GUARD (Competitive)
Guard is a competitive state title, the kind you test for: the exam result, not a hiring manager's pick, decides where you land in line.
Pay on the FY 2027 schedule runs $38,641 to $55,448, and state payroll currently lists about 136 people in the title, most of them at Law and Public Safety.
How to apply
This title is filled by competitive examination.
See every real route in, and where to apply. 3 agencies employ it. We don't track live vacancies.
See all 3 employers and how to apply →Who employs this title
Guard appears on the State payroll at 3 departments, most of them at Department of Law & Public Safety. It is also used at one independent authority, South Jersey Port Corporation.
State departments
| Employer | Employees |
|---|---|
| Department of Law & Public Safety | 119 |
| Department of Health | 14 |
| Department of Human Services | 3 |
Independent authorities
| Employer | Employees |
|---|---|
| South Jersey Port Corporation | 24 |
State payroll and independent authority payroll are separate systems and are never merged. See data sources.
Who employs this title
State payroll records show 136 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $45,453. The agencies employing the most are:
- Law and Public Safety (119)
- Health and Senior Services (14)
- Human Services (3)
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 supervision in a state department, patrols and protects state buildings, grounds and property against trespass, damage, and other designated areas; does related work as required.
Examples of work
- Patrols an assigned area and makes the required reports by telephone, punch clock or otherwise.
- Prevents unauthorized persons from entering the grounds and buildings; checks automobiles and trucks entering and leaving the property and makes a report of each state-owned vehicle indicating mileage, destination, the time of entering and leaving the property, the name of the person driving the car, and the license number.
- Takes action as required to prevent fire, theft, vandalism, disorder and/or damage or loss to state property and equipment.
- Opens offices daily and sees that rooms are properly ventilated; switches on lights, fans, motors, and air conditioners.
- Gives assistance when accidents or illness occur; in emergencies summons physicians, the fire department and/or police.
- Periodically makes inspection of the assigned areas and sees that litter is picked up and disposed of. When articles of value are found, turns these over to the custody of the supervisory officer.
- Directs callers to the reception desk or to other locations.
- Maintains order and decorum in the assigned office or other area. Sees that rest rooms and other areas are kept from loiterers.
- Escorts or removes offenders from the premises with a minimum of disturbance to office routine; assists department staff in the maintenance of order within the premises.
- Makes reports and keeps simple records.
- May 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.
Requirements
This is an entry level position and as such there are no formal education and/or experience requirements.
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 problems involved in safeguarding buildings, offices and grounds which cover a considerable area.
- Knowledge of the methods used in making reports of conditions noted and action taken.
- Ability to understand, remember and carry out oral and written directions.
- Ability to analyze simple problems, organize assigned guard work, and develop effective work methods.
- Ability to note significant conditions and take the proper action, when action is called for, in accordance with prescribed procedures.
- Ability to make reports of significant conditions and occurence and of the action taken.
- Ability to keep simple records.
- 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.
- CODES: I09-40 hrs. CAH 2/24/94 I09-40 hrs