RESEARCH ANALYST 2
Career Family: RESEARCH ANALYST
Research Analyst 2 sits in the competitive class of New Jersey's state civil service, so reaching it runs through testing and an eligible list instead of a straight hire.
It sits mid-series for Research Analyst, one step up from Research Analyst 1 and one below Research Analyst 3. It lists a doctoral degree as the baseline, with an experience-based path open to those who do not hold the degree. Pay on the FY 2027 schedule runs $66,592 to $97,354, and state payroll currently lists 7 people in the title, led by Human Services.
How to apply
This title is filled by competitive examination.
See every real route in, and where to apply. 3 agencies employ it. We don't track live vacancies.
See all 3 employers and how to apply →Who employs this title
Research Analyst 2 appears on the State payroll at 3 departments, most of them at Department of Human Services.
State departments
| Employer | Employees |
|---|---|
| Department of Human Services | 3 |
| Department of Law & Public Safety | 2 |
| Department of Treasury | 2 |
State payroll and independent authority payroll are separate systems and are never merged. See data sources.
Pay ladder: Research Analyst series
- Research Analyst 1 — $58,222 – $84,763
- Research Analyst 2 — $66,592 – $97,354 (this title)
- Research Analyst 3 — $79,844 – $117,228
- Research Analyst 4 — $91,628 – $134,900
Promoting to Research Analyst 3 raises the top of the band by about $19,874. Its top salary lands around the 40th percentile of all NJ civil service titles that publish a range.
Rungs are ordered by FY 2027 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 7 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $67,312. The agencies employing the most are:
- Human Services (3)
- Law and Public Safety (2)
- Treasury (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. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.
Definition
Under direction of a supervisory official in a state department or agency, performs more difficult and/or independent legislative and legal research in connection with department or agency programs; prepares reports, summaries, and recommendations on the impact/scope of Federal and State legislation or regulations; provides technical support to enforcing activities; does other related duties as required.
Examples of work
Performs research into cases and existing and proposed state and Federal legislation pertaining to department or agency programs, functions, and procedures, and prepares reports thereon. May assist in performing research and preparing drafts of tentative legislation required by the department or agency to more efficiently meet its goals. Performs research into court decisions, court cases, and legal opinions which affect the work of the department or agency. Prepares tentative drafts of rules/regulations designed to implement legislation, court cases, and legal opinions. May prepare material for use in legal briefs, reviews, or other executive determinations. May assist in liaison work with the Legislature, Governor's Office, and with other state/local government officials and employees on pertinent matters. Prepares technical correspondence. Provides technical assistance to staff, affected agencies, and the public regarding law, regulations, and procedures of the department or agency. May aid in drafting and reviewing contracts including inspections, professional services, inter-agency enforcement agreements and State and federal single agency review agreements. Assembles data and may prepare testimony for various officials of the department or agency regarding regulatory changes or enactment of new regulatory policies. Prepares clear, accurate, and informative reports on legislative/regulatory matters containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Maintains records and files. Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
License
Appointee 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 organization of government and of law after a period of training. Knowledge of department or agency functions/programs after a period of training. Knowledge of research sources/techniques/methods and their effective utilization in research studies. Knowledge of statistical methods/procedures and their use in presentation of factual data. Ability to organize research studies/projects concerned with legislative developments. Ability to comprehend, analyze, and interpret laws, regulations, and procedures. Ability to locate and brief court decisions, precedents, opinions, legal citations, and other legal material. Ability to prepare drafts of proposed legislation, regulations, and opinions. Ability to prepare materials for briefs, hearings, reviews, and executive determinations. Ability to establish and maintain liaison with department or agency officials, employees, and the representatives of state/local government units. Ability to collect, tabulate, arrange, and interpret data, and to present information in an understandable manner. Ability to write reports of a professional order containing findings and conclusions. Ability to draft technical correspondence. Ability to prepare clear, sound, accurate, and informative reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Ability to maintain records and files. Ability 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, speak, 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 as long as they can perform 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 must meet one of the following or a combination of both experience and education. Thirty (30) semester-hour credits are equal to one (1) year of relevant experience. Six (6) years of professional experience in legal or legislative research, which shall have included the preparation of basic research and technical reports. OR Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; and two (2) years of the above-mentioned professional experience. OR Possession of a master's degree in Public Administration, Political Science, Government, or other relevant area from an accredited college or university; and one (1) year of the above-mentioned professional experience. OR Possession of a Juris Doctor degree or bachelor of laws degree from an accredited law school. "Professional experience" refers to work that is creative, analytical, evaluative, and interpretive; requires a range and depth of specialized knowledge of the profession's principles, concepts, theories, and practices; and is performed with the authority to act according to one's own judgment and make accurate and informed decisions.