TECHNICAL ASSISTANT
In New Jersey, Technical Assistant is filled through the competitive process: candidates take a civil service exam and are hired off a ranked list, not picked at will.
Qualifying turns on 2 years of relevant experience. The FY2027 range lands between $44,750 and $64,522, and state payroll currently lists about 212 people in the title, led by Human Services.
How to apply
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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.
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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.
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Agency posting
Department of Human Services's employment page may require a click-through to see specific openings. Provisional appointment against a posted vacancy is how most people are actually hired into this kind of title.
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Agency posting
Department of the Treasury's employment page may require a click-through to see specific openings. Provisional appointment against a posted vacancy is how most people are actually hired into this kind of title.
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Agency posting
Department of Law & Public Safety posts its own vacancies directly, often before (or instead of) any civil service exam announcement. Provisional appointment against a posted vacancy is how most people are actually hired into this kind of title.
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Agency posting
Department of Community Affairs posts its own vacancies directly, often before (or instead of) any civil service exam announcement. Provisional appointment against a posted vacancy is how most people are actually hired into this kind of title.
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Agency posting
Department of Corrections's employment page may require a click-through to see specific openings. Provisional appointment against a posted vacancy is how most people are actually hired into this kind of title.
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Agency posting
Department of Health posts its own vacancies directly, often before (or instead of) any civil service exam announcement. Provisional appointment against a posted vacancy is how most people are actually hired into this kind of title.
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Agency posting
Department of Children and Families posts its own vacancies directly, often before (or instead of) any civil service exam announcement. Provisional appointment against a posted vacancy is how most people are actually hired into this kind of title.
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Agency posting
Department of Military and Veterans Affairs's employment page may require a click-through to see specific openings. Provisional appointment against a posted vacancy is how most people are actually hired into this kind of title.
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Agency posting
Department of Labor and Workforce Development's employment page may require a click-through to see specific openings. Provisional appointment against a posted vacancy is how most people are actually hired into this kind of title.
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Agency posting
Office of Administrative Law's employment page may require a click-through to see specific openings. Provisional appointment against a posted vacancy is how most people are actually hired into this kind of title.
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Agency posting
Department of Environmental Protection posts its own vacancies directly, often before (or instead of) any civil service exam announcement. Provisional appointment against a posted vacancy is how most people are actually hired into this kind of title.
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Agency posting
Office of Information Technology's employment page may require a click-through to see specific openings. Provisional appointment against a posted vacancy is how most people are actually hired into this kind of title.
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Agency posting
Department of State posts its own vacancies directly, often before (or instead of) any civil service exam announcement. Provisional appointment against a posted vacancy is how most people are actually hired into this kind of title.
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Agency posting
Department of Transportation posts its own vacancies directly, often before (or instead of) any civil service exam announcement. Provisional appointment against a posted vacancy is how most people are actually hired into this kind of title.
Who employs this title
State payroll records show 212 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $52,788. The agencies employing the most are:
- Human Services (54)
- Treasury (54)
- Law and Public Safety (27)
- Community Affairs (27)
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 supervision of a supervisory official in a state department or agency or a local jurisdiction, performs technical functions in providing information and assistance in reviewing and verifying data of a routine nature; does other related duties.
Examples of work
- Responds to less complicated inquiries and provide technical information/assistance in uncomplicated cases pertinent to the unit/office.
- Performs research and/or receives guidance from technical personnel to supply the information required.
- Reviews inquiries received by telephone or personal visit, and responds with the necessary technical information and assistance in a prompt manner.
- Screens and refers cases that involve technical issues to higher authority for disposition.
- May assist in maintaining a file of decisions or opinions on issues to ensure uniformity.
- May assist in preparation of requests for appropriate actions, prepare/process related forms, and initiate follow-up action if necessary.
- Performs research for various projects.
- Confers and/or corresponds with individuals to obtain information and/or supporting documentation necessary to carry out objectives of the unit/office.
- Verifies completeness of information in any of the following: applications, reports, files, returns, claims, proposals, forms, and/or listings, and their accuracy before entry into automated systems and files.
- May assist in updating the unit's tracking system.
- 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.
Experience
Two (2) years of experience in reviewing, verifying, authorizing, and/or providing information and assistance of a technical or fiscal nature in a public or private organization.
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 essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
- Knowledge of office methods, practices, routines, machines, and equipment.
- Knowledge of data collection, compilation, and analysis techniques/methodologies.
- Knowledge of the objectives, programs, administrative policies, methods, and procedures of the division or agency after a period of training.
- Knowledge of all information publications available to meet needs of clients serviced by the agency or unit after a period of training.
- Ability to research and provide information/assistance.
- Ability to establish and maintain harmonious working relationships.
- Ability to determine whether required information is readily available or whether specific requests should be referred to division officials or other authorities.
- Ability to assign and instruct clerical employees, and assist counterparts in other sections.
- Ability to prepare technical correspondence in the course of official duties.
- Ability to maintain records, reports, and files.
- Ability to confer with individuals and interpret applicable laws, regulations, and procedures according to established policy.
- Ability 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 after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. 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 who do not possess the required experience may substitute semester hour credits from an accredited college or university on a year-for-year basis with thirty (30) semester hour credits being equal to one (1) year of experience.
Study guides for this exam
- Technical Assistant National Learning Corporation · $48.95
The Civil Service Commission does not publish official study guides or release past tests. These are independent equivalency guides.