EDUCATION SPECIALIST I, DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
In New Jersey, Education Specialist I, Developmental Disabilities is filled through the competitive process: candidates take a civil service exam and are hired off a ranked list, not picked at will.
Qualifying takes a master's degree and 1 year of relevant experience. The FY2026 range lands between $67,312 and $98,503.
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.
Examples of work
- Provides technical support and program assistance for specific clients, other professional staff, and other parties involved in general and habilitation programs.
- Coordinates the planning, development, and implementation of training programs within the community for developmentally disabled individuals.
- Works as a member of the interdisciplinary team in developing program ideas, assessing client needs and goals, discussing program observations, documenting program changes and assisting other team members as needed.
- Facilitates and implements ongoing staff training in environmental strategies, methodology, techniques in training, familiarity and visitation to other programs.
- Assists staff in the selection of appropriate activities for clients living in the community and institutions.
- Prepares reports, evaluations, and all other correspondence in the course of official duties.
- Trains and evaluates volunteers, foster grandparents, and other program related personnel who are not directly employed by Community Services.
- Responsible for the selection of appropriate equipment and supplies and aides design of adaptive equipment.
- Functions as liaison with other community agencies and organizations regarding programs.
- Confers with parents, sponsors, and all interested parties regarding client programs and progress and interprets data. Maintains ongoing consultation, discussion and training.
- 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.
- <b>REQUIREMENTS
- EDUCATION</b>
- Graduation from an accredited college with a Bachelor's degree in special education, education, speech, physical therapy, or occupational therapy and certification as a "Teacher of the Handicapped".
Experience
Two years of experience in programming or teaching developmentally disabled individuals. One year of the foregoing experience must have been involved in the development of Individualized Education Programs.
A Master's degree in any of the above degrees may be substituted for one year of the required experience, but may not be substituted for the one year of experience involved in the development of Individualized Education Programs.
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
- Wide knowledge of the theory, principles, methods, equipment, and modern techniques of training/education systems for developmentally disabled persons.
- Wide knowledge of techniques necessary for training staff.
- Wide knowledge of program evaluation systems for the developmentally disabled.
- Ability to acquire considerable knowledge of state and considerable knowledge of federal law regarding the training and habilitation of handicapped persons.
- Considerable knowledge of and sensitivity to the needs of the family, sponsor, and other interested parties of the handicapped.
- Ability to work cooperatively with staff, other State agencies, and the public.
- Ability to prepare complex correspondence, reports, and studies.
- Ability to analyze individual and general programmatic needs and to make recommendations based upon this analysis.
- 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 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.