STATE BUDGET SPECIALIST 4
Career Family: STATE BUDGET SPECIALIST
New Jersey treats State Budget Specialist 4 as a competitive-class job, so the gate is an examination and the ranked list it produces rather than a direct offer.
This is the senior rung of the State Budget Specialist series, the level you reach after State Budget Specialist 3. The minimum is a bachelor's degree and 4 years of relevant experience. The FY2026 range lands between $101,708 and $150,105, and state payroll lists a single employee in the title, at Treasury.
How to get hired
- Watch for an open-competitive announcement for State Budget Specialist 4 on the NJ Civil Service Commission jobs portal. Announcements run for a fixed filing window.
- 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.
- Passing scores go onto a ranked eligible list. Veterans get preference points added on top of their score.
- 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: State Budget Specialist series
- State Budget Specialist 1 — $67,312 – $98,503
- State Budget Specialist 2 — $77,144 – $113,264
- State Budget Specialist 3 — $88,530 – $130,339
- State Budget Specialist 4 — $101,708 – $150,105 (this title)
Its top salary lands around the 85th 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 1 person working under this title. The median actual salary is $101,708. The agencies employing the most are:
- Treasury (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.
Definition
Under the direction of a supervisory official, supervises a variety of functions related to the preparation, execution, and analysis of the Governor's budget, including problem identification and resolution; compilation and analysis of program and budgetary information gathered from a variety of sources; technical and substantive review of budgetary data, appropriations language, program performance data, savings proposals, growth requests, program staffing levels, budget resolutions, related legislation, and other information; preparation of associated tables, reports, bill comments, fiscal notes, letters, memoranda, etc.; liaison functions within and outside of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB); representation of OMB work at varying levels of government; and a variety of data/information management and administrative tasks associated with budget analysis; supervises staff and work activities; prepares and signs official performance evaluations for subordinate staff; does other related duties as required.
Examples of work
Supervises the work operations and/or functional programs and has responsibility for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting and/or disciplining of employees. Supervises the preparation and dissemination of information concerning the Administration's position on appropriations action taken by the Legislature. Supervises the maintenance of a computer data file supporting the appropriations monitoring process. Prepares letters of recommendation, statements of Administration policy, and various supporting materials for use by OMB policy officials and the Governor's Office in conducting negotiations with the Legislature on appropriations matters. Supervises the development of the database which supports the Governor's annual budget and oversees the preparation of the technical materials portion of the budget document. Supervises the review of agency program plans, budgets, appropriations, operating reports, performance data, and other available information to identify programs or program components in which substantive problems or issues exist which require investigation and/or analysis; supervises the definition of the issue or development of plans for conducting the analysis. Analyzes accounting, distribution, and budget authority options to ensure conformance to language in the budget and the Appropriations Act. Researches and investigates complex public policy issues, secures and compiles data, and develops position papers. Supervises the planning for program benefit/priority reviews and the preparation of documents for budget hearings. Supervises the conduct of evaluations of agency programs to establish validity of program objectives, determinants of program need and impact, and effectiveness of program operations in accomplishing the validated objectives; and in preparation of recommendations. Supervises the development of program standards, program evaluation criteria, and data collection and reporting systems, and in application of such standards, criteria, and reporting systems to the evaluation and management of state agency programs. Supervises the development of revenue and expenditure analyses and projections. Supervises the development and compilation of information on state agency programs as requested by the Office of Legislative Services (OLS). Supervises the review of agency budget requests and development of budget recommendations based on appraisal of program priorities and program benefit considerations. Supervises the reviews of agency budget submissions for technical and conceptual accuracy and consistency; works with OMB programs to resolve problems encountered; ensures that milestones in the budget preparation process are met, and that both the budget document and the database supporting it are of high technical quality. Reviews and evaluates budget impact of proposed and implemented changes in State and federal law. Reviews various documents affecting the budget, accounting, purchase, and personnel systems. Supervises the compilation of data and other information, and the analysis of its implications in order to produce statistical or analytical reports for the use of OMB policy leadership. The subject matter of the analysis may concern a wide variety of budgetary topics such as planned versus actual spending in the current fiscal year; the effect of budgetary proposals on the discretionary spending limits established by the Appropriations Act and comparisons of OMB and OLS scoring of legislation. Reviews recommendations on advisability and necessity of agencies' requested personnel actions based on programmatic and fiscal considerations. Participates on interdepartmental panels, advisory committees, and/or task forces created to address a particular program area or in a problem situation. Monitors activity at the federal level which impacts the operation of agencies' budgets, in reviewing applications for federal or other non-state grants, and in maintaining working relationships with staff in federal regional offices. Considers various complex/difficult conceptual, technical, and procedural issues related to the budget process (e.g., implications of the Appropriations Act for OMB reporting requirements, refinement of computer systems applications to accommodate evolving technical budgeting requirements, etc.), which may result in the development of OMB positions on various conceptual issues to facilitate the exchange of information with the OLS, Legislature, and Appropriations Committees; and the development of revised OMB rules, practices, and/or procedures and those of other state agencies. Supervises the review and recommendation for directory letters such as supplemental appropriations and re-appropriation adjustments and reversions. Prepares correspondence. Prepares clear, technically sound, accurate, and informative 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 Management Science, Economics, Accounting, Public or Business Administration, Political Science, Finance, Mathematics, Public Policy, Government Administration, Actuarial Science, Statistics, or Budgeting.
Experience
Four (4) years of experience in the compilation and review of program and budgetary information, including the analysis, development, and/or evaluation of budgets or operations of a private or public organization.
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 essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
Knowledge of management science concepts and practices (e.g., Management by Objectives, Program Planning and Budgeting Systems, Operations Research, Systems Analysis, and Total Quality Management). Knowledge of budgeting and planning practices and procedures, program analysis, organization principles, and administrative practices. Knowledge of the organization and functions of New Jersey state government and of intergovernmental relationships. Knowledge of federal programs and regulations, and their impact on the funding of state programs. Knowledge of data processing technology and its application to decision making in the management of government agencies. Ability to supervise assigned staff and plan, organize, and implement projects within the unit. Ability to apply statistical theory, practices, and techniques, and information systems technology to the evaluation of budgets. Ability to analyze, interpret, and apply laws and regulations to specific situations. Ability to identify programs or program components in which problems or issues exist which require investigation and/or analysis. Ability to recognize and define latent budget and policy issues and to recommend appropriate action to be taken. Ability to translate knowledge of state agencies and programs into recommendations for the most effective use of limited resources. Ability to analyze agency operations and develop alternative budget strategies and cost estimates. Ability to develop revenue and expenditure analyses and projections. Ability to prepare clear, technically sound, accurate, and informative reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Ability to maintain essential 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, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform 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. Possession of a Master's degree in one of the above areas from an accredited college or university will satisfy the education requirement irrespective of the area of concentration at the Bachelor's level. Possession of a Master's degree in one of the above areas from an accredited college or university may be substituted for one (1) year of the indicated experience. A general Bachelor's degree supplemented by a minimum of twenty-four (24) semester hour credits in any combination of the following areas: Management Science, Economics, Accounting, Public or Business Administration, Political Science, Finance, Mathematics, Public Policy, Government Administration, Actuarial Science, Statistics, or Budgeting, including one (1) additional year of experience as stated above, may be substituted for the education and experience requirements. Possession of a Doctorate degree in one of the above areas from an accredited college or university may be substituted for two (2) years of the indicated experience.