BUSINESS MANAGER CORRECTIONS
Business Manager Corrections 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.
It lists a master's degree as the baseline, with an experience-based path open to those who do not hold the degree. Pay on the FY2026 schedule runs $106,547 to $157,363, and state payroll currently lists 7 people in the title, most of them at Corrections.
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 Corrections'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 7 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $147,200. The agencies employing the most are:
- Corrections (7)
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 a managerial officer in the Department of Corrections, supervises the institutional business and fiscal activities of a designated region which may consist of one or more institutional business offices, and storerooms/commissaries. The activities may include preparation of operating budgets and the development of budget expenditure projections; procurement and consultation with vendors or contractors; authorization of payments and transfer of monies from accounts; monitoring of internal audit systems, storage, and distribution of materials, supplies, and equipment. May oversee other institutional units as needed; does other related duties as required.
Examples of work
Analyzes business management practices and operations of assigned correctional institutions including business offices and other units as assigned. Develops budget expenditure projections of the assigned institutions and/or units. Prepares budgets on a program basis and is responsible for administration of federal and state grants. Administers rules, regulations, and standards relating to accounting, bookkeeping, and fiscal activities of assigned correctional institutions and their satellite units. Monitors budget and internal fiscal controls of the assigned institutions and/or units. Directs and supervises operations of other non-appropriated activities such as welfare accounts, and is responsible for maintenance of inmate organization checking accounts. Develops and implements plans for effective utilization of available funds, equipment, materials, and supplies. Applies generally accepted accounting principles. Delegates appropriate assignments, provides direction to unit heads and other employees, and supervises the performance of their work. Provides liaison and proper working relationships between business office staff and other facility units. May supervise and direct support activities for satellite units and other ancillary services. Supervises work involved in collecting data for inclusion in budget requests, in executing provisions of the budget, in allocating funds for institution operating programs, and in ensuring that these are charged against the proper program. Manages 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. Authorizes purchase of equipment, supplies, or services. Analyzes formal financial statements. Functions as the purchase and procurement agent in accord with established rules and regulations. Develops fiscal projections. Review expenditures for compliance with budgetary policies. Authorizes payment of bills, vouchers, purchase orders and other transactions. Prepares and supervises preparation of detailed and accurate financial, statistical, and other reports concerning business operations of the assigned institutions containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Verifies accuracy of processed fiscal transactions. Prepares correspondence. Supervises establishment and maintenance of financial, budget, and other related records and files. 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
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 the problems involved in the organization, work programs, and schedules of a public or private institution or agency. Knowledge of the methods involved in the preparation of budget requests and accounting of funds. Knowledge of purchasing and procurement practices. Knowledge of business administration practices. Knowledge of business concepts, procedures, and methods and their application. Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles & Procedures (GAAP). Ability to read and interpret information on regulations and established procedures of the department relevant to the conduct and recording of institutional fiscal, business, and budget work. Ability to develop and implement work programs and procedures for assigned business offices. Ability to supervise the purchase, receipt, storage, and disbursement of supplies and equipment. Ability to plan for effective utilization of available funds, equipment, materials, and supplies. Ability to collect and analyze data for preparation of budget requests and to supervise the preparation of the institution budget. Ability to delegate assignments, provide instructions to individuals and groups, and supervise the performance of their work. Ability to supervise business operations of the assigned institutions. Ability to prepare and supervise preparation of clear, sound, accurate, and informative statistical, financial, budget, and related institutional reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Ability to supervise establishment and maintenance of financial and related institutional records and files. Ability to analyze complex fiscal data and records. 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
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. Ten (10) years of professional financial experience in a medical, educational, correctional, or training facility or other business operation with responsibility for preparation of financial statements and reports, review of financial records, oversight of the development of internal accounting control procedures, and assisting in the development and analysis of an office, unit, agency, or organizational budget, four (4) years of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity. OR Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; and six (6) years of the above-mentioned professional experience, four (4) years of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity. OR Possession of a master's degree in Business, Public Administration, Accounting, Finance, or Economics from an accredited college or university; and five (5) years of the above-mentioned professional experience, four (4) 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 judgement 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.