ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT REPRESENTATIVE 3
Career Family: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT REPRESENTATIVE
Economic Development Representative 3 sits in the competitive class of New Jersey's state or local civil service, so reaching it runs through testing and an eligible list instead of a straight hire.
It sits mid-series for Economic Development Representative, one step up from Economic Development Representative 4 and one below Economic Development Representative 2. It lists a master's degree as the baseline, with an experience-based path open to those who do not hold the degree, and a professional license is required on top of that. Pay on the FY2026 schedule runs $73,707 to $108,073, and state payroll currently lists 4 people in the title, most of them at State.
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 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.
Pay ladder: Economic Development Representative series
- Economic Development Representative 4 — $61,510 – $89,810
- Economic Development Representative 3 — $73,707 – $108,073 (this title)
- Economic Development Representative 2 — $84,548 – $124,366
- Economic Development Representative 1 — $97,100 – $143,176
Promoting to Economic Development Representative 2 raises the top of the band by about $16,293. Its top salary lands around the 51st percentile of all NJ civil service titles that publish a range.
Rungs are ordered by FY2026 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 4 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $99,482. The agencies employing the most are:
- State (4)
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, performs the field and office work involved in the retention, attraction, promotion, and development of business in New Jersey; does related work as required.
Examples of work
Assists in the field and office work involved in retaining existing businesses in New Jersey and in expanding or relocating within the state. Makes contacts with industry and business organizations to promote facilities and location sites. Assists Economic Development Representative 1 or Economic Development Repreentative 2 in the handling of projects relative to business attraction, promotion, retention, or expansion. Povides Economic Development personnel with pertinent data relative to attracting new business to New Jersey. Provides technical information to prospective clients on plant locations, raw materials, water supply, transportation, zoning, tax structures, product markets, labor supply, utility rates, regulatory requirements, and local living conditions. Arranges for site and community visitations by business prospects. Advises development organizations in the identification, control, and promotion of their available resources. Works with community leaders to develop proper attitudes, facilities, sales materials, and sites in order to attract industry of their area. Conducts diagnostic studies of present operations within businesses to determine areas that require remedial attention in management techniques, organizational arrangements, and improved processes or controls. Advises businesses of resources available to help them resolve problems they are experiencing. Continues followup relationships with clients located in New Jersey or who have expanded their operations within the state, assuring them of the state's continued interest. Assists in the development and preparation of community resource books and joint projects with local communities. Maintains accurate records (daily, weekly, and/or monthly) on activities conducted throughout the state, including accurate records on local, county, and area development organizations as to their memberships, progress, and related matters. Maintains essential records and files. Prepares correspondence. Prepares statistical and other reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Maintains the confidentiality of prospects. Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and computrized information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
License
Appointee will be required to possess a drivers license valid in New Jersey.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
Knowledge of the methods and techniques used in business solicitation, promotion, and industrial/commercial real estate. Knowledge of the principles of real estate transactions, terms purchases, leases, regulations, and related factors. Knowledge of the principles of planning, zoning, and environmental laws and ordinances. Ability to identify and utilize services available to local development efforts from agencies of both state and federal government, particularly as they related to community preparation for business development. Ability to perform field work involved in soliciting businesses for location and expansion and retention within New Jersey. Ability to maintain liaison with business prospects, public officials, and business organizations in order to promote and encourage the development of business and industry in the state. Ability to arrange for industrial site and community visitations by prospects. Ability to gather, analyze, and interpret industrial and economic information and trends and to make sound recommendations concerning this data. Ability to understand financial statements and to make appropriate recommendations to businesses with regard to financial assistance. Ability to establish and maintain essential records and files. Ability to prepare correspondence and statistical and other reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. 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 combination of both experience and education. Thirty (30) semester hour credits are equal to one (1) year of relevant experience. Seven (7) years of professional experience in industrial/commercial real estate sales, area economic development, or business development and assistance. OR Possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; and three (3) years of the above-mentioned professional experience. OR Possession of a master's degree in Economics, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a closely related field; and two (2) years of the above indicated 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. The responsibility for ensuring that employees possess the required motor vehicle license, commensurate with the class and type of vehicles they operate, rests with the Appointing Authority.