GENERAL STAFF OFFICER
General Staff Officer falls in New Jersey's unclassified service: an appointing authority hires for it directly, without a civil service exam.
You can qualify with a bachelor's degree or, if you do not have one, by piling up more experience instead. Pay on the FY2027 schedule runs $115,536 to $170,731, and state payroll lists a single employee in the title, at Military and Veterans Affairs.
How to apply
This title is not filled by examination — agencies appoint directly.
See every real route in, and where to apply. One agency employs it. We don't track live vacancies.
See where to apply for this title →Who employs this title
General Staff Officer appears on the State payroll at one department, Military and Veterans Affairs.
State departments
| Employer | Employees |
|---|---|
| Military and Veterans Affairs | 1 |
State payroll and independent authority payroll are separate systems and are never merged. See data sources.
Who employs this title
State payroll records show 1 person working under this title. The median actual salary is $148,959. The agencies employing the most are:
- Military and Veterans Affairs (1)
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. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.
Definition
Under the general supervision of The Chief of Staff, functions as a decision director, formulates plans and policies as directed and directs execution of administrative matters pertaining to the state's military forces, civilian state employees, the State Affirmative Action Program, and the Labor Relations Program for State employees; exercises staff supervision over all employees of the Division and is charged with directing the activities of the Bureau Chiefs.
Examples of work
- Develops end administers the programs of the department and its subdivisions, including the activities of the military forces of the State.
- Interprets and implements the rules, regulations, and policies of The Chief of Staff, Federal and State Civil Service Departments and those of the U.S. Department of Defense with respect to management activities of the State's military forces.
- Supervises the State Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity, Equal Employment and Race Relations Programs through the Chief, Affirmative Action Office, and NJDOD.
- Collects data and assists in preparing annual budget requirements.
- Directs the maintenance of essential personnel records and files for state employees, active members of the State military forces and inactive and former members.
- Supervises the preparation of reports and/or statistics; conducts surveys, studies, and prepares analytical reports thereof.
- Supervises management methods so that effective changes and improvements can be made.
- Supervises the handling of Congressional executive correspondence relating to military personnel of the New Jersey National Guard.
- Represents the Department as required in conferences, seminars, and meetings conducted for individuals and unite of the National Guard.
- Maintains continuous liaison with officials of the New Jersey Civil Service and Treasury Departments, and the U.S. Civil Service Commission and other State and Federal agency offices.
- Develops and prepares State regulations and directives Implementing State and higher headquarters policies within the scope of activities.
- Supervises the work operations and/or functional programs and has responsibility for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting and/or disciplining of employees.
- Analyzes pertinent Department of the Army and National Guard Bureau directives and instructions and initiates or recommends appropriate implementations or compliance actions.
- Supervises subordinate bureau chiefs and their activities for which they are responsible.
- Develops, with bureau chiefs, current and long-range plans to accomplish the support mission and formulates and recommends policies to The Chief of Staff.
- Provides guidance to bureau chiefs for implementation of policies and dissemination of instructions and information.
- Participates in special studies and projects pertaining to activation reorganization, re-designation and stationing of National Guard units in the State.
- Establishes standards to be net by respective subordinate supervisory personnel on all matters of management.
- Exercises realistic and sound management in the utilization of all resources, i.e., funds, manpower, equipment, facilities, space sad time, to achieve maximum support to units and other Department of Defense staff agencies.
- Conducts staff visits to higher and subordinate headquarters to rest matters pertaining to management, policy, objectives, funding, logistic, facilities, scheduling, and reports relative to assigned areas of responsibility.
- Participates in and/or directs conduct of inspections to determine the effectiveness of individuals and/or unite relative to assigned areas of responsibility.
- Formulates policies, develops plans and procedures, and prepares orders and instructions for the implementation of such policies, plans and procedures by subordinate headquarters relative to the New Jersey troop basis (State and Federal), mobilization, demobilization, activation and inactivation, reorganization and stationing of troop units, supervises the mobilization of units from the time of alert until departure from home station to include liaison with supporting military installations and the receiving mobilization station.
- Arranges for the selection, purchase, and repair of equipment, materials and supplies and the solicitation of bids; makes necessary contact; and interviews vendors.
Education
Graduate from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree and graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College or equivalent.
Experience
Seven (7) years of full-time supervisory experience in the Department of Defense at Bureau Chief level or in a related management field.
Five (5) years military experience at the General or Principal Staff Officer level in a related field, as an Executive Officer or as Commander of Battalion size unit.
Applicants who do not possess the required education may substitute experience as indicated above on a year for year basis.
Active Member of the National Guard
Incumbent must he an active member of the New Jersey National Guard upon assignment to this position unless formally waived by The Chief of Staff, DOD. When the individual loses military status for any reason, his term of employment may be extended by The Chief of Staff in a civilian status until age 60 or until such time as the incumbent is eligible for retirement as a veteran under NJSA 43:15A-61.
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 Department of the Army, Department of the Air Force and National Guard Bureau regulations and directives applicable to the National Guard.
- Knowledge of affirmative action, Race Relations, Equal Opportunity, and Equal Employment.
- Knowledge of Federal Manuals, directives, and ability to acquire thorough knowledge of State Civil Service Manuals and Directives.
- Knowledge of Federal statues pertaining to military forces and ability to Acquire thorough knowledge of State Statutes pertaining to Military Forces.
- Knowledge of Labor and Management Relations
- Ability to acquire a thorough knowledge of Employee Performance Evaluation and Improvement System (UM).
- Ability to acquire a thorough knowledge of the internal organization, policies, standards and objectives of the department.
- Ability to brief clearly and concisely.
- Ability to supervise and manage the various functions of the division for which responsible.
- Ability to deal with the general public on matters concerning the activities of the Department.
- Ability to establish and maintain cooperative work relationships with the representatives of other State departments.
- Ability to prepare correspondence in the course of official duties.
- Ability to interpret and apply basic legislation.
- Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of the position. Communication may include such forms as American Sign Language or Braille.
- Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long 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.