LOCKSMITH
Locksmith sits in the competitive class of New Jersey's state or local civil service, so reaching it runs through testing and an eligible list instead of a straight hire.
It asks for 2 years of relevant experience. Pay on the FY 2027 schedule runs $52,308 to $75,954, and state payroll currently lists about 25 people in the title, led by Corrections.
How to apply
This title is filled by competitive examination.
See every real route in, and where to apply. 5 agencies employ it. We don't track live vacancies.
See all 5 employers and how to apply →Who employs this title
Locksmith appears on the State payroll at 6 departments, most of them at Department of Corrections.
State departments
| Employer | Employees |
|---|---|
| Department of Corrections | 8 |
| Department of Health | 6 |
| Department of Human Services | 6 |
| Department of Treasury | 2 |
| Juvenile Justice Commission | 2 |
| Department of Law & Public Safety | 1 |
Where this title is used
Locksmith is a common title, so it is used in both State and local service. The local side is filled by the counties, municipalities, authorities and other employers that have adopted civil service under Title 11A, which set their own pay by ordinance or contract rather than from a State salary schedule.
Check whether an employer is a civil service jurisdiction · How local civil service works
State payroll and independent authority payroll are separate systems and are never merged. See data sources.
Who employs this title
State payroll records show 25 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $71,101. The agencies employing the most are:
- Corrections (8)
- Health and Senior Services (6)
- Human Services (6)
- Treasury (2)
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 Crew Supervisor Locksmiths or other supervisory official in a State or local agency or institution, installs, repairs, rebuilds and opens varied types of mechanical or electronic locking and security devices; makes new and duplicate keys; does related work as required.
Examples of work
- Organizes assigned locksmith work, analyzes locksmith problems and develops appropriate work methods.
- Repairs locks, padlocks, safe locks, door locks and key locks.
- Installs, services and repairs various types of locks and security devices.
- Makes and repairs keys of various types using key cutting machines.
- Sets up and resets lock cylinders; rebuilds and installs locks; makes parts for locks and changes locks combinations by inserting new tumblers in shortening tumblers by filing them down.
- Does carpentry and other work when it is necessary to install a lock or repair a door with a lock.
- May be required to pick locks as needed.
- Opens safe locks by ear, dialing or drilling.
- Tears down and rebuilds all makes and types of automatic door operators, closers, checks and hold-opens.
- Plans and sets up key systems of the type required in state hospitals and/or penal, correctional, and other institutions.
- Troubleshoots, repairs and maintains both mechanical locking and electronic key card systems.
- May utilize a variety of software platforms including those used for access control and for record keeping.
- Oils and checks locks.
- Requisitions needed equipment, materials, and supplies, and sees that these are properly safeguarded and recorded.
- May assign and instruct others.
- Prepares factual reports.
- Maintains essential records and files.
- In the State Department of Human Services, may be required to undergo fire training classes.
- 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.
Experience
Two (2) years of comprehensive experience in the repair, alteration, and installation of locks, door checks and keys of varied types.
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 and familiarity with the problems associated with locksmith work.
- Knowledge of the repair, alteration, and installation of locks, door checks, door closers, door operators and keys of various types.
- Knowledge of and familiarity with the equipment, tools, and materials used in locksmith work.
- Knowledge of and familiarity with the particular locksmith problems likely to be encountered in work in a state hospital or penal, correctional, or other institution and their characteristics and individual advantages and disadvantages.
- Knowledge of the problems involved in devising effective uses for locks, keys, and other materials on hand.
- Ability to organize assigned locksmith work, analyze routine and emergency problems, and develop effective work methods.
- Ability to act in an efficient and effective manner when emergencies arise.
- Ability to use tools and equipment effectively and to tear down, rebuild, repair, install, and open locks of varied types.
- Ability to alter locks, door checks, and door closers and keys.
- Ability to operate machinery used to make keys.
- Ability to do carpentry work involved in the installation of locks.
- Ability to oil and service locks.
- Ability to plan and set up usable keying systems.
- Ability to make effective use of available equipment, materials, tools, and supplies.
- Ability to prepare reports.
- Ability to maintain essential 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.
Note
The definition and 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.