SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST ASSISTANT
New Jersey classifies Software Development Specialist Assistant as non-competitive, which skips the exam-and-list step and turns on whether you meet the minimum requirements.
To be eligible you bring an associate's degree and 4 years of relevant experience. The FY 2027 range lands between $55,691 and $81,008, and state payroll currently lists 4 people in the title, led by Children and Families.
How to apply
This title is not filled by examination — agencies appoint directly.
See every real route in, and where to apply. 4 agencies employ it. We don't track live vacancies.
See all 4 employers and how to apply →Who employs this title
Software Development Specialist Assistant appears on the State payroll at 4 departments, most of them at Department of Children and Families.
State departments
| Employer | Employees |
|---|---|
| Department of Children and Families | 1 |
| Department of Law & Public Safety | 1 |
| Department of Human Services | 1 |
| Department of Health | 1 |
State payroll and independent authority payroll are separate systems and are never merged. See data sources.
Who employs this title
State payroll records show 4 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $78,268. The agencies employing the most are:
- Children and Families (1)
- Law and Public Safety (1)
- Human Services (1)
- Health and Senior Services (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 supervision in a state department, agency, institution, or state college, receives on the job training in design/preparation of computer programs for electronic data processing equipment utilizing required and current software operating systems and multiprogramming technology; does work as assigned as both trainee and productive worker which will provide practical data processing programming experience; does other related duties as required.
Examples of work
Studies principles/techniques of programming and agency work processes/methods. Prepares flowcharts and block diagrams, and codes programs to predefined specifications. Performs desk or remote terminal checking of program modules. Prepares documentation prior to submitting programs to EDP operations for batch testing. Checks program module coding to determine program deficiencies and corrects coding as necessary. Prepares system control statements and utility program parameters for use by data processing analysts or programmers in obtaining EDP operations signoff, and may assist in conducting application parallel testing. Combines program modules into a complete executable program to test module interaction for production purposes, and prepares complete program documentation in conjunction with agency/statewide data processing standards to obtain data processing analyst signoff for completed application programs. Maintains production application program/program modules as necessary. Depending on agency standards, may operate electronic data processing equipment and peripheral equipment to become familiar with operating system software, utility programs, operator interaction with computer systems functions, and to assist in analyzing/correcting program error stops. Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information system used by the agency, office, or related units.
Experience
Four (4) years of experience in the design and preparation of programs for information processing equipment utilizing current operating systems and technology.
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 terminology used in EDP. Knowledge of office methods/procedures and accounting and statistical principles, methods, and practices. Ability to use applicable programming languages depending on agency requirements after a period of training. Ability to prepare systems control statements and utility program parameters for use in EDP production operations after a period of training. Ability to use various database access methods depending on agency requirements after a period of training. Ability to use data communications access methods depending on agency requirements after a period of training. Ability to use the basics of computer system hardware after a period of training. Ability to use facilities generally provided by desk, tape, and card based operating systems software associated with past/current generations of serial, multiprogram/multiprocess oriented computer systems depending on agency requirements after a period of training. Ability to use numbering systems used in computer systems such as decimal, binary, octal, and hexadecimal after a period of training. Ability to prepare forms, flowcharts, decision tables, and block diagrams after a period of training. Ability to use the modularized approach to programming after a period of training. Ability to establish/maintain an effective, cooperative working relationship with coworkers and others interested in activities of the unit. Ability to operate current computer equipment for purposes of becoming familiar with operating system software, and for analyzing/correcting program errors. Ability to reason logically for purposes of EDP programming or systems analysis, and knowledge of objectives of EDP programs. Ability to write clear, concise instructions, and to use the English language with reasonable proficiency. Ability to compute simple business math problems. Ability to use systems operating procedures for remote job entry after a period of training. Ability to prepare clear, concise users/operations/programming documentation in conjunction with agency or statewide EDP standards. Ability to program in a time sharing environment after a period of training. Ability to use agency work processes/methods after a period of training. 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. An Associate's degree in Computer Science from an accredited college or university may be substituted for the indicated experience. Possession of twelve (12) semester hour credits in data processing from an accredited college or university may be substituted for two (2) years of indicated experience.