WORD PROCESSING SPECIALIST 1
Career Family: WORD PROCESSING SPECIALIST
To land Word Processing Specialist 1 in New Jersey you go through the competitive route: you sit an announced exam and the score puts you on the eligible list agencies hire from.
It is the top of the Word Processing Specialist ladder, a grade above Word Processing Specialist 2. The one gate is 3 years of relevant experience. The FY2027 range lands between $50,990 and $73,902.
How to apply
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Exam
This is an application to sit an exam and be placed on an eligible list for this title, not an application for a specific job. A $35 application fee applies to Non-Public-Safety announcements issued on or after 2026-02-01. There may be no current vacancy behind it, and the list it produces may not be certified for months or years.
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Exam
Open to permanent employees in the competitive division who hold a qualifying lower title in the same unit. A $35 application fee applies to Non-Public-Safety announcements issued on or after 2026-02-01. Like the open competitive exam, this places you on a list; it is not itself a job offer.
Pay ladder: Word Processing Specialist series
- Word Processing Specialist 3 — $39,358 – $56,481
- Word Processing Specialist 2 — $46,727 – $67,528
- Word Processing Specialist 1 — $50,990 – $73,902 (this title)
Its top salary lands around the 17th percentile of all NJ civil service titles that publish a range.
Rungs are ordered by FY2027 pay. NJ level numbers are not always sequential, so ordering follows salary rather than the title number.
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 Supervisor, Word Processing System, or a Manager, Word Processing System, takes the lead over five (5) or more word processing system employees, or under the direction of an administrative officer, directly supervises (3) or more employees engaged in word processing activities. Operates sophisticated, highly technical, magnetic media keyboard equipment to perform work of a predominately complex nature. Accomplishes varied word processing work requiring the exercise of independent judgment and a thorough knowledge of department policies and procedures while maintaining a high level of productivity; does related work as required.
Examples of work
Supervises the employees of a specialized work unit within a word processing center or supervises the employees of a mini center. Provides technical assistance to employees in specialized work unit/mini center and interacts directly with authors as needed. Ensures that quality control standards are met by employees of specialized work group/mini center. Assists in the supervision of the work operations and/or functional programs of the word processing system and may recommend the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting, and/or disciplining of employees. Assists in or develops PARS and the evaluation of performance of staff supervised; makes appropriate recommendations. Ensures work unit/mini center staff adheres to all production and workflow standards and procedures. Functions as Control Operator of a Shared Logic System. Operates sophisticated text editing, electronic file maintenance equipment, photo typesetting interfaces, and/or other sophisticated communicating devices. Coordinates all work flowing to a stand-alone printer. Analyzes jobs received to be printed, separates and batches similar jobs, prints jobs, logs production statistics, and returns completed work to the Word Processing Specialists. Acts in a supervisory capacity to ensure work flows through the print system efficiently. Supervises the upgrading of printer standard codes, controls, and procedures. Maintains and controls all stored documents including coding, revising, and copy distribution. Revises, for final output, all highly complex reports, legal documents, medical records, manuals, columnar, statistical, and technical work. Creates, maintains, and uses electronic files of a highly complex nature to retrieve information to process special reports and lists. Ensures final document meets established word processing quality standards via proofreading, and project review; revises document as needed. Establishes and maintains essential 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.
Experience
Three (3) years of comprehensive experience in the operation, technology, and application of varied word processing equipment.
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 operation, technology, and application of varied word processing equipment. Knowledge of the coding and operation of the stand-alone printing equipment. Knowledge of modern office methods, practices, routines, machines, and equipment and of the internal organization, policies, procedures, and regulations of the department or agency. Ability to comprehend established office routines and regulations and apply them to specific tasks in accordance with prescribed procedures. Ability to properly use and care for office machines and equipment. Ability to understand, remember, and carry out oral and written directions. Ability to process difficult and complicated projects with speed, accuracy, and neatness from a variety of input sources. Ability to organize word processing projects/assignments and develop effective work methods. Ability to assign and instruct word processing employees in the performance of their work as required. Ability to use proper English, to spell correctly, and compose routine correspondence. Ability to accurately proofread and correct processed work. Ability to sustain mental attention for long periods of time. Ability to maintain essential 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 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.