NJ Civil Service Navigator

CHEMIST 1

Code: 01552 Common Competitive Range: P19 (FY2027)

Career Family: CHEMIST

Salary: $60,876.32 - $88,742.92/year FY2027 schedule (last updated 2026-05-08)

Chemist 1 sits in the competitive class of New Jersey's state or local civil service, so reaching it runs through testing and an eligible list instead of a straight hire.

This is where the Chemist ladder starts, one grade under Chemist 2, whose band tops out about $4,597 higher. It lists a bachelor's degree as the baseline, with an experience-based path open to those who do not hold the degree. Pay on the FY2027 schedule runs $60,876 to $88,743, and state payroll currently lists 2 people in the title, most of them at Health and Senior Services.

How to apply

  • Exam

    This is an application to sit an exam and be placed on an eligible list for this title, not an application for a specific job. A $35 application fee applies to Non-Public-Safety announcements issued on or after 2026-02-01. There may be no current vacancy behind it, and the list it produces may not be certified for months or years.

  • Exam

    Open to permanent employees in the competitive division who hold a qualifying lower title in the same unit. A $35 application fee applies to Non-Public-Safety announcements issued on or after 2026-02-01. Like the open competitive exam, this places you on a list; it is not itself a job offer.

  • 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.

Pay ladder: Chemist series

  1. Chemist 1 — $66,592 – $97,354 (this title)
  2. Chemist 2 — $69,668 – $101,951
  3. Chemist 3 — $87,507 – $128,719
  4. Chemist 4 — $91,628 – $134,900

Promoting to Chemist 2 raises the top of the band by about $4,597. Its top salary lands around the 31st percentile of all NJ civil service titles that publish a range.

Rungs are ordered by FY2027 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 2 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $61,510. The agencies employing the most are:

  • Health and Senior Services (2)

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 close supervision of a supervisory official in a State department or agency, or local jurisdiction, performs basic and routine chemical analyses and tests in the laboratory and in the field; does other related duties as required.

Examples of work

  • Carries out assigned research projects.
  • Identifies and analyzes substances found in water, waste-water, food, pharmaceuticals, and other sources; evaluates the validity of results.
  • Performs routine testing and analysis work on industrial hygiene samples, milk, food, drugs, water, sewage, industrial waste, and other sources to determine conformance to established standards.
  • Utilizes specialized laboratory equipment to examine substances, identify materials, measure quantities, and evaluate properties of elements and compounds.
  • Assists in coordinating and performing qualitative and quantitative organic constituent analysis using approved methods of ion and gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS).
  • Assists in preparing standardized chemical reagents regularly used and other regents of a special nature as may be required.
  • Assists in determining the type of analysis or test to be performed on chemicals and materials to establish their properties, characteristics, and chemical compositions.
  • Interprets and summarizes data collected from analytical instruments and wet chemical analysis.
  • Attends appropriate formal and informal courses of instruction and participates in scientific meetings.
  • Performs a wide variety of routine, standardized tests and analyses on environmental samples, including manual procedures such as gravimetric, colorimetric, or titrimetric tests, and simple instrumental tests such as infrared or ultraviolet spectrophotometry and continuous flow analysis.
  • Assists in performing analytical procedures in specific limited areas, requiring the use of sophisticated instrumentation including gas-liquid chromatographs, high-pressure liquid chromatographs, plasma emission spectrometers, and atomic absorption spectrophotometers.
  • Assists in analyzing urine specimens for drugs of abuse using EMIT procedures; analyzes blood specimens for lead content, hematocrit, and erythrocyte protoporphyrin.
  • Collects water samples.
  • Assists in conducting bacteriological (microbiological) analyses for coliform, fecal streptococcus, staphylococcus, and pseudomonas.
  • Assists in troubleshooting, diagnosing problems, or making minor adjustments to laboratory instruments and equipment.
  • Prepares technical reports and correspondence.
  • Maintains essential laboratory records, reports, and files.
  • 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 units.

Education

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in any natural science or physical science, including or supplemented by twenty-four (24) credit hours in chemistry and/or biochemistry which shall have included a minimum of six (6) credit hours in analytical chemistry.

Experience

One (1) year of chemical analysis work in a public health or chemistry laboratory.

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 chemical laboratory procedures, techniques, equipment, media, reagents, and supplies. Knowledge of the procedures and techniques used when performing and interpreting chemical, physical and biochemical tests, examinations and analyzes on milk, food, drugs, water, sewage, trade wastes, air samples, and various industrial and institutional materials, equipment, supplies, and other materials in the laboratory and field. Knowledge of the standards and procedures used when conducting chemical tests and analyses. Knowledge of the precautions to be taken when recording and interpreting the results of chemical and related tests and analyses. Knowledge of the methods used to make chemical determinations by Infra-Red Spectroscopy, Gas Chromatography, Ultraviolet Visible Spectroscopy, Polarography, and Fluorometry. Knowledge of quality control and quality assurance procedures used to assess the validity, accuracy, and precision of chemical tests and analyses. Ability to follow standards and established procedures when performing specific tests, examinations, and analyses of raw materials and finished products, including paints, varnishes, thinners, driers, fuel oils, gasoline, coal, plastic items, carbon papers, chamois, sponges, and other supplies and equipment. Ability to learn and be trained on how to handle potential exposure to hazardous chemicals and infectious material and how to work in such area. Ability to handle various laboratory scenarios such as exposed instruments, equipment noise; as well as potential exposure to hazardous chemicals and infectious material. Ability to organize assigned chemical and related laboratory work, analyze problems in the field of chemistry, and develop work methods. Ability to follow procedures when performing specific tests and examinations. Ability to use laboratory equipment and reagents in such a way as to avoid unnecessary breakage and waste and to obtain accurate, reliable results. Ability to provide physical testing and measurements, distance appreciations, photography, and prepare impact molds and tool marks. Ability to prepare reports and correspondence. Ability to maintain essential records, reports, and files. Ability to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units. Ability to read, write, understand and communicate in English sufficiently to perform 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. This job specification is applicable to the following title code(s) which are different work week or work month and/or variants of the job class title: Job Spec Code State, Local or Common Class of Service Work Week State Class Code Local Class Code Salary Range

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. Some examples of analytical chemistry courses are Mass Spectroscopy, Instrumental Analysis, Gas/Liquid Chromatography, Introduction to Chemical Research Technique, Spectroscopic Methods, Research credits earned using chemistry equipment (GC, HPLC, ICP etc.). Applicants who do not possess a Bachelor's degree, but who do possess the specialized credits outlined above may substitute experience for the remaining education (years necessary to complete the degree) on a year-for-year basis. A Master's degree in chemistry may be substituted for the required experience. In local government, appointees to water analysis positions may be required to have successfully completed a formal course in the operation of atomic absorption and gas chromatography laboratory equipment, or in lieu of the course, six (6) months of experience in the operation of such equipment. The responsibility for ensuring completion of the course or experience in the use of specialized laboratory equipment rests with the Appointing Authority. Appointees may be required to perform physical activities such as lifting, carrying, and standing for an extended period of time. Appointees may be required to get vaccinations or submit vaccination records. Appointees may be required to wear Personal Protective Equipment. CC352023P19-SC4020N/AP21- This job specification is for and government use. Salary range is only applicable to state government. Local salaries are established by individual local jurisdictions. 3/27/2021