TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION SPECIALIST 2
Career Family: TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION SPECIALIST
Training and Certification Specialist 2 is a state title in New Jersey's competitive civil service, which means the way in is an open exam rather than a direct appointment.
It is the top of the Training and Certification Specialist ladder, a grade above Training and Certification Specialist 1. On paper it calls for a bachelor's degree, though the specification lets enough relevant experience stand in for the degree. Pay on the FY2027 schedule runs $91,628 to $134,900.
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: Training and Certification Specialist series
- Training and Certification Specialist 1 — $69,668 – $101,951
- Training and Certification Specialist 2 — $91,628 – $134,900 (this title)
Its top salary lands around the 81st 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 the direction of the Division Director or other supervisory official in the Department of Community Affairs, develops and supervises a large and complex statewide fire safety educational, training, and credentialing program which includes the adoption of training programs and exams, approving eligible training organizations and facilities, and the issuance of certification titles authorized by N.J.A.C. 5:71 and N.J.A.C. 5:73, pursuant to the Uniform Fire Safety Act, N.J.S.A. 52:27D-192 et seq., and N.J.S.A. 52:27D-25a et seq.; supervises staff and work activities; prepares and signs official performance evaluations for subordinate staff; does other related duties as required.
Examples of work
Supervises the work operations and/or functional programs and has responsibility for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting, and/or disciplining of employees. Supervises the development and implementation of fire service and fire safety code training programs, and a certification program for persons who perform fire safety inspections of high rise and hazardous structures pursuant to the Uniform Fire Safety Act. Supervises the training and certification of businesses and contractors who shall engage in the installation, service, repair, inspection, or maintenance of fire protection equipment, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 5:74. Supervises the issuance, suspension, or revocation of certifications and permits. Acts as the State Contract Manager for the agency grants/contracts associated with the education, training, and credentialing programs authorized in N.J.A.C. 5:71 and N.J.A.C. 5:73. This may include oversight of agency grants/contracts to institutions of higher education for these purposes. Evaluates certification system procedures, identifies deficiencies, and prepares recommendations. Supervises the establishment and maintenance of records and files, including course completion records, certification applications, experience evaluations, and other records. Supervises the development and implementation of automated computer systems designed to track certifications issued, establish certification cycles, give credit for attendance at CEU programs, register stakeholders into programs, track examination results, and generate official statistical reports and rosters. Supervises the development and revision of regulations for the certifications authorized in N.J.A.C. 5:71 and N.J.A.C. 5:73. Establishes guidelines for curriculum content and instructor requirements for courses required to meet certification requirements authorized in N.J.A.C. 5:71 and N.J.A.C. 5:73. Supervises the development of an assessment system to monitor and evaluate the materials, delivery, and content of education and training courses; provides technical assistance in curriculum development and implementation. Approves or disapproves courses proposed by fire service eligible organizations. Establishes standards for and supervises the evaluation of training, education, and experience/equivalency substitutes for specific certification requirements. Supervises the coordination of instructor assignments, selection of program delivery locations, program materials, and publicity for Department sponsored training activities. Reviews training regulations and continuing education requirements for job specific accuracy; proposes amendments, deletions, and/or additions as required. Supervises the development and implementation of guidelines and procedures for awarding grants and state contracts to develop the materials for adopted educational, training, and credentialing programs. Works with eligible training organizations to promote the delivery of credentialing programs authorized by N.J.A.C. 5:71 and N.J.A.C. 5:73. Develops and maintains cooperative working relationships with agencies, individuals, and groups interested in or affected by fire safety and firefighting education, training, and credentialing. Gives testimony at hearings of the Office of Administrative Law involving certification appeals. Appears as a speaker before fire organizations, fire departments, professional conferences, and other interested groups. Prepares correspondence. Prepares and/or supervises the preparation of reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. 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.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
Knowledge of firefighting job performance requirements (JPRs), fire service instructional methodology, and fire code enforcement job proficiency requirements established in N.J.A.C. 5:71 and N.J.A.C. 5:73. Knowledge of the Uniform Fire Safety Act and regulations. Knowledge of supervisory principles and techniques. Knowledge of the methods used to evaluate student progress. Knowledge of theories, principles, and techniques relating to adult education. Knowledge of basic academic standards for the development of technical course criteria authorized in N.J.A.C. 5:71 and N.J.A.C. 5:73. Knowledge of resources available in the academic community to effectuate the education, training, and credentialing of the state fire service and fire code enforcement stakeholders. Knowledge of fire protection equipment and its installation, service, repair, inspection, and/or maintenance. Knowledge of fire protection equipment standards pursuant to N.J.A.C. 5:70 and N.J.A.C. 5:74. Knowledge of the essential steps and techniques involved in the development and continued use of operational specifications for management information systems. Ability to supervise assigned staff and plan, organize, and implement projects within the unit. Ability to understand the Uniform Fire Safety Act and related laws adopted by the State of New Jersey. Ability to comprehend and interpret laws, regulations, and adopted technical standards. Ability to develop content, procedures, and presentation of training courses. Ability to supervise the establishment of policies and procedures for the development, coordination, and evaluation of training programs. Ability to work with education administrators and teaching staff in the development of courses authorized in N.J.A.C. 5:71 and N.J.A.C. 5:73. Ability to review educational programs for conformity to established guidelines concerning course content and instructor qualifications. Ability to develop, schedule, and evaluate training classes. Ability to evaluate instructional personnel. Ability to develop program evaluation systems and management information systems for the operation and improvement of educational, certification, and fiscal support programs. Ability to develop and coordinate reporting systems with training institutions and testing services. Ability to evaluate and supervise a program of equivalency evaluation designed to permit the substitution of training courses to meet specific credentialing requirement components established in N.J.A.C. 5:71 and N.J.A.C. 5:73. Ability to supervise the implementation of a fire safety training needs survey. Ability to communicate effectively. Ability to prepare and/or supervise the preparation of reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Ability to prepare correspondence. 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 not be eligible.
Note
The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A position 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 in planning, developing, and/or administering a program of education, training, and credentialing in the areas of fire administration, fire prevention, fire suppression, technical rescue, fire code enforcement, or emergency incident management. OR Possession of a bachelor'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. LICENSE/CERTIFICATION: Appointees will be required to possess a minimum of a valid Firefighter I certification issued by the New Jersey Division of Fire Safety, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 5:73. Appointees will be required to possess a valid Fire Instructor II certification issued by the New Jersey Division of Fire Safety, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 5:73. Appointees will be required to possess a minimum of a valid Fire Officer I certification issued by the New Jersey Division of Fire Safety, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 5:73. Appointees will be required to possess a minimum of a valid Incident Management Level I certification issued by the New Jersey Division of Fire Safety, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 5:73. Appointees will be required to possess a valid Fire Official certification issued by the New Jersey Division of Fire Safety, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 5:71. 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.