NJ Civil Service Navigator

ASSISTANT ENGINEER, PLANNING (AERONAUTICS)

Code: 12692C State Competitive Range: P23 (FY2026)

Career Family: ASSISTANT ENGINEER, PLANNING

Salary: $70,431.36 - $103,186.65/year FY2026 schedule (last updated 2026-05-08)

Assistant Engineer, Planning (aeronautics) is a state title in New Jersey's competitive civil service, which means the way in is an open exam rather than a direct appointment.

Candidates need a bachelor's degree and 1 year of relevant experience. Pay on the FY2026 schedule runs $70,431 to $103,187, and state payroll lists a single employee in the title, at Transportation.

How to get hired

  1. Watch for an open-competitive announcement for Assistant Engineer, Planning (aeronautics) on the NJ Civil Service Commission jobs portal. Announcements run for a fixed filing window.
  2. 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.
  3. Passing scores go onto a ranked eligible list. Veterans get preference points added on top of their score.
  4. 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.

Who employs this title

State payroll records show 1 person working under this title. The median actual salary is $78,490. The agencies employing the most are:

  • Transportation (1)

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.

Definition

Under direction of a Principal Engineer, Planning (Aeronautics) or other supervisor in the Department of Transportation, compiles, analyzes, and interprets transportation planning data, and reports specific results with recommendations to superior officials; does other related work.

Examples of work

  • Assists in the review of engineering plans, specifications, and layout plans relating to aviation.
  • Reviews the content and substance of engineering-related documents, plans, and data relating to aeronautics.
  • Assists higher-level engineers in the screening of airport aid projects for the improvement of aeronautical facilities.
  • Assists in the review of work performed by engineering consultants at aviation facilities.
  • Assists in the planning of airport systems to meet the needs of the state.
  • Conducts study and develop recommendations to minimize airport-related environmental problems such as noise, zoning, and land use.
  • Assists in compiling, analyzing, and interpreting transportation planning data.
  • Assists in the preparation of routine statistical and other transportation planning reports.
  • Maintains 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.

Education

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in Engineering.

Experience

One (1) year of experience in varied kinds of aeronautical engineering and/or planning work which shall have included the planning, design, or construction of air transportation facilities.

License

Appointee 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 the methods used to conduct of surveys, traffic counting, and loadometer studies for use in transportation planning.
  • Knowledge of route location survey procedures.
  • Knowledge of the factors to be considered in the preparation of cost estimates used to develop feasibility reports for transportation planning.
  • Ability to utilize statistical theory, procedures, and techniques in transportation planning.
  • Ability to review engineering plans and specifications relating to aviation.
  • Ability to read and interpret appropriate New Jersey aeronautical statutes and Federal Air Regulations, and apply them to specific situations.
  • Ability to coordinate airport development with county and local urban agencies, particularly in the fields of transportation, land use, economic development, and resource use.
  • Ability to evaluate the compatibility of the state airport system with the content, format, standards, and criteria of the National Airport Plan.
  • Ability to analyze technical developments in the field of aviation and evaluate their effect on industry in New Jersey.
  • Ability to assemble and summarize collected data for regional and statewide aviation transportation studies and prepare comprehensive reports.
  • Ability to perform statistical work of moderate complexity.
  • Ability to prepare accurate, technically sound, and comprehensive statistical engineering and other related reports.
  • Ability to maintain 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, 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.
  • <b>NOTE: FOR PROMOTIONAL PURPOSES ONLY</b>
  • Employees hired by the Department of Transportation on or before July 1, 1999, who do not possess the Bachelor's degree listed above, may substitute education and experience as indicated below to meet the education requirements:
  • EDUCATION:
  • An Associate's degree in Engineering or Engineering Technology.
  • OR
  • Completion of forty-five (45) semester hour credits of specialized college level/non-remedial engineering education from an accredited college in an engineering or engineering technology program. Acceptable specialized education must include a minimum of 24 credits in Engineering/Engineering Science and a minimum of 21 credits in general science and higher-level math courses. Information regarding acceptable courses may be obtained from DOT/Human Resources.
  • You must attach a copy of your transcript(s) to your application. Foreign degrees/transcripts must be evaluated by a recognized evaluation service. Failure to do so will result in rejection from the examination process.
  • AND
  • Three and one half (3 ') years of full time experience in engineering related work.
  • Applicants who have more than the required forty-five (45) engineering related credits may substitute additional credits for the required experience on a pro-rated basis, thirty (30) credits equaling one (1) year of experience, up to a maximum of two and one half (2 1/2) years.
  • CODES: 22/P23 - MER 07/18/09

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.

A Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Technology (BSET) in a field related to civil engineering from an accredited college having a curriculum approved by the Accreditation Board of Engineering Technology (ABET) meets the above education requirements

Possession of a valid Professional Engineer's license issued by the New Jersey State Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors may be substituted for the Bachelor's degree in Engineering.