GUARDIANSHIP SERVICES SPECIALIST 2
Career Family: GUARDIANSHIP SERVICES SPECIALIST
Guardianship Services Specialist 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 Guardianship Services Specialist, one step up from Guardianship Services Specialist 1 and one below Guardianship Services Specialist 3. It lists a master'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 $67,312 to $98,503, and state payroll currently lists about 41 people in the title, most of them at Human Services.
How to get hired
- Watch for an open-competitive announcement for Guardianship Services Specialist 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: Guardianship Services Specialist series
- Guardianship Services Specialist 1 — $58,818 – $85,742
- Guardianship Services Specialist 2 — $67,312 – $98,503 (this title)
- Guardianship Services Specialist 3 — $80,756 – $118,678
Promoting to Guardianship Services Specialist 3 raises the top of the band by about $20,175. Its top salary lands around the 42nd 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 41 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $98,503. The agencies employing the most are:
- Human Services (41)
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 the general supervision of a supervisory official in a state department, institution, or agency, is responsible for providing guardianship services to assigned clients residing in various community living arrangements, developmental centers, and private residential facilities; does other related duties as required.
Examples of work
Completes a psychosocial assessment including information on mental status, physical status, social history, and current living arrangements for elderly individuals, and presents these facts at the Office of the Public Guardian for Elderly Adults (OPGEA) care conferences. Monitors client status and needs through periodic visitations. Initiates referrals to federal, state, and local agencies to determine eligibility for assistance programs. Rotates on-call coverage with social service staff to be available for client medical emergencies. Prepares prearrangements for clients' funerals. Renders substitute decisions on behalf of clients relative to proposed medical or behavioral treatment, transfers, or major changes in program, discharges, and other requests or recommendations requiring informed consent. Communicates regularly with families to restore, maintain, or improve interrelationship with clients as well as to provide information and/or interpretation regarding client's status and needs. Monitors investigations of reported or suspected incidents of abuse, neglect, or exploitation. Ensures protection of the client's legal and civil rights including the right to the least restrictive or intrusive alternative in any range of programmatic, treatment, or residential options. Advocates for the client's receipt of entitlements including access to appropriate health services, education and training, work, and recreational and social opportunities. Represents client at Individual Habilitation Plan meetings via attendance or other means of input and monitors implementation of client's Individual Habilitation Plan. Participates with functional service staff in case conferences and team meetings addressing problems, issues, and needs affecting individuals or groups of clients. Attends and participates in Human Rights Committee meetings at developmental centers and/or regional offices as assigned by the District Supervisor. Prepares and maintains essential records, reports, evaluations, and other correspondence in the course of official duties. Develops and maintains a cooperative working relationship with other agencies within and outside the division and establishes a positive public image of guardianship services. Will be required to learn how 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 theory, principles, methods, equipment, and techniques of habilitation systems for mentally disabled adults. Knowledge of rights issues particularly as they affect the developmentally and physically disabled or elderly individuals. Knowledge of the interviewing and selection process. Ability to apply theories, methods, equipment, and techniques of habilitation systems for the developmentally disabled adult or elderly individuals. Ability to work cooperatively with staff, other state agencies, and the public. Ability to prepare complex correspondence, reports, and studies. Ability to analyze individual and general programmatic needs and to make recommendations based on this analysis. Ability to learn how 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 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 if they can perform the 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. 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. Six (6) years of professional experience working in the social service field with the developmentally disabled or as a special education teacher or with elderly individuals. 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 the field of social work, special education, guidance and counseling, nursing, psychology, gerontology, or other related field; 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. SCNL22N/AP22- This job specification is for government use only. Salary range is only applicable to state government. Local salaries are established by individual local jurisdictions. 8/24/2024