NJ Civil Service Navigator

CLASSIFICATION OFFICER 1

Code: 61392 State Competitive Range: P20 (FY2026)

Career Family: CLASSIFICATION OFFICER

Salary: $61,510.14 - $89,809.83/year FY2026 schedule (last updated 2026-05-08)

Classification Officer 1 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.

It is the lowest-paid of the 3 Classification Officer grades, a step below Classification Officer 2, whose band tops out about $13,377 higher. You can qualify with a bachelor's degree or, if you do not have one, by piling up more experience instead. Pay on the FY2026 schedule runs $61,510 to $89,810, and state payroll currently lists 2 people in the title, most of them at Juvenile Justice Commission.

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.

Pay ladder: Classification Officer series

  1. Classification Officer 1 — $61,510 – $89,810 (this title)
  2. Classification Officer 2 — $70,431 – $103,187
  3. Classification Officer 3 — $80,756 – $118,678

Promoting to Classification Officer 2 raises the top of the band by about $13,377. Its top salary lands around the 32nd percentile of all NJ civil service titles that publish a range.

Rungs are ordered by FY2026 pay. NJ level numbers are not always sequential, so ordering follows salary rather than the title number.

Who employs this title

State payroll records show 2 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $85,565. The agencies employing the most are:

  • Juvenile Justice Commission (2)

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 Classification Officer 3 or other supervisory official, assists in the application of appropriate state and federal laws and department regulations governing the level of security, status, transfer, and involuntary commitment of inmates; assists in the activities involved in classifying inmates using the Objective Classification System, coordinating inmate records, calculating sentence expirations, and in preparing materials for use by the Bureau of Parole, the State Parole Board, and other committees; does related work.

Examples of work

Interviews inmates at the onset of incarceration and explains the department classification process; prepares case histories, case analyses, and classification summaries. Organizes relevant information and inmate histories to be presented at weekly meetings of the Institutional Classification Committee, including reports received from the educational, custodial, and other staff members. Prepares and maintains classification materials for all inmates received at the institution. Make all the necessary arrangements for transfer of inmates to other institutions, including preparation of transfer orders. Prepares inmate histories and other matters for the Institutional Classification Committee and/or paroling authority. Prepares and presents data for submission to the Board of Institutional Trustees concerning inmates to be recommended for discharge from parole by the Bureau of Parole. Makes arrangements for the release of individuals scheduled for parole; checks to determine that all warrants filed against inmates have been cleared prior to release. Maintains liaison between the interdepartmental institutions and the Institutional Parole Office concerning parolees and inmates. Replies to intra and interdepartmental correspondence. Reads and interprets criminal history reports and other law enforcement summaries to apply objective classification scoring criteria. Calculates sentence expirations by applying allowances for work performed, minimum credits earned, and other factors. Arranges for the registration of potential parolees whose convictions fall within the parameters of community notification statutes. Prepares the Objective Classification System scoring instrument; interprets the scoring instrument to assist the Institutional Classification Committee in determining the most appropriate inmate level of security. Applies appropriate federal and state laws and department regulations governing the level of security, status, transfer, and involuntary commitments of inmates. Provides recommendations regarding referrals for involuntary commitments of sex offenders. Confers with the superintendent on classification records, summaries, progress reports, reclassifications, parole cases, and parole violators. Prepares reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Upon assignment to a specific institution, prepares recommendations for the type of housing, work, education, and other assignments to be given to individual inmates. Establishes and maintains 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

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 correction and parole methods and practices. Knowledge of the structure and operations of correction and parole systems. Knowledge of research and interviewing techniques. Knowledge of the Objective Classification System and scoring criteria after a period of training. Ability to read, interpret, and apply the federal and state laws and regulations, policies, and procedures of the department regarding the level of security, rehabilitation, status, transfer, release, and parole of inmates. Ability to organize and present material before pre-parole and classification committees, and to prepare recommendations for their use. Ability to interview inmates, compile materials for, and prepare complete classification records, summaries, and social histories of inmates. Ability to prepare and provide recommendations regarding housing, work, education, and other inmate assignments. Ability to provide information in written and oral formats to the appropriate boards and committees to facilitate their decision- making process. Ability to facilitate arrangements for the release and transfer of inmates in accordance with department policies. Ability to prepare correspondence in the course of official duties. Ability to prepare clear, technically sound, accurate and informative reports of classification and related matters containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Ability to establish and maintain 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. CODES: 20/P20 - MCK 3/15/01 LG - This job specification is for state and local government use.

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. Six (6) years of professional experience in program delivery or development in providing education, habilitative, or social services for persons with emotional, social or behavioral problems, or experience in the review of records and classification of inmates which shall have included providing recommendations for vocational and other rehabilitation programs, and/or probation or parole work with inmates of a penal or correctional facility. OR Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; and two (2) years of the above-mentioned professional experience. "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.