ZONING OFFICER
Exam status, as of October 24, 2026. No examination is open now. The most recent announcement we hold was an open competitive examination for Boonton (symbol M1194H), which closed October 21, 2026. Exam schedule
Eligible lists, as of October 24, 2026. 4 eligible lists are in force. The newest, for South Plainfield, was promulgated October 29, 2026 and expires October 28, 2028, 1 name as issued. See the lists
Rules that apply to this title
A guide to the rules, not legal advice.
In New Jersey, Zoning Officer is filled through the competitive process: candidates take a civil service exam and are hired off a ranked list, not picked at will.
Qualifying turns on 3 years of relevant experience.
How to apply
This title is filled by competitive examination.
See every real route in, and where to apply. We don't track live vacancies.
See where to apply for this title →Examination announcements for this title
Previously announced, and no longer listed by the Commission
The Commission removes an announcement once it has closed and republishes nothing, so these 4 examinations are no longer on any of its own lists. We keep what we have read, here covering 2026. None of them can be filed for now; a title announced once is often announced again, so this is the record of whether that has happened.
| Title | Symbol | State or local, and unit | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supervising Code Enforcement Officer/Zoning OfficerOpen competitive | M1194H | LocalBoonton | October 21, 2026 |
| Zoning OfficerOpen competitive | M1087H | LocalHoboken | October 21, 2026 |
| Zoning OfficerOpen competitive | M0981H | LocalBuena | September 21, 2026 |
| Zoning OfficerOpen competitive | M0928H | LocalLavallette | September 21, 2026 |
Every row is CSC's own; see the full announcement calendar.
This title at the Civil Service Commission
The Civil Service Commission's minutes record 1 matter naming it since January 16, 2019: examination eligibility (1).
- In the Matter of Roger McLarnon, Zoning Officer (PM1180A), Margate CSC Docket No. 2020-1954 · August 19, 2020 · Examination eligibility · Granted
Eligible lists for this title
An eligible list ranks the people who passed an examination, and appointments are made from it until it expires. 4 lists for this title are on record, 4 still in force.
| State or local | Kind and symbol | Promulgated | Expires | On the list |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LocalSouth Plainfield | Open competitiveM0848H | October 29, 2026 | October 28, 2028 | 1 |
| LocalEdgewater | Open competitiveM0827H | October 15, 2026 | October 14, 2028 | 1 |
| LocalBurlington City | Open competitiveM0695H | September 10, 2026 | September 9, 2028 | 1 |
| LocalLopatcong | Open competitiveM0600H | August 20, 2026 | August 19, 2028 | 1 |
Read from the Civil Service Commission's eligible list site, which we have read since October 24, 2026. The Commission posts each list for three months after it is issued and we keep it after that. The count is the list as issued, before appointments, removals or appeals change it. This site shows list-level facts only.
Where this title leads
Examinations in the Commission record
Examination symbols named in Civil Service Commission matters about ZONING OFFICER, with how many matters named each and when they were decided. A symbol identifies one examination announcement.
| Symbol | Matters | Decided |
|---|---|---|
| PM1180A | 1 | 2020-08-19 |
Where this title is used
Zoning Officer is a local service title. It is filled by the counties, municipalities, authorities and other employers that have adopted civil service under Title 11A, not by State departments. Those employers set pay by ordinance or contract rather than from a State salary schedule, which is why most local titles carry no salary range here.
Check whether an employer is a civil service jurisdiction · How local civil service works
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, examines the working plans of proposed buildings for compliance with state, county, and local zoning laws, ordinances, rules, and regulations and conducts field work to ensure compliance with zoning regulations; does related work as required.
Examples of work
- Examines working plans of proposed structures for compliance with state, county, and local zoning laws, ordinances, rules, and regulations.
- Reads and corrects final plans.
- Consults with architects, owners, and contractors on compliance problems.
- Conducts field inspections to ensure compliance with zoning regulations and applicable rules, and initiates appropriate enforcement actions against violators.
- May assist in the promulgation of zoning regulations.
- May supervise staff and work activities.
- Prepares and supervises the preparation of reports.
- Directs the establishment and maintenance of 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.
Experience
Three (3) years of experience in the preparation and revision of building construction plans and specifications or in the inspection and enforcement of zoning and/or building construction laws and regulations.
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 provisions of the local building code and zoning ordinance after a period of training.
- Knowledge of the effective means of obtaining and maintaining proper liaison between municipal authorities and private contractors.
- Ability to analyze and interpret the local zoning ordinance and other local ordinances that apply to buildings, and state and county laws, rules, regulations, and policies applicable to buildings, zoning, and sanitation.
- Ability to prepare clear, sound, accurate, and informative reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
- Ability to achieve compliance with local zoning regulations.
- Ability to provide guidance to staff and supervise their work performance.
- 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.
Note
The definition and 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.