NJ Civil Service Navigator

TAXPAYER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE 3

Code: 51324 State Competitive Range: R24 (FY2027)

Career Family: TAXPAYER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

Salary: $76,286.63 - $111,856.03/year FY2027 schedule (last updated 2026-05-08)

Taxpayer Service Representative 3 is a state title in New Jersey's competitive civil service, which means the way in is an open exam rather than a direct appointment.

It is the top of the Taxpayer Service Representative ladder, a grade above Taxpayer Service Representative 2. On paper it calls for a bachelor's degree, though the specification lets enough relevant experience stand in for the degree. Pay on the FY2027 schedule runs $76,287 to $111,856.

How to apply

  • Exam

    This is an application to sit an exam and be placed on an eligible list for this title, not an application for a specific job. A $35 application fee applies to Non-Public-Safety announcements issued on or after 2026-02-01. There may be no current vacancy behind it, and the list it produces may not be certified for months or years.

  • Exam

    Open to permanent employees in the competitive division who hold a qualifying lower title in the same unit. A $35 application fee applies to Non-Public-Safety announcements issued on or after 2026-02-01. Like the open competitive exam, this places you on a list; it is not itself a job offer.

Pay ladder: Taxpayer Service Representative series

  1. Taxpayer Service Representative 1 — $58,222 – $84,763
  2. Taxpayer Service Representative 2 — $66,592 – $97,354
  3. Taxpayer Service Representative 3 — $76,287 – $111,856 (this title)

Its top salary lands around the 60th percentile of all NJ civil service titles that publish a range.

Rungs are ordered by FY2027 pay. NJ level numbers are not always sequential, so ordering follows salary rather than the title number.

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 general supervision of a higher level supervisory official in the Department of Treasury, supervises the work of subordinate representatives in encouraging voluntary compliance with New Jersey tax laws by providing education, information, and assistance to taxpayers, their representatives, and/or division staff relative to the taxes administered by the division; and/or working alone, researches, investigates, and responds to the more complex tax administration cases; 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 of Taxpayer Service Representatives 2 and 1 in responding to requests by taxpayers and/or their representatives for assistance relative to all taxes administered by the division including requests referred through regional offices, the Director's Office, and Legislators' Offices. Reviews taxpayer inquiries via mail, telephone, or personal visit, and supervises the acquisition of the information required to reply to such inquiries. Reviews requests for information and determines whether the response requires an opinion by a higher authority or should be referred to another area in the division for specialized determination or investigative action. Prepares and/or supervises the drafting of replies to inquiries received from the Governor's Office, the State Treasurer, the Director, Division of Taxation, or other authority. Supervises the work operations and/or functional programs and has responsibility for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting, and/or disciplining of employees. Prepares section activity reports and maintains and analyzes activity statistics to ascertain patterns of tax problems that may be clarified for the general public by appropriate releases to the media, professional societies, and industry associations. Drafts replies to inquiries from taxpayers and/or their representatives requiring extensive research, investigation, and interpretation of tax laws. Prepares reports regarding tax payment and collection requirements and prepares answers to technical inquiries. Maintains manual or automated records of inquiries to ensure uniformity and timely response. Maintains a tracking system to ensure prompt, accurate responses to taxpayer inquiries. Monitors and evaluates training/education programs using feedback obtained from quality control reviews. Makes online adjustments to taxpayer accounts on the automated system. Authorizes release of overpayments in the form of refunds and/or homestead rebates. Reviews and/or develops technical brochures, bulletins, manuals, guidebooks, and other publications, and is responsible for their technical accuracy. Coordinates the publication of documents including development of printing specifications with the Systems and Methods Section and ensures printing of various documents. Plans and coordinates inhouse and external training/education programs on tax administration. Gives presentations at workshops and seminars before public groups, professional societies, or other division staff. Develops formats for disseminating information on tax administration to the public. Will 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 Federal, and State laws, rules, and regulations related to tax laws. Knowledge of common tax problem areas, and of measures which can be taken to clarify the intent of laws and regulations. Knowledge of various research methods and techniques. Ability to understand, interpret, and apply tax laws of New Jersey and regulations, procedures, and forms of the Division of Taxation relevant to the administration of all of the various taxes and their interpretation and specific application. Ability to understand the programs, functions, and organization of the division. Ability to provide taxpayer information and assistance, encourage voluntary compliance, analyze various problems which arise therein, and assist in developing appropriate formats for communication. Ability to develop technical brochures, bulletins, manuals, guidebooks, and other publications including tax return instructions on tax administration. Ability to deal effectively with the public by telephone and in person as a representative of the division in various contacts with taxpayers of the state. Ability to establish and maintain harmonious working relationships with tax attorneys, accountants, and with taxpayers and/or their representatives, and to ensure that employees provide proper information to them. Ability to assign, instruct, and supervise subordinate employees. Ability to supervise assigned staff and plan, organize, and implement projects within the unit. Ability to prepare clearly written, informative, technical correspondence in the course of official duties. Ability to prepare oral and written reports regarding policy and procedure involved in the administration of various New Jersey taxes. Ability to supervise the maintenance of essential taxpayer service records, reports, and files. Ability to plan and coordinate training programs. Ability to evaluate the performance of subordinate employees. 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 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 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 a combination of both experience and education. Thirty (30) semester hour credits are equal to one (1) year of relevant experience. Seven (7) years of professional experience in a public or private agency providing technical tax information and assistance to taxpayers, their representatives, and/or other interested parties to aid in comprehending and complying with provisions of various tax laws. OR Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; and three (3) years of the above-mentioned professional experience. "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 judgment and make accurate and informed decisions.