NJ Civil Service Navigator

NUTRITION PROGRAM SPECIALIST 1

Code: 44795 State Competitive Range: P21 (FY2026)

Career Family: NUTRITION PROGRAM SPECIALIST

Salary: $64,340.11 - $94,061.73/year FY2026 schedule (last updated 2026-05-08)

Nutrition Program Specialist 1 is a competitive state title, the kind you test for: the exam result, not a hiring manager's pick, decides where you land in line.

It is the lowest-paid of the 3 Nutrition Program Specialist grades, a step below Nutrition Program Specialist 2, whose band tops out about $24,616 higher. It expects a bachelor's degree and 2 years of relevant experience. Pay on the FY2026 schedule runs $64,340 to $94,062, and state payroll currently lists about 20 people in the title, most of them at Agriculture.

How to get hired

  1. Watch for an open-competitive announcement for Nutrition Program Specialist 1 on the NJ Civil Service Commission jobs portal. Announcements run for a fixed filing window.
  2. Apply during that window and sit the examination. Depending on the title, that can be a written test, a rating of your training and experience, or a mix of the two.
  3. Passing scores go onto a ranked eligible list. Veterans get preference points added on top of their score.
  4. When an agency has a vacancy it must appoint from the top of that list under the "Rule of Three." Many competitive jobs are first filled provisionally while the list is being built.

Read the official specification at NJ Civil Service Commission.

Pay ladder: Nutrition Program Specialist series

  1. Nutrition Program Specialist 1 — $64,340 – $94,062 (this title)
  2. Nutrition Program Specialist 2 — $80,756 – $118,678
  3. Nutrition Program Specialist 3 — $92,711 – $136,605

Promoting to Nutrition Program Specialist 2 raises the top of the band by about $24,616. Its top salary lands around the 37th 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 20 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $82,173. The agencies employing the most are:

  • Agriculture (20)

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

Under direction of a Nutrition Program Specialist 2 or other supervisory officer in the Department of Agriculture, assists and participates in the delivery of nutrition programs, provides technical assistance, works with program staff to monitor program sponsors/participants to determine compliance with applicable program regulations, assists program staff responsible for implementing measures to expand program participation; performs related work as required.

Examples of work

  • Develops surveys and other tools to collect and evaluate data needed for program activities and evaluations.
  • Assists in developing standards for sponsors participating in nutrition programs, and reviews sponsor participation practices for administrative compliance.
  • May review and recommend action on applications submitted by potential sponsors.
  • Develops measurement criteria and evaluates sponsor's food service methods.
  • Meets with organization, agencies and other interested groups to develop and promote child nutrition programs.
  • Evaluates meal patterns for participating sponsors to determine compliance with the nutritional requirements of the program.
  • Prepares reports containing findings, conclusions and recommendations.
  • 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

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in Nutrition, Food Service Management, Dietetics, Food Science, Food Technology, Home Economics, or other areas related to nutrition.

Experience

Two (2) years of experience in the development, implementation, evaluation or administration of nutrition programs.

License

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 of the principles of nutrition, food nutrient contents and food groupings.
  • Knowledge of the methods of menu planning and food purchasing.
  • Knowledge of sanitary safe food handling standards.
  • Knowledge of the methods and practices used to implement and evaluate the delivery of food service programs.
  • Knowledge of the methods, materials, techniques and equipment used in quantity food service.
  • Ability to interpret laws, rules and regulations regarding nutrition programs and apply them to specific situations.
  • Ability to develop, implement and maintain an effective system of program delivery for nutrition programs.
  • Ability to prepare and conduct trainings for program sponsors.
  • Ability to gather and analyze information.
  • Ability to organize assigned work and develop effective work methods.
  • Ability to develop and evaluate program participation standards, and develop recommendations for appropriate corrective action, when required.
  • Ability to prepare clear, sound, accurate and informative reports containing findings, conclusions and recommendations.
  • Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those interested or involved in the work of the unit.
  • Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by thy 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 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 degree in Home Economics must include or be supplemented by eighteen (18) semester hour credits in Food and Nutrition.

A Master's degree in one of the above subject areas may be substituted for one (1) year of experience.