NJ Civil Service Navigator

DIRECTOR 2, EDUCATION

Code: 61449 State Unclassified Range: &34 (FY2026)

Career Family: DIRECTOR

Salary: $116,961.66 - $172,991.28/year FY2026 schedule (last updated 2026-05-08)

In the unclassified service, Director 2, Education is appointed rather than examined for, and its pay is often negotiated case by case.

On pay it sits at the foot of the Director ladder. One promotion up is Director 1, Education, whose band tops out about $26,470 higher. To be eligible you bring a master's degree and 7 years of relevant experience. The FY2026 range lands between $116,962 and $172,991, and state payroll currently lists 8 people in the title, most of them at Education.

How to apply

  • No exam
    This title is not filled by examination

    Non-competitive, unclassified, and Senior Executive Service titles are appointed directly by the hiring agency rather than through a civil service exam. Apply directly to the agency below.

  • Agency posting

    Department of Education posts its own vacancies directly, often before (or instead of) any civil service exam announcement. Provisional appointment against a posted vacancy is how most people are actually hired into this kind of title.

  • Agency posting

    Department of Children and Families posts its own vacancies directly, often before (or instead of) any civil service exam announcement. Provisional appointment against a posted vacancy is how most people are actually hired into this kind of title.

Pay ladder: Director series

  1. Director 2, Education — $116,962 – $172,991 (this title)
  2. Director 1, Education — $134,614 – $199,461

Promoting to Director 1, Education raises the top of the band by about $26,470. Its top salary lands around the 95th 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 8 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $164,587. The agencies employing the most are:

  • Education (6)
  • Children and Families (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 the direction of an Assistant Commissioner or division head in a state department, institution, or agency, directs a complex, major educational program and/or a large unit encompassing integrated activities within a management area; formulates goals and objectives; cultivates and implements educational and training programs; develops policy and procedure governing operations and work programs; does other related duties as required.

Examples of work

Directs the activities of the program/unit, establishes goals and plans, manages and administers the work program/unit, and develops policies and procedures in accordance with established goals and objectives. Interprets and administers applicable federal and state laws; develops, promulgates, and implements rules and regulations requisite to effect compliance. Directs the compilation and summarization of statistical and other data from various sources for use by the department administration and other agencies. Directs and participates in the long- and short-range planning and evaluation activities of educational programs. Develops and administers the program/unit budget; ensures an adequate structure and funding base to execute programs. Directs work operations and/or functional programs and has responsibility for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting, and/or disciplining of employees. Evaluates program goals, operations, and performance; develops and implements alternative procedures to improve and meet program/unit objectives. Directs activities to negotiate contractual arrangements with other agencies/departments to provide required services. Prepares reports describing educational program/unit plans, activities, objectives, and methods used to accomplish those objectives. Approves expenditures for the purchase of materials, supplies, equipment, and contracted services necessary to conduct program/unit operations. Directs the design and development of in-service training programs. Coordinates and participates in the assessment of educational needs of student populations; coordinates the design, development, and implementation of varied programs and services required to accommodate identified needs. Keeps current with trends in educational theory, instructional methods, and practices relevant to the needs of student populations. Directs the review and analysis of ongoing educational programs; recommends changes and improvements; develops and implements new, revised, or specialized educational programs. Participates in intra/interdepartmental initiatives designed to research, improve, and/or expand education programs and activities. Directs the review and analysis of research materials and other educational resource literature to ensure that educational programs reflect current learning theories and instructional techniques. Directs the review and analysis of legislative proposals affecting the educational program/unit; prepares operational and/or budgetary impact statements. Maintains liaison and coordinates activities with other departments or agencies to develop cooperative projects and/or programs designed to accomplish goals and objectives. Coordinates activities to ensure the security and integrity of confidential records and programs. Coordinates the development of public relations materials. Represents the department at conferences, seminars, or meetings relevant to educational program issues. Prepares and/or directs the preparation of regular and special reports, evaluations, and correspondence containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Directs the establishment and maintenance of essential 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.

Education

Graduation from an accredited college with a master's degree in education or a related field.

Experience

Seven (7) years of professional education experience, four (4) years of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity. LICENSE/CERTIFICATION: As determined by the appointing authority, appointees may be required to possess certification as a Teacher, Principal, Superintendent, School Administrator, School Business Administrator, or Supervisor issued by the Department of Education. 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 organizational goals and objectives relevant to the educational and training needs of student populations, and the programs or services appropriate to meet those needs. Knowledge of management principles and their application to the administration of an educational program. Knowledge of federal laws and regulations affecting educational or training programs. Knowledge of effective approaches to various vocational, remedial, academic, and other specialized educational or training programs. Knowledge of effective techniques which can be utilized to conduct needs assessment studies. Knowledge of procedures for the development, management, administration, and delivery of vocational, remedial, academic, and other educational or training programs to meet the needs of student populations. Knowledge of methods used in the development and interpretation of policies and procedures relevant to educational programs. Knowledge of the principles of budget planning, development, and administration. Knowledge of the problems encountered in the administration of a diverse educational program serving student populations with varied needs. Knowledge of educational methods, theories, practices, and resources relevant to the needs of student populations. Knowledge of state laws and regulations affecting educational or training programs. Ability to direct activities of a program/unit which provides educational services. Ability to establish goals and objectives, plan and implement work programs, and develop policies and procedures. Ability to direct the review and analysis of program performance, and to develop and implement appropriate changes and improvements to meet established objectives. Ability to manage assigned staff and plan, organize, and implement projects within the unit. Ability to establish and maintain liaison and cooperative working relationships with other departments or organizations whose activities relate to the implementation of educational programs. Ability to develop and administer procedures which ensure the security and integrity of confidential records and files. Ability to establish cooperative working relationships with intradepartmental staff. Ability to develop, administer, and operate within the parameters of the approved budget. Ability to direct the development of long- and short-range planning and evaluation activities of educational programs. Ability to prepare and/or direct the preparation of clear, sound, and accurate records and studies containing findings and recommendations. Ability to direct the conduct of needs assessment studies and evaluations. Ability to direct the design, development, and implementation of varied remedial, vocational, academic, and other special educational and/or staff training programs. 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.

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.