and schedule reporting.
Camden County
Atlantic County / Atlantic City Workforce Services
Supports job seekers in Atlantic County, including training and placement related to hospitality, customer service, and other local industries.
Supports job seekers in Atlantic County, including training and placement related to hospitality, customer service, and other local industries.
Check with your officer before taking casino or gaming jobs if your charges or conditions limit that.
Atlantic County
Southern Counties Workforce & Job Centers
Regional job centers and nonprofits in smaller counties that assist with resumes, applications, and connections to local employers open to hiring people with records.
Regional job centers and nonprofits in smaller counties that assist with resumes, applications, and connections to local employers open to hiring people with records.
Take any verification forms from probation with you so staff can sign off on job-search activity.
South Jersey region
🛠️ Eligible Local Employers & Short-Term Work
Seasonal & Shore-Area Jobs
In warm months, shore towns and tourist areas may hire for hotels, restaurants, cleaning, and maintenance work. These can be good for quick income but often include night and weekend shifts.
In warm months, shore towns and tourist areas may hire for hotels, restaurants, cleaning, and maintenance work. These can be good for quick income but often include night and weekend shifts.
Make sure travel to shore towns and late hours are approved under your supervision rules.
South & Shore counties
Day Labor, Construction & Moving Jobs
Some people pick up short-term work in construction, landscaping, or moving. Pay and hours may change day to day and work can be physically demanding.
Some people pick up short-term work in construction, landscaping, or moving. Pay and hours may change day to day and work can be physically demanding.
Track your hours and locations, and share any new site address with your officer if required.
South Jersey
Statewide Job Search & Online Tools
Covers all New Jersey counties
✅ Verified Statewide & Government Resources
New Jersey Career & Workforce Services
State-level website and offices that list job openings, hiring events, apprenticeships, and training programs across New Jersey.
State-level website and offices that list job openings, hiring events, apprenticeships, and training programs across New Jersey.
Look for “second-chance” or “fair chance” language, and keep screenshots or printouts for your folder.
All counties
Adult Education, GED & ESL Programs
Completing a high school credential or English classes can open more job paths. Many community colleges and adult schools welcome justice-involved students.
Completing a high school credential or English classes can open more job paths. Many community colleges and adult schools welcome justice-involved students.
If classes meet during required reporting times, coordinate with probation for a schedule update.
Statewide
🛠️ Eligible Online Job Boards & Planning Tips
Online Job Boards & Company Career Sites
Large job boards and company sites let you search by location, shift, and experience level. Many employers run background checks and may ask about convictions.
Large job boards and company sites let you search by location, shift, and experience level. Many employers run background checks and may ask about convictions.
Practice short, honest answers about your record. Avoid applying for roles clearly barred
by your orders.
Anywhere in NJ
Employment Plan & Documentation
Keeping a simple job-search log, copies of applications, and pay stubs can help you show your officer and the court that you are serious about work and compliance.
Keeping a simple job-search log, copies of applications, and pay stubs can help you show your officer and the court that you are serious about work and compliance.
Store this paperwork in your OACRA folder or notebook so it is ready for home or office visits.
Statewide
Important: Being listed here does not guarantee that any employer or program will hire you or accept your charges. Each employer has its own hiring rules, background checks, and safety policies.
Before accepting a job: review your judgment and sentence, probation or parole order, and any written instructions from your officer. If your officer or the court gives instructions that conflict with something on this page, follow their instructions.
Legal disclaimer: OACRA is not an employer, staffing agency, or law firm. We do not guarantee employment, negotiate wages, or provide legal advice. This directory is for information and education only.
