Chief Operating Engineer 2 examination

Salary

The title is paid in range R21 on the A-P-R-S schedule: $66,592.01 to $97,353.91 a year at the current schedule's rates, effective July 11, 2026. This is the title's published State range, not a figure taken from the announcement. The announcement states the salary for this examination, and a new appointee usually starts at the first step.

What the job is

From the Commission's job specification for CHIEF OPERATING ENGINEER 2:

Under the direction of an Engineer-in-Charge of Maintenance, a Business Manager, or other supervisory official in a State department, institution, or agency, has charge of the power and heating plant where capacity of the equipment involved is not less than 1000 and does not exceed 3000 boiler horsepower, and/or which may include major air conditioning units; supervises staff and work activities; prepares and signs official performance evaluations for subordinate staff; does other related duties as required.

Examples of work it lists:

• Plans the work program and work procedures, and analyzes power air conditioning and heating plant problems.
• Assigns and instructs unit employees of varied classifications engaged in work relating to the operation and maintenance of boilers, engines, motors, steam absorption chillers, or centrifical chill pumps and auxiliary equipment, and supervises the performance of their work.
• Plans the effective utilization of assigned personnel and available equipment, materials, and supplies.
• Supervises the operation, adjustment, maintenance, and repair of varied types of generators, motors, compressors, feed and vacuum pumps, fuel oil pump and heater sets, feed conveyors, blowers, water softeners, combustion controls, automatic stokers, and other equipment.

The full specification lists the examples of work, the requirements and the knowledge and abilities the examination tests. The announcement's requirements govern this examination where the two differ.

Who qualifies

Read from the specification, the title 4 years of experience, a license or certification named in the specification. Where several paths are given, the lowest is stated here; the announcement's requirements govern this examination.

The requirement section of the specification for CHIEF OPERATING ENGINEER 2:

Four (4) years of experience in work involving the operation, maintenance, and emergency repair of power and heating plants and auxiliary equipment, one (1) year of which shall have been in a lead worker capacity.

License: Appointees will be required to possess a minimum of a Stationary Engineer Second Class, Grade 1B (Red) License issued by the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rat

The full requirements, examples of work and knowledge tested are on the specification page.

After you file

Passing candidates are ranked on an eligible list, and State of New Jersey appoints from it. An announcement is not a job offer. See how eligible lists work.

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From the Commission's open competitive list. NJ Civil Service Navigator is not affiliated with the State of New Jersey or the New Jersey Civil Service Commission; the announcement is the authority. Every open examination.