NJ Civil Service Navigator

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF NURSING SERVICES 1 PSYCHIATRIC

Code: 03855G State Competitive Range: S27 (FY 2027)

Career Family: ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF NURSING SERVICES

Salary: $87,507 - $128,718.8/year FY 2027 schedule (last updated 2026-07-27)

New Jersey treats Assistant Director of Nursing Services 1 Psychiatric as a competitive-class job, so the gate is an examination and the ranked list it produces rather than a direct offer.

The minimum is a bachelor's degree and 3 years of relevant experience. The FY 2027 range lands between $87,507 and $128,719, and state payroll currently lists about 38 people in the title, most of them at Health and Senior Services.

How to apply

This title is filled by competitive examination.

See every real route in, and where to apply. 2 agencies employ it. We don't track live vacancies.

See all 2 employers and how to apply →

Who employs this title

Assistant Director of Nursing Services 1 Psychiatric appears on the State payroll at 2 departments, most of them at Department of Health.

State departments

Employer Employees
Department of Health 34
Department of Human Services 4

All agencies.

State payroll and independent authority payroll are separate systems and are never merged. See data sources.

Who employs this title

State payroll records show 38 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $120,384. The agencies employing the most are:

  • Health and Senior Services (34)
  • Human Services (4)

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.

Education

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelors degree in Nursing.

Experience

Six (6) years of experience as a Registered Nurse. Three (3) years of the required experience shall be in a first in-line supervisory capacity involving the care and treatment of psychiatric, geriatric, or developmentally disabled patients.

License

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform essential duties of the position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

  • 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.
  • CODES: 27/S27 - MCK 12/23/06

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.

Determines organization goals and objectives, establishes policy, and allocates resources.

Plans, organizes and assigns the work of the organizational unit and evaluates employee performance and conduct, enabling the effective recommendation of the hiring, firing, promoting and disciplining of subordinates.

Investigates complaints.

Evaluates the overall operation of the program or service.

Monitors program for compliance, accreditation or quality assurance.

Monitors the efficiency and effectiveness of programs or services.

Analyzes statistical data.

Reads journals or other publications for the purpose of keeping current of developments in the field.

Reviews client medication records.

Writes notices, memoranda or news releases about policy changes, major events, or other information.

Administers a quality assurance program.

Inspects areas for proper handling and storage of controlled substances and supplies.

Writes technical, statistical, financial reports.

Reports events, conditions, or diseases required by law.

Plans in-service training.

Administers compliance program for accreditation.

Monitors clients for changes in status or adverse reaction.

Evaluates clients' progress.

Plans activities which have an impact on other organizational units.

Estimates necessary quantity of time, costs, materials or personnel for the accomplishment of assignments or goals.

Applies established security procedures and guidelines.

Reviews clients' charts for evidence of drug side effects or adverse reactions.

Confers with other professionals.

Advises health care providers or facilities of methods of compliance with standards regarding delivery of services.

Informs the responsible person or organization of difficulties, accomplishments, plans or goals.

Informs appropriate staff of unusual problems or symptoms exhibited by clients.

Exchanges information for continuity of care (shift to shift).

Promotes preventive medicine and public or environmental health goals.

Motivates clients toward the achievement of treatment goals.

Answers questions about application of regulations or policies.

Consults with interdisciplinary team.

Provides technical advice to staff, peers or management.

Counsels clients, families or client advocates.

Interviews individuals for needed information.

Explains diagnostic or therapeutic procedures.

Calms distraught individuals.

Provides for physical safety of clients.

Provides information on transmission and treatment of communicable diseases.

Informs individuals of procedures necessary for completion of forms or applications.

Meets (as a member) with various policy ;making boards, academic councils, disciplinary boards, committees, or task forces.

Assesses the efficacy of drug therapy.

Writes daily shift to shift reports.

<b>CHARACTERISTIC KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS. AND ABILITIES</b>

Knowledge of the principles and practices in the field of Registered Nursing.

Knowledge of techniques of interpersonal relations.

Knowledge of standard English grammar; for example, syntax, punctuation, verb agreement, or tense.

Knowledge of medical terminology.

Knowledge of the fundamentals of public speaking.

Knowledge of principles and techniques of supervision.

Knowledge of employee motivational theories such as reinforcement, incentives, satisfies or job enrichment.

Knowledge of procedures for carrying out universal precautions.

Knowledge of the principles and practices in the fields of Psychology and Psychiatry.

Knowledge of principles of report writing.

Knowledge of organizational lines of communication (formal and informal).

Knowledge of administrative principles and practices.

Knowledge of procedures to follow for crisis intervention and basic counseling techniques.

Knowledge of techniques for checking vital signs.

Knowledge of the principles and practices in the field of Geriatrics.

Knowledge of basic interviewing techniques.

Knowledge of employee performance evaluation procedures.

Knowledge of CPR.

Knowledge of disciplinary procedures.

Ability to follow written orders, directions or plans.

Ability to follow oral orders, directions or plans.

Ability to comprehend, interpret and evaluate relevant information from various types of source materials.

Ability to read and interpret laws, rules and regulations.

Ability to apply laws, rules or regulations to given situations.

Ability to identify and resolve problems in the administration or coordination of programs, plans or projects.

Ability to establish goals and set priorities.

Ability to schedule and organize work activities for others.

Ability to synthesize facts to reach logical conclusions.

Ability to interact with various people who are in differing situations.

Ability to interpret and apply pertinent laws, regulations, procedures, and policies applicable to N. J. Department of Health and Senior Services.

Ability to collect data through questioning.

Ability to interact with psychologically disabled clients.

Ability to keep accurate records.

Ability to recognize signs of clients' emotional instability or stress.

Ability to interpret and apply pertinent laws, regulations, procedures, and policies applicable to Federal Department of Health and Human Services.

Ability to interpret and apply pertinent laws, regulations, procedures, and policies applicable to Medicaid.

<b>MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS</b>

Applicants who do not possess the Bachelors degree in Nursing must possess one (1) additional year of non supervisory experience.

<b>LICENSES. CERTIFICATIONS OR REGISTRATIONS </b>

Appointee will be required to possess a current professional license as a Registered Nurse valid in the State of New Jersey.

<b>SUBSTITUTION </b>

A Master's degree in Mental Health/Psychiatric Nursing, Nursing Education, Nursing Administration, or Health Services Administration may be substituted for one (1) year of the required non-supervisory experience.

Study guides for this exam

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