CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST 1
Career Family: CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST
Construction Management Specialist 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.
Of the 4 Construction Management Specialist grades this one pays the most, sitting just above Construction Management Specialist 2. You can qualify with a master's degree or, if you do not have one, by piling up more experience instead. Pay on the FY2026 schedule runs $111,629 to $164,957.
How to get hired
- Watch for an open-competitive announcement for Construction Management Specialist 1 on the NJ Civil Service Commission jobs portal. Announcements run for a fixed filing window.
- Apply during that window and sit the examination. Depending on the title, that can be a written test, a rating of your training and experience, or a mix of the two.
- Passing scores go onto a ranked eligible list. Veterans get preference points added on top of their score.
- When an agency has a vacancy it must appoint from the top of that list under the "Rule of Three." Many competitive jobs are first filled provisionally while the list is being built.
Read the official specification at NJ Civil Service Commission.
Pay ladder: Construction Management Specialist series
- Construction Management Specialist 4 — $67,312 – $98,503
- Construction Management Specialist 3 — $77,144 – $113,264
- Construction Management Specialist 2 — $92,711 – $136,605
- Construction Management Specialist 1 — $111,629 – $164,957 (this title)
Its top salary lands around the 93rd 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 direction of a senior level manager or other higher level supervisory official, administers work programs and supervises staff responsible for the design, project control, cost estimation, contract administration, quality assurance, and scheduling and control activities involved in capital construction, public works projects, or programs administered by the division; does other related duties.
Examples of work
Manages overall operations of a unit and is responsible for its day-to-day activities. Develops and maintains division policies relevant to the unit. Supervises subordinates and assigns work. Coordinates unit activities with contracted consultants and constructors to expedite processes relevant to project requirements and schedules. Reviews and recommends requests, claims, performance notices, and/or other actions which require written approval. Acts as an Administrative Contracting Officer, and issues determinations, performance notices, and approved changes within delegated authority. Assesses staff training requirements necessary to accomplish program objectives, and targets technical, administrative, and management training needs on an annual basis. Schedules training for assigned personnel. Attends meetings regarding projects and capital improvement programs. Conducts a self-inspection program to ensure compliance with statutes, administrative code, department regulations, and division policies and procedures. Represents the division in contract claims and litigation actions which involve contract interpretation and compliance. Confers with representatives of state agencies to provide advice and assistance in design and construction issues encountered in the management of public work projects. Supervises and oversees the design and construction process to ensure projects are completed in accord with project schedule, budget, and using agency requirements. Administers and monitors contracts to ensure that work or services are in conformance with contract documents. Reviews and approves/disapproves invoices. Prepares and delivers presentations or speeches to professional, technical, and lay groups to disseminate building and construction or administrative management information, and establishes and maintains cooperative, effective working relationships with representatives of these groups. Monitors results of the unit's activities through a tracking system, and develops appropriate measurement devices and adjusts to changes in performance. Reviews and recommends budgetary items. Directs the preparation of reports and studies containing findings and recommendations. Participates with other senior staff in the development of policy and in long- and short range planning. Identifies significant design and/or construction project issues; directs the planning of analytical studies and preparation of reports and recommendations to define project issues; proposes alternative construction management strategies and follow-up on implementation of recommendations. Evaluates goals, operations, and performance, and develops and implements alternative procedures to improve performance and meet unit objectives. Identifies potential delays and takes appropriate actions to eliminate or minimize their cause and/or impact on the project and the State. Manages work operations and/or functional programs, and has responsibility for employee evaluations and for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting, and/or disciplining of employees. Maintains integrity and confidentiality in division and programs operations. Serves on committees. 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 design and construction management concepts and practices. Knowledge of standards and methods used in cost and price analyses. Knowledge of principles and practices of supervision, employee motivation, and performance evaluation. Ability to manage subordinates in the administration of varied functions relevant to public works projects. Ability to interpret and apply the state's procurement statutes, department regulations, and division policies and procedures relevant to procurement, contract types, solicitations, publicizing contract actions, selection of consultants/contractors, evaluations, and awards. Ability to interpret and apply planning principles, practices, and procedures, organizational theory, and administrative practices relevant to state construction programs. Ability to interpret and apply NJ Construction Law. Ability to supervise the preparation of contracts, amendments, and change orders. Ability to plan, direct, and coordinate work of the unit including setting goals, planning and implementing work programs, and developing policies and procedures. Ability to direct the preparation of administrative and procedural matter reports containing clear, accurate findings; sound recommendations and which include appropriate implementation and scheduling. Ability to work effectively with associates, representatives of state agencies, and others concerned with the administration of public works projects. Ability to prepare and supervise the preparation of accurate, contractually sound, and informative reports containing findings, conclusions, recommendations, or determinations. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with representatives of federal, state, and local governments, professional groups, societies, and others interested in the issues, problems, and topics involved in the designated program. Ability to supervise the establishment and maintenance of records and files. Ability to use established construction terminology in both oral and written communication. Ability to represent the division of conferences. Ability to speak at public seminars and meetings. Ability to assign and instruct employees. Ability to effectively evaluate employee performance and to direct overall work operations. Ability to prepare correspondence. Ability 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 as long as they can perform 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 field of architecture, engineering, project management, construction contract management, financial contract management, facilities management, construction quality assurance, or related area involving complex building projects, 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 in a specialty area related to construction; and four (4) years of the above-mentioned professional experience, two (2) years of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity. Possession of a valid Architect's License issued by the Board of Architects and Certified Landscape Architects may be substituted for two (2) years of the above-mentioned non-supervisory professional experience. Possession of a valid Professional Engineer's License issued by the State Board of Professional Engineer's and Land Surveyors may be substituted for two (2) years of the above-mentioned non-supervisory professional experience. Possession of a valid New Jersey Uniform Construction Code license issued by the NJ Department of Community Affairs may be substituted for one (1) year of the above-mentioned non-supervisory 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.
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.