SECTION CHIEF, UTILITIES

Code: 15881I 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.

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 utilities and/or engineering, functions relative to the section's responsibilities.
• Provides guidance to project managers, designers, and construction staff in coordinating the relocation of utility facilities in the State Right of Way, in accordance with all federal and Department guidelines and standards during design and construction of state projects.
• Coordinates and provides subject matter expertise to the Operations and Maintenance Unit on utility permit applications within the State Right of Way.
• Coordinates and discusses with other state agencies the applicability of federal rules and regulations in reference to utility facility relocation within State Right of Way.
• Supervises the preparation and posting of all utility document, letter, and agreement templates between utility companies and the state, utilized to execute utility relocation work in Department projects.
• Provides recommendations to Department management on resolving issues and concerns of private utility companies submitting utility permit applications.
• 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 information 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 guidance for legal and/or contract 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.
• Administers, interprets, and ensures compliance with applicable federal and state laws, rules, and regulations.
• 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 experience in the design or construction of utility facilities* as they relate to highway projects; emergency management of utilities**; or coordination with utility companies regarding valuations, betterments, policy and regulations, two (2) years of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity.

*Utility Facilities includes all underground pipelines that carry gas, water, sewer, fiber optic etc. and also aboveground (overhead) poles that support electric and communication wires owned by Public Utility Companies.

**Emergency Management of utilities is defined as those activities performed as the result of extreme weather or other acts beyond the Appointing Authority's control and in any emergency safety-related circumstance whereby the relocation of utility work within a State project must be redirected/rescheduled to keep the motoring public safe.

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 how to accommodate utilities within State Right of Way in accordance with the applicable 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 utilities and/or engineering.
• Knowledge of the State Utility Accommodation Policy 16:25 and Highway Occupancy Permits 16:41, and state and federal laws, and the rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures as they apply to the functions and responsibilities of the section.
• Ability to supervise the Department's utility billing procedures and utility invoicing by which utility companies receive reimbursement from State for utility relocation.
• Ability to coordinate and supervise field meetings between the designer, Department staff, and utility companies to resolve utility conflicts during construction of a highway project.
• Ability to provide guidance to Department staff on the utility procedure and process for utility relocation work during the construction of Department projects.
• Ability to identify and distinguish various facilities, including but not limited to gas, water, sewer, telecommunications and cable during field visits and make recommendations to minimize the impacts of such facilities in the design and construction of highway projects.
• Ability to execute utility agreements and agreement modifications with utility companies to relocate facilities if and when impacted by the construction of a highway project within the State Right of Way.
• Ability to supervise the preparation of reports on utilities, engineering, or technical matters with clear and accurate findings and sound recommendations, including appropriate implementation and scheduling to minimize design and/or construction cost and duration.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with representatives of utility companies, local, county, state, and federal governments industry, civic associations, and others interested in the goals, functions, and responsibilities of the section.
• Ability to respond and coordinate with AASHTO and other states in implementing federal guidelines such as Buy America and related utility regulations.
• Ability to plan and coordinate the work of the assigned section.
• Ability to evaluate section performance, identify problem areas, and develop and implement improved or corrective methods and procedures.
• Ability to effectively represent the 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 Mechanical.

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.