CHIEF EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING
Career Family: CHIEF
To land Chief Employment and Training 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, and state payroll currently lists about 11 people in the title, most of them at Labor.
How to apply
-
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.
-
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.
-
Agency posting
Department of Labor and Workforce Development'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 11 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $147,200. The agencies employing the most are:
- Labor (11)
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 an administrative official in the Department of Labor and Workforce Development supervises the administration and staffing of employment and training services in the central and/or field offices of the department; 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 assigns the work of staff involved in the implementation of training and employment programs. Analyzes industry and occupational trends, legislation, program regulations, directives, and proposals to assess impact upon internal and external programs. Plans and carries out studies of organizational structures and functions, staffing patterns, programs, and workflow to assess and improve operational efficiency and negotiates changes in resource allocation. Directs the preparation and analyses of program reports or audits. Provides technical assistance to staff and management. Monitors and assists staff liaisons to local community-based organizations, employer and business organizations, and government agencies and departments. Prepares and distributes communications on the administration of new and revised policy, regulations, procedures, and programs. Identifies the training needs of Department staff and monitors enrollment in training programs. Evaluates the delivery of services to clients and employers and prepares recommendations. Keeps current with federal and state regulations affecting program operations. May be required to represent the Department at speaking engagements. Oversees the establishment and maintenance of records and files. Prepares reports and correspondence. Manages the work operations and/or functional programs and has responsibility for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting, and/or disciplining of employees. 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 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 methods used to collect and analyze data. Knowledge of the methods used to plan and develop employment and training programs. Knowledge of program evaluation techniques. Knowledge of human resource leadership principles. Ability to supervise the development and implementation of employment training programs. Ability to interpret laws, rules, and regulations and apply them to specific situations. Ability to analyze current trends impacting program operations. Ability to conduct studies. Ability to prepare reports. Ability to manage staff and plan, organize, and implement projects within the unit. Ability to represent the Department before other agencies, community groups, or concerned members of the public. Ability to evaluate programs and services provided by the Department. Ability to negotiate the allocation of resources. Ability to prepare and supervise the preparation of statistical and financial data. Ability to conduct field investigations. Ability to prepare correspondence. 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 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 experience in the review, planning, or management of workforce readiness or employability enhancement services, 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 of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity. OR Possession of a master's degree from an accredited college or university in public administration, business administration, or a related 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.