UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE TECHNICIAN 4
Career Family: UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE TECHNICIAN
Unemployment Insurance Technician 4 is a state title in New Jersey's competitive civil service, which means the way in is an open exam rather than a direct appointment.
It is the top of the Unemployment Insurance Technician ladder, a grade above Unemployment Insurance Technician 3. On paper it calls for a master's degree, though the specification lets enough relevant experience stand in for the degree. Pay on the FY2026 schedule runs $88,530 to $130,339, and state payroll currently lists 7 people in the title, most of them 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 — $58,818 – $85,742
- Unemployment Insurance Technician 2 — $67,312 – $98,503
- Unemployment Insurance Technician 3 — $77,144 – $113,264
- Unemployment Insurance Technician 4 — $88,530 – $130,339 (this title)
Its top salary lands around the 72nd 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 7 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $113,615. The agencies employing the most are:
- Labor (7)
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 general supervision of a Supervisory official in the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, is directly responsible for all communications systems which provide general and technical information and instructions to the public and to operational units of the Divisions of Unemployment and Disability Insurance; is responsible for the supervision of a unit of Unemployment Insurance Technicians and other employees involved in improving the quality and effectiveness of unemployment and disability insurance operations; does related work as required.
Examples of work
Supervises the development, implementation and maintenance of procedures, manuals, guides, forms and reports used in processing unemployment and disability insurance claims, particularly those inherent to the Local Office On-Line Payment System (LOOPS) and/or the Disability Automated Benefit System (DABS), and other related tax service systems. Reviews program letters from the federal government; takes necessary action to ensure that benefits and tax operations are in line with federal requirements, standards, regulations and policies. Supervises technicians and other personnel and assigns tasks to unit members and gives technical advice and assistance in order to facilitate completion of necessary functions. Supervises the work operations and/or functional programs and has responsibility for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting and/or disciplining of employees. Drafts proposed changes in the Unemployment and Disability Insurance laws and Employment Security Rules and Regulations based on specific knowledge of the problems encountered in operating the various programs under the jurisdiction of the Division. Reviews all legislative bills and newly enacted laws and federal programs to assess their impact on the administration of these programs, both operationally and fiscally. Writes detailed reports on findings and makes recommendations, as required, to the Director. Supervises the organization, planning and implementation of the federal UI Quality Appraisal program and the office¿s evaluations of benefit, appeal and tax functions; analyzes operational problems uncovered by the appraisals and evaluations; takes and/or recommends necessary corrective action. Supervises the writing of new informational publications; reviews and/or supervises the review of all current publications to ensure their accuracy in terms of law, rules and regulations, and program changes; issues revisions as needed, writes and/or supervises the writing of reports. Supervises the writing of extensive, technical correspondence, requiring full knowledge of all phases of unemployment and disability insurance programs and administrative policy. Assigns subordinate staff to the various functions and oversees the distribution of work. Directs the writing of bulletins and Administrative Memoranda which serve to keep staff in the Division aware of changes in Federal and State laws, rules, regulations and procedures, handles inquiries from Local, District and Central Offices regarding interpretation of operating manuals and guidelines. Supervises the planning and development of training programs; participates in Federal and State training seminars. As required, represents Assistant Director at meetings, makes report on matters discussed. Coordinates periodic inspections of offices to review entire office processes. Supervises the review of existing procedures to ensure compliance with Federal and State guidelines. Recommends corrective action and reports results to Assistant Director or Bureau Chief. Supervises and/or participates in the implementation of the Unemployment Insurance Account Executive Program. Supervises the gathering of technical information regarding UI and Disability benefits for attorneys, police, FBI and other Federal agencies. Supervises the coordination of activities between UI-DI and other public agencies, including Eligibility Review Program, Citizens' Complaints Unit of the Public Advocate's Office, and UI Employability Program in conjunction with the Employment Service. Confers with the office of the Attorney General and other legal authorities in order to resolve legal questions which relate to the interpretation and enforcement of statutes. 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 principles of supervision and their application in office operations, including factors which affect employees' performance such as motivation, personality and work assignment. 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 business terminology and technical know-how to draft documents. Knowledge of statistical methods and devices as they apply to New Jersey Unemployment Compensation Law. 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 related Executive orders. Knowledge of Civil Service Rules, Departmental regulations and policies concerning personnel matters and the terms of the various Union Agreements applicable. Knowledge of the supervisory problems related to the operation of all phases of the unemployment and disability insurance program in the central and local office. Knowledge of all procedures related to all phases of the Local Office On-Line Payment System. Ability to draft changes in the unemployment and disability insurance laws and rules which are legally binding and in accordance with the objectives of the Division. Ability to provide technical advice and assistance to line and staff officials of the Division on matters relating to management and systems requirements Ability to write and/or supervise the writing of informational publications for the various public served by the Division. Ability to analyze and evaluate or supervise evaluations of unemployment insurance activities, including tax and benefit functions, and formulate recommendations for new and/or revised programs, procedures and forms to ensure efficient operations. Ability to establish and maintain cooperative relationships or direct technicians of a lower level in the establishment and maintenance of cooperative relationships with other services and bureaus within the Division and with related federal and State agencies. Ability to acquire the knowledge of supervisory methods and techniques. Ability to take and maintain a firm and correct stand when differences of opinion arise. Ability to compose or supervise the composition of official and technical correspondence. Ability to prepare clear, sound, accurate and informative reports of a technical nature containing findings, conclusions and formal recommendations. Ability to prepare presentations and address groups. 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. Eight (8) 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 four (4) 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 three (3) 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.
Study guides for this exam
- Supervisory Test Battery (STB) National Learning Corporation · $56.99
- General Supervisor National Learning Corporation · $49.90 · general prep, not specific to this title
The Civil Service Commission does not publish official study guides or release past tests. These are independent equivalency guides.