SIGN TECHNICIAN TRAINEE
Sign Technician Trainee is non-competitive, meaning the state checks your education and experience against the spec instead of ranking you on a test.
Pay on the FY 2027 schedule runs $42,084 to $43,847.
How to apply
This title is not filled by examination — agencies appoint directly.
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See where to apply for this title →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 the close supervision of a Crew Supervisor, Signs in the Department of Transportation, as a trainee and productive worker, receives on-the-job training in the fabrication, reconditioning, installation, replacement, and repair of highway signs, including sign support structures for various types of highway signs; learns how to operate, adjust, and maintain necessary equipment; does other related duties as required.
Examples of work
- Receives on-the-job training in the installation, maintenance, and repair of highway signs, sign structures, and the equipment and machinery required for the fabrication of highway traffic signs.
- Learns to lay out various signs for the application of electronically cut reflective letters, backgrounds, and/or die stamped metal letters.
- Learns to operate and maintain the machinery necessary to cut and apply reflective letters and backgrounds.
- Learns to operate hydraulic power sheers to cut materials to the appropriate size.
- Learns proper safety and operation of a plasma cutter.
- Learns to enlarge scale-sized drawings from the Standard Highway Signs Manual.
- Learns to operate and maintain the equipment used in the screen printing of signs; mixes inks to the proper consistency for screen process printing.
- Learns to fabricate silk screens and cut screen stencils by hand from several types of stencil film.
- Learns to fabricate vinyl banners.
- Learns to spray-paint various types of surfaces.
- Learns to maintain the shop, tools, and equipment in an orderly and safe condition.
- Learns to work from heights up to 75 feet from an aerial platform truck or similar equipment.
- Learns to repair, replace, and install signs and sign support structures, and assist in the performance of priority repairs.
- Learns to drive automobiles, trucks, or other equipment as required.
- Learns to maintain records of work completed and materials used.
- Learns to operate and maintain the computer assisted and electronic sign making equipment used in the design of signs.
- Performs snow removal and ice control work at any time of day or night as required.
- 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.
Education
Appointees must successfully complete the following training within one (1) year of appointment:
- Work Zone Safety - Blood Borne Pathogen/Poisonous Plants - Hazardous Material Handling - Driver Awareness - Basic Snow Fighter - Communications/Two-way Radio - Identifying Roadway Sign Damage - Qualified Person Training - Boom Truck Operation and Safety - Industrial Crane and Rigging
<b>LICENSE AND CERTIFICATION:</b>
Appointees will be required to obtain and maintain a current certification as a Powered Industrial Truck Operator issued by the New Jersey Department of Transportation within the first twelve (12) months after appointment to the title, or possess a current Coaching the Lift Truck Operator 2 certification or its equivalent.
Appointees must obtain a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) and applicable endorsements for the class and type of vehicle being operated within the first six (6) months after appointment to the title.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
- Knowledge of the use of basic hand tools, including power actuated and pneumatic tools.
- Knowledge of taking measurements and utilization of measuring devices.
- Ability to learn screen process printing techniques.
- Ability to understand and apply appropriate safety precautions, especially work zone safety measures.
- Ability to learn the methods, materials, and techniques used to lay out traffic and highway signs.
- Ability to learn to cut screen stencils by hand.
- Ability to learn to operate and maintain tools, equipment, and machinery used for the large-scale production of signs and repair of sign support structures.
- Ability to learn to work from an aerial platform truck or similar equipment, up to a height of 75 feet.
- Ability to learn to fabricate, erect, and recondition signs, support structures, and effect repairs.
- Ability to learn to mix and thin inks for screen process printing.
- Ability to learn to maintain 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 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.
- <b>ADVANCEMENT:</b>
- Appointees who successfully complete the twelve (12) month trainee period, including the required training units and obtaining the required CDL license with the applicable endorsements for the class and type of vehicle being operated within six (6) months of appointment and a certification as a Powered Industrial Truck operator within twelve (12) months of appointment (if the employee does not already possess a Coaching the Lift Truck Operator 2 certification or an equivalent certification), will be eligible for advancement to the title Sign Technician 1.
- The inability of an employee in this title to obtain a CDL license and applicable endorsements for the class and type of vehicle being operated within six (6) months of appointment and a certification as a Powered Industrial Truck operator within twelve (12) months of appointment (if the employee does not already possess a Coaching the Lift Truck Operator 2 certification or an equivalent certification), to complete the required training period, and/or to attain a level of performance warranting advancement to the Sign Technician 1 title, shall be considered a cause for separation.
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.
The responsibility for ensuring that employees possess the required motor vehicle license, commensurate with the class and type of vehicles they operate, and the Powered Industrial Truck Operator certification, Coaching the Lift Truck Operator 2 certification, or an equivalent certification, rests with the Appointing Authority.