ASSISTANT OMBUDSMAN SECURED FACILITIES
Assistant Ombudsman Secured Facilities 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 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 $97,100 to $143,176.
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 the direction of the Ombudsman, Department of Corrections or the Executive Director, Juvenile Justice Commission, investigates and provides recommendations concerning complaints and inquiries of persons sentenced to and serving time in the various state and or county correctional facilities to ensure that their rights are protected and their grievances addressed; does other related work.
Examples of work
- Assist in the investigation and review of inmate concerns and other interested parties; recommends necessary action as required.
- Assists in providing protection for inmates from official error, abuse or neglect and functions as a preventive influence by encouraging inmates to ventilate their feelings in a constructive manner.
- Forestalls inmates' problems by facilitating early recognition of complaints and providing an avenue for prompt redress.
- Visits institutional facilities on a regular basis and interviews inmates or youthful offenders regarding grievances or complaints; provides recommendations for resolution, negotiation, referral or other appropriate action.
- Confers with representatives of the State Parole Board, Office of Inmate Advocacy, Public Defender's Office, the Attorney General's Office, the Governor's Office, and any other concerned agency.
- Receives inmate requests for assistance and schedules interviews.
- Provides information to inmates, youthful offenders, their families, and other interested parties.
- Conducts independent, impartial reviews of allegations of maladministration by correctional staff.
- Stimulates communication and the flow of information between the inmates and the administrative officers of the correctional system.
- Seeks to improve the quality and efficiency of correctional administration.
- Promotes public awareness of the correctional system.
- Detects developing problems at an early stage and promptly notifies the appropriate authority.
- Observes institutional classification meetings as required.
- Assists in the rehabilitative efforts of inmates through advice, counseling, and assistance. Observes unusual events, mass movements and other actions to provide protection for administrative staff from allegation of mistreatment. Interprets the rules, regulations, standards, policies and procedures of the Department of Corrections or the Juvenile Justice Commission to inmates or youthful offenders within the system.
- Prepares correspondence.
- Prepares and directs the preparation of clear, sound, accurate, and informative reports containing findings, analyses, conclusion, and recommendations.
- Prepares monthly activity reports.
- May be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency.
Education
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree.
Experience
Five (5) years of experience in a correctional setting providing direct service to inmates, two (2) years of which shall be been in a supervisory capacity.
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 interview and investigation techniques.
- Knowledge of the economic, social and other problems likely to be encountered by persons in a correctional setting.
- Ability to recognize unusual events in a correctional environment.
- Ability to prepare clear, sound, accurate and comprehensive reports.
- Ability to resolve complaints and problems.
- Ability to provide advice and guidance to inmates.
- Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with state officials, inmate committees and other interested members of the community. Ability to facilitate communication between inmates and the administrative officers of the prison.
- Ability to conduct independent and impartial reviews.
- Ability to read and interpret statutes, rules and regulations and apply them to specific situations..
- Ability to prepare correspondence.
- 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.
- CODES: 30/P30 - MCK 3/10/01
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 who do not possess the required education may substitute experience as indicated on a year to year basis.
A Master's degree in Sociology, Psychology, Social Work, Criminology or related field may be substituted for one year of the non-supervisory experience.