CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST 4
Career Family: CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST
Construction Management Specialist 4 sits in the competitive class of New Jersey's state or local civil service, so reaching it runs through testing and an eligible list instead of a straight hire.
This is where the Construction Management Specialist ladder starts, one grade under Construction Management Specialist 3, whose band tops out about $14,761 higher. It lists a master's degree as the baseline, with an experience-based path open to those who do not hold the degree. Pay on the FY2026 schedule runs $67,312 to $98,503.
How to get hired
- Watch for an open-competitive announcement for Construction Management Specialist 4 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: Construction Management Specialist series
- Construction Management Specialist 4 — $67,312 – $98,503 (this title)
- Construction Management Specialist 3 — $77,144 – $113,264
- Construction Management Specialist 2 — $92,711 – $136,605
- Construction Management Specialist 1 — $111,629 – $164,957
Promoting to Construction Management Specialist 3 raises the top of the band by about $14,761. Its top salary lands around the 42nd 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.
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 the close supervision of a Construction Management Specialist 1 or other supervisory official in a State or local agency, assists in the preparation of the design, project control, cost estimation, contract administration, quality assurance, scheduling and control activities involved in capital construction, public works projects, or programs administered by the division; does other related duties as required.
Examples of work
Complies with division policies. Coordinates and works with contracted consultants and constructors relevant to project requirements in accordance with established procedures. Attends training. Attends meetings regarding projects and capital improvement programs. Confers with supervisor regarding design and construction issues encountered in the day-to-day activities of projects. Performs tasks associated with development, operation, improvement, and/or maintenance of automated design and construction project management and control systems utilized by the division. Inspects ongoing construction projects to determine quality assurance and conformance with the State Uniform Construction Code. Assists in conducting annual permit inspections at state facilities certified to perform minor construction work. Monitors the design and construction process to ensure that projects are executed in accordance with contract specifications, schedule, budget, and using agency requirements. May assist representatives of state agencies in establishing scopes of work for new design projects and in selecting consultants. Recommends time schedules for each phase of design and construction. Provides input for project status reports containing analyses of physical and financial progress of the work. May assist in conducting constructability reviews prior to design maturity, visits project sites, and reports on the form, fit, and function of the design. May assist in preparation of orders of magnitude, conceptual preliminary budget, and definitive construction cost estimates; may assist in developing quantity take-offs for labor, material, equipment, other direct costs, indirect costs, and profit. Reviews and makes recommendations and non-design contractor submittals such as invoices, award of subcontractors, unit schedule breakdowns, and waivers of contract requirements. Coordinates project administration within the units, and addresses the resolution of contract interpretations, changes, disputes, and inspection requirements. Uses the computerized contract information system, compiles input data, analyzes output information, and prepares required reports. Participates in contract pre-performance conferences. Participates in the resolution of audit findings. May assist in the conduct of negotiations and in preparation of negotiations memoranda on change order requests. May be required to learn how to use Geographic Information System (GIS) technology. Identifies potential delays and takes appropriate actions to eliminate or minimize their cause and/or impact on the project and the State. May assist in preparation of clear, technically sound, accurate, and informative reports and estimates containing findings and determinations. Inspects construction work completed by electrical, mechanical, plumbing, structural steel, and general contractors for conformance with recognized standards and contract documents. Prepares a clear, accurate job record in logbook listing inspections conducted, personnel on site, delivery of major equipment, strikes, causes of delays, and job problems. Maintains integrity and confidentiality in division and program operations. Drafts correspondence. Establishes and maintains essential records and files. 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.
Requirements
Knowledge, skills and abilities
Knowledge of design and construction concepts and practices. Knowledge of various types of contracts, amendments, and change orders. Ability to interpret and apply planning principles, practices, and procedures relevant to state construction programs. Ability to interpret and apply New Jersey construction law. Ability to interpret and apply the state's procurement statutes, department regulations, and division policies and procedures relevant to methods of procurement, contract types, solicitations, publicizing contract actions, selection of consultants/contractors, evaluations, and awards. Ability to work effectively with associates, representatives of state agencies, and others concerned with the administration of public works projects. Ability to establish and maintain essential records and files. Ability to use established construction terminology in both oral and written communication. Ability to prepare correspondence. Ability to prepare clear, technically sound, accurate, and informative project, program, and other reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. 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 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.
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. Six (6) years of professional experience in the field of architecture, engineering, project management, construction contract management, financial contract management, facilities management, construction quality assurance, or related area involving complex building projects. OR Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; and two (2) years of the above-mentioned professional experience. OR Possession of a master's degree in a specialty area related to construction; and one (1) year of the above-mentioned professional experience. Possession of a valid New Jersey Architect's License issued by the Board of Architects and Certified Landscape Architects may be substituted for two (2) years of the above-mentioned professional experience. Possession of a valid Professional Engineer's License issued by the State Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors may be substituted for two (2) years of the above-mentioned professional experience. Possession of a valid New Jersey Uniform Construction Code License issued by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs may be substituted for one (1) year 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. Within the Department of the Treasury, Division of Property Management and Construction, appointees may be required to possess one or more of the following licenses. The appointing authority is responsible for license verification. Possession of a valid New Jersey Architect's License issued by the Board of Architects and Certified Landscape Architects. Possession of a valid Professional Engineer's License issued by the State Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors. Possession of a valid New Jersey Uniform Construction Code License issued by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. Possession of a valid license as a Construction Official issued by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. Possession of a valid license as a Building Subcode Official issued by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. Appointees must also possess a valid license as a Building Inspector at the high-rise and hazardous (HHS) level, issued by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. Possession of a valid license as an Electrical Subcode Official issued by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. Appointees must also possess a valid license as an Electrical Inspector at the high-rise and hazardous (HHS) level, issued by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. Possession of a valid license as a Plumbing Subcode Official issued by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. Appointees must also possess a valid license as a Plumbing Inspector at the high-rise and hazardous (HHS) level, issued by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. Possession of a valid license as a Fire Subcode Official issued by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. Appointees must also possess a valid license as a Fire Inspector at the high-rise and hazardous (HHS) level, issued by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. 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 essential duties of the position.