SUPERINTENDENT RESIDENTIAL GROUP CENTER
New Jersey treats Superintendent Residential Group Center 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 FY2027 range lands between $100,498 and $148,187, and state payroll currently lists about 10 people in the title, most of them at Juvenile Justice Commission.
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.
Who employs this title
State payroll records show 10 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $138,568. The agencies employing the most are:
- Juvenile Justice Commission (10)
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 a Regional Program Supervisor, or other supervisory official in the Juvenile Justice Commission, manages the staff and activities of a Residential Group Center; directs the care and custody of juvenile offenders, treatment, social service, education, and medical programs for residents, and the preservation of public safety; manages staff and work activities; prepares and signs official performance evaluations for subordinate staff; does other related duties as required.
Examples of work
Manages and directs the staff and activities of a Residential Group Center according to established standards, policies, procedures, and pertinent laws governing juvenile offenders. Establishes, maintains, and evaluates treatment modalities applicable to the prevention of recidivism in the juvenile population; provides recommendations for improvement to ensure that models are executed in conjunction with the program design. Establishes and maintains mechanisms to ensure the safety and security of residents, staff, and the community. Develops and implements the annual budget request; evaluates and determines fiscal considerations of the facility including improvements, repairs, furnishings, and equipment, and submits request for budgetary appropriations. Develops and implements plans to effectively utilize available funds, personnel, equipment, and supplies, oversees the expenditures of funds and the maintenance of accurate financial records. Oversees the development, implementation, and monitoring of individualized rehabilitative services and programs to include health, education, vocational, psychosocial, substance abuse, and legal through a multi-disciplinary team approach. Directs the preparation of individual progress reports and recommendations for discharge to include transfer, removal, or extra institutional care and services. Manages the work operations and/or functional programs and has responsibility for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting, and/or disciplining of employees. Manages the operation of the physical plant to comply with federal, state, and local regulations and codes to ensure the safety and security of residents and staff. Directs the development and management of a quality assurance system to ensure compliance with standards. Ensures the protection of juveniles' rights to include legal representation, family contact, education, confidentiality, discipline and sanctions, religious practices, nondiscriminatory behaviors, safety, security, clean and hygienic environment, nutritional values, medical and dental treatment, and recreation. Organizes functions to promote community involvement and aid in juvenile rehabilitation, reintegration to the public, and social adjustment. Manages staff scheduling to ensure adequate coverage for each shift including overtime needs and the appropriate utilization of benefit entitlements for subordinates. Reports alleged acts of serious misconduct by staff or residents, taking appropriate action as required by law and established policy. Establishes and maintains cooperative working relationships with other entities of the agency to ensure the proper placement, treatment, education, and release of juveniles to the public. Maintains liaison and cooperative working relationships with local community agencies, volunteer organizations, and state and federal officials to promote positive relationships. Ensures medical protocol in the dispensation, handling, documentation, storage, procurement, and security of medication. Assesses needs and recommends and/or conducts training programs for subordinates. Oversees all activities of the residential group facility to include dual supervision of staff assigned to medical, psychological, educational, and contracted functions. Prepares and/or directs the preparation of correspondence and other reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Directs the establishment and maintenance of essential records, reports, 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
Appointee 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 theoretical and practical problems that occur in the planning and directing of a program combining the care, custody, rehabilitation, housing, safety and security, recreation, and education of juvenile offenders. Knowledge of the theories and principles of psychology and sociology and their application to specific programs. Knowledge of the social and behavioral problems of juveniles and their contributing factors. Knowledge of the community support and service agencies necessary to supplement, facilitate, and maintain quality of care and treatment including county government, faith-based organizations, social services, volunteer, mentor, and wellness programs. Knowledge of the principles of fiscal planning for programs and projects including budget requests, administration of allocated funds, management, and audit of fiscal accounts. Knowledge of the procedures to develop and implement plans for effective utilization of staff, funds, equipment, and supplies. Knowledge of the methods used in resource planning and utilization. Knowledge of the current management concepts, practices, and techniques. Knowledge of the current trends, policies, and practices of correctional philosophy in providing treatment services to juvenile offenders. Knowledge of the probation, parole, and court systems and the ability to apply such knowledge to effectively maintain liaison with those agencies. Knowledge of the principles of supervision, delegation, employee motivation techniques, training needs assessment, and performance evaluation. Knowledge of the case management practices and the integration of the multi-disciplinary team process. Knowledge of the principles of mediation, de-escalation methods and techniques utilized to achieve conflict resolution and defuse a potential crisis. Ability to apply the principles of mediation, de-escalation methods and techniques utilized to achieve conflict resolution and defuse a potential crisis. Ability to manage the staff and activities of a residential group center or day care program for the care, custody, and treatment of juvenile offenders. Ability to learn about medications, their side effects, contradictions, and proper storage of controlled substances. Ability to interpret laws, rules, and regulations and apply them to specific situations. Ability to apply organizational theory and planning principles, practices, and procedures consistent with administrative objectives. Ability to identify and evaluate resident progress. Ability to direct the development, implementation, and monitoring of rehabilitative services and programs. Ability to plan, direct, and coordinate the workload of assigned program areas. Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those interested or involved in the work of the program. Ability to direct assigned staff and plan, organize, and implement projects within the unit. Ability to prepare and direct the preparation of clear, technically sound, accurate, and informative reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Ability to develop treatment plans based upon individual assessments and needs. Ability to plan and conduct research. 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. 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 involving the care and custody of at-risk-youth confined to a residential or rehabilitative facility, three (3) 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, three (3) years of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity. OR Possession of a master's degree in guidance and counseling, education, sociology, criminology, psychology, or social work from an accredited college or university; and four (4) years of the above-mentioned professional experience, three (3) years 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.