SECTION CHIEF, MATERIALS

Code: 15881G State Competitive Range: S31 (FY 2027) Work week N4: FLSA exemptOvertime table (4A:3, Appx. A)

Salary: $105,267.31 - $155,358.91/year FY 2027 schedule (last updated 2026-07-27)

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 the general direction of a supervisory official in the Department of Transportation, is responsible for the management and supervision of work programs of two (2) or more defined work units in a Materials related bureau (or organizational equivalent) having responsibility for the planning and implementation of a materials engineering and testing program for design, product approval, quality assurance and/or quality control; does other related duties as required.

Examples of work

• Plans, organizes, and prioritizes the work of the section and supervises the overall work operations.
• Is responsible for planning and implementing all complex materials functions relative to the section's responsibilities.
• Implements a sampling and testing program in accordance with applicable specifications to assure that all materials used in the Department's projects comply with quality standards.
• Reviews prospective producers of construction materials for approval to supply materials to Department and federally sponsored projects.
• Reviews mix designs of producers for compliance with specifications and standards. Issues approvals of suppliers and maintains current list of qualified producers.
• 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.
• Supervises section staff in achieving goals and objectives; is responsible for the accomplishment of section objectives in conformance with pertinent federal and state laws, rules, and regulations, and ensures that interagency objectives are met.
• Provides specific high-level technical guidance for legal actions and public forums pertinent to the section's functions and responsibilities.
• Supervises section activities and priorities, staff, and workload to conform to bureau and/or division priorities.
• Reviews and provides relevant technical information for legal and/or scientific documents relating to or affecting the specific objectives of a program or section.
• Plans, schedules, and participates in formal meetings and conferences involving state, federal, county, and local officials, those of other states, and private interests in reference to section matters.
• Plans and supervises the preparation of detailed reports containing problem identification, analysis, findings, conclusions, and recommendations, including but not limited to studies, compilations of data, computations, and analyses pertaining to the section's work.
• Reviews and assists in developing guidelines, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures, and implements required changes relative to the section's work.
• Investigates and/or recommends research into new test methods to determine the quality of new materials, materials technologies, or the practicality of new test methodologies. Develops new specifications to adopt new materials or test methods as the Department implements them.
• Administers, interprets, and ensures compliance with applicable federal and state laws, rules, and regulations. Implements the Department's federally approved Quality Assurance Plan in all particulars as applied to the section's responsibilities.
• Assists in the preparation of the budget, grant applications, and personnel needs requests for the section, and monitors expenses in conformance with established budgets.
• Prepares and/or supervises the preparation of complex correspondence in the course of official duties.
• Identifies specific operational or implementation problems within the section and supervises the staff in resolving these situations.
• Researches and/or introduces progressive technical methods most applicable to section operations and, when pertinent, supervises the establishment and maintenance of computer data base systems relative to section operations.
• Addresses professional, technical, and lay groups for the purpose of providing public information relative to the section's work.
• Keeps immediate supervisor apprised of current activities, problems, and developments relative to the section's work.
• Keeps abreast of laws, current knowledge, information, and developments pertaining to the section's needs.
• Supervises the establishment and maintenance of essential files, records, data sources, and/or related materials.
• 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

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

Possession of a Bachelor's degree in Engineering Technology in a field related to civil engineering from an accredited college having a curriculum approved by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).

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 (3-1/2) 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 prorated basis, thirty (30) credits equaling one (1) year of experience up to a maximum of two and one half (2-1/2) years.

Experience

Five (5) years of materials engineering experience in the physical and/or chemical testing and inspection of materials and products used in highway and building construction and maintenance, and/or construction engineering experience involving the acceptance of materials and application of materials specifications; two (2) years of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity.

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 construction and materials and engineering theory and principles.
• Knowledge of administrative practices and procedures and operational/organizational theories, and the application thereof in supervising overall work operations.
• Knowledge of the tools, techniques, principles, and practices utilized in the specific discipline appropriate to the position.
• Knowledge of the state and federal laws, and the rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures as they apply to the functions and responsibilities of the section.
• Knowledge of Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction and national standards for materials and test methods.
• Knowledge of the industry practices of material suppliers. Understanding of basic economic, environmental, and supply chain issues affecting the industry.
• Knowledge of the Department's practice for requesting research projects, selecting researchers, and evaluating progress and results.
• Ability to supervise the preparation of reports on administrative, engineering, or construction and materials matters with clear and accurate findings and sound recommendations, including appropriate implementation and scheduling.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with representatives of local, county, state, and federal governments industry, civic associations, and others interested in the goals, functions, and responsibilities of the section.
• Ability to plan and coordinate the work of the assigned section.
• Ability to write clear, precise, and appropriate specifications.
• Ability to evaluate section performance, identify problem areas, and develop and implement improved or corrective methods and procedures.
• Ability to effectively represent a section at conferences, seminars, meetings, and negotiations.
• Ability to supervise the establishment and maintenance of essential records, files, and/or data sources.
• 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, and understand 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 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 </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:

Note

A work unit for this purpose would typically consist of a primary level supervisor and at least three (3) professional and/or technical subordinates, as appropriate. Any deviation from this standard must be pre-approved by the Civil Service Commission before any appointments are made to the title.

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.

An Engineer-In-Training (EIT) certification issued by the Division of Consumer Affairs, New Jersey Office of the Attorney General may be substituted for the above education requirement. Applicants must submit proof of the EIT certification and the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam results. The area of discipline indicated on the FE exam results must be in Civil or Other Disciplines.

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.