CLASSIFICATION OFFICER 3
Career Family: CLASSIFICATION OFFICER
Classification Officer 3 sits in the competitive class of New Jersey's state or local civil service, so reaching it runs through testing and an eligible list instead of a straight hire.
This is the senior rung of the Classification Officer series, the level you reach after Classification Officer 2. It lists a bachelor's degree as the baseline, with an experience-based path open to those who do not hold the degree. Pay on the FY2026 schedule runs $80,756 to $118,678.
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.
Pay ladder: Classification Officer series
- Classification Officer 1 — $61,510 – $89,810
- Classification Officer 2 — $70,431 – $103,187
- Classification Officer 3 — $80,756 – $118,678 (this title)
Its top salary lands around the 61st 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.
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 direction of a Supervising Classification Officer or other supervisory official, in a state or local government agency, leads a team/group composed of professional/technical staff in the application of state and federal laws and department regulations governing the level of security, status, transfer, and involuntary commitment of inmates; leads activities involved in classifying inmates, coordinating inmate records, checking inmate progress, and in preparing materials for use by the Bureau of Parole, State Parole Board, and other committees; does other related duties as required.
Examples of work
Organizes relevant information concerning inmates which is presented at weekly meetings of the Institutional Classification Committee including reports received from custodial, psychological, educational, psychiatric, social service, and other staff members. Acts as secretary to the Institutional Classification Committee. Provides recommendations to the Institutional Classification Committee regarding rehabilitation, institutional transfers, level of security required, psychotherapy and/or guidance, vocational training, and housing arrangements based on an evaluation of data assembled on the individual inmate. Participates in a systematic program of orientation for all new inmates. Ensures that an appropriate, complete, and accurate system of inmate records is maintained. Facilitates regular and systematic classification review of inmates in accord with established procedures. Participates in a program of prerelease training designed for the satisfactory reintegration of inmates. Provides instructions to individuals and reviews their work. Presents inmate histories and other materials. Prepares the Objective Classification System scoring instrument and reviews those prepared by lower-level classification officers. Reads and interprets criminal history reports and other law enforcement summaries to apply objective classification scoring criteria. Takes the lead in the application of state and federal laws and department regulations governing the level of security, status, transfer, and involuntary commitment of inmates. Takes the lead over lower-level staff and other support staff by providing instruction and/or training. Reviews the recommended referrals for involuntary commitments of sex offenders. 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. Prepares case material required by the State Parole Board, Governor's Office, courts, and other authorized agencies. Confers with the superintendent on classification records and summaries, progress reports, reclassification, parole cases, and parole violators. Arranges for the release of individuals scheduled for parole and discharge then confirms warrants filed against inmates have been cleared prior to release. Maintains liaison between interdepartmental institutions, State Parole Board, and central office. Prepares correspondence in the course of official duties. Interviews inmates on matters pertaining to classification and/or records and explains the department classification process. Prepares clear, sound, accurate and informative case histories and other reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Establishes and 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
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 correctional and parole methods and practices. Knowledge of the structure and operations of correctional 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 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 organize activities of the classification unit in a penal or correctional institution. Ability to interview inmates and prepare complete classification records, summaries, and social histories. Ability to review assembled data pertaining to individual inmates and prescribe a recommended program of orientation and rehabilitation. Ability to plan and carry out systematic reviews of the classification status of inmates. Ability to plan and carry out programs of prerelease, pre-parole, and other training for inmates. Ability to provide instructions to staff and review their work. Ability to provide information in written and oral format to boards and committees to facilitate their decision-making process. Ability to prepare correspondence. Ability to prepare case records, summaries, histories, and other reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Ability to establish and maintain 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 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 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. Eight (8) 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, including or supplemented by twenty-four (24) semester hour credits in a combination of any of the following areas: criminal justice, legal research, law, sociology, psychology, or other related areas of the behavioral or social sciences. OR Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, including or supplemented by twenty-four (24) semester hour credits in a combination of any of the following areas: criminal justice, legal research, law, sociology, psychology, or other related areas of the behavioral or social sciences; and four (4) 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.