CHIEF DIVISION OF PENSIONS
Career Family: CHIEF
New Jersey treats Chief Division of Pensions as a competitive-class job, so the gate is an examination and the ranked list it produces rather than a direct offer.
The spec names a master's degree, but it leaves the door open to substitute experience for the degree. The FY2026 range lands between $106,547 and $157,363.
How to get hired
- Watch for an open-competitive announcement for Chief Division of Pensions 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.
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 direction of the Director or other senior management officer in the Division of Pensions, Department of the Treasury, plans, directs, coordinates and administers the work programs, activities and staff of a bureau; provides guidance and direction to senior management in the development and recommendation of policies and procedures applicable to Bureau operations; does related work as required.
Examples of work
Plans, organizes, and directs the activities of the Bureau; sets goals and plans; implements work programs and develops policies and procedures in accordance with division policies and goals. Supervises the development of work plans for all activities within the Bureau; modifies and adapts plans, as required. Directly responsible for implementing new or revised federal and state laws, regulations, and reporting procedures as they apply to the various state programs. Manages the work operations and/or functional programs, and has responsibility for employee evaluation, and for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting and/or disciplining of employees. Supervises various levels of professional and technical employees, and evaluates the performance of their work. Directs the development of data processing, telecommunications and other on-line procedures with the various vendors, and is directly responsible for their implementation. Serves as a principal advisor to senior management with respect to Bureau activities including coordination required with other Bureaus. Coordinates the work of the Bureau with the work of the other operational and support Bureaus in the division. benefit structures and administrative practices. Reviews, analyzes, and interprets federal and state laws, rules and regulations affecting the operation of the Bureau. In the Administrative Services Bureau, organizes and coordinates the Division's staffing personnel requirements while directing and controlling the preparation of personnel documents; provides liaison with the State Treasurer's Administrative offices and the Department of Personnel. In the Administrative Services Bureau, organizes and coordinates the activities of the Division's three administrative offices and two warehouse facilities and related staff; engages in space and site acquisition, vehicles, supplies, and equipment; plans and directs all related support services to insure continuity of the Division's operations. In the Administrative Services Bureau, plans and conducts space and layout studies to ensure efficient utilization of buildings and grounds. Analyzes current and projected staffing and warehouse requirements and recommends physical and location needs. Coordinates the acquisition of property needs, and supervises the relocation operation. Responsible for the preparation and presentation of monthly and quarterly statistical reports and data reflecting the activities and productivity of the Bureau. Prepares and/or directs the preparation of extensive correspondence in the course of official duties. Prepares and supervises the preparation of technically sound, accurate, and informative statistical, financial, and other reports, letters and documents containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Directs the establishment and maintenance of essential records, reports, files and data source. May be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the Bureau or Division.
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 modern management concepts and practices. Knowledge of, planning principles, practices, and procedures, organization theory, and administrative practices to the program. Knowledge of the functions, responsibilities, regulations and procedures established to administer pertinent statutes and their application to specific situations. Knowledge of the problems involved in the administration of benefits programs including the enrollment, collection and auditing, and claims administration aspects of such programs. Knowledge of the principles and practices of supervision, employee motivation, and performance evaluation. Ability to acquire knowledge of the laws of New Jersey and the regulations promulgated thereunder pertaining to public employee's pensions and other employee benefit program. Ability to acquire knowledge of the priorities, programs, objectives, policies, and the internal organization of the Division. Ability to organize assigned technical and supervisory work, and develop an appropriate work program and schedules for the Bureau. Ability to plan, direct, and coordinate the work of the assigned units, including setting goals, planning, and implementing work programs, and developing policies and procedures. Ability to develop long and short term management plans and procedures and develop effective methods. Ability to understand, analyze, interpret, and apply basic law and regulations to employee benefit work in accordance with the provisions of the statute. Ability to coordinate the work of the bureau with that of other bureaus and administrative units within the division. Ability to evaluate program or unit performance, and develop alternative methods to improve performance and meet established objectives. Ability to give oral presentations to, and establish and maintain effective working relationships with, representatives of federal, state and local governments, as well as professional groups, and others interested in issues, problems, and topics relative to designated program. Ability to assign, instruct, and supervise professional technical, and other employees, and to effectively evaluate their performance. Ability to supervise the compilation of needed statistical data. Ability to draft extensive correspondence in the course of official duties. Ability to prepare and supervise the preparation of clear, sound, technically accurate, and informative reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Ability to direct the establishment and maintenance of essential records and files. 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, or 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 the 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
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. Nine (9) years of professional administrative experience in a public or private group employee insurance, retirement, or pension system; two (2) years of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity. OR Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; and five (5) years of the above-mentioned professional experience, two (2) years which shall have been in a supervisory capacity. OR Possession of Master's degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Management or other relevant field; and four (4) years of the above-mentioned professional experience, two (2) years of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity. "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.
Study guides for this exam
- Management Test Battery (MTB) National Learning Corporation · $52.95
- Manager/Administrator Test National Learning Corporation · $49.95 · general prep, not specific to this title
The Civil Service Commission does not publish official study guides or release past tests. These are independent equivalency guides.