WORK PROGRAM SPECIALIST 1
Career Family: WORK PROGRAM SPECIALIST
To land Work Program Specialist 1 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 master'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.
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.
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 direction of a supervisory official in the Division of Family Development, Department of Human Services, has responsibility for managing a local field office or in a county agency, directs and coordinates welfare reform efforts; does related work.
Examples of work
Administers the office in accord with agency policy regarding program, personnel, budget, systems, and training and coordinates welfare employment and training activities of the division within a county or counties and, as division official representative, monitors those activities and services provided under contract with the division by other agencies. Directs the activities of a local office and supervises a unit of Work Program Specialists and support staff responsible for the delivery of employment related and other services to applicants for and recipients of economic assistance and to their families. Schedules, plans, and provides consultation with subordinates to interpret policy, provides advice, and makes decisions when difficulties arise concerning the proper handling of problems. Schedules, prepares materials for, and conducts training sessions to keep Work Program Specialists and other staff aware of community resources and division policy and procedures. Provides orientation to new staff. Plans, organizes, and assigns the work of the organizational unit and evaluates employee performance and conduct, enabling the effective recommendation of the hiring, firing, promoting, and disciplining of subordinates. Coordinates welfare employment and training program activities within a county and monitors services and activities of other agencies that are provided under contract with the division. Exercises administrative controls to ensure appropriate fiscal policies and procedures are followed and approve payment for purchased client services. Assures compliance with the mandatory provisions of welfare employment and training programs while protecting individual client rights through oversight of the sanctioning process in case of failure to participate, and accompanies Work Program Specialists on field visits in difficult and/or potentially dangerous situations. Supervises the establishment and maintenance of essential records and files to ensure information is retained and readily accessible. Prepares monthly activity reports and other statistical, narrative, informal, and investigative reports as required. Assists in the development of policy and procedure for units to maintain proper, systematic communication. Participates in the planning of welfare employment and training program activity levels and in developing new programmatic approaches. Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and computerized 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 and understanding of social, emotional, and other problems of economically disadvantaged individuals and families. Knowledge of techniques of interviewing persons of varied occupational levels, ethnic background, English comprehension, and occupational experience and those presenting emotional maladjustment and other handicaps. Knowledge of laws and regulations pertaining to economic assistance programs and their application to specific situations in accord with established procedures. Knowledge of the public and private social welfare, health, educational, and employment and training agencies and organizations in New Jersey after a period of training. Knowledge of group and individual counseling skills, procedures, and techniques. Knowledge of problems involved in dealing constructively with human relationships, personality disorders, social behavior, and social relationships. Ability to interview individuals who may be emotionally upset or antagonistic, and to obtain and convey pertinent information in connection with the mandatory provisions of economic assistance programs and the applicable sanctions for noncompliance. Ability to collect and make appraisals of factual information and the social relationships of individuals and families, to learn quickly the essential and significant facts in an individual or family situation, and to weigh and evaluate such facts. Ability to maintain a professional attitude in work with clients, staff, volunteers, other agencies, and community representatives and employers. Ability to perform calmly and decisively in emergency situations. Ability to take and maintain a firm stand. Ability to make immediate decisions based on agency policy. Ability to perform tactfully and judiciously under pressure. Ability to instruct staff and supervise their work. Ability to plan, schedules, and conduct staff conferences. Ability to prepare necessary correspondence and reports. Ability to organize and assign field and office work, analyze problems, and develop work methods. Ability to manage human and physical resources of a local office to meet the goals and objectives of welfare reform programs. 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 the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
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. Six (6) years of professional experience in gathering and analyzing information, determining needs, and planning and carrying out activities directly related to the development and training involving welfare employment and training programs. OR Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; and two (2) years of the above-mentioned professional experience. OR Possession of a master's degree in Social Work, Guidance and Counseling, Public Administration, or Business Administration from an accredited college or university; and one (1) year 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.