PRINCIPAL OPERATOR AUTOMATED TYPEWRITER (ALL JURISDICTIONS)
Career Family: PRINCIPAL OPERATOR AUTOMATED TYPEWRITER
New Jersey treats Principal Operator Automated Typewriter (all Jurisdictions) 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 3 years of relevant experience. The FY2026 range lands between $39,681 and $57,031.
How to get hired
- Watch for an open-competitive announcement for Principal Operator Automated Typewriter (all Jurisdictions) 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.
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, operates a magnetic tape, card, or other automated typewriter; performs varied clerical work requiring the exercise of independent judgment; takes the lead in a clerical unit; does related work as required.
Examples of work
- Takes the lead in a unit that performs typing and transcription of dictation consisting of letters, memoranda, and/or statements.
- Operates a magnetic tape and/or magnetic card typewriter with one or two tape stations, and produces letters, memoranda, reports, and other materials.
- Plays back and proofreads materials, and makes changes including corrections, additions, and deletions by revising the tape or transferring to another tape.
- Types technical, financial, statistical, and other statements and reports, certificates, correspondence, memoranda, ordinances, resolutions, vouchers, purchase orders, charts, forms, tabulations, bills, contracts, specifications, case records, manuscripts, and/or legal documents from copy and from all types of dictation equipment using a magnetic tape and/or magnetic card typewriter.
- Checks and compares finished copy.
- Composes and types correspondence.
- Review and corrects the work of operators.
- Maintains a log of all jobs processed in the unit.
- Establishes and coordinates files for magnetic cards.
- Takes and transcribes dictation.
- 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.
Experience
Three (3) years of experience in the operation of magnetic tape, card, or other automated typewriters.
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 office methods, practices, routines, machines, and equipment. Knowledge of the operation of an automated typewriter. Ability to organize clerical work and to develop effective work methods. Ability to understand, remember, and carry out oral and written directions. Ability to do typing from varied types of copy and from all types of dictation equipment. Ability to use proper English, to spell correctly, and to compose routine correspondence. Ability to proofread typed copy. 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. 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 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. SC3514N/AR13-SC3514N/AR1010 Month This job specification is for government use only. Salary range is only applicable to state government. Local salaries are established by individual local jurisdictions. 7/25/1997