GRAPHIC ARTIST 3
Career Family: GRAPHIC ARTIST
Graphic Artist 3 is a state or local 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 Graphic Artist ladder, a grade above Graphic Artist 2. Candidates need an associate's degree and 3 years of relevant experience. Pay on the FY 2027 schedule runs $63,663 to $92,953, and state payroll currently lists 5 people in the title, led by Environmental Protection.
How to apply
This title is filled by competitive examination.
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
Graphic Artist 3 appears on the State payroll at 4 departments, most of them at Department of Environmental Protection.
State departments
| Employer | Employees |
|---|---|
| Department of Environmental Protection | 2 |
| Motor Vehicle Commission | 1 |
| Department of Children and Families | 1 |
| Department of Education | 1 |
Where this title is used
Graphic Artist 3 is a common title, so it is used in both State and local service. The local side is filled by the counties, municipalities, authorities and other employers that have adopted civil service under Title 11A, which set their own pay by ordinance or contract rather than from a State salary schedule.
Check whether an employer is a civil service jurisdiction · How local civil service works
State payroll and independent authority payroll are separate systems and are never merged. See data sources.
Pay ladder: Graphic Artist series
- Graphic Artist 1 — $50,990 – $73,902
- Graphic Artist 2 — $55,691 – $81,008
- Graphic Artist 3 — $63,663 – $92,953 (this title)
Its top salary lands around the 35th percentile of all NJ civil service titles that publish a range.
Rungs are ordered by FY 2027 pay. NJ level numbers are not always sequential, so ordering follows salary rather than the title number.
Who employs this title
State payroll records show 5 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $86,615. The agencies employing the most are:
- Environmental Protection (2)
- Motor Vehicle Commission (1)
- Children and Families (1)
- Education (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 the direction of a supervisor in a State department or agency, as a lead worker designs layouts of graphic or printed material; designs layout for brochures, newsletters, forms, reports, leaflets or books; compose mechanicals; organize graphic arts projects from conception to completion; evaluate graphic design for style, arrangement, color, technique, and effect; electronically produce a finished product for digital and print publication, display or on-line usage; freehand draw graphic material or lettering for title, backgrounds, or other layouts using traditional media or electronic digitizing drawing tools; operate computerized typesetting equipment; does other related duties as required.
Examples of work
- Composes mechanicals, designs layouts of graphic or printed materials for brochures, newsletters, forms, reports, leaflets or booklets.
- Organizes graphic arts projects from conception to completion.
- Utilizes a variety of typesetting, page layout, graphic, and scanning software operating on multiple computer platforms in the preparation and layout of forms, publications, brochures and other display materials.
- Works from copy or digital media to plan and prepare camera-ready copy or electronic files for the traditional or digital publications of forms, charts, diagrams, publications, brochures, etc.
- Takes the lead in consulting with clients to determine an agreed-upon end product and makes recommendations for proper jobs specifications and design/layout enhancements.
- Imports or scans text and graphics for manipulation and placement to create the desired effects.
- Develops a product that is compatible with the chosen method/type of publishing/printing process.
- Determines measurements for typesetting, develops formats for printed material, style, techniques and medium for graphic arts projects.
- Evaluates graphic design for style, arrangement, color, technique, and effect.
- Works with programming/technician staff to resolve, develop and implement procedures to maintain file integrity.
- Determines format, size and arrangement of forms and researches new and updated software and fonts.
- Proofreads material for accuracy and edits written material.
- Maintains high-tech equipment, troubleshoots software/hardware problems.
- Draws graphic material or lettering for title, backgrounds or other layouts and designs charts and graphs.
- Plans layout for color mechanicals and selects paper stock and ink.
- Applies appropriate safety procedures and checks working condition of art studio equipment and monitors use of art studio equipment.
- Determines and designs exhibits, displays and forms for printer capability and corrects flaws in prints or negatives.
- Reviews and approves printer's proofs and blue line proofs.
- Checks typesetting, photographic equipment and accessories for working condition.
- Sketches the human face and figure for reproduction in posters and other formats.
- Designs office forms such as invoices and production sheets.
- Develops ideas and selects materials for exhibits, displays, promotions or slide presentations.
- Estimates necessary quantity of time, costs, materials, or personnel for accomplishment of assignments or goals.
- Determines techniques for photography and makes/produces camera ready copy.
- Manipulates/uses drafting equipment such as T square, triangle, compass, or Leroy sets.
- Selects typeface for printed matter.
- Manipulates/uses proportion wheel for enlargements.
- Waxes/pastes up material or copy for printed products.
- Checks working condition of graphic arts equipment, repairs minor malfunctions of equipment and cleans tools and work areas.
- Operates graphic reproduction camera and desk top publishing and film processing equipment.
- Makes overlays for multicolor processing and selects tint or shade from color matching chart such as Pantone Color Matching System (PMS).
- Types copy and applies press type or other transfer lettering materials.
- Sets type and operates computerized typesetting equipment.
- Collects photos and cuts for graphics projects.
- Consults with outside agencies or individuals about information necessary for job assignments on available graphic services.
- As a lead worker provides technical advice to staff, peers, or management and interviews individuals for needed information.
- Informs individuals of procedures necessary for completion of forms or applications.
- Applies computer programs to graphics design development.
- Consults with vendors or contractors and informs the responsible person or organization of difficulties, accomplishments, plans, or goals.
- 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 an Associate's degree in Graphic Designs or Multimedia.
Experience
Three (3) years of experience in work involving graphic arts.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
- Knowledge of layout, graphic arts and media techniques.
- Knowledge of principles of graphic arts design and techniques of copy preparation, composition, and layout.
- Knowledge of layout specifications for printing and printing terminology.
- Knowledge of aesthetic design and color registration techniques.
- Knowledge of graphic arts techniques such as pencil, pen, airbrush, watercolor, show card, tempera, ruling, zipatone, artype, and craft tint processes.
- Knowledge of typography, picas and points for printing.
- Knowledge of color process printing and principles of color theory.
- Knowledge of the types and characteristics of graphic arts equipment.
- Knowledge of page layout software and basic printing and publishing terminology.
- Knowledge of lettering techniques and their application for applying commercial lettering to layout design.
- Knowledge of the following software programs (or types of programs) basic to modern graphic arts/desktop publishing; QuarkXpress; PageMaker; Acrobat; Photoshop; Freehand or Illustrator; FlightCheck or other "pre-flighting" software.
- Knowledge of HTML and Web software such as Dreamweaver.
- Knowledge of the proper use of various common file formats (PDF, JPEG, TIFF, GIF, WMF, and Encapsulated Post Script) is also an important skill.
- Knowledge of the elements which make effective exhibits or displays and advertising techniques.
- Knowledge of limitations and capabilities of printing equipment.
- Knowledge of advantages, disadvantages, potentials, and limitations of art materials, media, and processes.
- Knowledge of types and weights of paper stock.
- Knowledge of types of printing ink and multicolor processing techniques.
- Knowledge of procedures for cleaning tools and work area.
- Knowledge of proofreading symbols with the ability to compare written, printed or numerical material for accuracy.
- Knowledge of Standard English grammar; for example, syntax, punctuation, verb agreement, or tense.
- Knowledge of principles and techniques of exhibit and forms design.
- Knowledge of techniques for trimming and mounting artwork or photographs.
- Knowledge of desktop publishing software graphic arts software or paint and drawing hardware/software tools.
- Knowledge of commercial printing plant operations.
- Knowledge of bookbinding equipment for brochures, pamphlets, books, and other printed material
- Knowledge of types of graphics software packages.
- Knowledge of postal service specifications for placement of wording on envelopes, postcards or other mailed, printed materials.
- Knowledge of principles and techniques of photography and procedures for printing photographs.
- Knowledge of characteristics and uses of various types of film.
- Knowledge of organizational lines of communication (formal and informal).
- Knowledge of established safety procedures and guidelines.
- Knowledge of bookbinding techniques.
- Knowledge of techniques and chemicals used for film processing.
- Skill in using drafting instruments and operate graphic arts equipment.
- Knowledge of basic principles, capabilities and operation of computer systems with skill in operating a computer with common business and graphics software.
- Ability to use layout equipment and tools to make precise measurements for graphic designs.
- Ability to plan graphic arts projects, to follow written orders, directions, or plans.
- Ability to produce finished artwork in varied media including pencil, ink, charcoal, oil, gouache, acrylic, watercolor or tempera.
- Ability to perceive color differences and to match tints or shades through color matching chart such as Pantone Color Matching System (PMS).
- Ability to use a proportion wheel.
- Ability to produce artwork from verbal description of requirements.
- Ability to interpret job specifications.
- Ability to select graphics that communicate conception or idea to target audience.
- Ability to prepare files for imaging.
- Ability to identify software/hardware problems associated with the creation and production of text and graphics.
- Ability to apply lettering techniques to art projects and design charts or graphs from raw data.
- Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide using decimals, percentages, and fractions.
- Ability to critically analyze effectiveness of an exhibit or display.
- Ability to operate desk top publishing equipment and graphic reproduction camera.
- Ability to establish goals and set priorities.
- Ability to operate computerized and manual typesetting systems.
- Ability to determine leading for forms.
- Ability to design graphics using computer software.
- Ability to review blue line proofs, edit rough or final copy for form, accuracy, and clarity.
- Ability to visualize spatial relationships.
- Ability to comprehend, interpret, and evaluate relevant information from various types of source materials.
- Ability to convey information in a written format and to communicate orally.
- Ability to collect data through questioning.
- Ability to correct flaws in prints and negatives using air brushing, retouching, or dodging techniques.
- Ability to evaluate media equipment for quality, performance, replacement, or modification.
- Ability to produce clear, sharp photographs.
- Ability to apply laws, rules, or regulations to given situations.
- Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and computerized information system 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 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 who do not possess an Associate's degree may substitute a postsecondary certificate of completion of a business or vocational course of study in page layout and/or graphic design software with an emphasis on publishing applications.