PRINCIPAL CLERK
Bilingual In Spanish & English
Career Family: CLERK
New Jersey treats Principal Clerk as a competitive-class job, so the gate is an examination and the ranked list it produces rather than a direct offer.
Eligibility comes down to 2 years of relevant experience. The FY 2027 range lands between $42,866 and $61,705, and state payroll currently lists about 15 people in the title, led by Law and Public Safety.
How to apply
This title is filled by competitive examination.
See every real route in, and where to apply. 8 agencies employ it. We don't track live vacancies.
See all 8 employers and how to apply →Who employs this title
Principal Clerk appears on the State payroll at 10 departments, most of them at Department of Law & Public Safety.
State departments
Showing the largest 8 of 10 departments. All agencies.
State payroll and independent authority payroll are separate systems and are never merged. See data sources.
Who employs this title
State payroll records show 15 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $55,978. The agencies employing the most are:
- Law and Public Safety (4)
- Juvenile Justice Commission (2)
- Children and Families (2)
- State Parole Board (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. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.
Definition
Under the general supervision of a supervisory official, performs complex clerical work requiring knowledge and independent interpretation of department laws, regulations, policies, and procedures, as well as the frequent exercise of independent judgment; may take the lead over the work of a clerical unit; does related work as required.
Examples of work
- Organizes assigned clerical work; analyzes the problems which arise therein, and develops effective work methods.
- Reviews, checks, and certifies reports, applications, forms, and other documents for correctness where difficult determinations are concerned.
- May be required to take the lead over other clerical staff.
- Prepares designated correspondence which may not be reviewed by a supervisor in accordance with established department regulations.
- Processes requests for information in accordance with department policies.
- Composes and sends routine correspondence in response to inquiries.
- Gives information according to department regulations, in person and by telephone.
- Answers the telephone and takes messages accurately.
- Interviews callers at the office and schedules appointments.
- Conducts routine business with customers.
- Prepares the agenda of meetings, conferences, and hearings.
- May be required to type or data enter information which is uncomplicated and does not require skill or speed.
- May use varied types of common office equipment in temporary assignments in which skill and speed are not primary requirements and special training is not necessary.
- Gathers and compiles information as requested.
- Assists in collecting material and editing speeches, reports, and articles.
- Maintains essential records, reports, and files.
- May assist with planning and revising clerical procedures and office routines.
- Compiles, tabulates, and interprets data and statistics.
- Prepares statistical, financial, and other reports.
- Will be required to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
Experience
Two (2) years of experience in clerical work.
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 problems encountered in organizing assigned clerical work and in developing effective work methods. Knowledge of modern office and clerical methods, practices, routines, and equipment. Knowledge of approved English usage, correct spelling, sentence structure, and paragraphing. Knowledge of organizational rules and practices. Ability to comprehend and interpret department regulations and policies and apply them to specific situations in accordance with established procedures. Ability to organize assigned clerical work and develop effective work methods. Ability to take the lead, assign, and instruct other office/clerical staff. Ability to perform detailed and technical clerical work of a varied nature. Ability to process requests for information in accordance with established procedures. Ability to work effectively with associates, supervisory officials, and with those persons interested in or concerned with the work of the office. Ability to compose clear, concise, and appropriate correspondence in accordance with established department policies. Ability to do uncomplicated typing which does not require skill or speed on a sporadic basis. Ability to use varied common office equipment in temporary assignments where skill and speed are not primary requirements and special training is not necessary. Ability to prepare reports. Ability to maintain essential records, reports, and files. Ability to learn how 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 if 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. 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 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, and communicate in Spanish and English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. Successful completion of a clerical training program with a minimum of 700 classroom training hours or thirty (30) semester hour credits in secretarial science from an accredited college or university may be substituted for one (1) year of general experience indicated above. Coursework must include keyboarding skills, methods, and procedures, and other courses may include office procedures, word processing, and business English. SC3512N/AA11-Bilingual In Spanish & EnglishSC3512N/AA11- This job specification is for government use only. Salary range is only applicable to state government. Local salaries are established by individual local jurisdictions. 6/3/2023