SUPERVISING COMMUNITY PROGRAM SPECIALIST, YOUTH JUSTICE COMMISSION
Youth Justice Commission
Supervising Community Program Specialist, Youth Justice Commission is a state title in New Jersey's competitive civil service, which means the way in is an open exam rather than a direct appointment.
On paper it calls for a master's degree, though the specification lets enough relevant experience stand in for the degree. Pay on the FY2027 schedule runs $91,628 to $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 direction of a Regional Administrator or other supervisory official within the Youth Justice Commission, is responsible for planning, supervising, and coordinating activities, responsibilities, and performance of a staff engaged in development, implementation, and evaluation of Youth Justice Commission programs/services as related to Aftercare, Community Programs, Secured Facilities, and the court dispositional process; does other related duties.
Examples of work
Directs and coordinates work of Youth Justice Commission units responsible for specific region wide operations. Supervises, coordinates, assigns, and evaluates work performance of professional staff providing services or program support to a particular regional area. Coordinates and supervises preparation/implementation of Individualized Case Plans (ICPs) by regional staff, supervises collation/finalization of data obtained, and monitors the ICP according to established policy/procedures. Interprets and directs implementation of rules, regulations, policies, and directives for staff in the Commission to provide accurate/uniform dissemination of information to internal/external agencies. Provides direction and guidance to staff in assessment and planning of programs, court disposition recommendations for placement, living arrangements, and services for juvenile offenders. Supervises the development of ICPs that include specific recommendations regarding behavioral elements and services needed for the release of juvenile offenders into the community or .placement within the Youth Justice Commission. Plans, organizes, and assigns work of the organizational unit and evaluates employee performance and conduct, enabling the effective recommendation of the hiring, firing, promoting, and disciplining of subordinates. Develops and maintains effective working relationships with other agencies and the community in order to address the proper delivery of services while promoting a positive public image of the Commission's community services. Participates in development of recommendations for formulation/revision of policies/procedures which impact on functions of the Youth Justice Commission and supervises implementation of general policies and regulations of the Commission to specific requirements of established standards, administrative code, and youth justice law. Plans and develops specific research with regard to juvenile delinquency that includes findings and recommendations. Plans and coordinates ongoing staff training in Youth Justice Commission standards, strategies, methodology, and techniques in training as they relate to case management, youth justice prevention and treatment, and goals/objectives of the Commission. Prepares and supervises preparation of detailed and technical reports relating to regional program services. Prepares and supervises preparation of official correspondence. Supervises establishment/maintenance of records and files as mandated and/or required by guidelines. Will 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.
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 policies, procedures, rules, regulations, directives, goals, and objectives of the Youth Justice Commission after a period of training. Knowledge of the juvenile judicial process. Knowledge of federal/state laws, rules, and regulations which pertain to provision of services to juveniles and ability to apply these in accord with state/local requirements. Knowledge of typical services/programs utilized in providing services to the juvenile offender in the community such as day programs, family care, skill development, educational and vocational services, and transitional living facilities. Knowledge of the ICP process. Knowledge of management, personnel techniques, and procedures. Knowledge of methods/processes involved in assessing juvenile offender needs, goals, and service changes. Knowledge of theory, principles, methods, and techniques in juvenile delinquency prevention and treatment. Knowledge of techniques necessary for training staff. Knowledge of program evaluation systems. Knowledge of the interviewing and selection process used in hiring staff. Ability to supervise/coordinate implementation of ICPs and juvenile offender programs/services. Ability to supervise work operations and functional programs and to recommend the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting, and/or disciplining of employees. Ability to assess and provide recommendations regarding juvenile needs and programs. Ability to analyze, interpret, implement, and apply rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and directives. Ability to analyze work and to develop effective work methods. Ability to supervise the application of theories, methods, and techniques in delinquency prevention and treatment. Ability to plan and coordinate staff training. Ability to analyze individual/general programmatic needs and to make recommendations based on this analysis. Ability to perform related research and special investigations with regard to juvenile delinquency services and programs. Ability to act as representative of the Youth Justice Commission at conferences/meetings. Ability to work effectively with staff, other state agencies, and the public. Ability to prepare complex correspondence, reports, and studies, and make appropriate recommendations. Ability to supervise/coordinate the activities of employees assigned to the juvenile judicial process. Ability to supervise establishment/maintenance of records and files. Ability 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 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 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.
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. Eight (8) years of professional experience in program delivery experience in providing education, habilitative, or social services in programs for juveniles with emotional, social, or behavioral problems, 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 social or behavioral sciences 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.