SUPERVISING COMMUNITY PROGRAM SPECIALIST
In New Jersey, Supervising Community Program Specialist is filled through the competitive process: candidates take a civil service exam and are hired off a ranked list, not picked at will.
The stated bar is a master's degree, but candidates can swap in added experience for the diploma. The FY2027 range lands between $91,628 and $134,900, and state payroll currently lists about 38 people in the title, most of them at Human Services.
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.
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Agency posting
Department of Human Services's employment page may require a click-through to see specific openings. Provisional appointment against a posted vacancy is how most people are actually hired into this kind of title.
Who employs this title
State payroll records show 38 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $126,158. The agencies employing the most are:
- Human Services (34)
- Juvenile Justice Commission (4)
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 direction of a Regional Administrator or other higher-level manager in the Department of Human Services, directs, plans, supervises, and coordinates the activities and staff involved in development, implementation, and/or evaluation of social services, education and/or training programs and support services for people with developmental disabilities; supervises staff and work activities. Prepares and signs official performance evaluations for subordinate staff; does other related work as required.
Examples of work
Directs and coordinates work of major community programs responsible for specific operations such as Community Development, Support Coordination, Community Services, Employment and Day Services and/or Community Transitions. Coordinates, assigns, and evaluates work of professional staff providing services or program support for people with developmental disabilities. Supervises or reviews the implementation and monitoring of all components of the plan of care in all areas by staff according to division policy and procedures. Interprets rules, regulations and directives to staff providing information to intra and inter-departmental offices and agencies. Provides guidance and direction to staff, recommends program and residential changes, and develops ideas for support and services to people with developmental disabilities. Supervises the work operations and/or functional programs and has responsibility for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting and/or discipline of employees. Establishes and maintains cooperative working relationships with other federal, county, and municipal offices and agencies. Provides recommendations for social services polices and supervises implementation. Plans and conducts research involving program concerns. Participates in conferences and meetings with intra and inter-departmental staff. Develops recommendations for the formulation of policies and procedures Plans and coordinates staff training on the standards, strategies, methodology, and techniques relating to case management, education and training programs, and the goals and objectives of the Department. Oversees preparations for technical field services and other reports relating to regional social services programs and educational activities. Prepares and supervises preparation of correspondence. Supervises establishment/maintenance of records and files. 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 NJ 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 the theory, principles, methods, equipment, and modern techniques of social services and training systems for people with developmental disabilities. Knowledge of federal rules and regulations which pertain to the provision of services to people with developmental disabilities and ability to apply these in accordance with state requirements. Knowledge of the typical services and programs which are utilized in providing services to people with developmental disabilities in the community, such as day programs, Community Care Residences, and group home programs. Knowledge of the policies, procedures, rules, regulations, directives, goals and objectives of the program. Knowledge of the Individual Support Plan (ISP) process. Knowledge of techniques necessary for training staff. Knowledge of the methods used to plan and conduct research. Knowledge of the methods and processes involved in assessing individual's needs, goals, outcomes, programs, and residential changes. Knowledge of program evaluation methods. Knowledge of the interviewing and selection process used in hiring of professional and direct care staff. Ability to supervise and coordinate the implementation of an Individual's Service Plan and programs. Ability to supervise and coordinate the development, implementation and evaluation of social service, education, and training programs. Ability to supervise the application of modern theories, methods, equipment, and techniques of social services for people with developmental disabilities. Ability to supervise assigned staff and plan, organize and implement projects within the unit. Ability to supervise the implementation of Individual Support Plan (ISP). Ability to assess and provide recommendations based on an individual's needs and progress. Ability to interpret, implement, and apply relevant rules, regulations, policies, procedures and directives. Ability to plan and coordinate appropriate staff training. Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with staff, other agencies, and the public. Ability to supervise the application of modern theories, methods, equipment, and techniques of social services and training systems for people with developmental disabilities. Ability to prepare complex correspondence, reports, studies, and make appropriate recommendations. Ability to plan and conduct research. Ability to supervise the maintenance of essential records and files. Ability to physically lift, move and position a person as needed. 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 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 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. Eight (8) years of professional experience in program delivery experience in providing education, habilitative, or social services in programs for people with developmental disabilities, one (1) year of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity. OR Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; and four (4) years of the above-mentioned professional experience, one (1) year of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity. OR Possession of a master's degree in the field of Social Work, Public or Business Administration, Education, Psychology, Nursing, or other related areas; and three (3) years of the above-mentioned professional experience, one (1) year of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity. "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. SPECIAL NOTE: May be required to engage in lifting a person when working in a setting which provides direct services to people who require assistance to ambulate.
Position Variants
Study guides for this exam
- Supervisory Test Battery (STB) National Learning Corporation · $56.99
- General Supervisor National Learning Corporation · $49.90 · general prep, not specific to this title
The Civil Service Commission does not publish official study guides or release past tests. These are independent equivalency guides.