SUPERINTENDENT 1, CORRECTIONS
Career Family: SUPERINTENDENT
Superintendent 1, Corrections is an unclassified role, so it is appointed at the discretion of the hiring authority and does not carry the usual exam-and-tenure track.
It is the lowest-paid of the 2 Superintendent grades, a step below Superintendent 2 Corrections, whose band tops out about $59,255 higher. You can qualify with a master's degree or, if you do not have one, by piling up more experience instead. The published schedule for this title runs $91,735 to $128,436, but it is frozen at an older rate and these titles are typically paid off-schedule, so actual pay is often higher, and state payroll currently lists 2 people in the title, most of them at Juvenile Justice Commission.
How to apply
This title is not filled by examination — agencies appoint directly.
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How to apply for this title →Pay ladder: Superintendent series
- Superintendent 1, Corrections — $91,735 – $128,436 (this title)
- Superintendent 2 Corrections — $126,854 – $187,691
Promoting to Superintendent 2 Corrections raises the top of the band by about $59,255. Its top salary lands around the 76th percentile of all NJ civil service titles that publish a range.
Rungs are ordered by FY2027 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 2 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $160,449. The agencies employing the most are:
- Juvenile Justice Commission (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 administrative direction of the Commissioner or Assistant Commissioner, in the Division of Operations, Department of Corrections, directs the programs and staff of a Class 2 level institution housing between 300 and 1,000 inmates for the custodial care, education, medical, and psychological treatment of social offenders; does related work as required. A Class 2 institution may be represented by administrative staffing which shall not exceed the numbers and levels as follows: one (1) Superintendent 1, and up to a maximum of three (3) Assistant Superintendents 1, one (1) Business Manager 1, one (1) Director of Custody Operations 1.
Examples of work
Plans and directs all administrative, custodial treatment and education programs in a correctional institution. Directs all prison satellite programs such as farm and dairy production to provide milk for offenders and maintenance programs at other state operated agencies or institutions. Oversees the prison infirmary providing treatment for medical problems of offenders. Oversees the state use industries operating in prison shops for the production of varied types of materials for state and local government use. Directs all professional service, custodial, and other staff; evaluates staff and programs. 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. Oversees the classification of offenders and their assignments. Prepares budget requests and interpretations. Prepares financial, statistical, and other reports. Directs the establishment and 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.
Education
Graduation from an accredited college with a Bachelor's degree supplemented by a Master's degree in Sociology, Psychology, Social Work, Education, Guidance, Criminology, or Public Administration.
Experience
Six (6) years of professional experience in administering correctional programs, or six (6) years of professional experience in program administration in a public or private organization, three (3) years of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity. NOTE: Applicants who do not possess the required education may substitute additional experience as indicated on a year-for-year basis.
License
Appointee 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 theory, principles, and practices of modern sociology, psychology, and education relevant to the care and rehabilitation of offenders. Knowledge of the problems involved in planning and implementing institutional programs for the care and rehabilitation of offenders. Ability to direct the activities and staff necessary to operate a correctional institution. Ability to formulate productive goals and to inspire staff cooperation to achieve these goals. Ability to direct and administer practical and effective institutional programs such as fiscal control, food service, housekeeping, medical and dental care, classification, education, group and individual therapy, guidance and counseling, social and psychological services, industry, preventive maintenance, staff recruitment, and personnel training. Ability to comprehend the emotional, social, and adjustment problems of offenders confined to an institution. Ability to maintain institutional discipline. Ability to interpret and disseminate technical information from professional and other sources. Ability to direct the public relations aspect of prison operations and to maintain harmonious relationships with the nearby community. Ability to keep abreast of new developments, concepts, and trends of thought in penology, criminology, institutional management, and other closely related fields. Ability to plan, direct, and evaluate prison programs and practices to meet the goals of the institution while serving the needs of the offenders. Ability to assign, instruct, and direct the work of technical specialists. Ability to direct the measures required for the protection and rehabilitation of offenders. Ability to prepare and direct the preparation of extensive correspondence. Ability to prepare and direct the preparation of clear, technically sound, accurate, and informative statistical, financial, budget, and other reports. Ability to direct the establishment and maintenance of essential and 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 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. Code: M37- LJG 01/12/94