GUARDIANSHIP SERVICES SPECIALIST 3
Career Family: GUARDIANSHIP SERVICES SPECIALIST
New Jersey treats Guardianship Services Specialist 3 as a competitive-class job, so the gate is an examination and the ranked list it produces rather than a direct offer.
This is the senior rung of the Guardianship Services Specialist series, the level you reach after Guardianship Services Specialist 2. The spec names a master's degree, but it leaves the door open to substitute experience for the degree. The FY2026 range lands between $80,756 and $118,678.
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.
Pay ladder: Guardianship Services Specialist series
- Guardianship Services Specialist 1 — $58,818 – $85,742
- Guardianship Services Specialist 2 — $67,312 – $98,503
- Guardianship Services Specialist 3 — $80,756 – $118,678 (this title)
Its top salary lands around the 61st 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.
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 a supervisory official in a state department, institution, or agency, manages, plans, supervises, and coordinates the work of an assigned office staff; supervises staff and work activities; prepares and signs official performance evaluations for subordinate staff; 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. Coordinates and directs the work of the major program unit responsible for provision of guardianship services on a region wide basis to clients in the community, in developmental centers, and/or in private residential facilities. Coordinates, assigns, and evaluates work performance of professional field staff providing guardianship services within a particular regional area. Interprets rules, regulations, policies, and directives for area office staff to provide accurate and uniform dissemination of information to county agencies, divisions, and department offices. Plans, organizes, and assigns the work of the organizational unit; supervises the work operations and/or functional programs and has responsibility for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting and/or disciplining of employees. May develop and maintain cooperative working relationships with other federal, county, and municipal offices and agencies and in adopting general policies and regulations of the division to specific requirements of statutory and/or required services. Takes part in conferences and meetings with staff of other divisions of the department and other departments. Participates in developing recommendations for formulation of social services policies and procedures within and outside of the functions of the designated section. Plans and develops specific research regarding program or area concerns with findings and recommendations. Prepares complex correspondence and supervises the preparations of detailed and technical field services and other reports relating to regional social service programs and educational activities. 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 rights issues particularly as they affect the developmentally and physically disabled or elderly individuals. Knowledge of laws of New Jersey and rules, regulations, policies, standards, and procedures of the department and the division and their application in accordance with established statutes and required standards. Knowledge of the development and implementation of a social service, education, and habilitation program for the developmentally disabled or other handicapped or elderly individuals. Knowledge of supervisory and personnel techniques and procedures. Ability to apply theories, methods, equipment, and techniques of habilitation systems for the developmentally disabled adult or elderly individuals. Ability to analyze laws, rules, regulations, and prescribed procedures and to interpret and apply them to specific situations. Ability to analyze work and develop effective work methods. Ability to supervise assigned staff and plan, organize, and implement projects within the unit. Ability to act as representative of the district at conferences and meetings of lay and professional groups. Ability to handle detailed correspondence relating to the work of the district. Ability to prepare and supervise the preparation of clear, accurate reports pertaining to programs and activities containing fins containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. 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.
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 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 three (3) 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 two (2) 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.