CHIEF INSURANCE EXAMINER
Career Family: CHIEF
There is no civil service exam for Chief Insurance Examiner. As a non-competitive state title, it is filled on the strength of meeting the listed qualifications.
A bachelor's degree is the listed credential, and extra years on the job can be traded for it. The FY2026 range lands between $122,565 and $181,344.
How to get hired
- Chief Insurance Examiner is non-competitive, so there is no ranked exam. You qualify by meeting the education and experience stated in the specification.
- Apply directly to the hiring agency when a vacancy is posted. The agency verifies that you meet the minimum requirements.
- Because there is no eligible list, hiring timelines are set by the agency rather than by a statewide certification.
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 direction of the Assistant Commissioner, Insurance, Department of Insurance has charge of the examination of insurance companies; does related work as required.
Examples of work
Establishes the program of field and office examining work in the Department of Insurance and develops effective work methods. Gives appropriate assignments and instructions to the examining and clerical personnel engaged in the field and office work of the Department and supervise the performance of their work. Reviews, checks, analyze, and, if necessary, modifies and approves reports of examinations conducted and submitted by the field Examiners. Sees that the necessary follow-up work is done and that approved recommendations are carried out. When unusual conditions are found to exist and are reported by the field examining staff confers with the officers and directors of the insurance companies concerned, points out irregularities, and provides advice as to procedures to be followed in remedying conditions. Assists in developing and formulating the policies and procedures involved in making the required examinations of insurance companies. Prepares critical reviews for the use of the Assistant Commissioner, Insurance or other supervisory official in the Department. Supervises the investigation of applications for charters of insurance companies and financial data (including reports) thereon, also applications for branch offices; prepares reports thereon. Prepares and supervises the preparation of financial and other reports containing findings, conclusions and recommendations. Supervises the establishment and maintenance of the essential Division records and files. 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.
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 and familiarity with the laws of the State of New Jersey governing the operation and regulation of financial organizations including insurance companies. Knowledge of the problems involved in planning and supervising field and office work involved the examination of insurance companies. Knowledge of and familiarity with the problems involved in developing procedures, standards and routines to be used in making examinations of insurance companies. Knowledge of the rules, regulations, policies, functions and purposes of the Department of insurance and their application to specific situations. Knowledge of the form, content and interpretation of the financial records of insurance companies regulated by the State. Knowledge of and familiarity with the proper form and content of financial summaries, statements and audits. Ability to comprehend, analyze and interpret the regulatory laws, policies, standards and procedures of the State of New Jersey governing insurance companies and apply them to specific situations. Ability to organize assigned supervisory and technical work and develop effective working procedures. Ability to give suitable assignments and instructions to the examining staff and clerical employees of the Department and supervises the performance of their work. Ability to assist in formulating and developing appropriate policies and procedures to be used in making the required examinations of insurance companies. Ability to comprehend and utilize approved auditing and accounting principles, methods and techniques in the examining work of the Department. Ability to comprehend, analyze and interpret the basic meaning of the financial records and operations of insurance companies. Ability to work harmoniously with associates, subordinates and the representatives of financial organizations. Ability to take and maintain a firm and correct stand when differences of fact, opinion and interpretation arise as to significant facts, and when financial irregularities are discovered. Ability to prepare extensive correspondence. Ability to prepare and supervise the preparation of clear, sound, accurate and informative reports of examinations containing findings, conclusions and recommendations. Ability to supervise the establishment and maintenance of the essential records and files. Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording 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
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. Eleven (11) years of professional experience in the examination and auditing of the accounts, records and financial operations of insurance companies, three (3) years of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity. OR Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; and seven (7) 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.