ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT REPRESENTATIVE 2
Career Family: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT REPRESENTATIVE
In New Jersey, Economic Development Representative 2 is filled through the competitive process: candidates take a civil service exam and are hired off a ranked list, not picked at will.
On the Economic Development Representative ladder it falls between Economic Development Representative 3 and Economic Development Representative 1. The stated bar is a master's degree, but candidates can swap in added experience for the diploma, and a professional license is required on top of that. The FY2026 range lands between $84,548 and $124,366, and state payroll currently lists 4 people in the title, most of them at State.
How to get hired
- Watch for an open-competitive announcement for Economic Development Representative 2 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.
Pay ladder: Economic Development Representative series
- Economic Development Representative 4 — $61,510 – $89,810
- Economic Development Representative 3 — $73,707 – $108,073
- Economic Development Representative 2 — $84,548 – $124,366 (this title)
- Economic Development Representative 1 — $97,100 – $143,176
Promoting to Economic Development Representative 1 raises the top of the band by about $18,810. Its top salary lands around the 67th 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 $116,402. 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 direction of a supervisory official, performs the more complex work involved in the retention, attraction, promotion, and development of business in New Jersey; may take the lead over Economic Development Representatives of lower grades; does related work as required.
Examples of work
Does field and office work involved in retaining existing businesses in New Jersey and assisting them in expanding or relocating within the state. Makes contacts with industry and business organizations to promote facilities and location sites. Manages prospects or minor projects relative to business attraction, retention, or expansion. Assists existing businesses in obtaining financial assistance for fixed asset and/or working capital loans. Collects and analyzes pertinent data relative to attracting a new business to New Jersey. Trains and guides subordinate Economic Development Representatives in their work. Performs field work to survey the current economic trends and problems in New Jersey. Consults, advises, and provides technical information to prospective or existing industries on plant location, raw materials, water supply, transportation, zoning, tax structures, product markets, labor availabilities, utility rates, regulatory requirements, and local living conditions. Works closely with community leaders and local and county elected officials on economic development problems and projects; explains programs and planned expansionary efforts to community groups to enlist community support. Designs information programs to announce new opportunities for financing, procurement, business development, education programs, legislative actions, or other events or services; distributes such information. May represent the agency as a member of planning committees for periodic statewide or regional conferences. Conducts diagnostic studies of present operations within businesses to determine areas that require remedial attention in management functions, organizational arrangements, and improved techniques on controls. Receives complaints from businesses and offers assistance or refers them to appropriate federal, state, or local agencies for resolution or appropriate actions. Continues followup relationships with prospects locating in or expanding operations within New Jersey assuring them of continued interest. Maintains accurate records (daily, weekly, and/or monthly) on activities conducted including records on local, county, and area development organizations as to their membership, programs, and related matters. Maintains essential records and files. Prepares correspondence. Maintains the confidentiality of prospects. Prepares statistical and other reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and computerized 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 perform field work involved in soliciting businesses for location and expansion within New Jersey. Ability to identify and utilize services available to local development efforts from government agencies, particularly as they relate to community preparation for development. Ability to train and guide other Economic Development Representatives. 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 site and community visitations by business prospects. Ability to gather, analyze, and interpret business and economic information and trends and to make sound recommendations concerning this data. Ability to understand financial statements and to make the necessary recommendations to businesses with regard to available financial assistance programs. Ability to establish and maintain essential records and files. Ability to prepare correspondence. 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. CODES: 27/P27- JMR 9/2/95
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. Eight (8) 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 four (4) 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 three (3) 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.