State Procurement Specialist Trainee, CSC Docket No. 2026-2049

BackgroundThe Division of Agency Services (Agency Services) requests the establishment of the noncompetitive title of State Procurement Specialist Trainee for use in the Department of the Treasury in accordance with N.J.A.C. 4A:3-1.2.1

In support of its request, Agency Services presents that the new title will serve as an entry point into the State Procurement Specialist title series and allow incumbents to gain hands-on experience and complete training specific to the area of assignment. Incumbents who successfully complete the 12-month training period will be eligible for advancement to the title of State Procurement Specialist 1. See N.J.A.C. 4A:3-3.7(j). Agency Services requests that the new title be assigned to the noncompetitive division due to the impracticability of competitive testing as it is an entry-level title intended to provide on-the-job training with the knowledge, skills, and abilities being learned on the job. Finally, Agency Services requests that the effective date for the requested action be the beginning of the first pay period following the Civil Service Commission’s (Commission) approval.

1 Agency Services also requests the establishment of the competitive State Procurement Specialist 4 and competitive Manager, State Procurement Specialist titles and advises that the three new titles will be added to the State Procurement Specialist title series. It is not necessary for the Civil Service Commission (Commission) to formally act on Agency Services’ establishment of the two competitive titles since this function has specifically been delegated to the Chairperson of the Commission or the designee by N.J.A.C. 4A:3-3.3, which, in this case, is Agency Services. See, e.g., In re Changes in the State Classification Plan, 460 N.J. Super. 358 (App. Div. 2019). However, N.J.A.C. 4A:3-1.2(c) specifically requires the Commission to determine if a title should be placed in the noncompetitive division of the career service.

CONCLUSION

RuleN.J.A.C. 4A:3-3.2(a) provides that the Commission shall establish and maintain classification plans for all job titles in the career, senior executive and unclassified services. Additionally, N.J.A.C. 4A:3-3.3(a)2 provides that this agency shall implement and administer the classification plans and, in this regard, shall establish new titles, abolish unnecessary titles and consolidate titles.

N.J.A.C. 4A:3-1.2(c) provides that a job title may be placed in the noncompetitive division on an ongoing or interim basis when it is determined by the Commission that it is appropriate to make permanent appointments to the title and one or more of the following criteria are met:

1. Competitive testing is not practicable due to the nature of the knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with the job;

Analysis2. Certification procedures based on ranked eligible lists have not or are not likely to meet the needs of appointing authorities due to such factors as salary, geographic location, recruitment problems and working conditions; or

3. There is a need for immediate appointments arising from a new legislative program or major agency reorganization.

Based on all of the foregoing, ample reasons exist for the establishment of the subject title and its allocation to the noncompetitive division based on N.J.A.C. 4A:3- 1.2(c)1. In this regard, State Procurement Specialist Trainee is an entry-level title and is intended to provide on-the-job training. Incumbents will gain the necessary skillset during the training period. Additionally, incumbents would be required to complete a working test period prior to attaining permanent status. See N.J.A.C. 4A:4-5.1(b) and N.J.A.C. 4A:4-5.2(b)2. Accordingly, competitive testing is impracticable for this title.

ORDER

Therefore, it is ordered that this request be granted and the title of State Procurement Specialist Trainee be established and allocated to the noncompetitive division. This action shall be effective April 18, 2026.

ClosingThis is the final administrative determination in this matter. Any further review should be pursued in a judicial forum.