COUNSELOR 2 VOCATIONAL PROGRAM DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
Career Family: COUNSELOR
New Jersey treats Counselor 2 Vocational Program Developmental Disabilities as a competitive-class job, so the gate is an examination and the ranked list it produces rather than a direct offer.
The spec names a master's degree, but it leaves the door open to substitute experience for the degree. The FY2026 range lands between $61,510 and $89,810.
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: Counselor series
- Counselor 1, Employee Advisory Service — $77,144 – $113,264
- Counselor 2, Employee Advisory Service — $97,100 – $143,176
Its top salary lands around the 32nd 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 the Supervisor, Vocational Program, Developmental Disabilities or other supervisor in an institution for the developmental disabilities in the Department of Human Services, provides broad and basic office and field counseling services in needed areas to developmentally disabled adolescents to prepare them for work and life in the community; does related work as required.
Examples of work
Develops, administers and/or sees that appropriate tests are administered to individual children in order to evaluate vocational aptitudes, potentials and preferences; reviews psychological and other test results; and determines the particular vocational training, social and other needs of individual children. Provides counseling to clients in the various areas pertinent to vocational training and other related matters on either an individual or group basis. Schedules, coordinates and closely monitors resident programs of vocational counseling; pre- employment trial periods; work training periods; and in other areas as may be required including community job placements. Obtains, reviews, analyzes and evaluates pertinent information about individual residents to make realistic plans for needed vocational other training and counseling. Confers with training supervisors in order to resolve training needs and problems and evaluates student progress or lack of progress. Provides professional assistance in meeting vocational training objectives, weighs the several aspects of the Program and prepares recommendations for appropriate modifications, additions or changes as indicated. Assists in developing suitable wage plans for residents assigned to various on-campus work assignments, vocational training or sheltered workshops, in conformance with existing labor relations. Engages in and assists in any research activities carried on within the Vocational Program and other programs within the Center and the Department as may be required. Works closely with and advises children throughout the vocational training process and assists in anticipating and resolving various problems of social, economic and vocational adjustment. Makes the fullest possible use of available institutional and community services and facilities and Maintains effective working relationships with such services and facilities; where no needed service exists, prepares recommendations for the development of such service. Prepares correspondence pertaining to the Vocational Program. Prepares clear, sound, accurate and informative statistical and other reports of individual students and Vocational Program activities containing findings, conclusions and recommendations. Maintains the essential Program records and files. May 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 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
Kknowledge of the psychological, economic, vocational, social, employment and the problems of developmentally disabled individuals. Basic knowledge of the vocational possibilities of the developmentally disabled. Basic knowledge of the vocational diagnostic, personality, aptitude and other tests useful in determining and evaluating the possible vocational capabilities of developmentally disabled individuals. Ability to acquire basic knowledge of the provisions of the New Jersey laws relating to child labor, and the provisions of the New Jersey Workmen's Compensation Act, and other regulations and factors involved in the Vocational Program and their interpretation and application to specific situations. Basic knowledge of the provisions of the Social Security Act. Basic knowledge of the concepts and procedures of psychology, adolescent psychology and mental health, particularly as applied to the management of the developmentally disabled. Basic knowledge of current diagnostic vocational aptitude tests of varied types, their application to the developmentally disabled students, and their interpretation and evaluation, Basic knowledge of the mental and emotional problems and limitations of the developmentally disabled adolescent. Ability to keep abreast of current literature and trends in the vocational training of the developmentally disabled. Basic knowledge of the common vocational opportunities which may be available for the developmentally disabled. Ability to organize assigned counseling and related work, analyze the problems which arise, and develop appropriate work procedures. Ability to make use of the methods and materials of modern vocational and related vocational guidance, testing and related techniques in work with developmentally disabled individuals. Ability to make a diagnosis of the vocational and related capabilities of developmentally disabled children and utilize institutional and local community resources in realistic programs for the individual client. Ability to work effectively with Center staff members, community employers, and community agencies and with associates in terms of cooperative programs. Ability to work closely with assigned clients and take measures necessary to help them adjust to work and life outside the institution. Ability to make the necessary field trips and investigations. Ability to prepare correspondence. Ability to prepare clear, sound, accurate and informative statistical, financial, progress and other Program reports, containing findings, conclusions and recommendations. Ability to maintain the essential program records and files. Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recoding 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.
Note
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. Five (5) years of professional experience in providing vocational guidance and counselling, job placement and/or job development for handicapped individuals, including or supplemented by fifteen (15) college credit hours in any combination of the following: guidance, vocational counselling, special education, educational psychology, social psychology, psychology of the developmentally disabled, job place ment or employer-employee relations or other courses related to employment or counselling. OR Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, including or supplemented by 15 college credit hours in any combination of the following: guidance, vocational counselling, special education, educational psychology, social psychology, psychology of the developmentally disabled, job placement or employer-employee relations or other courses related to employment or counselling; and one (1) year of the above-mentioned professional experience. OR Possession of a master's degree in personnel administration, vocational rehabilitation Counselling or Guidance, Educational Psychology, Social Psychology, Psychology of developmentally disabled or courses directly related to vocational counselling, including or supplemented by fifteen (15) college credit hours in any combination of the following: guidance,vocational counselling, special education, educational psychology, social psychology, psychology of the developmentally disabled, job place ment or employer-employee relations or other courses related to employment or counselling. "Professional experience" refers to work that is analytical, evaluative, and interpretive; requires a range of basic knowledge of the profession's concepts and practices; and is performed with the authority to act and make accurate and informed decisions.