DISPUTE RESOLUTION SPECIALIST 3
Career Family: DISPUTE RESOLUTION SPECIALIST
New Jersey treats Dispute Resolution Specialist 3 as a competitive-class job, so the gate is an examination and the ranked list it produces rather than a direct offer.
This is the senior rung of the Dispute Resolution Specialist series, the level you reach after Dispute Resolution Specialist 2. The spec names a doctoral degree, but it leaves the door open to substitute experience for the degree. The FY2026 range lands between $101,708 and $150,105, and state payroll lists a single employee in the title, at Environmental Protection.
How to get hired
- Watch for an open-competitive announcement for Dispute Resolution Specialist 3 on the NJ Civil Service Commission jobs portal. Announcements run for a fixed filing window.
- 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.
- Passing scores go onto a ranked eligible list. Veterans get preference points added on top of their score.
- 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.
Pay ladder: Dispute Resolution Specialist series
- Dispute Resolution Specialist 1 — $84,548 – $124,366
- Dispute Resolution Specialist 2 — $92,711 – $136,605
- Dispute Resolution Specialist 3 — $101,708 – $150,105 (this title)
Its top salary lands around the 85th percentile of all NJ civil service titles that publish a range.
Rungs are ordered by FY2026 pay. NJ level numbers are not always sequential, so ordering follows salary rather than the title number.
Who employs this title
State payroll records show 1 person working under this title. The median actual salary is $150,105. The agencies employing the most are:
- Environmental Protection (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 higher level supervisory official in a state department, acting independently and without supervision, takes the lead role as an arbitrator, case evaluator, conciliator, facilitator, fact-finder, mediator, or negotiator. Is responsible for designing and developing processes and systems for particular contexts or types of disputes. Designs and administers training programs; assesses situations for appropriate alternative dispute resolution (ADR) intervention; develops, implements, and monitors dispute resolution programs; and promotes and encourages dispute resolution processes. Determines the most appropriate dispute resolution process for disputes referred from the court, or other government/public agencies. Conducts facilitations regarding the development of new rules and policies through consensus building; does related work as required.
Examples of work
Determines the most appropriate dispute resolution process for disputes referred from the courts. Conducts extremely complex facilitations regarding the development of new rules or policies through consensus building. Manages the dispute resolution process. Assesses statewide need for dispute resolution programs. Develops action plans to stimulate interest in and use of dispute resolution services. Plans, convenes, and facilitates effective consensus building and policy making initiatives. Determines and directs when sessions should be arranged between the principals in a dispute and utilizes skills to resolve the differences. Persuades parties as to reasonableness and equity of proposals and counter proposals as well as suggesting alternative solutions. Confers with disputants separately and jointly to assess information pertaining to the issues in dispute, and provides assistance and pertinent data to remove barriers to resolution. Keeps abreast of recent developments in the field of mediation, and functions as office liaison with special task forces and professional dispute resolution organizations. Assesses cases to determine appropriate application of dispute resolution process. Identifies parties that represent a cross-section of interests, and holds conference calls or conducts confidential interviews with disputing parties to determine appropriateness and feasibility of mediation. Designs case specific alternative dispute resolution processes. Develops case specific protocol. Directs settlement discussions by identifying parties, developing mechanisms for reporting back to constituents, scheduling meetings, and setting agenda. Assists parties in identifying policy issues through facilitating effective exchange of information. Assists parties in defining suitable negotiation goals. Prepares analytic guidance documents that frame policy/procedural issues for discussion and decision making. Meets with disputing parties together and separately to explore possible solutions, defuse emotions, and clarify positions. Suggests possible approaches to settlement. Drafts settlement agreement or final recommendation reports. Designs training programs in negotiation, mediation, and other alternative dispute resolution processes. Trains groups in the use of dispute resolution methods and techniques. Conducts educational and outreach activities to inform the public, community groups, professional associations, and government agencies about the alternative dispute resolution process. Maintains roster of potential neutral mediators, facilitators, and arbitrators. Assesses cases and assigns them to a selected mediator or facilitator on a case-by-case basis, and provides technical assistance, advice, direction, and instruction to assigned mediator or facilitator handling the case. Oversees the development of written reports and final settlement or recommendation documents prepared by the designated individual, and modifies as appropriate and gives final approval prior to release and dissemination of such documents. Summarizes information from files, reports, documents, research notes, or meetings. Edits written material. Interviews individuals for needed information. 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.
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 the legal and factual issues involved in handling extremely complex litigation and public disputes. Knowledge of the techniques involved in the facilitation of new rules through consensus building. Knowledge of current alternative dispute resolution processes, principals, and methods. Knowledge of professional dispute resolution organizations. Knowledge of procedures for conducting formal and informal settlement conferences. Ability to organize and interpret data and draw reasonable and accurate conclusions. Ability to assess statewide needs for dispute resolution programs. Ability to plan, convene, and facilitate effective consensus building and policy making initiatives. Ability to design training programs in negotiation, mediation, and other alternative dispute resolution processes. Ability to provide guidance and recommendations to less experienced individuals. Ability to assess extremely complex cases to determine the appropriate application of the dispute resolution process. Ability to plan, schedule, and conduct joint meetings between disputing parties to effect agreement. Ability to deal effectively with lawyers, clients, and judges. Ability to conduct around-the-clock dispute resolution sessions. Ability to interview people for needed information. Ability to impartially communicate a thorough, complete analysis of the position and flexibility of each disputant involved in a dispute to the other disputant(s). Ability to organize assigned dispute resolution work. Ability to analyze extremely complex dispute resolution problems and develop effective work methods. Ability to maintain confidentiality in dispute resolution proceedings. Ability to develop training programs. Ability to conduct training sessions. 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 the esseBarform 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. CODES: 31/P31- CAH
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. The following are some of the factors that should be considered in determining case complexity: relationship between the parties, the number of parties and issues in dispute, whether personal emotions are involved, and the age of the dispute. Applicants must meet one of the following or a combination of both experience and education. Thirty (30) semester hour credits are equal to one (1) year of relevant experience. Ten (10) years of professional experience in mediating litigation and public disputes and/or facilitating the development of new rules or policies through consensus building. OR Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; and six (6) years of the above-mentioned professional experience. OR Possession of a Master's degree from an accredited college or university in Dispute/Conflict Resolution; and five (5) years of the above-mentioned professional experience. OR Possession of a Juris Doctor's degree from an accredited college or university; and four (4) years of the above-mentioned professional experience. "Professional experience" refers to work that is creative, analytical, evaluative, and interpretive; requires a range and depth of specialized knowledge of the profession's principles, concepts, theories, and practices; and is performed with the authority to act according to one's own judgment and make accurate and informed decisions.