SENIOR MANAGEMENT ASSISTANT
To land Senior Management Assistant in New Jersey you go through the competitive route: you sit an announced exam and the score puts you on the eligible list agencies hire from.
A bachelor's degree is the listed credential, and extra years on the job can be traded for it. The FY2027 range lands between $72,896 and $106,798, and state payroll currently lists about 122 people in the title, led by Law and Public Safety.
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 Law & Public Safety 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.
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Agency posting
Department of Transportation 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.
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Agency posting
Department of Human Services'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.
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Agency posting
Department of Health 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.
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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.
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Agency posting
Department of the Treasury'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.
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Agency posting
Department of Environmental Protection 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.
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Agency posting
Department of Military and Veterans Affairs'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.
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Agency posting
Office of Administrative Law'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.
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Agency posting
Department of Children and Families 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.
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Agency posting
Department of Corrections'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.
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Agency posting
Office of the State Comptroller'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.
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Agency posting
Motor Vehicle Commission'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.
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Agency posting
Department of Agriculture'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.
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Agency posting
Department of Community Affairs 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.
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Agency posting
Department of Education 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.
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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.
Who employs this title
State payroll records show 122 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $88,117. The agencies employing the most are:
- Law and Public Safety (48)
- Transportation (14)
- Human Services (12)
- Health and Senior Services (10)
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 manager in a state department, institution or agency, or within a local government jurisdiction, provides varied, complex administrative services in support of a manager(s) within the area of assignment; assists in the coordination of management/administrative activities of an assigned unit or work area; does other related duties. DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: The Management Assistant series is distinguished from the Secretarial Assistant series due to the assignment of professional duties such as administrative research, identifying, analyzing and recommending solutions to procedural and/or operational problems or processes, and report preparation. Work is typically assigned on a project basis and generally does not involve the reoccurring or repetitive review of information or data. Secretarial and other office clerical work may be assigned but should not be the primary emphasis of the position. Positions in this class typically act as the principal assistant to the manager(s) regarding complex administrative matters, and help relieve them of administrative detail. The Management Assistant series is distinguished from the Administrative Assistant series due to the ability to simultaneously provide administrative services to more than one manager. Positions providing administrative services to more than one manager on a temporary or short-term basis shall not be included in this class (e.g. vacation/sick day coverage). The organizational level of the manager(s) providing assignment is irrelevant to positions in this class, whereas positions in the Administrative Assistant series, by definition, are classified according to the organizational level of the manager they report to. Employees at the senior level are delegated a high degree of responsibility for making recommendations to the manager involving complex administrative action, and may be responsible for implementing such recommendations. Employees frequently exercise independent judgment and make decisions concerning processes to be followed, the appropriateness of the information to be processed, and the actions to be taken. Work is performed independently requiring minimal review for adherence to instructions, plans and standards.
Examples of work
Assists management by providing varied, complex administrative services Gathers, organizes and summarizes data or information for report preparation Analyzes information, data and processes; formulates recommendations Conducts independent research and studies on administrative matters Conducts surveys Provides assignment, instruction and guidance to staff May take the lead on various administrative projects Reviews operating practices and procedures for efficiency and effectiveness; recommends changes for improvement; implements such recommendations Arranges meetings, conferences and other events Coordinates activities as assigned by management May provide technical instruction and training to staff May administer and monitor the disbursement of bank account funds are prepare related reports Maintains databases Helps relieve the manager of administrative detail related to the area of assignment Gathers data for the manager to use in budget reports Coordinates support services to ensure the availability and efficient use of resources needed to accomplish the goals of the unit or work area Investigates complex problems and/or complaints and makes recommendations for solutions Assists in planning and implementing administrative improvements, including organizational changes, and work systems Reads, researches and routs correspondence; drafts letters, memos and other documents for the review and approval of management Prepares clear technically sound, accurate, and informative statistical and other reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations Maintains essential records, reports, and files Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording information systems 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 organizational rules, regulations, policies and procedures Knowledge of the methods used to gather and evaluate data and information. Knowledge of the methods used to coordinate administrative activities Ability to organize assigned work, analyze problems and develop effective work methods Ability to interpret and apply laws, regulations, standards, rules, policies and procedures applicable to the area of assignment Ability to plan and evaluate the programs and activities of the unit and to recommend changes for improvement Ability to compile and tabulate data Ability to interpret and explain operating procedures, and provide assistance on operating requirements Ability to provide recommendations for changes and/or improvements to unit policies and procedures Ability to conduct research, analyze the information, and summarize the results into a meaningful report. Ability to prepare clear, technically sound, accurate, and informative reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Ability to coordinate work activities Ability to maintain records and files Ability 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, 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. This job specification is applicable to the following title code(s) which are different work week or work month and/or variants of the job class title: Job Spec Code State, Local or Common Class of Service Work Week State Class Code Local Class Code Salary Range
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. Six (6) years of professional experience performing complex administrative support work which must have included the interpretation, verification and/or application of department/agency rules, regulations, policies and procedures. OR Possession of a Bachelor's degree 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 judgement and make accurate and informed decisions. CC352202P21-SC4022N/AP23- This job specification is for government use only. Salary range is only applicable to state government. Local salaries are established by individual local jurisdictions. 4/21/2012