NJ Civil Service Navigator

Attorney Jobs in NJ Government

Find attorney jobs in New Jersey state government. View Deputy Attorney General, Public Defender, and agency counsel positions with salary information.

Category: Legal & Regulatory

Government attorneys represent the state in litigation, provide legal counsel to agencies, prosecute cases, and defend indigent clients.

Typical Requirements

  • Juris Doctor (JD) degree
  • Admission to New Jersey Bar
  • Litigation experience for DAG positions
  • Criminal defense experience for Public Defender

Career Progression

  • Deputy Attorney General 1
  • → Deputy Attorney General 2
  • → Senior Deputy Attorney General
  • → Assistant Attorney General
  • → Division Director

Available Attorney Government positions in New Jersey

New Jersey civil service has 105 attorney government titles, paying from $46,727 at entry level to $209,444 at the top step. The 40 highest-paying are below; see all in search.

TitleSalary range
DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL 2$126,854 – $187,691
DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL 2$126,854 – $187,691
DEPUTY PUBLIC DEFENDER 2$126,854 – $187,691
FIRST ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL$129,079 – $180,723
PUBLIC DEFENDER$122,932 – $172,108
DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL 3$115,536 – $170,731
ASSISTANT DEPUTY PUBLIC DEFENDER 3$115,536 – $170,731
DIRECTOR DIVISION OF THE RATE COUNSEL$117,080 – $163,895
ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDER$111,503 – $156,118
CHIEF INVESTIGATOR PUBLIC DEFENDER$105,267 – $155,359
ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL$106,195 – $148,663
ASSISTANT DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL, 1$106,195 – $148,663
ASSISTANT DEPUTY PUBLIC DEFENDER 2$100,498 – $148,187
COUNSELOR 2, EMPLOYEE ADVISORY SERVICE$100,498 – $148,187
DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL 4$100,498 – $143,418
INVESTIGATOR 3 PUBLIC DEFENDER$91,628 – $134,900
DIRECTOR DIVISION OF ADMINISTRATION PUBLIC DEFENDER$91,735 – $128,436
ASSISTANT LEGAL COUNSEL, NEW JERSEY ELECTION LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMISSION$83,582 – $122,832
SUPERVISING REHABILITATION COUNSELOR MENTAL HEALTH$83,582 – $122,832
SUPERVISING SUBSTANCE ABUSE COUNSELOR$83,582 – $122,832
SUPERVISING VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION COUNSELOR$83,582 – $122,832
ASSISTANT DEPUTY PUBLIC DEFENDER 1$79,844 – $117,228
SUPERVISOR OF EMPLOYMENT COUNSELING AND SELECTIVE PLACEMENT$79,844 – $117,228
COUNSELOR 1, EMPLOYEE ADVISORY SERVICE$79,844 – $117,228
ASSISTANT DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL 2$83,210 – $116,477
Deputy Public Defender 2$83,210 – $116,477
LEGAL COUNSEL, NJ ELECTION LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMISSION$83,208 – $116,475
PRINCIPAL PAROLE COUNSELOR STATE PAROLE BOARD$76,287 – $111,856
DEPUTY DIRECTOR DIVISION OF ADMINISTRATION PUBLIC DEFENDER$79,246 – $110,957
SENIOR REHABILITATION COUNSELOR MENTAL HEALTH$72,896 – $106,798
VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION COUNSELOR 2$72,896 – $106,798
VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION COUNSELOR 2$72,896 – $106,798
VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION COUNSELOR 2, DEAF LANGUAGE SPECIALIST$72,896 – $106,798
INVESTIGATOR 1 PUBLIC DEFENDER$69,668 – $101,951
INVESTIGATOR 1 PUBLIC DEFENDER BILINGUAL IN SPANISH AND ENGLISH$69,668 – $101,951
COUNSELOR 1 VOCATIONAL PROGRAM DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES$69,668 – $101,951
SUBSTANCE ABUSE COUNSELOR 2$69,668 – $101,951
SUBSTANCE ABUSE COUNSELOR 2, MENTAL HEALTH / ALCOHOLISM SERVICE$69,668 – $101,951
SENIOR EMPLOYMENT COUNSELOR$69,668 – $101,951
SENIOR INSTRUCTOR COUNSELOR RE-ADJUSTMENT UNIT$66,592 – $97,354

Which employers actually hire attorney government titles

State payroll records show 4,279 people in these titles across 13 state agencies, concentrated at Department of Law & Public Safety. This is where the work exists today, not a list of current openings.

Local employers file their payroll separately and are not counted here, so county, municipal and school-district jobs in these titles are additional to the figures above.

About NJ Civil Service Employment

Working in NJ civil service means a published salary schedule rather than individual negotiation, state health benefits, PERS or PFRS pension credit, and civil service tenure once you complete probation. Entry is typically through a competitive exam and eligibility list, with promotional exams opening the next step up the ladder.

Positions may be available at state agencies, county governments, municipal governments, or school districts. Local government positions follow the same civil service rules as state positions and use the same job titles and specifications.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I become a government attorney in New Jersey?

To work as a government attorney in NJ civil service, you typically need to: Juris Doctor (JD) degree; Admission to New Jersey Bar; Litigation experience for DAG positions. Most positions require passing a civil service examination and placement on an eligibility list.

What is the salary range for Attorney Government positions?

Attorney Government salaries in NJ civil service range from $46,727 at entry level to $209,444 for senior positions. Actual salary depends on the specific title, experience, and step level.

Are Attorney Government positions available at state and local level?

Availability varies by position. Use the job listings below to see jurisdiction-specific opportunities.

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