INSTRUCTOR-COUNSELOR TRAINEE
Instructor-Counselor Trainee is non-competitive, meaning the state checks your education and experience against the spec instead of ranking you on a test.
The spec names a bachelor's degree, but it leaves the door open to substitute experience for the degree. The FY 2027 range lands between $53,282 and $55,691.
How to apply
This title is not filled by examination — agencies appoint directly.
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See where to apply for this title →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. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.
Definition
Under close supervision in a state department, institution, or agency, as a trainee and productive worker, holds formal and informal classes and discussions concerned with human relationships, personality, and the social and other factors affecting behavior to further the social adjustment and education or reeducation of patients, clients, or inmates; and/or provides clients with occupational, vocational, or educational counseling and instruction which may include teaching basic skills and concepts, or instructing clients in adaptive independent living skills; adjusts the content and level of counseling and instruction to suit the functional level of clients; does other related duties as required.
Examples of work
As trainee and productive worker: Learns to interview newly admitted patients, inmates, or clients, and those about to leave the institution; assists in compiling the initial institutional file on individuals. Learns to plan and conduct formal or informal group discussions designed to encourage patient, client, or inmate participation within the bounds of discipline, and with a view toward the development of positive attitudes, cooperative relationships, and social reeducation and adjustment. Learns to assist newly blinded persons in adjusting to the challenges associated with the loss of vision, and assists them in obtaining the services needed to gain necessary independent living skills and emotionally adjust. Learns to provide training in the use of special devices such as Braille timers and measuring and other devices. Assists with several group and recreational activities of the institution, and stimulates interest in, and cooperation with, social and education programs. Provides personal counsel and advice to individual patients, clients, or inmates on problems related to social behavior and personal relationships. Learns to provide home instruction in varied types of craft work. Develops and maintains personal contacts with individuals during their period of institutional life with a view toward their preparation for eventual release. Keeps abreast of current literature, trends of thought, and new techniques in group activities and counseling programs. When assigned to a penal and/or correctional facility, prepares needed materials for the paroling authority including a prediction schedule. Learns to provide instruction and guidance in the techniques of daily living, including grooming, travel (using a cane) within or directly outside the home and other recreational or skilled-related activities. Drafts correspondence relating to counseling and related programs. Prepares statistical and other reports. Encourages patients, clients, or inmates to attain basic objectives of the educational, vocational program. Teaches basic educational and vocational skills based on client needs and skill levels. Provides instruction in adaptive and independent living skills when required. Assesses individual sexual and social awareness; evaluates clients based on personal observation of their behavior, and reports findings orally and in writing. Assists in the coordination of recommendations from other professionals of the interdisciplinary team with the habilitation prescription for each client. Selects, obtains, and stores appropriate instructional materials. Coordinates clients' leisure-time activities, and encourages them to constructively use their leisure time. Attends professional meetings for client development. Maintains essential records and files. 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
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 essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
Knowledge of the techniques used in group activities and individual personal counseling. Knowledge of the problems involved in dealing constructively with human relationships, personality disorders, social behavior, and social relationships. Ability to review and interpret the rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures of the department, and apply them to specific situations. Ability to organize assigned counseling work, analyze individual counseling problems, and develop effective work methods. Ability to learn to plan and conduct formal and informal discussions with groups of patients, inmates, or client concerning the varied factors involved in human relationships, personality, social behavior, and rehabilitation. Ability to provide constructive counseling and advice concerning personal problems. Ability to assist in planning and carrying out recreational and other group programs and activities. Ability to work effectively with superior officers, associates, other employees, inmates, patients, clients, and others involved with the programs being conducted. Ability to learn to plan and conduct interviews and group discussions to gain the confidence of the inmates, patients, or clients, and to assist them toward social habilitation or rehabilitation. Ability to adjust the content and level of instruction and counseling to the functional level of the client(s) involved. Ability to prepare correspondence in the course of official duties. Ability to prepare statistical and other reports. Ability to select, obtain, and store appropriate instructional materials. Ability to maintain essential records and files. For appointments in the Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Department of Human Services: 1. Ability to establish rapport with newly blinded clients and provide assistance in their emotional, social, and other problems. 2. Ability to interpret the federal and state laws, regulations, and standards, and the policies of the Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired, and the Department of Human Services pertaining to the blind and the rehabilitation of blind persons. 3. Ability to be able to read, teach, and communicate in Braille at the end of the training period. 4. Knowledge of adaptive approaches used by individuals who are blind or visually impaired to performance of daily living skills, communication skills, assistive technology skills and home management skills. 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. ADVANCEMENT Appointees who successfully complete the required twelve (12) month training period will be eligible for advancement to the title Instructor- Counselor or Home Instructor, CBVI, in accordance with New Jersey Civil Service Commission procedures. The inability of an employee in this trainee title to attain a level of performance warranting advancement to the title listed above shall be considered as cause for separation.
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. Four (4) years of professional experience relevant to the position. OR Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. "Professional experience" refers to work that is analytical, evaluative, and interpretive; requires a range of basic knowledge of the profession's concepts and practices; and is performed with the authority to act and make accurate and informed decisions. Please refer to the Advancement section located at the bottom of this title specification for a comprehensive list of approved journeyman titles connected to this trainee title. Experience must be related to the journeyman title associated with the position.