CHIEF BUREAU OF GUARDIANSHIP
Career Family: CHIEF
To land Chief Bureau of Guardianship 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 $106,547 and $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 direction of a Director, Department of Human Services, manages the processing of applications to provide protective services to developmentally disabled clients receiving services from the division; does related work as required.
Examples of work
Plans, organizes, and administers the guardianship services of a division and coordinates with other units. Provides emergency decision making services for clients receiving guardianship services on an around-the-clock basis. Plans, organizes, and assigns the work of the organizational unit and evaluates employee performance and conduct, enabling the effective recommendation of the hiring, firing, promoting, and disciplining of subordinates. Prepares the bureau's annual budget. Develops a social service agreement in conjunction with grant allocations. Recommends action plans or problem resolution strategies in areas affecting clients' rights. Serves on committees assigned to draft policies and procedures. Coordinates due process procedure for protection of clients' rights relative to admission or retention in programs more restrictive of personal liberty. Reviews proposed legislation or regulations and submits comments or recommendations as appropriate. Serves as a resource person in the areas of guardianship and developmental disabilities. Develops and monitors use of electronic information system to track progress of court guardianship referrals and applications. Designs and modifies legal forms and court documents used to initiate guardianship actions on behalf of clients. Gives presentations before lay and professional groups on the programs relating to developmental disabilities, particularly in interpreting the Guardianship Program. Establishes the process for determination and/or evaluation of clients' developmental disability. Provides advice and consultation to field staff on matters of policy, standards, procedures, and other departmental issues. Conducts periodic conferences and staff meetings. Acts as appointing authority for District Supervisors in the Bureau of Guardianship. Participates regularly in executive staff meetings, raising issues and providing input from the perspective of guardianship relative to questions or developments affecting the division. Establishes and maintains cooperative working relationships between the unit and other functional service components of the department. Prepares correspondence and statistical and narrative reports. Develops written procedures for the bureau. Supervise the establishment and maintenance of essential 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 needs of developmentally disabled individuals and their families. Knowledge of human behavior and development. Knowledge of forms of guardianship in New Jersey after a period of training. Knowledge of the various functional services within the division after a period of training. Knowledge of the rights of the developmentally disabled and principles of normalization. Knowledge of the principles of supervision. Knowledge of modern practices and developments in the areas of client advocacy, rights of the developmentally disabled, and protective services. Knowledge of public guardianship programs in general. Ability to plan and conduct investigations and research projects. Ability to organize and provide appropriate assignments and instructions to professional and other staff, and supervise the performance of their work. Ability to act as the representative of the division at meetings, conferences, and seminars. Ability to read, interpret, and apply law, regulations, policy and standards relevant to the developmentally disabled. Ability to plan and execute bureau programs. Ability to participate in conferences and seminars of professional groups interested in the field of developmental disabilities. Ability to provide guardianship services on behalf of the developmentally disabled. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with parents, clients, and others involved in the work of the bureau. Ability to prepare correspondence in the course of official duties. Ability prepare clear, sound, accurate, and informative statistical, progress, and other reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Ability to supervise the establishment and maintenance of essential records and files. 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.
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 social services programs or guidance counseling serving the developmentally disabled, two (2) years of which shall have involved supervisory responsibilities. 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 involved supervisory responsibilities. OR Possession of a master's degree in the field of Social Work, Guidance and Counseling, Psychology, Education, Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, or Business Administration; and four (4) years of the above-mentioned professional experience, two (2) years of which shall have involved supervisory responsibilities. "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.