ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT 2
Career Family: ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Administrative Assistant 2 sits in the competitive class of New Jersey's state civil service, so reaching it runs through testing and an eligible list instead of a straight hire.
It sits mid-series for Administrative Assistant, one step up from Administrative Assistant 3 and one below Administrative Assistant 1. It lists a bachelor's degree as the baseline, with an experience-based path open to those who do not hold the degree. Pay on the FY2026 schedule runs $64,340 to $94,062, and state payroll currently lists about 114 people in the title, led by Law and Public Safety.
How to get hired
- Watch for an open-competitive announcement for Administrative Assistant 2 on the NJ Civil Service Commission jobs portal. Announcements run for a fixed filing window.
- Apply during that window and sit the examination. Depending on the title, that can be a written test, a rating of your training and experience, or a mix of the two.
- Passing scores go onto a ranked eligible list. Veterans get preference points added on top of their score.
- When an agency has a vacancy it must appoint from the top of that list under the "Rule of Three." Many competitive jobs are first filled provisionally while the list is being built.
Read the official specification at NJ Civil Service Commission.
Pay ladder: Administrative Assistant series
- Administrative Assistant 3 — $61,510 – $89,810
- Administrative Assistant 2 — $70,431 – $103,187 (this title)
- Administrative Assistant 1 — $80,756 – $118,678
Promoting to Administrative Assistant 1 raises the top of the band by about $15,491. Its top salary lands around the 37th 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 114 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $88,117. The agencies employing the most are:
- Law and Public Safety (23)
- Transportation (15)
- Labor (10)
- Environmental Protection (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
Assists a division director in a state department, institution, or agency by performing and coordinating administrative support services; does other related work as required.
Examples of work
Acts as principal assistant on administrative matters. Maintains liaison with other organizational units providing support services such as data processing, accounting, purchasing, printing, and personnel. Collects data for and assists in preparation of the administrative aspects of the annual budget request. Coordinates fiscal procedures within the organizational unit including budget implementation and control, and making sure that expenditures are in accordance with the allocation of funds. In coordination with the department personnel office, initiates personnel transactions required by the organizational unit including separations, promotions, leaves, transfers, reclassifications, recruitment, and training. Keeps currently informed of new and revised personnel policy statements, regulations, directives, and other communications published by the department personnel office, and develops plans and procedures for implementation of such communications. Interviews job applicants, and conducts and/or arranges for appropriate employee orientation. Coordinates the collection of data and preparation of administrative and informative reports in support of program activities, time and attendance records, leaves, terminations, new employees, transfers, fiscal expenditures, and statistical records of performance data. Investigates administrative problems and makes recommendations for solutions. Assists in planning and implementing administrative improvements including organizational changes and work systems. Expedites and coordinates services such as maintenance, repairs, supplies, and mail. Directs and/or makes special studies. Interprets administrative regulations and policies as required within the department or division. May supervise the maintenance of the library. Coordinates office operations including clerical work, internal reporting systems, forms, space, and office equipment, and suggests methods for office improvements. Plans, schedules, and/or attends meetings and conferences, and prepares reports thereon. Reviews and/or prepares routine correspondence. Supervises the maintenance of essential records and files. May 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 principles and procedures of public administration problems including personnel, fiscal management, and their adaptation to the department. Knowledge of government budget, administrative practices, and procedures. Knowledge of modern office management principles, procedures, and techniques and their adaptation. Knowledge of survey techniques and statistical and research methods. Ability to acquire knowledge of division and department organization and programs. Ability to organize assigned administrative work and develop appropriate work methods. Ability to prepare statistical, financial, and other reports. Ability to analyze problems and data, and take or recommend action. Ability to plan and supervise administrative control systems. Ability to speak and write effectively and to analyze, edit, review, and interpret complex technical material. Ability to maintain cooperative working relationships with the department and with outside departments and agencies. Ability to maintain records and files. Ability to learn and 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
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. Six (6) years of professional experience in a business or government agency providing administrative support services and/or coordinating work activities. 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 judgment and make accurate and informed decisions. SC4E22N/AP23-SC3E22N/AP21- This job specification is for government use only. Salary range is only applicable to state government. Local salaries are established by individual local jurisdictions. 7/27/2013
Study guides for this exam
- Administrative Assistant National Learning Corporation · $37.55
- Administrative Assistant II National Learning Corporation · $40.95
The Civil Service Commission does not publish official study guides or release past tests. These are independent equivalency guides.