SAFETY OFFICER, DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
To land Safety Officer, Developmental Disabilities in New Jersey you go through the competitive route: you sit an announced exam and the score puts you on the eligible list agencies hire from.
A bachelor's degree is the listed credential, and extra years on the job can be traded for it. The FY2027 range lands between $69,668 and $101,951, and state payroll currently lists 2 people in the title, most of them at Human Services.
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.
-
Agency posting
Department of Human Services's employment page may require a click-through to see specific openings. Provisional appointment against a posted vacancy is how most people are actually hired into this kind of title.
Who employs this title
State payroll records show 2 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $84,467. The agencies employing the most are:
- Human Services (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 the Assistant Superintendent or other supervisory officer in an institution within the Division of Developmental Disabilities, Department of Human Services, prepares, implements, directs, and monitors programs designed to increase and assure conditions conducive to employee and client safety; reviews and interprets safety standards and regulations to determine applicability to the work location; prepares detailed reports; does other related duties.
Examples of work
Devises appropriate plans to train workers to perform work safely and in accordance with work procedures and regulations, laws, and standards of various State safety statutes. Advises supervisory personnel on all safety matters. Promulgates and enforces safe practices and safety rules and regulations, supervising the actions necessary to assure orderly and safe conditions. Applies State occupational safety and health statutes and regulations and receives reinforcement training as each new regulation is promulgated in order to keep current in the area. Reviews digest and summarizes literature which relates to the tasks of safety inspection; explains and interprets such material to supervisory officers in order to enhance their performance regarding safety matters. Participates in the preparation of procedures, schedules, training outlines, manuals, guides, and materials for the institution of safety programs. Guides and supervises the implementation of such procedures by supervisory personnel. Collaborates with supervisory personnel and other workers on matters relating to the safety of all employees; makes suggestions and recommendations concerning safe practices, procedures, and conditions. Coordinates the institutional safety program to include accident investigation and elimination of occupational hazards and recommends corrective action. In the course of enforcement activity, instructs employer and employee representatives in the requirements of occupational safety and health regulations regarding accident prevention. Initiates activities which stimulate and maintain the employee's interest in safety. Coordinates the routine day-to-day activities of the Safety Committee. Conducts planned observations of employees at work for the purpose of assuring compliance with safe work procedures as defined by the State and the Joint Safety and Health Committee. Arranges schedules of general inspection and follow-up inspection activity, continuously revising the schedule of inspection activity as made necessary by assignments to investigate imminent hazards, complaints, fatal and serious accidents, fires, and special emphasis inspection projects. Conducts institutional inspections for the purpose of detecting unsafe conditions and recommending preventive measures. Organizes assigned supervisory and safety inspection work, analyzes inspection problems, and develops effective work methods. Investigates or supervises the special, complex, and/or confidential investigation of fatal accidents or safety violations, preparing formal recommendations designed to prevent the recurrence of such incident. Conducts investigations of client or employee accidents to determine cause and effect in order to prevent future recurrence. Conducts survey of physical plant for safety violations (potholes, broken sidewalks, exposed pipes, broken or open windows, etc.). Conducts follow-up investigation on sanitation inspection. deficiencies and violations and supervises corrective actions. Requests, disburses, and records safety equipment, materials, and first-aid supplies. Tests types of safety gear, equipment, and supplies, which must be purchased for the facility, and participates in a training plan on proper use of such safety equipment for all employees. Performs periodic checks of facility to ensure complete compliance with the safety regulations found in the Manual of Standards (subchapter 6). Administers safety regulations contained in the Manual of Standards for Licensed Group Homes and Supervised Apartments for the Developmentally Disabled distributed by the Division of Developmental Disabilities. In case(s) of safety violation, cites specific regulations and laws violated and describes the nature of the violation in detail. Fixes a reasonable time for abatement based upon the seriousness of the hazard, the work required to correct the condition and the time required to obtain and install needed material or equipment, and includes time permitted for abatement on the "order". Appears as a witness in enforcement actions of a complex nature, such as show cause hearings, administrative hearings, settlement conferences, and court actions. Prepares reports of progress and activities to be periodically submitted as required. Supervises the establishment and maintenance of essential records and files pertaining to the Safety and Health Committee of the Department. Prepares recommendations concerning the management of large numbers of people and the avoidance or alleviation of crowded and/or unsafe conditions. Prepares clear, sound, accurate, and informative written reports of general safety inspections, follow-up inspections, complaint investigations, and accident investigations, including (when required) statements of violations of law, and containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations for the elimination of hazardous conditions and practices. Maintains records of employee accidents, fire prevention, and control programs containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Maintains 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 the procedures most likely to be effective and the problems involved in making mandatory inspections and investigations and preparing reports. Knowledge of the methods used in testing fire detection and signal systems, elevators, hoists, and buildings for safety and compliance with the law. Knowledge of elementary safety and industrial conceptions, terminology, tools, devices, and procedures. Ability to read and understand the laws of the New Jersey and regulations of the Division of Developmental Disabilities pertaining to the operation of facilities for the developmentally disabled. Ability to read and understand information of firefighting equipment required by laws of New Jersey and their proper installation, servicing, and operation. Ability to organize assigned inspection work, analyze inspection problems, and develop appropriate work procedures. Ability to comprehend, analyze and interpret the laws and regulations of New Jersey pertaining to the protection of the health, safety, and welfare of workers and clients. Ability to organize assigned work and develops effective work methods. Ability to conduct inspections and investigations. Ability to prepare clear, sound, accurate, and informative reports of investigations containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Ability to comprehend, analyze, and interpret basic regulatory laws, and apply them to the specific situations. Ability to make required extensive field visits, inspections, and tests. Ability to assist with instruction of a group of supervisory personnel regarding changes in safety statues or promulgation of new standards and regulations. Ability to take and maintain firm stand when differences of opinion and interpretation arise. Ability to recognize actual and potentially dangerous conditions which could be hazardous to workers and client health and safety. Ability to remain calm decisive in emergency situations. Ability to maintain reports, 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. Code: P22 - DJ 11/8/00
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 work involving the inspection, identification, and correction of safety hazards. 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.