SUPERVISING JUDICIAL SUPPORT SPECIALIST OAL
In New Jersey, Supervising Judicial Support Specialist Oal is filled through the competitive process: candidates take a civil service exam and are hired off a ranked list, not picked at will.
The stated bar is a bachelor's degree, but candidates can swap in added experience for the diploma. The FY 2027 range lands between $72,896 and $106,798, and state payroll currently lists 4 people in the title, most of them at Office of Administrative Law.
How to apply
This title is filled by competitive examination.
See every real route in, and where to apply. One agency employs it. We don't track live vacancies.
See where to apply for this title →Who employs this title
Supervising Judicial Support Specialist Oal appears on the State payroll at one department, Office of Administrative Law.
State departments
| Employer | Employees |
|---|---|
| Office of Administrative Law | 4 |
State payroll and independent authority payroll are separate systems and are never merged. See data sources.
Who employs this title
State payroll records show 4 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $91,722. The agencies employing the most are:
- Office of Administrative Law (4)
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 the Assistant Director or other supervisory official in the Office of Administrative Law (OAL), supervises a team of Judicial Support Specialists responsible for coordinating various activities related to the processing of cases once they are assigned to an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ); monitors workflow and emergent deadlines to ensure that all judicial proceedings and decisions are completed within statutory timelines; may function in the capacity of a Judicial Support Specialist and provide coverage for colleagues in their absence so that judges are supported at all times; supervises staff and work activities; prepares and signs official performance evaluations for subordinate staff; does other related duties as required.
Examples of work
Plans, organizes, and directs judicial case processing work programs and supervises the daily operations and activities of the judicial support specialist staff. Develops and implements policies, work methods, standards, practices, and procedures to ensure effective case management. Assigns and instructs subordinate judicial support staff and supervises the performance of their work. Supervises the work operations and/or functional programs and has responsibility for employee evaluations and for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting and/or disciplining of employees. Develops and implements optimum work schedules ensuring that work schedules are based on the availability of personnel and in consideration of priorities; ensures adequate staffing on a daily basis. Prioritizes and regulates daily workflow case assignment to judicial support specialist staff in accordance with established case processing timeframes established by statute. Coordinates case assignment and scheduling activity, including responding to emergency hearing needs; adjourns and reschedules hearings and conferences within specified time frames; collects information necessary to the master calendar process. Assists ALJ's in advancing the movement of cases from initial assignment to final disposition. Acts as the liaison between assigned ALJ's and the various units within the OAL, Local and State Agencies, attorneys, litigants and/or other outside parties regarding case status and each step involved in judicial proceedings in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Contacts attorneys and other parties to administrative hearings to coordinate the scheduling of pre-hearing and status conferences, settlement conferences, plenary hearings and other proceedings, and to resolve minor disputes, and obtain or disseminate case-related information to the attorneys and concerned parties. Supervises the daily monitoring of case processing and case flow activity and evaluates completed case assignments; analyzes and evaluates case processing from case assignment through final disposition. Finalizes draft decisions and other legal documents received from ALJ's for dissemination to appropriate parties; may also prepare an exhibit and/or witness list for inclusion in final draft of initial decision. Prepares initial decision extension requests, orders of disqualification and other legal documentation related to case processing, to ensure compliance with statutory time limits. Gives technical advice and/or assists staff with cases in progress. Establishes and maintains case logs and related control files to facilitate work flow and case control. Coordinates availability of facility resources, staff, reference materials and other resources for scheduled meetings and hearings both in the field and in the office. Supervises the training of new employees and provides on-the-job training to staff; evaluates training needs and recommends training of staff. Interprets and disseminates information from directives, operation bulletins, policies, and procedures. Supervises the establishment, maintenance and review of case records, files, transcripts, and other information resources, including the review of filings and motions. Supervises the preparation of reports and correspondence. On receipt of new cases, screens for completeness and compliance with legal and procedural requirements, flags procedural problems, missing documents, or other unusual circumstances to the assigned ALJ's. Schedules or reschedules hearings for assigned Judges at own initiative, reschedules double-booked cases, adjournments and postponements within specified timeframes and coordinating schedules, space, and other logistic requirements for judicial case proceedings in the field and in the office. Ensures that ALJ's hearing cases in the field have recording equipment and all other materials necessary to proceed effectively. Finalizes draft initial decisions for dissemination to appropriate parties; prepares exhibit and/or witness list for inclusion in final draft of initial decision. Reviews assigned case files and expedites Civil Service Removal (CSR), DYFS (Cari), Higher Education Assistance (HEA) and Special Education (EDS) cases in accordance with OAL procedures and federal legal requirements (EDS, HEA, and some Department of Agriculture food programs). Schedules hearing dates of expedited cases with attorneys or their assistants on the next available hearing date to ensure these cases are handled in accordance with administrative procedures and federal guidelines. Ensures CSR cases are scheduled to conclude within the timeframe set by statute for police officers and firefighters. Follows up with CSR litigants for necessary documentation and acknowledges waivers of pay. Ensures HEA matters are held and decided within the timeframe set by statute, coordinating with the Higher Education attorney and the litigant to schedule matter expeditiously. Reviews case law and provides to ALJ prior to the HEA hearing. Schedules telephone pre-hearing and tentative dates for public and plenary hearings with all parties (usually 6-10) in BPU cases. Contacts all parties in Special Education cases to schedule a telephone pre-hearing, hearing dates and prepares draft of pre-hearing order. Collects and updates all pertinent information necessary for the Practice Manager Case Management System related to each individual case for assigned ALJs, including hearing dates, docket numbers, contact information and decision status. Handles all adjournment requests, rescheduling, updates to PM entries when counsel or addresses change, updates hearing dispositions, including generating, printing, and mailing of all notices in connection with assigned cases. Monitors the Administrative Law Judges' master calendars to determine pending matters and hearings, telephone conferences, oral arguments, settlements, and to resolve scheduling conflicts and incorporate additions, deletions, changes, or other factors affecting the readiness for hearing of all parties involved. Responds to telephone or written inquiries from attorneys representing litigants and parties to the assigned case, providing information about case documentation, scheduling, hearings, decision status and other related matters. Answers inquiries from pro se litigants to provide guidance and assist in understanding the administrative hearing process. Assists litigants and/or their legal representatives in completing forms related to the subpoena process, notices of appearance and other relevant judicial processes. Formats decisions and legal documents with appropriate agency-specific language to ensure compliance with applicable state and federal statutes as well as agency rules. Edits decisions to verify correct legal citation and/or verbiage cited in initial decision. Organizes, maintains, and updates case files for multiple ALJ's, including the review of filings and motions. Retrieves incoming mail, emails and facsimiles and responds by phone and/or in writing to inquiries as deemed appropriate. Answers all phone calls for assigned ALJs; takes and relays messages by telephone, email, or handwritten messages in a timely manner and with all needed information. Initiates daily conference calls for assigned ALJs. Drafts and formats correspondence, dismissals for failure to appear, orders of inactivity, pre-hearing orders, orders to sea, consolidation orders, in addition to any other related forms for all assigned cases. Disseminates legal documentation and/or other sensitive case-related information. Prepares initial decision extension requests, orders of disqualification and other legal documentation related to case processing, to ensure compliance with statutory time limits. Proofreads all Initial and Final Decisions and prepares an Appendix before finalizing for signature by the ALJ. Ensures case file meets OAL standards (initial decision and transmittal in front, exhibits and briefs in back, purging all ALJ's notes) before returning file to agency. Supervises and conducts legal research including, but not limited to, checking citations, locating relevant prior decisions, looking up statutes, cases, and regulations, etc. Composes and/or prepares complex correspondence and legal documents from handwritten papers or dictation. Contacts Clerk's Office for next emergent calendar when rescheduling from assigned ALJs' emergent calendars, contacting agency and client to confirm the date and advise all parties that the call will be their only form of notice. Assists ALJs of other Judicial Support Specialists in their absence. 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 other 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 legal terminology and judicial procedures. Knowledge of legal principles and concepts. Knowledge of legal research techniques utilizing computerized databases and/or legal source materials. Knowledge of the various processes and procedures utilized in dealing with detailed legal, technical, or medial problems. Knowledge of the rules, regulations, policies, and procedures concerning the adjudication of cases heard by ALJ's. Knowledge of state and federal case processing procedures and requirements specific to agencies under the jurisdiction of the OAL. Knowledge of the functions of all units within the OAL and their relationship to the work of the ALJ's. Knowledge of statutory time limits assigned for Administrative Law hearings. Ability to independently draft and format legal documents of a complex nature within a specified timeframe. Ability to act as a confidential assistant to a public official and to relieve him/her of office detail. Ability to use the Internet as a tool in assisting litigants and their legal representatives. Ability to handle sensitive matters with integrity, impartiality, and confidentiality. Ability to distinguish, assess, and respond to changing job priorities in relation to overall work responsibilities. Ability to effectively utilize word processing software, electronic mail applications, and spreadsheet programs. Ability to train employees to ensure the prompt and efficient flow of work. Ability to plan, organize, and supervise the work of a group of Judicial Support Specialists in such a manner as to ensure prompt and efficient services and to handle rush assignments. Ability to organize and maintain extensive case files of a complex legal nature. Ability to adequately explain programs and procedures to individuals outside of the work unit and to the public. Ability to prepare reports and to maintain essential records and files. Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in dealing with difficult individuals. 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 be not eligible.
Note
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. 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. Eight (8) years of professional experience coordinating various activities related to the processing of judicial/legal cases, or as a paralegal. OR Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; and four (4) years of the above-mentioned professional experience. OR Possession of an associate's degree in any field; and six (6) 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.