NJ Civil Service Navigator

SPECIAL STAFF OFFICER 2

Code: 34373 State Unclassified Range: S20 (FY2026)

Career Family: SPECIAL STAFF OFFICER

Salary: $61,510.14 - $89,809.83/year FY2026 schedule (last updated 2026-05-08)

Special Staff Officer 2 is an unclassified state title, filled by appointment and outside the tenure protections that cover the competitive ranks.

On the Special Staff Officer ladder it falls between Special Staff Officer 3 and Special Staff Officer 1. The stated bar is a bachelor's degree, but candidates can swap in added experience for the diploma. The FY2026 range lands between $61,510 and $89,810, and state payroll currently lists 6 people in the title, most of them at Military and Veterans Affairs.

How to apply

  • No exam
    This title is not filled by examination

    Non-competitive, unclassified, and Senior Executive Service titles are appointed directly by the hiring agency rather than through a civil service exam. Apply directly to the agency below.

  • Agency posting

    Department of Military and Veterans Affairs's employment page may require a click-through to see specific openings. Provisional appointment against a posted vacancy is how most people are actually hired into this kind of title.

Pay ladder: Special Staff Officer series

  1. Special Staff Officer 3 — $58,818 – $85,742
  2. Special Staff Officer 2 — $64,340 – $94,062 (this title)
  3. Special Staff Officer 1 — $70,431 – $103,187

Promoting to Special Staff Officer 1 raises the top of the band by about $9,125. Its top salary lands around the 32nd 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.

Who employs this title

State payroll records show 6 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $88,395. The agencies employing the most are:

  • Military and Veterans Affairs (6)

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.

Definition

Works under a Principal Staff Officer or Special Staff Officer 1, assisting in the formulation and execution of procedures pertinent to organization, training, and utilization of resources; does other related duties as required.

Examples of work

Is the principal assistant to the Principal Staff Officer or Special Staff Officer 1, and acts as a planner, advisor, and coordinator for appropriate bureau or branch business. Supervises employees of the bureau or branch as applicable. Acts as an assistant on matters related to the bureau or branch in which assigned. Maintains liaison with other organizational units providing support services such as data processing, accounting, purchasing, printing, and personnel. Implements budget controls, maintains or supervises the maintenance of resource use of records, and provides reports thereon. Keeps current on new and revised policy statements, regulations, directives, and other communications published by the department's primary divisions, and develops plans and procedures for implementation of such communications. Collects data and prepares reports on support of program activities, time and attendance records, fiscal expenditures, and statistical records of performance data. May assist in investigating problems and making recommendations for solutions. May assist in planning and implementing improvements including organizational changes and work systems. May assist in the coordination of office operations including clerical work, internal reporting systems, forms, and space and office equipment, and suggests methods for office improvements. Attends meetings and conferences, and prepares reports thereon. Reviews and/or prepares draft and final routine correspondence. Supervises work operations and/or functional programs and has responsibility for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting, and/or disciplining of employees. Serves as Military Aide to the Governor. Supervises the maintenance of records and files. 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.

Requirements

Incumbent must be an active member of the New Jersey National Guard upon assignment to this position unless formally waived by the Chief of Staff, New Jersey Department of Military Affairs or Department of Veterans Affairs. When the individual loses military status for any reason, his or her term of employment may be extended by the Chief of Staff in a civilian status until such time as the incumbent is eligible for retirement as a veteran under NJSA 43:15A-61.

Education

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree.

Experience

Two (2) years of military experience including at least one (1) year of military experience at battalion level or in a support type unit.

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 essential duties of the position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

Knowledge of principles and procedures of military related problems including management and their adaptation. Knowledge of division and department organization and state military forces. Knowledge of government budget and administrative practices and procedures. Knowledge of and familiarity with office management principles, procedures, and techniques and their adaptation. Knowledge of survey techniques and statistical and research methods. Knowledge of military procedures and customs of services. Ability to prepare statistical, financial, and other reports. Ability to analyze data. Ability to supervise control systems. Ability to speak and write effectively and to analyze, edit, review, and interpret complex technical material. Ability to maintain cooperative working relationships with the department and with outside departments and agencies. Ability to maintain records and files. 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. 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 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. Completion of a Branch Officer Basic Course or equivalent. Applicants who do not possess the required education may substitute experience as indicated above on a year for year basis. Final Secret Clearance required. SUNL20N/AS20- SUN420N/AS21- This job specification is for government use only. Salary range is only applicable to state government. Local salaries are established by individual local jurisdictions. 11/26/2005