ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT 1
Career Family: ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
In New Jersey, Administrative Assistant 1 is filled through the competitive process: candidates take a civil service exam and are hired off a ranked list, not picked at will.
Of the 3 Administrative Assistant grades this one pays the most, sitting just above Administrative Assistant 2. The stated bar is a bachelor's degree, but candidates can swap in added experience for the diploma. The FY2026 range lands between $73,707 and $108,073, and state payroll currently lists about 131 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 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
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 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
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 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
Office of the Public Defender'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 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
Board of Public Utilities'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 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.
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Agency posting
Civil Service 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 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 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 Banking & Insurance'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
Division of Rate Counsel'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
Office of the Long Term Care Ombudsperson'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
State Parole Board'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
Office of Information Technology'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 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.
Pay ladder: Administrative Assistant series
- Administrative Assistant 3 — $61,510 – $89,810
- Administrative Assistant 2 — $70,431 – $103,187
- Administrative Assistant 1 — $80,756 – $118,678 (this title)
Its top salary lands around the 51st 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 131 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $97,764. The agencies employing the most are:
- Law and Public Safety (27)
- Corrections (15)
- Labor (13)
- Transportation (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 an Assistant Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, or other Executive Officer in a state department, institution, or agency by performing and coordinating administrative support services; does other related duties.
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 administrative aspects of the annual budget request. Coordinates fiscal procedures within the organizational unit including budget implementation and control, making sure that expenditures are in accord with allocation of funds. In coordination with the department personnel office, initiates personnel transaction 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 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. May assist 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 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 essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
Knowledge of principles, procedures, and problems of public administration including personnel and fiscal management and their adaptation to the department. Knowledge of government budget and administrative practices and procedures. Knowledge of 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 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. Ability to analyze, edit, review, and interpret complex technical material. Ability to maintain effective work relationships with the department and with outside departments and agencies. 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
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 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 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. SC4E25N/AP26-SC3E25N/AP24- 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 I National Learning Corporation · $40.95
The Civil Service Commission does not publish official study guides or release past tests. These are independent equivalency guides.