SOCIAL SERVICE ASSISTANT
Social Service Assistant is a competitive local-government title, the kind you test for: the exam result, not a hiring manager's pick, decides where you land in line.
What it takes is an associate's degree.
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
Promotional announcements
A promotional announcement for this title is accepting applications as of October 13, 2026. A promotional examination produces its own eligible list and is open only to people who already hold permanent status in a qualifying title within the department named on the row, not across that employer generally; filing without eligibility means an ineligible determination and no refund of the fee.
| Title | Symbol | Employer and unit who may file | Closes | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SOCIAL SERVICE ASSISTANT$59,956 to $86,527 a yearOpen to any competitive title meeting the stated requirements | PC4059H | GLOUCESTER COUNTYHUMAN SERVICES | October 21, 2026 | Open | Announcement |
Every row is CSC's own; see the full announcement calendar.
Salaries stated in examination announcements
One Civil Service Commission examination announcement has stated a salary for this title. Local pay is set by each employer under its own ordinance or contract, so this is one employer's figure for one position rather than a rate for the title.
| Employer | Salary as published | Basis | Announcement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gloucester CountyHuman Services | $59,956.00 ~ $86,527.00 | A year | October 2026 |
Each figure is quoted as the Civil Service Commission printed it in that employer's announcement on the date shown. It is evidence of what was advertised then, not a statement of what the position pays now, and an announcement does not say whether a post is full or part time. No average, range or comparison is given across employers, because each sets its own pay and nothing here establishes that two of these positions are alike. Where an employer has announced the title more than once for the same department, only its most recent figure is shown. How this data is sourced.
Where this title is used
Social Service Assistant 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, performs paraprofessional work involved in the operations of a social service program; gathers and records significant social, financial, and pertinent information about their clients and/or implements selected aspects of the program; does other related duties as required.
Examples of work
- Interviews clients and gathers necessary information.
- Gathers financial and/or medical information from client or relatives.
- Performs supportive social services for clients and establishes rapport and proper communication with them.
- Makes field visits to investigate and gather information on clients' situations necessary to determine plan of service.
- Aids in projects and surveys for the agency and gathers other routine data as needed.
- Informs superiors of unusual situations or conditions.
- Organizes groups and activities for social, recreation, and education purposes.
- Observes clients' behavior and participates during group social therapy and activity sessions.
- Aids the family and client in resolving problems.
- Conducts various activities with program participants.
- Contacts and maintains cooperative relationships with other social agencies in the community.
- Aids in maintaining records and files.
- Accompanies clients to other agencies and institutions.
- Prepares reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
- 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.
Education
Satisfactory completion of at least sixty (60) semester hour credits at an accredited college or university.
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 essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
Knowledge of sociological and psychological principles and theories. Knowledge of individual and group behavior. Knowledge of individual and community health problems. Knowledge of the objective and activities of social agencies. Knowledge of the keeping of records and files. Knowledge of problems encountered, purpose, and practices of social agencies. Ability to analyze, comprehend, and interpret rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and objectives of the organization. Ability to work harmoniously with associates, families, individuals, and social organizations. Ability to collect and make correct appraisals of factual information and social relationships of individuals and families. Ability to learn quickly the significant facts in an individual or family situation and to weigh and evaluate such facts. Ability to prepare clear, sound, accurate, and informative reports. 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, 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. NOTE: Appointments may be made to positions requiring bilingual skills. - Bilingual in Spanish and English SPECIAL SKILL Applicants must be able to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in Spanish and English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. Applicants who do not meet the education requirement may substitute experience in a social service, health, or community agency or in social work having responsibility for gathering social information from clients, determining their needs, and planning and/or implementing plans geared to the individual needs on a year-for-year basis with thirty (30) semester hour credits being equal to one (1) year of experience. LC N/A12-Bilingual In Spanish And EnglishLC N/A12- This job specification is for government use only. Salary range is only applicable to state government. Local salaries are established by individual local jurisdictions. 10/08/1997