CHIEF OFFICE OF PUBLIC EMPLOYEES SAFETY
Career Family: CHIEF
New Jersey treats Chief Office of Public Employees Safety as a competitive-class job, so the gate is an examination and the ranked list it produces rather than a direct offer.
The spec names a master's degree, but it leaves the door open to substitute experience for the degree. The FY2026 range lands between $106,547 and $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 direction of the Director, or other supervisory official, administers and directs the work programs and staff involved with enforcement of the Public Employees Occupational Safety and Health Act, and other public sector safety and health programs as required; establishes and administers safety and/or health training and onsite consultation programs as necessary; does other related duties.
Examples of work
Plans, organizes, directs, and coordinates the programs and staff involved in work relating to compliance inspection and enforcement of the Public Employees Occupational Safety and Health Act for the department. Plans and administers a department wide onsite occupational safety and health consultation program for specific hazard identification and control; establishes and maintains effective safety and health programs. Establishes and administers a safety inspection program; oversees the promulgation of safety standards necessary to administer the Act and variances from such standards as approved by the Department of Labor. Develops and implements public relations programs to publicize the availability of safety and health consultation and training programs by office representatives. Plans, directs, and coordinates safety and health training programs and resources addressing specific PEOSHA standards and methods to reduce the number of safety and health hazards arising from undesirable, inappropriate, or unnecessarily hazardous or unhealthful working conditions. Directs the preparation of the PEOSHA program budget for the department and reimbursement requests and evaluates program needs and available funding in accordance with agreements between the state and the U.S. Department of Labor. Oversees the preparation and submittal of all documents required by U.S. Department of Labor. Interprets OSHA standards, regulations, and laws to ensure that staff is aware of applicable changes, deletions, or additions. Directs the work operations and/or functional programs and has responsibility for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting, and/or disciplining of employees. Oversees the establishment of hazard correction dates and follow-up activities for verification that hazards have been abated as agreed or ordered. May plan and establish programs for the processing of employer, employee, or labor representative appeals from orders to comply, variances or other PEOSHA administrative actions or alleged employer acts of discrimination to the Commissioner or the PEOSHA Review Commission. Works with labor and management to mediate or informally resolve disputes arising from state plan administration, orders to comply, variance issuances, or the application of PEOSHA laws or rules. Assists managerial staff in the development of new plans, policies, and programs to establish safety and health programs and/or improve on existing programs. When required, administers a program to collect fines imposed by the Commissioner on public entities found to be in violation of the Public Employees Safety and Health Act. Reviews requests for variances from the requirements of the laws, rules, and regulations of the various Acts for which the office is responsible. Ensures that appropriate staff training on safety and health issues is annually planned and implemented. Addresses meetings of lay and professional personnel concerned with safety and health programs and problems common to places of public employment over which the office has jurisdiction. Directs and/or prepares clear, accurate, and timely reports containing findings, conclusions, or recommendations in enforcement or consultative circumstances. As required, works closely with the other state departments to meet common goals, reduce duplication, and cooperate on special emphasis programs. Provides assignments and instructions to employees and supervises the performance of their work. Supervises the preparation of statistical program performance or other managerial reports as required by the commissioner or other management staff from other departments or the U.S. Department of Labor. Establishes and coordinates a safety and health complaint processing and tracking mechanism. When required, supervises enforcement personnel in protecting the rights of public sector workers as provided for under the Worker and Community Right to Know Act, and provides recommendations for referring cases involving valid complaints to the Office of Administrative Law. Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and computerized 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 loss control, risk assessment and accident prevention methods and systems. Knowledge of occupational health and safety hazards. Knowledge of the methods used to enforce applicable safety and health standards. Knowledge of the concepts, principles and objectives involved in the enforcement of safety and health standards established under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Knowledge of the methods used to develop and implement health and safety training programs. Knowledge of the principles of occupational safety, and health hazard identification and control. Ability to read and interpret OSHA standards, regulations and laws and apply them to specific situations. Ability to mediate or informally resolve disputes arising from the application of PEOSHA laws or from state plan administration. Ability to establish a public relations program to promote onsite consultation and safety and health training initiatives. Ability to design and implement loss control/accident prevention programs. Ability to address lay and professional groups on safety and health problems and programs. Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those interested or involved in the work of the unit. Ability to analyze proposed legislation and administrative regulations in the area of public employees safety and health. Ability to administer an occupational safety program. Ability to promote health and safety training initiatives. Ability to supervise the reporting and maintenance of occupational health and safety statistics. Ability to provide appropriate assignments, instructions, and supervision to professional and clerical staff. Ability to organize a program of inspections designed to enforce New Jersey's occupational safety and health laws. Ability to prepare a budget for an occupational safety and health program. Ability to establish field staff monetary systems, review reports and itineraries submitted by the inspection force and take appropriate action. Ability to initiate corrective action for violations. Ability to prepare and supervise the preparation of clear and accurate reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Ability to direct the establishment and maintenance of 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.
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 implementation and administration of a large and comprehensive occupational health and/or safety program involved with the identification and solution of workplace illnesses and health hazards, one (1) year of which must 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, one (1) year of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity. OR Possession of a Master's degree from an accredited college or university in Industrial Hygiene, Industrial or Chemical Engineering, the Physical, Environment or Biological Sciences or Occupational Health; and four (4) years of the above-mentioned professional experience, one (1) year 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.