ASSOCIATE HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATOR 2
Career Family: ASSOCIATE HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATOR
Associate Hospital Administrator 2 falls in New Jersey's unclassified service: an appointing authority hires for it directly, without a civil service exam.
It is the lowest-paid of the 2 Associate Hospital Administrator grades, a step below Associate Hospital Administrator 1, whose band tops out about $23,981 higher. Qualifying takes a master's degree and 5 years of relevant experience. The FY2026 range lands between $106,547 and $157,363, and state payroll currently lists about 14 people in the title, most of them at Health and Senior Services.
How to apply
-
No examThis title is not filled by examination
Non-competitive, unclassified, and Senior Executive Service titles are appointed directly by the hiring agency rather than through a civil service exam. Apply directly to the agency below.
-
Agency posting
Department of Health posts its own vacancies directly, often before (or instead of) any civil service exam announcement. Provisional appointment against a posted vacancy is how most people are actually hired into this kind of title.
-
Agency posting
Department of Military and Veterans Affairs's employment page may require a click-through to see specific openings. Provisional appointment against a posted vacancy is how most people are actually hired into this kind of title.
Pay ladder: Associate Hospital Administrator series
- Associate Hospital Administrator 2 — $106,547 – $157,363 (this title)
- Associate Hospital Administrator 1 — $122,565 – $181,344
Promoting to Associate Hospital Administrator 1 raises the top of the band by about $23,981. Its top salary lands around the 88th percentile of all NJ civil service titles that publish a range.
Rungs are ordered by FY2026 pay. NJ level numbers are not always sequential, so ordering follows salary rather than the title number.
Who employs this title
State payroll records show 14 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $147,200. The agencies employing the most are:
- Health and Senior Services (9)
- Military and Veterans Affairs (5)
Counts from NJ YourMoney agency payroll. See statewide workforce analytics.
Official job specification
The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator.
Definition
Under the administrative direction of the Chief Executive Officer of a grade 2 psychiatric hospital (less than 200 clients) in the Department of Health, a long-term care facility (less than 200 residents) in the Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Human Services, or Cannabis Regulatory Commission, organizes, develops, and directs systematic administrative support services and/or clinical services, to ensure that division, institution, and accrediting standards are maintained. In the absence of the Chief Executive Officer, may assume the duties of planning, directing, and coordinating all hospital or facility activities to maintain full patient care in accordance with accepted standards; manages staff and work activities; prepares and signs official performance evaluations for subordinate staff; does other related duties as required.
Examples of work
Oversees the establishment of policies for operation of major support and/or clinical service systems including nursing, social services, activities, nutrition, training, laundry and food services, housekeeping, grounds, and transportation, plant management, fiscal operations, safety services, and transportation. Coordinates the plans, programs, and activities of clinical and non-clinical staff to maximize the effective support of clinical and/or long-term care facility programs, and continuously evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of policies, procedures, and work methods in his/her areas of responsibility. Responsible for the management of the proper use and maintenance of the physical plant equipment of the hospital or facility, and the conduct of clinical and non-clinical employees in conjunction with the care and treatment of patients. Establishes policies and procedures for evaluation of support and clinical services and budgetary systems to determine their effectiveness in meeting treatment goals. Interprets hospital or long-term care facility and department policies, objectives, and operation procedures with department heads and unit administrators, and interprets changes. Participates with the Chief Executive Officer, Clinical Director, and Assistant Hospital Administrators in the identification and solution of problems relating to the delivery of residential and nonresidential treatment services. This includes such matters as the implications of treatment and program policies for utilization, allocation, and management of staff, capital, and fiscal resources. Reviews and evaluates the utilization of physical space on and off the facility grounds; oversees the development of plans for rehabilitation, alteration, or alternative use of physical facilities. Oversees the development of short and long range plans for the facility; provides consultation and advice to clinical management on the development of specific program budget requests; evaluates the facility's overall budget submission for integrity, clarity of objectives, and consistency with local, regional, and statewide program priorities. Assists, promotes, develops, and maintains good relations with local authorities and community agencies to inform, educate, and enlist the aid of those people for the betterment of patients or residents in the hospital or long-term care facility and those placed in the community; attends meetings of professional, civic, and service organizations as a representative of the hospital or facility. In cooperation with the Chief Executive Officer, Division Director, and other department heads, establishes general policies for budget execution; reviews and acts on specific expenditure plans within the facility, and periodically reviews expenditures against program objectives. Prepares and develops data for staffing standards for delivery of support and clinical services to patient programs. Prepares and/or supervises the preparation of clear, sound, accurate, and informative reports. Ensures the development and maintenance of central records and files by the various departments and work unit. Manages the work operations and/or functional programs and has responsibility for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting, and/or disciplining of subordinates. Will be required to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related unit.
Education
Graduation from an accredited college or university, with a Master's degree in Hospital Administration, Public Administration, Public Health, Business Administration, or Mental Health Administration, Psychology, Social Work, Nursing, Rehabilitation, or related field.
Experience
Five (5) years of administrative experience managing a significant service of program in a psychiatric or general hospital, large mental health facility, or social services agency dealing with the mentally ill.
License
Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
Knowledge of the laws of New Jersey and the policies, rules, and procedures of the department after a period of training. Knowledge of the principles of administrative organization and the application of these principles to the work and purpose of the department after a period of training. Knowledge of the hospital or long-term care facility support programs as well as those in the community under the supervision of the hospital or long-term care facility. Knowledge of the various forms of mental illness and/or geriatric illnesses found in New Jersey psychiatric hospitals or long-term care facilities. Knowledge of federal funding programs for which the hospital or long-term care facility may be eligible. Knowledge of the theories, techniques, literature, and trends in the field of mental health and/or geriatrics. Ability to act in place of the Hospital Administrator or Chief Executive Officer when required. Ability to make decisions not requiring the attention of the Hospital Administrator or Chief Executive Officer. Ability to assist with the public relations aspect of the operations of the hospital or long-term care facility so as to maintain harmonious relationships with the nearby community. Ability to manage assigned staff and plan, organize, and implement projects in the unit. Ability to prepare and direct the preparation of extensive correspondence. Ability to prepare and communicate hospital or long-term care facility policies and procedures to ensure compliance with state, division, department, or other regulatory agencies and long-term care facility or hospital policies, procedures, and standards. Ability to prepare and direct the preparation of clear, technically sound, accurate, and informative statistical, financial, operating, budget, and other reports. Ability to direct the establishment and maintenance of essential records and files. Ability to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, and related units. Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication. Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible if they can perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
Note
The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed. Applicants who do not possess a Master's degree, may substitute one (1) year of additional experience as indicated above. In the Department of Veterans Affairs, appointees may be required to possess a valid nursing license issued by the State of New Jersey.