SENIOR COMMUNITY PROGRAM SPECIALIST, YOUTH JUSTICE COMMISSION
Youth Justice Commission
Senior 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 $69,668 to $101,951, and state payroll currently lists about 120 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 120 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $95,384. The agencies employing the most are:
- Human Services (97)
- Juvenile Justice Commission (23)
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 the Supervising Community Program Specialist or other supervisory official within the Youth Justice Commission, facilitates the placement of juvenile offenders; is responsible for development, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of juvenile offender programs, living arrangements, and other related services; does other related duties.
Examples of work
Plans, assesses, develops, implements, monitors, and evaluates sponsors, mentors, juveniles and their families, and programs for appropriate placement, living arrangements, and related services ensuring that such actions are in the best interest of the juveniles and public safety. Works as a member of the regional team in developing programs/services, individual case plans, assessing current/future needs of juveniles and their families, and documenting juvenile, family, and program performance as related to established standards, administrative code, and laws. Facilitates training and awareness related to community programs, living arrangements, prevention, treatment, and aftercare of juvenile offenders and other related services. Coordinates activities among the family courts, county representatives, youth justice facilities, community services and other interested officials, visits youth justice facilities, and assists in case planning of juveniles for placement. May assist in development of Individualized Case Plans (ICPs) that include specific recommendations regarding behavioral elements and services needed for the release of juvenile offenders into the community. Prepares and maintains records, reports, evaluations, and all other correspondence in the course of official duties. Participates in various duties as a member of the regional team through attendance of meetings, orienting new team members, serving on committees, and serving as resource to the team. Investigates the suitability of juvenile offenders and potential sponsors as related to the prevention, treatment, and aftercare of juvenile offenders. 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. 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 theory, principles, methods, and techniques in delinquency prevention and treatment. Knowledge of the juvenile judicial process. Knowledge of the ICP process. Knowledge of techniques necessary for training. Knowledge of the interviewing and selection process used in hiring staff. Ability to apply theories, methods, and techniques of juvenile delinquency prevention/treatment. Ability to work effectively with staff, other state agencies, and the public. Ability to prepare complex correspondence, reports, and studies. Ability to analyze individual/general programmatic needs and to make recommendations based on this analysis. 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. Six (6) 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. OR Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; and two (2) years of the above-mentioned professional experience. OR Possession of a master's degree in social or behavioral sciences or other related areas; and one (1) year of the above-mentioned professional experience. "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.