SUPERVISOR VOCATIONAL PROGRAM
Career Family: SUPERVISOR
To land Supervisor Vocational Program in New Jersey you go through the competitive route: you sit an announced exam and the score puts you on the eligible list agencies hire from.
A master's degree is the listed credential, and extra years on the job can be traded for it. The FY2026 range lands between $77,144 and $113,264.
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.
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 Director of Professional/Residential Services or other supervisor at an institution for the developmentally disabled in the Department of Human Services or facility for veterans in the Department of Veterans Affairs, has charge of the work activities and staff of the Vocational Program, including responsibility for the student evaluation, on-campus training, and off-campus supervised work experience; plans, organizes and supervises related research studies and demonstration projects. Supervises staff and work activities; prepares and signs official performance evaluations for subordinate staff; does related work as required.
Examples of work
Plans, develops, organizes, implements, supervises and participates in the various areas of the vocational program. Keeps abreast of trends of thought, current developments and literature in the fields of developmental disabilities, specialized education, and types of vocational training and placement. Develops, establishes and updates appropriate procedures and a record system to be used in obtaining information on and evaluating the performance of students assigned to vocational training. Serves as a member of staff committees and provides information concerning the aptitude, interest and abilities of individual students to perform specific types of work. Plans, engages in and supervises staff engaged in research and demonstration activities directed toward the vocational testing, evaluation, counseling, training and placement of developmentally disabled persons. Establishes and maintains cooperative working relationships with colleges, universities and organizations concerned with the vocational training of developmentally disabled persons and enlists their active interest and support. Evaluates and reports on the work activities of the vocational program; makes recommendations for needed changes, additions and adaptations. Plans and organizes a community public information service designed to develop active interest and cooperation on the part of potential and actual employers, community agencies and the general public in terms of employment of developmentally disabled persons. Speaks before and provides information to lay and professional groups regarding the activities of the Vocational Program and other aspects of the overall program. Makes selective diagnosis of the vocational and rehabilitative capabilities of clients and formulates a realistic program of vocational guidance, testing, counselling and placement. Selects and assists in the development of suitable equipment, materials and supplies used in the various phases of the Program. Supervises the work operations and/or functional programs and has responsibility for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting, and/or disciplining of employees. Prepares clear, technically sound, accurate and informative statistical, financial and other reports containing findings, conclusions and recommendations and writes correspondence. Supervises the establishment and maintenance of the essential 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. IF ASSIGNED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS: Keeps abreast of trends of thought, current developments and literature in the fields of veteran services, and housing options ensuring stable housing placement upon program completion. Ensure staff prepare clients for employment, entitlement benefit receipt for those unemployable, and ensuring stable housing upon program discharge.
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
Knowledge of and familiarity with the philosophy, practices and procedures of vocational rehabilitation. Knowledge of and familiarity with the psychological, economic, vocational, social, employment and other problems of disabled individuals and veterans. Knowledge of developmental disabilities, including ideology, implications and modern methods of management and habilitation. Knowledge of the concepts and procedures of psychology, adolescent psychology, and mental health. Knowledge of and familiarity with current literature, trends of thought, and developments in the vocational diagnosis and training of developmentally disabled persons and veterans. Knowledge of and familiarity with vocational opportunities commonly available for developmentally disabled persons and veterans. Ability to learn child labor and other labor laws of New Jersey and the standards, policies, rules and regulations relating to the employment of the developmentally disabled. Ability to organize assigned supervisory work, analyze problems concerned with vocational training and counseling and develop appropriate work methods. Ability to develop, analyze, comprehend and interpret rules, regulations, standards, and policies related to vocational training and counseling. Ability to read, analyze and interpret basic child labor laws, regulations, policies, standards and procedures and to apply them to specific situations. Ability to formulate, organize and supervise a vocational guidance counseling and training program for developmentally disabled persons. Ability to use the methods, materials and techniques of modern vocational testing, guidance and counseling. Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with representatives of colleges, universities and organizations. Ability to assign, instruct and supervise the work of staff. Ability to prepare reports and correspondence. Ability to supervise the establishment and maintenance of the essential program records and files. Ability to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording 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 providing vocational guidance or other guidance and counselling duties, job placement and/or job development, one (1) year of which shall have been in work with the mentally and/or physically handicapped, including or supplemented by fifteen (15) credit hours in any combination of the following: guidance, vocational counseling, special education, educational psychology, social psychology, psychology of the developmentally disabled, job placement, or employer-employee relations or other courses related to employment or counseling, OR Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, including or supplemented by fifteen (15) 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 three (3) years of the above-mentioned professional experience, one (1) year of which shall have been in work with the mentally and/or physically handicapped. OR Possession of a master's degree in personnel administration, vocational guidance or counseling, educational psychology, social psychology, rehabilitation counselling, special education, or other field directly related to vocational counselling, including or supplemented by fifteen (15) credit hours in any combination of the following: guidance, vocational counseling, special education, educational psychology, social psychology, psychology of the developmentally disabled, job placement, or employer-employee relations or other courses related to employment or counseling; and two (2) years of the above-mentioned experience, one (1) year of which shall have been in work with the mentally and/or physically handicapped. "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.