MANAGEMENT IMPROVEMENT SPECIALIST 3
Career Family: MANAGEMENT IMPROVEMENT SPECIALIST
In New Jersey, Management Improvement Specialist 3 is filled through the competitive process: candidates take a civil service exam and are hired off a ranked list, not picked at will.
Of the 3 Management Improvement Specialist grades this one pays the most, sitting just above Management Improvement Specialist 2. The stated bar is a master's degree, but candidates can swap in added experience for the diploma. The FY 2027 range lands between $121,055 and $179,046, and state payroll currently lists about 11 people in the title, led by Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness.
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
Management Improvement Specialist 3 appears on the State payroll at 6 departments, most of them at Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness.
State departments
State payroll and independent authority payroll are separate systems and are never merged. See data sources.
Pay ladder: Management Improvement Specialist series
- Management Improvement Specialist 1 — $91,628 – $134,900
- Management Improvement Specialist 2 — $110,276 – $162,870
- Management Improvement Specialist 3 — $121,055 – $179,046 (this title)
Its top salary lands around the 98th 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 11 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $167,388. The agencies employing the most are:
- Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness (3)
- Law and Public Safety (3)
- Health and Senior Services (2)
- 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 the general direction of a senior executive official in a state department or agency, supervises staff responsible for enhancing management, organizational, and operational efficiency through the application of innovative strategies, data analytics, and technology based solutions; identifies and executes advanced administrative and operational improvements, leveraging cutting-edge technologies and data analytics to optimize performance; supervises and oversees complex management consulting projects from inception through implementation, ensuring alignment with agency goals and long-term strategic priorities; directs comprehensive organizational performance reviews and oversees high-impact projects focused on budget optimization, operational excellence, and process modernization; spearheads initiatives that integrate digital tools and incorporate best practices in organizational design, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and efficiency; supervises staff and work activities; prepares and signs official performance evaluations for subordinate staff; performs other related duties as required.
Examples of work
Supervises comprehensive analysis of agency operations, directing the use of data-driven methodologies and workflow assessments to identify inefficiencies and recommend actionable improvements. Takes a lead role in the design and implementation of digital transformation initiatives, focusing on the strategic integration of automation technologies, cloud infrastructures, and (AI) capabilities to enhance operational effectiveness. Supervises Management Improvement Specialists of a lower grade and others involved in the work of the unit. Guides the utilization of advanced techniques, including data analytics, work measurement studies, and digital tools to support accurate data collection, interpretation, and analysis for informed decision making. Supervises the development and recommendation of process optimization techniques, including workflow redesign, system improvements, and technology integration, to enhance productivity and service delivery. Collaborates with management to assess organizational structures and recommend changes that improve resource allocation, operational performance, and employee engagement. Supervise the facilitation of process changes, ensuring comprehensive plans that address training needs, timelines, and communication strategies for smooth transitions. Provides expert oversight and strategic guidance throughout the implementation phase, enabling real-time problem-solving, adaptive modifications, and robust training initiatives to ensure project success. Directs the development and testing of models to evaluate the impact of proposed solutions, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and budgetary constraints. Supervises the preparation and delivery of formal presentations and reports to agency leadership, detailing project outcomes, cost-benefit analyses, and recommendations for operational improvements. Utilizes advanced project management methodologies and tools to establish timelines, track milestones, and ensure the successful completion of assigned projects. Supervises studies on critical budgetary, administrative, and policy-related issues, offering recommendations to enhance agency performance. Monitors and assesses the effectiveness of implemented systems, processes, and tools, recommending updates as needed to maintain optimal performance. Supervises the work operations and/or functional programs and has responsibility for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting and/or disciplining of employees. Ensures recommendations and innovations comply with relevant laws, policies, and budgetary constraints, supervising risk assessments to evaluate potential impacts of proposed changes. Stays updated on industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in public administration, ensuring the integration of modern strategies in agency operations. Supervises the preparation of reports containing findings, conclusions, and formal recommendations. Supervises the preparation of correspondence in the course of official duties. Supervises the maintenance of essential records and files. May be required to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office or related units.
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 data-driven problem-solving techniques. Knowledge of modern digital transformation tools, including automation, artificial intelligence (AI), and cloud-based systems for process improvement. Knowledge of the theories of human behavior in organizational settings, including the topics of motivation systems, need and satisfaction considerations, and communication of expectations. Knowledge of the factors effecting productivity including role of the executive, availability of measures, role of the technical specialist, employee motivation, investment of capital. Knowledge of project management methodologies. Knowledge of the design, development, and implementation of modern management information systems and their applications in public sector settings. Knowledge of statistics, data analysis tools, and performance metrics to evaluate and drive operational improvements. Knowledge of work scheduling and production planning techniques. Knowledge of supervisory methods and techniques. Ability to elicit information through interviewing technique. Ability to prepare comprehensive reports, policy statements, and detailed recommendations for senior leadership and stakeholders. Ability to assign, instruct, and supervise subordinate staff. Ability to supervise and mentor first-level supervisors, project leads, and others to ensure project goals are met. Ability to develop and execute project plans, track progress, and adjust strategies based on ongoing assessments. Ability to communicate complex technical and operational concepts to non-technical audiences effectively, both verbally and in writing. Ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams and influence stakeholders at all levels of the organization. Ability to stay current with trends in public administration, organizational design, and technology applications in government settings. Ability to learn how 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, and 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 if they can perform the 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. Applicants must meet one of the following or combination of both experience and education. Thirty (30) semester hour credits are equal to one (1) year of relevant experience. Ten (10) years of professional experience in project management, process improvement, consulting, or other similar work, four (4) years of which shall have been providing technology-based solutions involving organizational or efficiency issues, designing management information and control systems, or conducting efficiency studies, two (2) of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity. OR Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; and six (6) years of the above-mentioned professional experience, four (4) years of which shall have been providing technology-based solutions involving organizational or efficiency issues, designing management information and control systems, or conducting efficiency studies, two (2) of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity. OR Possession of a master's degree in business administration, public administration, industrial engineering or other related area; and five (5) years of the above-mentioned professional experience, four (4) years of which shall have been providing technology-based solutions involving organizational or efficiency issues, designing management information and control systems, or conducting efficiency studies, two (2) of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity. "Professional experience" refers to work that is creative, analytical, evaluative, and interpretive; requires a range and depth of specialized knowledge of the profession's principles, concepts, theories, and practices; and is performed with the authority to act according to one's own judgement and make accurate and informed decisions.