CHIEF, DIVISION OF PENSIONS
Career Family: CHIEF
Chief, Division of Pensions is a competitive state title, the kind you test for: the exam result, not a hiring manager's pick, decides where you land in line.
You can qualify with a master's degree or, if you do not have one, by piling up more experience instead. 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 the general direction of the Director or other senior management officer in the Division of Pensions and Benefits, Department of the Treasury, plans, directs, coordinates, and administers the work programs, activities, and staff of a bureau; provides guidance and direction to senior management in the development and recommendation of policies and procedures applicable to bureau operations; manages staff and work activities; prepares and signs official performance evaluations for subordinate staff; does other related duties as required.
Examples of work
Plans, organizes, and directs the activities of the bureau; sets goals and plans; implements work programs and develops policies and procedures in accordance with division policies and goals. Supervises the development of work plans for all activities within the bureau; modifies and adapts plans as required. Directly responsible for implementing new or revised federal and state laws, regulations, and reporting procedures as they apply to the various state programs. Manages the work operations and/or functional programs and has responsibility for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting, and/or disciplining of employees. Manages various levels of professional and technical employees and evaluates the performance of their work. Directs the development of data processing, telecommunications, and other on-line procedures with the various vendors and is directly responsible for their implementation. Provides information through written and verbal communications to clients when detailed and complex problems arise. Coordinates, oversees, and provides managerial guidance to staff of the bureau. Serves as a principal advisor to senior management with respect to bureau activities including coordination required with other bureaus. Coordinates the work of the bureau with the work of the other operational and support bureaus in the division. Monitors results of program efforts through development of appropriate measurement devices and establishment of tracking systems. Evaluates program operations and performance; as required, develops and implements alternative procedures to improve performance and meet program objectives. As required, represents the division and testifies at appeal hearings before the Board of Trustees. Responsible for quality assurance of work produced or services. Provides information through written and verbal communication to clients when detailed and complex problems arise. Coordinates the dissemination of information to clients concerning benefit structures and administrative practices. Manages the presentation of the bureau program to inquiring employers and furnishes them with the necessary information as to the statutes, regulations, procedures, and the necessary resolution and materials for participation. Provides liaison assistance to service providers for auxiliary services. Estimates future workloads and required personnel space and equipment to achieve the objectives of bureau programs. Updates benefits manuals, booklets, and all other information materials distributed to the public. Develops, updates, and maintains the bureau procedures manual. Prepares the annual bureau budget. Renders administrative determinations and provides direction when complex problems arise. As required, serves on committees such as internal controls, research, and planning task force. Implements, monitors, and maintains the policies of sound fiscal management and ensures the conformity of division rules and regulations with those of the state and other departments; works with executive management toward maximizing the economies of bureau purchases. Reviews, analyzes, and interprets statutes, regulations, and rules affecting the operation of the bureau. In the Office of the Director, organizes and coordinates the division's staffing and personnel requirements while directing and controlling the preparation of personnel documents; provides liaison with the State Treasurer's administrative offices and the N.J. Civil Service Commission. In the Office of the Director, manages and oversees the operating budget to maintain services vital to the division's central support system; analyzes and monitors the implementation and expenditures of the budget to ensure conformity with Department of the Treasury and division rules and regulations; prepares reports concerning the implementation and expenditures of the budget. In the Office of the Director, plans and conducts space and layout studies to ensure efficient utilization of buildings and grounds; analyzes current and projected staffing and warehouse requirements and recommends physical and location needs; coordinates the acquisition of property needs and supervises the relocation operation. As directed, performs special projects. Responsible for the preparation and presentation of monthly and quarterly statistical reports and data reflecting the activities and productivity of the bureau. Reviews and interprets reports for information, accuracy, trends, or errors. Prepares and/or directs the preparation of extensive correspondence in the course of official duties. Prepares and supervises the preparation of clear, technically sound, accurate, and informative statistical, financial, and other reports, letters, and documents containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Directs the establishment and maintenance of essential records, reports, files, and data sources. Will be required to learn how 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 New Jersey only if operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
Knowledge of modern management concepts and practices. Knowledge of planning principles, practices, and procedures; organization theory; and administrative practices of the programs. Knowledge of the functions, responsibilities, regulations, and procedures established to administer pertinent statutes and their application to specific situations. Knowledge of the problems involved in the administration of benefits programs including enrollment, collection, auditing, and claims administration aspects of such programs. Knowledge of the principles and practices of supervision, employee motivation, and performance evaluation. Knowledge of the priorities, programs, objectives, policies, and the internal organization of the division. Knowledge of the laws of New Jersey and the regulations pertaining to public employees' pensions and other employee benefit programs. Knowledge of the priorities, programs, objectives, policies, and the internal organization of the division. Ability to organize assigned technical and supervisory work and develop an appropriate work program and schedules for the bureau. Ability to manage assigned staff and plan, organize, and implement projects within the unit. Ability to develop long and short-term management plans and procedures and develop effective methods. Ability to understand, analyze, interpret, and apply basic laws and regulations to employee benefit work in accordance with the provisions of the statute. Ability to coordinate the work of the bureau with that of other bureaus and administrative units within the division. Ability to evaluate program or unit performance and develop alternative methods to improve performance and meet established objectives. Ability to give oral presentations to, and establish and maintain effective working relationships with, representatives of federal, state, and local governments, as well as professional groups and others interested in issues, problems, and topics relative to designated program. Ability to assign, instruct, and supervise professional, technical, and other employees and to effectively evaluate their performance. Ability to supervise the compilation of needed statistical data. Ability to draft extensive correspondence in the course of official duties. Ability to prepare and manage the preparation of clear, sound, technically accurate, and informative reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Ability to direct the establishment and maintenance of essential records and files. Ability to learn how 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 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 if they can perform the 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. Nine (9) years of professional administrative experience in a public or private group employee insurance, retirement, or pension system, 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 which shall have been in a supervisory capacity. OR Possession of master's degree in business administration, public administration, management, or other relevant field; 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.