OPERATING ENGINEER 1
Career Family: OPERATING ENGINEER
Operating Engineer 1 sits in the competitive class of New Jersey's state civil service, so reaching it runs through testing and an eligible list instead of a straight hire.
This is the senior rung of the Operating Engineer series, the level you reach after Operating Engineer 2. It asks for a professional license. Pay on the FY 2027 schedule runs $52,308 to $75,954, and state payroll currently lists about 24 people in the title, led by Health and Senior Services.
How to apply
This title is filled by competitive examination.
See every real route in, and where to apply. 4 agencies employ it. We don't track live vacancies.
See all 4 employers and how to apply →Who employs this title
Operating Engineer 1 appears on the State payroll at 5 departments, most of them at Department of Health.
State departments
| Employer | Employees |
|---|---|
| Department of Health | 7 |
| Department of Corrections | 7 |
| Department of Human Services | 5 |
| Department of Treasury | 4 |
| Juvenile Justice Commission | 1 |
State payroll and independent authority payroll are separate systems and are never merged. See data sources.
Pay ladder: Operating Engineer series
- Operating Engineer 2 — $45,874 – $66,294
- Operating Engineer 1 — $52,308 – $75,954 (this title)
Its top salary lands around the 18th percentile of all NJ civil service titles that publish a range.
Rungs are ordered by FY 2027 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 24 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $73,386. The agencies employing the most are:
- Health and Senior Services (7)
- Corrections (7)
- Human Services (5)
- Treasury (4)
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.
Examples of work
- Takes the lead in the work involved in the operation and maintenance of boilers, engines, turbines, motors, generators and auxiliary equipment used in power and heating plants.
- Operates, maintains, and makes minor and emergency repairs to varied types of generators and motors, feed and vacuum pumps, feed conveyors, blowers, governors controlling the rate of fuel consumption and automatic stokers.
- Periodically conducts comprehensive tests and takes readings of fuel consumption pressure, draft conditions, temperatures and steam flow, and other recordings.
- Receives, stores, safeguards, records, and supervises the use of equipment, materials and supplies.
- Maintains the records and files of the power plant.
- During emergencies and/or equivalent failure, ensures safe, efficient operation and maintenance of power and heating plants and related equipment.
- Reports fuel and water consumption and reports excessive usage.
- Visually inspects piping and equipment for problems and makes necessary repairs.
- May oversee the installation of new equipment and/or modification of exisitng equipment to operate at peak energy efficiency.
- May recommend changes to operating procedures to improve efficiency.
- 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 related units.
- <b>REQUIREMENTS
- EXPERIENCE:</b>
- Two (2) years of experience in work involving the operation and repair of stationary steam boilers and auxiliary equipment of a power plant or high pressure heating plant.
License
Appointees must possess an appropriate Operating Engineer's license (Blue Seal minimum) of the appropriate grade, issued by the New Jersey Department of Labor.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
- Knowledge of the varied types of boilers, engines, motors, and auxiliary equipment used in power and heating plants and the methods of proper use, care, adjustments, and maintenance.
- Knowledge of the methods used to operate, maintain, and making minor repairs and adjustments to varied types of feed and vacuum pumps, generators and motors, feed conveyors, blowers, and automatic stokers.
- Knowledge of the methods used to set governors.
- Knowledge of the varied safety devices and measures used to operate power and heating plants and auxiliary equipment.
- Knowledge of the methods used to conduct periodic comprehensive tests and to record periodic readings of fuel consumption, pressure, draft conditions, temperature, steam flow, and other recording apparatus.
- Ability to identify power and heating plant operation and maintenance problems.
- Ability to assign and instruct power and heating plant employees in the performance of their work.
- Ability to work effectively with associates.
- Ability to operate, maintain, and make minor and emergency repairs to varied types of boilers, engines, electrical generating equipment, and other types of machinery and equipment used in power and heating plants.
- Ability to inspect, check, and properly use safety units and devices.
- Ability to lubricate and clean machinery and equipment and operate and maintain varied types of feed and vacuum pumps, generators and motors, feed conveyors, blowers and automatic stokers.
- Ability to set varied types of governors and to record accurately readings of fuel consumption, pressure, draft conditions, temperature, and steam flow.
- Ability to obtain, store, safeguard, and use and record power plant equipment, materials, and supplies.
- Ability to prepare reports of time, readings, and fuel consumption.
- Ability to maintain records and files.
- 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 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.
- CODES: 15/C16 - MER 04/09/09
Note
The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.
Candidates will be admitted to the examination who possess any grade Operating Engineer's license, but appointments to specific vacancies will be contingent upon possession of the appropriate license for the size and type equipment involved.
Appointee will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the positions.