NJ Civil Service Navigator

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE TECHNICIAN 3

Code: 56104 State Competitive Range: P25 (FY2027)

Career Family: UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE TECHNICIAN

Salary: $79,843.57 - $117,227.97/year FY2027 schedule (last updated 2026-05-08)

New Jersey treats Unemployment Insurance Technician 3 as a competitive-class job, so the gate is an examination and the ranked list it produces rather than a direct offer.

It sits mid-series for Unemployment Insurance Technician, one step up from Unemployment Insurance Technician 2 and one below Unemployment Insurance Technician 4. The spec names a master's degree, but it leaves the door open to substitute experience for the degree. The FY2027 range lands between $79,844 and $117,228, and state payroll currently lists about 24 people in the title, most of them at Labor.

How to apply

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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

  1. Unemployment Insurance Technician 1 — $60,876 – $88,743
  2. Unemployment Insurance Technician 2 — $69,668 – $101,951
  3. Unemployment Insurance Technician 3 — $79,844 – $117,228 (this title)
  4. Unemployment Insurance Technician 4 — $91,628 – $134,900

Promoting to Unemployment Insurance Technician 4 raises the top of the band by about $17,672. Its top salary lands around the 65th 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 24 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $113,264. The agencies employing the most are:

  • Labor (24)

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, takes the lead within an organizational unit; develops methods and procedures for implementing and maintaining new programs, the Local Office On-Line Payment system(LOOPS), and the Disability Automated Benefit System (DABS); monitors, analyzes, and evaluates progress and efficiency of office operations; provides general and technical information to the public; functions as a lead worker of lower level technicians; does related work as required.

Examples of work

Identifies the needs and trains staff in the use of newly developed program material and techniques to ensure their effective utilizations; reviews critiques of program appraisal prepared by supervisors. Takes the lead over lower level technicians and other staff in order to meet established division objectives, policies, standards and procedures providing uniform interpretation. Conducts evaluations of benefit claims operations in order to identify weaknesses and recommends appropriate action including follow-up inspection to ensure that necessary corrective actions have been taken by local office managers. As required, represents the Division on various Departmental committees to develop or improve State and local office programs. Prepares and analyzes statistical and other reports containing findings, conclusions and recommendations in order to maximize the efficiency of operations. Prepares correspondence of a technical and/or complex nature, concerning all phases of unemployment and disability insurance program. Oversees the implementation of new program activities and operating procedures in local offices, as mandated by changes in Federal or State Laws, and provides technical assistance until integrated in regular operational procedures. Oversees the implementation and maintenance of the LOOPS and DABS systems, including troubleshooting and technical support in data entry and pay station areas. Monitors and analyzes progress and efficiency of the LOOPS and DABS systems by logging downtime, response time and any pertinent technical development; takes corrective action; prepares related reports. Assists the District Supervisor in administrative tasks. Makes periodic security inspections of offices to ensure a good fraud prevention and detection system. Ensures that all checks, pay orders, records and equipment are handled according to procedures. Resolves complex problems and complaints from claimants and employers. Addresses groups concerning the UI-DI program. Reviews proposed agency procedures and analyzes their effectiveness and feasibility. Monitors office activities to ensure the office meets agency standards such as first payment time lapse and used/earned ratio and recommendations for improvement. Provides technical information and assistance to attorneys and governmental agencies and office managers. Recommends corrective action for improvement of local office operations. Assigns and controls computer access levels for the Division in order to ensure security and full utilization of the Local Office On-Line Payment System (LOOPS) and the Disability Automated Benefit System (DABS). Responsible for the development and maintenance of procedures, manuals, guides, forms, and reports used in processing unemployment and disability insurance claims, particularly those inherent in the LOOPS and/or DABS systems, as well as those pertaining to employer status and tax function matters: participates with project design specialists in LOOPS and/or DABS Program planning. As required, makes presentations to central, district and local office staff on newly developed program material and techniques; continuously monitors the use of materials and techniques to ensure their effective utilization. Works with training specialists in the development of training materials and in the planning and presentation of training programs. Acts as liaison for the Division when representatives of the Federal Government conduct evaluations. Monitors Division operations by participating in the evaluations, including planning, scheduling and observing performance by reviewing related materials, and by preparing reports and recommendations. Reviews and organizes material for issuances for the Interpretation Service Manual containing digests of decisions made by the Board of Review and the Superior and Supreme Courts of New Jersey, to be used by local office and other Division staff in making non-monetary determinations. Assists in reviewing and analyzing Unemployment Insurance or Disability Insurance Program letters, claims, manuals and other basic claims informative materials released by the Federal and State agencies to develop a foundation for studying the operations of existing programs. Reviews digests of precedent benefit and status decisions made by the Chief Counsel, the Board of Review, and the Courts for their effect on unemployment claims policy, procedures and operations. 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 methods used to evaluate the efficiency of programs. Knowledge of the problems faced in auditing, analyzing and evaluating office operations and in instituting necessary corrective measures. Knowledge of the rules, regulations, policies, and procedures of the Division of Unemployment and Disability Insurance. Knowledge of New Jersey Unemployment Compensation Law, related Federal statutes, New Jersey Temporary Disability Benefits Law, and Executive orders. Knowledge of business terminology and technical know-how to draft documents. Knowledge of all procedures related to all phases of the Local Office On-Line Payment System. Knowledge of Local Office operations and workflow. Ability to acquire knowledge of the other programs of the Department, especially those which have an impact on UI-DI programs (ES, Planning and Research, Workers' Compensation Disability Insurance, Economic Development). Ability to read and understand basic laws, regulations, policies, standards and procedures governing unemployment insurance programs and apply them to the daily provision of services to claimants and employers. Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those involved in the work of the unit. Ability to analyze, and evaluate statistical data. Ability to operate all modules and equipment of a Local Office On-Line Payment System terminal proficiently. Ability to determine training needs. Ability to draft technical correspondence. Ability to prepare clear, sound, accurate and informative statistical and other reports of a technical nature containing findings, conclusions and formal recommendations. Ability to analyze and evaluate unemployment insurance activities and formulate recommendations for new or revised procedures to ensure efficient operation. Ability to prepare presentations and address groups to explain UI Program. 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. 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. Seven (7) 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 three (3) years 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; and two (2) 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.