SIGN MAKER 3
Career Family: SIGN MAKER
In New Jersey, Sign Maker 3 is filled through the competitive process: candidates take a civil service exam and are hired off a ranked list, not picked at will.
Qualifying takes 3 years of relevant experience and a professional license.
How to get hired
- Watch for an open-competitive announcement for Sign Maker 3 on the NJ Civil Service Commission jobs portal. Announcements run for a fixed filing window.
- Apply during that window and sit the examination. Depending on the title, that can be a written test, a rating of your training and experience, or a mix of the two.
- Passing scores go onto a ranked eligible list. Veterans get preference points added on top of their score.
- When an agency has a vacancy it must appoint from the top of that list under the "Rule of Three." Many competitive jobs are first filled provisionally while the list is being built.
Read the official specification at NJ Civil Service Commission.
Pay ladder: Sign Maker series
- Sign Maker 1 — $43,237 – $62,340
- Sign Maker 2 — $47,157 – $68,252
Rungs are ordered by FY2026 pay. NJ level numbers are not always sequential, so ordering follows salary rather than the title number.
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.
Education
Completion of a vocational, technical or specialized training program in graphic arts, graphic and printing communications, or graphic arts technology
Experience
Three (3) years of experience in work involving sign design, layout, and lettering, or graphic arts
License
S, CERTIFICATIONS, OR REGISTRATIONS
Appointee will be required to possess a driver's license valid in the State of New Jersey.
<b>SUBSTITUTION</b>
Applicants who do not possess the required education may substitute one (1) year of additional experience.
FOR MORE INFORMATION REGARDING JOB CATEGORIES, please refer to the Job Specification Information Sheet available at the New Jersey Department of Personnel or your agency's personnel office.
Occupational Group: Art Occupational Family: Precision Artwork
Level Title Code Title Reference Number Effective: 5/28/94 1 801
Note
The above Job Category Summary and following examples of work are for illustrative purposes only. Any one position may not include all of the tasks listed, nor do the examples cover all of the duties which may be performed.
Leads a team or other group of nonsubordinates in assigned tasks
Monitors the use of materials, equipment, parts or supplies
Applies appropriate safety procedures
Implements maintenance procedures for work areas
Obtains current price quotes for special purchases
Adjusts stock levels for anticipated needs
Recommends the purchase of new and replacement materials, equipment, parts and supplies
Reads journals or other publications for the purpose of keeping abreast of developments in the field
Draws graphic material or lettering for title, backgrounds, or other layouts
Designs sign layout and lettering from wood, reflective metal, or plastic
Estimates necessary quantity of time, costs, materials or personnel for the accomplishment of assignments or goals
Monitors the efficiency and effectiveness of programs or services
Evaluates graphic design for style, arrangement, color, technique, and effect
Selects suitable sites for exhibits or displays
Edits written material
Schedules the use of equipment or facilities
Computes numerical data by addition, subtraction, division and multiplication
Proofreads material for accuracy
Requisitions materials, equipment, parts or supplies
Consults with vendors or contractors
Informs the responsible person or organization of difficulties, accomplishments, plans or goals
Assigns work to volunteers, clients, inmates or seasonal help
Provides technical advice to staff, peers or management
Operates a motor vehicle
Sets up sign fabrication equipment
Operates lettering equipment and tools
Applies detail, background, and shading to signs
Cuts adhesive reflective sheet from roll
Moves (transports) exhibits
Cleans tools and work areas
Arranges perishable stock by date received
Applies press type or other transfer lettering materials
<b>CHARACTERISTIC KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES</b>
Knowledge of standard English grammar; for example, syntax, punctuation, verb agreement or tense
Knowledge of procedures for cleaning tools and work area
Knowledge of lettering techniques and their application
Knowledge of techniques for applying commercial lettering to layout design
Knowledge of the techniques of screen printing
Knowledge of established safety procedures and guidelines
Knowledge of inventory control
Knowledge of procedures for requisitioning materials, equipment, parts or supplies
Knowledge of principles and techniques of supervision
Knowledge of layout techniques
Knowledge of aesthetic design
Knowledge of administrative principles and practices
Skill in operating a motor vehicle
Ability to follow oral orders, directions or plans
Ability to compare written or printed material for accuracy
Ability to use layout equipment and tools
Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide, using decimals, percentages and fractions
Ability to operate lettering equipment and tools
Ability to make precise measurements for graphic designs
Ability to read and interpret laws, rules and regulations
Ability to comprehend, interpret and evaluate relevant information from various types of source materials
Ability to convey information in a written format
Ability to follow written orders, directions or plans
Ability to interact with various people who are in differing situations
Ability to make appropriate inferences and deductions based on various types of source materials
Ability to identify problems in the administration or coordination of programs, plans or projects
Ability to keep accurate records
MINIMUM