UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE TECHNICIAN 1
Career Family: UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE TECHNICIAN
New Jersey treats Unemployment Insurance Technician 1 as a competitive-class job, so the gate is an examination and the ranked list it produces rather than a direct offer.
This is where the Unemployment Insurance Technician ladder starts, one grade under Unemployment Insurance Technician 2, whose band tops out about $13,208 higher. The spec names a master's degree, but it leaves the door open to substitute experience for the degree. The FY2027 range lands between $60,876 and $88,743, and state payroll lists a single employee in the title, at Labor.
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 Labor and Workforce Development's employment page may require a click-through to see specific openings. Provisional appointment against a posted vacancy is how most people are actually hired into this kind of title.
Pay ladder: Unemployment Insurance Technician series
- Unemployment Insurance Technician 1 — $60,876 – $88,743 (this title)
- Unemployment Insurance Technician 2 — $69,668 – $101,951
- Unemployment Insurance Technician 3 — $79,844 – $117,228
- Unemployment Insurance Technician 4 — $91,628 – $134,900
Promoting to Unemployment Insurance Technician 2 raises the top of the band by about $13,208. Its top salary lands around the 31st percentile of all NJ civil service titles that publish a range.
Rungs are ordered by FY2027 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 1 person working under this title. The median actual salary is $69,587. The agencies employing the most are:
- Labor (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.
Definition
Under the direction of a Supervisory official in the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, assists in providing assistance to offices in the maintenance of Local Office On-Line Payment system (LOOPS), Disability Automated Benefit System (DABS), and special programs to improve its quality and effectiveness; provides training in special program areas to offices; does related work as required.
Examples of work
Assists in reviewing and analyzing unemployment and disability insurance claims, reports and statistical data relating to claims and tax activities. Assists in studying specific assigned areas of claims and tax operations to ensure system effectiveness and identify its deficiencies. Participates in the evaluation of benefit claims and tax operations in offices by observing performance and/or by reviewing pertinent records in the specific areas assigned. Assists in the development of evaluation techniques, forms instructions and other related materials to ensure their effective use in offices. Visits office units as a member of a team to evaluate existing procedures and review the use of new evaluation techniques and materials. Provide technical assistance to ensure proper use of new material; prepare detailed reports of such visits. Assists in the review and revision of new claims and tax procedures; ensures the conformity with the applicable policies, rules, and regulations before release. Assists in providing training on the unemployment and disability insurance programs to newly appointed staff. When assigned to specific problem areas, studies the facts pertaining to problems of claims and tax operations; prepares reports and make recommendations for corrective action. Serves as trouble shooter by handling calls from offices for information or for help with computer related problems as set forth in LOOPS and/or DABS Manual. Assists in collecting or dispersing information by telephone in critical situations. Assists offices in implementation of new LOOPS and/or DABS procedures. Assists in drafting technical correspondence. Assists in the preparation of periodic technical reports. Trains office staff regarding the Trade Readjustment Act, and monitors the program in offices to ensure compliance with federal guidelines. Assists in the processing of initial Trade Readjustment Act (TRA) claims when needed. Communicates with employers and union officials in order to publicize the Trade Readjustment Act, and to develop new petitions. Visits employers and unions to investigate wage and separation information of TRA applicants in order to ensure timely payments. Works with representatives from Employment Service and New Jersey Economic Development to implement the job training and referral aspects of the Trade Act. Researches unemployment payments which have not been automatically charged to employers. Takes corrective action to ensure proper charging of the irregular payments. Maintains the essential records and files. 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.
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 the essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
Knowledge of the problems faced in auditing, analyzing and evaluating office operations and in instituting necessary corrective measures. Knowledge of business terminology and technical know-how to draft documents. Knowledge of methods used to evaluate the efficiency of programs. Knowledge of business practices and procedures, including statistical methods and devices. Knowledge of Unemployment Insurance Laws of New Jersey and related Federal Laws and their application to specific situations. Knowledge of the rules, regulations, policies, and procedures of the Division of Unemployment and Disability Insurance. Ability to acquire knowledge of the problems handled by the Division of Unemployment and Disability Insurance. Ability to assign technical benefit claims and tax work, analyze claims and tax problems, and develop effective work methods. Ability to assist in the delivery of training concerning unemployment insurance programs. Ability to review and analyze statistical and other reports in to identify areas of concern. Ability to analyze and evaluate unemployment insurance activities and formulate recommendations for new and revised operations, procedures, and forms to obtain maximum efficiency. Ability to draft technical correspondence. Ability to communicate with groups. Ability to serve as a member of a mobile team to implement the Trade Readjustment Act and research irregular unemployment benefit payments in all the local offices. Ability to learn the systems and programs used for benefit payment operations. Ability to maintain the essential records and files. Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units. Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform 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. CODE: 08/24/2013
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. Five (5) years of professional experience in work involving various phases of social insurance such as disability, unemployment or workers compensation programs in a public or private agency. OR Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; and one (1) year of the above-mentioned professional experience. OR Possession of a Master's degree in Business or Public Administration or related area from an accredited college or university. "Professional experience" refers to work that is analytical, evaluative, and interpretive; requires a range of basic knowledge of the profession's concepts and practices; and is performed with the authority to act and make accurate and informed decisions.