STATE BUDGET SPECIALIST TRAINEE
State Budget Specialist Trainee is a non-competitive state civil service title, so there is no ranked exam. You qualify by meeting the stated education and experience.
What it takes is a bachelor's degree. Pay on the FY 2027 schedule runs $63,663 to $66,592, and state payroll currently lists 2 people in the title, most of them at Treasury.
How to apply
This title is not filled by examination — agencies appoint directly.
See every real route in, and where to apply. One agency employs it. We don't track live vacancies.
See where to apply for this title →Who employs this title
State Budget Specialist Trainee appears on the State payroll at one department, Department of Treasury.
State departments
| Employer | Employees |
|---|---|
| Department of Treasury | 2 |
State payroll and independent authority payroll are separate systems and are never merged. See data sources.
Who employs this title
State payroll records show 2 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $61,510. The agencies employing the most are:
- 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 the close supervision of a supervisory official, as a trainee and productive worker, receives on-the-job training in analysis and evaluation of budgets, use of budget related systems and software, and the identification, definition, and resolution of problems and issues related thereto; completes assignments which will provide practical analyst experience; does other related duties as required.
Examples of work
- Under supervision, as a trainee and a productive worker:
- As a member of an analysis team, learns to analyze accounting, distribution, and budget authority options to ensure conformance to language in the budget and the Appropriations Act.
- Learns the structure and organization of the State budget and the tasks associated with the multiple phases of the budget cycle.
- Learns basic workings of agency programs within an assigned budget area.
- Learns to conduct program evaluations, validation of objectives, and preparation of recommendations.
- Learns to evaluate transfer requests to confirm necessity, level of approval required, and consistency with program objectives.
- Learns to evaluate budget impact of changes in State and federal legislation.
- Learns to review and evaluate various documents produced by the budget, accounting, purchase, and personnel systems.
- Learns to assist in research on budgeting practices and program design in other states.
- Learns to participate in revenue, expenditure, and head count monitoring and projections.
- Learns to assist in identifying/defining program problems or issues, and in developing a plan for required analysis.
- Learns to participate in the review and recommendation for directory letters such as supplemental appropriations.
- Learns to prepare correspondence, legislative bill comments, and fiscal notes.
- Learns to prepare reports and position papers 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.
License
Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if 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).
- Ability to learn budgeting and planning practices and procedures, program analysis, organization principles, and administrative practices.
- Ability to learn the organization and functions of New Jersey state government and of intergovernmental relationships.
- Ability to learn data processing technology and its application to decision making in the management of government agencies.
- 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 research public policy issues or programs.
- 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 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>TRAINEE ADVANCEMENT</b>
- Upon the successful completion of the twelve (12) month training period, appointees will be eligible for advancement to State Budget Specialist 1 in accordance with New Jersey Civil Service Commission procedures.
- The inability of an employee in the Trainee to attain a level of performance warranting advancement to State Budget Specialist 1 shall be considered as 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.
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.