RESEARCH ANALYST 3 (P25)
Career Family: RESEARCH ANALYST
Research Analyst 3 is a competitive state title, the kind you test for: the exam result, not a hiring manager's pick, decides where you land in line.
On the Research Analyst ladder it falls between Research Analyst 2 and Research Analyst 4. You can qualify with a doctoral degree or, if you do not have one, by piling up more experience instead. Pay on the FY 2027 schedule runs $79,844 to $117,228, and state payroll currently lists about 16 people in the title, led by Law and Public Safety.
How to apply
This title is filled by competitive examination.
See every real route in, and where to apply. 6 agencies employ it. We don't track live vacancies.
See all 6 employers and how to apply →Who employs this title
Research Analyst 3 appears on the State payroll at 6 departments, most of them at Department of Law & Public Safety.
State departments
| Employer | Employees |
|---|---|
| Department of Law & Public Safety | 5 |
| Department of Treasury | 4 |
| Department of Community Affairs | 4 |
| Department of Agriculture | 1 |
| Department of Human Services | 1 |
| Department of Labor | 1 |
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
- Research Analyst 3 — $79,844 – $117,228 (this title)
- Research Analyst 4 — $91,628 – $134,900
Promoting to Research Analyst 4 raises the top of the band by about $17,672. Its top salary lands around the 63rd 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 16 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $90,890. The agencies employing the most are:
- Law and Public Safety (5)
- Treasury (4)
- Community Affairs (4)
- Agriculture (1)
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 legislative research in connection with department programs and prepares reports, summaries, and recommendations on the impact/scope of legislation or regulations; does other related work.
Examples of work
As required, analyzes and researches state and/or federal legislation pertaining to department programs, functions, and procedures and prepares reports thereon; assembles the compiled data into useable form; prepares indices and bibliographies to such materials. Performs research and prepares drafts of tentative legislation required by the department in order to more efficiently and effectively meet its goals. Does research into court decisions, court cases, and legal opinions which affect the work of the department. Prepares tentative drafts of rules and regulations designed to implement legislation, court cases, and legal opinions. Prepares material for use in legal briefs, hearings, reviews, or other executive determinations. Reviews department rules, regulations, and procedures for correctness and compliance with the law and prepares digests thereof. Assists in the preparation of regulatory documents dealing with department matters. Assists in liaison work with the Legislature, the Governor's Office, and with other state and local government officials and employees in pertinent matters. Prepares technical correspondence. Prepares testimony for various department officials regarding regulatory changes or the enactment of new regulatory policies. Prepares clear, accurate, and informative reports on legislative and regulatory matters containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Maintains essential records and files. Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and computerized 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 New Jersey State government and of New Jersey law after a period of training. Knowledge of department or agency functions and programs after a period of training. Knowledge of modern research sources, techniques, and methods and their effective utilization in realistic research studies. Knowledge of statistical methods and procedures and their effective utilization in realistic research studies. Ability to organize and complete research studies and projects concerned with legislative developments and report thereon. Ability to comprehend, analyze, and interpret laws, regulations, and procedures. Ability to locate and brief court decisions, precedents, opinions, legal citations, and other legal materials. Ability to prepare drafts of proposed legislation, rules, regulations, and opinions. Ability to determine the compliance of existing department rules, regulations, and procedures with legislation. Ability to prepare materials for hearings, reviews, and executive determinations. Ability to establish and maintain liaison with department officials, employees, the representatives of state and local government units, and with the Office of the Attorney General. Ability to collect, tabulate, arrange, and interpret data and to present information in an understandable manner. Ability to work harmoniously with internal staff and others to clarify points in dispute. Ability to write reports of a high professional order containing findings and conclusions. Ability to draft technical correspondence. Ability to prepare clear, sound, accurate, and informative reports of department matters containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Ability to maintain essential records and files. Ability to learn 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, or 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 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. 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. 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. Seven (7) 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 three (3) 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 two (2) years 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. SCNL24N/AP24-SC4E24N/AP25- This job specification is for government use only. Salary range is only applicable to state government. Local salaries are established by individual local jurisdictions. 8/25/2012