COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER (A23)
Communications Officer 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.
Candidates need 3 years of relevant experience and a professional license. Pay on the FY 2027 schedule runs $72,896 to $106,798, and state payroll currently lists 2 people in the title, led by Transportation.
How to apply
This title is filled by competitive examination.
See every real route in, and where to apply. 2 agencies employ it. We don't track live vacancies.
See all 2 employers and how to apply →Who employs this title
Communications Officer appears on the State payroll at 2 departments, most of them at Department of Transportation. It is also used at one independent authority, South Jersey Transportation Authority.
State departments
| Employer | Employees |
|---|---|
| Department of Transportation | 1 |
| Department of Environmental Protection | 1 |
Independent authorities
| Employer | Employees |
|---|---|
| South Jersey Transportation Authority | 1 |
State payroll and independent authority payroll are separate systems and are never merged. See data sources.
Who employs this title
State payroll records show 2 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $89,172. The agencies employing the most are:
- Transportation (1)
- Environmental Protection (1)
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 direction of a director or other designated official in the Department of Law and Public Safety or Environmental Protection, assists in the planning and implementation of programs designed to provide emergency communications capability and an adequate emergency warning system; administers, updates, and maintains current established state plans and/or department policies and procedures governing the establishment and operation of complex communications systems, networks, and/or warning systems; does related work as required.
Examples of work
- Works with wide latitude in the exercise of independent judgement; work is reviewed through conferences, reports or meetings for results obtained and conformance to established policies, procedures, objectives, rules, and regulations.
- Plans, organizes, and assigns the work of the organizational unit and evaluates employee performance and conduct, enabling the effective recommendation of the hiring, firing, promoting, and disciplining of subordinates.
- Plans and reviews the work of county Emergency Management - Disaster Control Communications Organizations or Communications Operators.
- Assists in the planning and implementation of statewide programs designed to improve or conduct emergency communications and warning capabilities not only within the Division but in other departments of government and non-government agencies.
- May be required to serve as staff advisor to the director on all technical and operational matters pertaining to communications and warning.
- Directs and/or supervises the operation of a Communication Center whose systems include, but not limited to, telephone, teletypewriters, radio, wire, computer modem systems, or other associated services.
- Maintains a statewide or departmentwide Communication Equipment Inventory.
- Promotes the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Services (RACES) system, provides guidance and assistance in the formulation of "RACES" plans, and activates these plans in an emergency.
- Prepares project applications for federal funds to provide for expansion of emergency communications and warning facilities.
- Assists in the preparation of the communications budget; prepares purchase orders or maintenance agreements for the upkeep or upgrade of radio, telephone, computer recording devices, and other equipment related to the program.
- Maintains liaison with the regional office of the Federal Emergency Management Agency on communication and warning activities.
- Establishes staffing patterns for emergency communications and warning systems and operates and assists in the training program for both staff and volunteer personnel.
- May be required to establish a duty roster for emergency personnel to maintain a 24-hour 7 day a week communications operation.
- Conducts and participates in periodic tests or exercises of communications network to ensure operational readiness and efficiency.
- Reviews, updates, and keeps ready State Plans, Emergency Communications Planning Reports, Standard Operating Procedures, or other department policies and procedures as they relate to communication during routine and emergency situations.
- Plans and coordinates expansion of state warning systems and monitors State extensions of the National Warning Systems.
- Develops standard operating procedures at the state, county, and local levels as they relate to use and operations of the radio, telephone, or other emergency communication equipment.
- May be required to supervise the documentation of any and all verbal communication associated with environmental incidents, as well as the update or modification of original report on file, if needed.
- As required, may be called upon to act as witness for the State at hearings and/or in court, and give testimony under oath.
- Analyzes and evaluates situational problems regarding communications capability and presents primary courses of action for resolution.
- May be required to represent the division at inter- and intra- departmental meetings regarding emergency communications, or warning systems.
- Drafts correspondence reports or memorandum in the course of official duties.
- Prepares clear, sound, accurate, and informative reports containing findings, conclusions, or recommendations.
- Maintains essential records, reports, and files.
- Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and computerized information systems used by the agency, office, or unit.
Education
Successful completion of fifteen (15) college semester hour credits in electronics from an accredited college, vocational school, or military electronics school.
Experience
Three (3) years of experience in work involving the receiving, sending, and relaying of radio, electronic, and computer communications, and the receiving, relaying, and recording of complaints and requests for emergency assistance and emergency warning.
License
Appointees must possess or have the ability to obtain within six (6) months after appointment an FCC General Class Amateur Radio License or a valid Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit issued by the Federal Communications Commission.
Appointee 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 in the design, maintenance, and testing of complex electronic communications systems and/or in the operation of radio, computer, and telephone equipment in a complex and centralized communications program.
- Knowledge of the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Services.
- Knowledge of the principles of electricity and electronics and their application to communications readiness and operation.
- Knowledge of the rules and regulations of the Federal Communications Commission pertaining to the operation and maintenance of radio receiving and transmitting stations.
- Knowledge of the federal and state laws pertaining to Emergency Management after a period of training.
- Knowledge of modern office procedures, and of the methods and techniques used in the review and analysis of administrative procedures and performances.
- Ability to organize assigned work, analyze communications problems, and develop effective work methods and procedures.
- Ability to install, operate, maintain, and repair all communication equipment common to Emergency Management - Disaster Control Communications organizations.
- Ability to assist in planning and implementing emergency communications and warning capabilities or programs in government and non-government agencies.
- Ability to serve as staff advisor to the Director on matters of emergency communications and warning.
- Ability to maintain a statewide or departmentwide communications inventory.
- Ability to prepare project applications for federal and/or state funds to provide expansion of facilities and the communications budget.
- Ability to maintain liaison with the regional office of the Federal Emergency Management Agency on communications and warning activities or with other bureaus, division, or state departments.
- Ability to establish staffing patterns or duty rosters and conduct periodic test, drills, and exercises.
- Ability to develop standard operating procedures, at state, county, or local levels.
- Ability to supervise the preparation of factual reports and statistical data.
- Ability to effectively supervise, coordinate, motivate, and evaluate performance of employees. Ability to analyze and evaluate situational problems regarding communications capability and to present primary courses of action for resolution.
- Ability to maintain an assuring and calming attitude during periods of stress and emergency in order to avoid unnecessary delays by responding emergency personnel.
- Ability to speak effectively in public.
- Ability to prepare official correspondence in clear, sound, technically accurate, and comprehensive reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
- Ability to maintain essential records, reports, and files.
- Ability 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 funcitons of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
- CODES: 23/A23- JMR 7/24/95 23/A24-
Note
Applicants who do not possess the required education may substitute two (2) additional years of experience for the fifteen (15) semester hour credits they are lacking.
Special Requirement
If assigned to DEP, the appointee will be required to wear a personal paging device and be capable of responding to Communications Center operational problems on a 24-hour, 7 day a week basis.