CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN APPRENTICE
Construction and Maintenance Technician Apprentice is non-competitive, meaning the state checks your education and experience against the spec instead of ranking you on a test.
Candidates need a high school diploma and a valid NJ driver's license. Pay on the FY 2027 schedule runs $45,874 to $66,294.
How to apply
This title is not filled by examination — agencies appoint directly.
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See where to apply for this title →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 close supervision of an engineer or higher level technician in the Department of Transportation as an apprentice and productive worker, receives on-the-job training in: (A) performing assignments involved in the inspection or testing of road and bridge construction including electrical, environmental, landscaping, general construction or materials to ensure compliance with plans and specifications; or (B) performing assignments involved in reviewing permit applications, inspecting permit construction sites, and performing field investigations; does other related duties as required.
Examples of work
- Learns to inspect the installation of all electrical work, facilities, landscaping materials, or highway appurtenances including but not limited to curbs, environmental systems, guiderails, utility systems, drainage systems, and traffic control devices.
- Learns to inspect or test the quality and determines the quantity of electrical, landscape, structural, or road materials, and collects samples for laboratory analysis.
- Learns to inspect the construction of subgrade, subbase, and base courses, paving or landscape construction work.
- Learns to inspect construction of structures including bridges, tunnels, culverts, walls, and ancillary structures.
- Learns to inspect and test the production of construction materials at the remote sites.
- Learns to set up, standardize, and maintain testing equipment in satisfactory condition.
- Learns to perform routine chemical, nondestructive, and/or physical tests in the field or laboratory.
- Learns to investigate work proposed permit applications; evaluates the effect of such work on State rights of way and the public; ensures that proposed work complies with the New Jersey Administrative Code and zoning, visibility, and spacing regulations; and prepares recommendations for approval or disapproval of permits.
- Learns to ensure that permits have been issued, and collects fees for applications and violations.
- Learns to inspect permit construction sites during construction and to initiate final inspection of projects.
- Learns to monitor an assigned area to ensure compliance with State and federal Highway Beautification Laws and regulations, and investigates complaints relevant to encroachment on highway properties.
- Learns to perform basic mathematical calculations including computing contract work and determining quantities of earthwork and construction items.
- Learns to prepare clear, accurate, and detailed reports.
- Learns to establish and maintain records, files, and progress reports.
- Responds to emergency situations and/or works contractors' hours which are variable and may include nights, weekends, and holidays.
- 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
High school diploma and satisfactory completion of high school level courses in basic mathematics which shall have included completion of courses in Geometry and Algebra levels 1 and 2.
License
Appointees must possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey except when assigned to the Bureau of Materials Testing Lab.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
- Knowledge of basic mathematical operations.
- Knowledge of basic geometry concepts.
- Ability to learn problems, methods, materials, equipment, and processes involved in construction and maintenance work.
- Ability to learn sampling procedures.
- Ability to learn policies and standards set by the Department and laws and regulations governing departmental action.
- Ability to perform basic mathematical calculations using addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division to determine lengths, areas, and volumes.
- Ability to understand, remember, and carry out oral and written instructions and to learn from explanations and demonstrations.
- Ability to respond to emergency situations and/or work contractors' hours which are variable and may include nights, weekends, and holidays.
- Ability to work effectively with associates, contractors, and the public.
- Ability to learn to make accurate observations in the field or laboratory.
- Ability to learn to perform sampling procedures.
- Ability to learn to read and interpret construction plans and specifications.
- Ability to learn to organize assigned field or office work, analyze problems, and develop effective work methods.
- Ability to learn to prepare accurate and factual reports.
- Ability to learn to keep 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, and 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 the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
- <b>ADVANCEMENT</b>
- Appointee's work performance will be reviewed and rated semi-annually based on the Departments standard evaluation process during each twelve (12) month period of the two (2) year apprenticeship program. Upon successful completion of the twenty-four (24) month apprenticeship program, appointees will be eligible for advancement to the title of Construction and Maintenance Technician 1, in accordance with Civil Service Commission procedures.
- The inability of an employee in the Apprentice title to successfully complete the required apprenticeship period and attain a level of performance warranting advancement to the Construction and Maintenance Technician 1 title, shall be considered as cause for separation from employment.
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.
The responsibility for ensuring that employees have satisfactorily completed the required High School level courses rests with the Appointing Authority.