TITLE OFFICER
Title Officer is a competitive state title, the kind you test for: the exam result, not a hiring manager's pick, decides where you land in line.
You can qualify with a bachelor's degree or, if you do not have one, by piling up more experience instead. Pay on the FY2027 schedule runs $95,955 to $141,386, and state payroll currently lists 2 people in the title, most of them at Transportation.
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 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.
Who employs this title
State payroll records show 2 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $128,248. The agencies employing the most are:
- Transportation (2)
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 direction of the Manager Right of Way and Access Management Division or higher supervisory official in the Department of Transportation, acts as his/her assistant, supervises assignments on administration or operational areas involved in applying the laws and principles of Eminent Domain and agreement activities associated with the acquisition and disposition of real property; does other related duties as required.
Examples of work
Prepares and/or supervises the preparation of complex title memoranda, certificates of title and other documentation required in obtaining title for the State. Supervises the preparation of comprehensive reports regarding ownership and reversionary rights. Responsible for assignment and supervision of map reviews determining the accuracy of the Department's General Property Parcel Maps and verifies descriptions associated with individual parcels. Attends scoping and project kickoff meetings and provides necessary input to improve quality control in the design and preparation of right of way plans as needed. Prepares Department Actions involving real estate transactions as required. Supervises the assignment and processing of cases involved in Commission Awards and Consent Judgements. Provides reports regarding project acquisition status and information required to prepare Right of Way clearance letters. Prepares and supervises the preparation of complex deeds for the signature of the Commissioner or designee, conveying certificates of title and other documentation for the use of the Attorney General's Office in obtaining title for the State either through agreement or Eminent Domain proceedings. Review all documentations submitted by the Bureau of Property and Relocation and advises them accordingly to the following: A. Items which can be considered reimbursable incidental expenses to a property owner purchasing a replacement dwelling. B. Amount of money spent by a tenant in purchasing a replacement dwelling (Down Payment Alternate). C. Mortgage information to be used in calculating mortgage differential payments. May assist the Property Management and Relocation Unit in performing the more complex investigations associated with disposal of State owned real property and annulling of easements for State lands and/or leasing of State owned property by retrieving records and providing interpretation. Responds to requests for additional information and/or clarification from lending institutions. May participate in the development of scopes of work for title consultants. Supervises all field assignments to confirm they are completed in accordance with approved real estate searching practices and within established timeframes. Reviews for quality control, the work performed by title companies. Responsible for the supervision of the closing processes associated with assigned areas and informs the manager of the production status of cases in each District Office and of adherence to scheduled project completion dates; maintaining appropriate controls in status records. Testifies in a Court of Law as an expert title witness. Reviews and approves Certification of Title. Supervises the work operations and/or functional programs and has responsibility for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting and/or disciplining of employees. Provides information to other state agencies, local governments, and the general public on matters relating to State owned or leased real property. Assigns and tracks all research requests, providing advice and/or assistance to various sources within and outside the Department regarding right of way acquisition related issues. Assigns, supervises and monitors the OPRA requests remitted to the Unit. Reviews policies and procedures for efficiency and relevance to the overall mission and makes recommendations for changes. Advises property owners and their attorneys as to the validity of titles, the removal of encumbrances, and the procedures to be taken to remove title defects. Prepares complex reports and correspondence. Maintains records and files. Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and 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 the creation of titles emanating from the Board of Proprietors of either East Jersey or West Jersey. Knowledge of real estate terms and their meaning in the sale of real property. Knowledge of techniques used to determine data applicability pertaining to documents review. Knowledge of the types of title and related documents used in the sale of real estate. Knowledge of the New Jersey Statutes governing Real Estate Law and the ability to apply the statutes to the general principles and practices of the Department. Knowledge of research methods and report writing. Knowledge of New Jersey corporate and partnership statutes. Knowledge of New Jersey laws pertaining to the creation operation and general powers of railroads. Knowledge of the Right of Way Acquisition Manual covering the operations and procedures. Knowledge of the concept of Eminent Domain and the agreement regulations as specified in the policies of the Department pertaining to the acquisition of property for right of way purposes. Ability to comprehend, interpret and explain basic laws, regulations, policies, standards and procedures and to apply them to specific situations in accordance with established procedures. Ability to delegate appropriate investigations, research, reviews and other assignments to personnel. Ability to devise sound operating procedures and assess the effectiveness of the internal organization of the unit. Ability to consolidate diversified individual Local and Federal Aid acquisitions into combined units for conveyance to third parties. Ability to comprehend closing statements of title companies and/or lending institutions. Ability to work effectively with others. Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with owners, lenders and their attorneys. Ability to supervise assigned staff and plan, organize, and implement projects within the unit. Ability to perform the work involved in preparing title certificates, in preparing agreements, deeds, powers of attorney and general releases, and in advising as to the validity of titles, the removal of encumbrances and the procedures to be used to cure title defects. Ability to provide advice and assistance regarding the removal of exceptions to title, the modifications of provisions of original agreements, and other title related work. Ability to draft correspondence in the course of official duties. Ability to prepare and supervise the preparation of clear, legally sound, accurate and informative reports on title and related matters for the Title Officer and the Attorney General, containing findings, conclusions and recommendations. Ability to supervise and/or maintain of the required records and files. 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 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
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. Eleven (11) years of professional experience in title searching and other work incidental to the conveyance of real estate, two (2) years of which shall been in a supervisory capacity with experience in the preparation of deeds and related instruments incidental to the conveyance of real estate and the conduct of final closing settlements. OR Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; and seven (7) years of the above-mentioned professional experience, two (2) years of which shall been in a supervisory capacity with experience in the preparation of deeds and related instruments incidental to the conveyance of real estate and the conduct of final closing settlements. "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. SCNL28N/AS28- SCN428N/AS29- This job specification is for government use only. Salary range is only applicable to state government. Local salaries are established by individual local jurisdictions. 8/5/2017