CHIEF OFFICE OF LICENSING AND INSPECTIONS
Career Family: CHIEF
Chief Office of Licensing and Inspections sits in the competitive class of New Jersey's state civil service, so reaching it runs through testing and an eligible list instead of a straight hire.
The requirements come down to a master's degree and 4 years of relevant experience. Pay on the FY2026 schedule runs $106,547 to $157,363.
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 general direction of an Assistant Director, or other supervisory official in the Department of Human Services is responsible for the administration and enforcement of NJSA 30:9A; NJSA 25:2H, NJSA 26:2B, NJSA 26:2H-1, NJSA 30:1-15, NJSA 30:11B-1 et seq, which requires the licensing, evaluation, and inspection of residential services, community services, and/or inpatient services, for those with developmental disabilities, mental illness, substance abuse and/or head injuries; oversees the investigation of complaints in licensed programs; does related work as required.
Examples of work
Prepares annual budget for the office and administers that budget throughout the year. Reviews laws administered by the office; prepares or supervises the preparation of suggested changes in the laws. Prepares and/or supervises the promulgation of regulations needed to administer and enforce NJSA 30:9A; NJSA 25:2H, NJSA 26:2B, NJSA 26:2H-1, NJSA 30:1-15, NJSA 30:11B-1 et seq, NJSA 30:11B-1 et seq., and/or supervises review of the regulations and initiates required changes where necessary. Directs the development and revision of management systems, including forms, procedures, records, and other management tools to accomplish the mandated functions of the office. Recruits and selects the supervisory staff of the office and monitors and coordinates their work. Manages the work operations and/or functional programs and has responsibility for employee evaluations and for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting and/or disciplining of employees. Represents the Manager and Executive Management to the legislature in matters relative to the office. Establishes cooperative working relationships with other state agencies to ensure the coordination of services and care provided to the residents of community services, and/or inpatient services, for those with developmental disabilities, mental illness, substance abuse and/or head injuries. Prepares extensive correspondence in the course of official duties. Directs the preparation of clear and accurate information, statistical, financial, and other reports of the office containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Is responsible for the maintenance of essential office public records and files. Directs the establishment of standards governing safety, security, recordkeeping, living conditions, and services in community services, and/or inpatient services, for those with developmental disabilities, mental illness or substance abuse; ensures there has been the necessary coordination with other components in the Department of Human Services and with other agencies in establishing the standards. Directs the establishment of procedures for issuing, suspending, and revoking licenses of community residences for those with developmental disabilities, community mental health agencies, mental health ambulatory residential programs, licensed psychiatric facilities, short-term care units, community treatment, rehabilitation programs and facilities for substance abuse; and administers this function. Directs the enforcement of the provisions of NJSA 30:9A; NJSA 25:2H, NJSA 26:2B, NJSA 26:2H-1, NJSA 30:1-15, NJSA 30:11B-1 et seq., through the reviews, hearings of the Office of Administrative Law, and civil actions in state and local court. Prepares edits, and distributes administrative and instructional material pertaining to licensing and investigative activities. Gives talks before lay groups, provider organizations, and professional groups, plans, conducts, and/or participates in workshops and conferences. Identifies specific deficiencies in various functional programs of the department through analysis of licensing actions and investigations of allegations; prepares written recommendations for corrective action. Organizes, maintains, and manages an up-to-date library of operational procedures employed by operators of group homes, supervised apartments, and private residential facilities for those with developmental disabilities, mental illness, substance abuse and/or head injuries. Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or unrelated units.
License
Appointee 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 New Jersey statutes and regulations governing the programs and services related to those with developmental disabilities, mental illness, and populations suffering with alcohol or drug addictions, and/or head injuries. Knowledge of current developments in the field of developmental disabilities, mental illness, and substance abuse and/or head injuries particularly in the areas of education, health care, social service and treatment programs. Knowledge of NJSA 30:9A; NJSA 25:2H, NJSA 26:2B, NJSA 26:2H-1, NJSA 30:1-15, NJSA 30:11B-1 et seq. Knowledge of the functions of legal documents and public records relative to licensing and investigations. Knowledge of federal laws, rules, and regulations as they apply to public and private residential programs for those with developmental disabilities, boarding homes, health care facilities, community mental health agencies, mental health ambulatory residential programs, licensed psychiatric facilities, short term care units, community treatment and rehabilitation programs and facilities for substance abuse and/or head injuries. Knowledge of the principles and practices of fire safety inspections. Knowledge of the process and procedures for preparing and submitting proposed community residence related legislation or changes for federal or state consideration. Knowledge of procedures to promulgate and adopt regulations pursuant to a legislative mandate. Knowledge of procedures used in the inspection of buildings. Knowledge of modern management concepts and practices. Knowledge of modern budgeting and planning practices, and procedures, program analysis, organization, principles, and administrative practices. Knowledge of the principles of supervision, employee motivation, and supervisory techniques. Knowledge of the appropriate methods and procedures for investigating complaints, and of the laws relating to such investigations. Knowledge of the types of services required by those with developmental disabilities, mental illness, populations suffering with substance abuse and/or head injuries. Knowledge of housing code standards and their purpose. Knowledge of problems and needs of boarding home residents. Ability to interpret and apply federal and state laws and regulations regarding community residences for those with developmental disabilities, community mental health agencies, mental health ambulatory residential programs, licensed psychiatric facilities, short term care units for those with mental illness, community treatment and rehabilitation programs and facilities for substance abuse for populations with addictions. Ability to understand the Department of Human Services rules, policies and regulatory procedures and their application to specific cases. Ability to understand Circulars, long-range plans, goals and objectives. Ability to analyze, interpret and apply basic law and regulations. Ability to organize assigned supervisory and technical work, analyze the problems arising thereon, and develop appropriate work methods. Ability to prepare and administer a budget for the office. Ability to assign, instruct, coordinate, and monitor the supervisory staff in the function of their duties. Ability to supervise the preparation of clear, accurate, statistical information, financial information, and periodic reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Ability to supervise the maintenance of essential office reports, records, and files. Ability to work cooperatively with state and local governments and federal agencies in the administration of the licensing program for community residences for those with developmental disabilities, mental illness, substance abuse and/or head injuries. Ability to maintain sound public relations with community organizations, licensed administrators, and various private and government agencies, and groups in the social welfare or health care field. Ability to learn 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, 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 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
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. Nine (9) years of professional experience in the evaluation of programs, operational procedures, and policies pertaining to developmental disabilities and/or mental illness, and/or head injuries, and/or substance abuse, two (2) years of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity. OR: Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; and five (5) years of the above-mentioned professional experience, two (2) years of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity. OR: Possession of a master's degree in Psychology, Nursing, or Social Work, or related field from an accredited college or university; and four (4) years of the above-mentioned professional experience, two (2) years 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.
Study guides for this exam
- Management Test Battery (MTB) National Learning Corporation · $52.95
- Manager/Administrator Test National Learning Corporation · $49.95 · 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.