UnsupportedClassVersionError

The tool needs a newer Java than the one running it

why

Java refuses to run classes compiled for a newer version than the running JVM. On shared systems an old system-wide Java usually takes precedence on PATH over whatever you installed.

what to do

Check what is actually being used (java -version, which java) — often not what you expect. Install the required version in your environment (conda's openjdk works well) and make sure it comes first on PATH inside the job, not just in your login shell.

JVM class version rules

This is one entry from BioErrors, a catalogue of bioinformatics error messages that point at the wrong thing. Every entry was traced to its real cause before it was written down.
If your error is not in it, paste it there and it gets traced and added.