CHIEF CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION SECTION
Career Family: CHIEF
Chief Contract Administration Section is a state title in New Jersey's competitive civil service, which means the way in is an open exam rather than a direct appointment.
On paper it calls for a master's degree, though the specification lets enough relevant experience stand in for the degree. Pay on the FY2026 schedule runs $106,547 to $157,363, and state payroll currently lists about 12 people in the title, led by Children and Families.
How to apply
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Agency posting
Department of Labor and Workforce Development'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.
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Agency posting
Department of Corrections'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.
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Agency posting
Department of the Treasury'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 12 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $147,200. The agencies employing the most are:
- Children and Families (5)
- Human Services (3)
- Labor (2)
- Corrections (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.
Definition
Under general direction of a supervisory official, develops policy and guidelines for the implementation and administration of services through contractual arrangements or, oversees the administration of statewide construction and/or professional services contracts; does other related work.
Examples of work
Plans, organizes and assigns the work of the organizational unit and evaluates employee performance and conduct enabling the effective recommendation of the hiring, firing, promoting, and disciplining of subordinates. Directs the development and administration of contracts for the provision of services; conducts the solicitation or Request for Purchase (RFP) bidding process, negotiates and drafts contract language, develops evaluation criteria, awards or coordinates the review and selection process for the awarding of contracts, monitors contractees for compliance with contract requirements, conducts on-site audits, evaluates effectiveness of contracted services and provision of consultation and expertise to Using Agency management. Exercises review and approval authority over all phases of the contract process for the provision of services at all levels of the department, from proposal preparation through contract monitoring, reporting, modification, evaluation, audit compliance, and contract closeout. Directs the development of standardized systems for the preparation, reviewing, processing, and recording of vouchers, change orders, progress reports, financial statements, proposal forms and contract documents. Directs fiscal administration aspects of contracts/grants, including procurement, vendor invoice review and processing, financial analysis, quality assurance, change orders and resolution of disputes and appeals. Acts as liaison between the using agencies, the Department and outside architects and contractors on matters relating to the transmittal of tracings, blueprints, available funds, and reports during the development of projects. Directs the development of procedure manuals and policy transmittals containing financial, programmatic, and administrative contracting guidelines. Attends conferences and meetings with architects, engineers, construction contractors and others to outline State procedures and requirements. Oversees contract/grant closeout activities, including final invoice payments, compliance inspections and audits. Designs, plans, and directs budget activities, including budget preparation, fiscal reports, budget interpretation, and provides fiscal advice to the Director. Provides advise and assistance to the department operating officials in matters of contract administration. Participates in the development and implementation of a computerized contract information system and manages its ongoing utilization including the development and direction of in-service programs. Directs the provision of technical assistance in the areas of proposal/contract/preparation, review and approval, development and management of adequate contract/grant administration and financial reporting systems, contract/grant monitoring, amendment and closeout, audit compliance and service evaluation. Develops and implements a system of monitoring division contracting systems to ensure they meet minimum department standards. Provides technical assistance to personnel of user agencies regarding the development and management of contract administration and reporting systems. Identifies and studies problems in the area of contract administration, recommends solutions and participates in the resolution of audit findings. Analyzes the impact of new legislation and regulations on the contract operations of the department and makes changes in procedures as appropriate. Serves as department liaison with federal, local, and other state government agencies. Prepares analytical reports. Compiles and reports data to other operational units. Supervises the maintenance of records and files. Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and computerized information system 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 supervisory techniques. Knowledge of financial accounting principles and records, principles of cost allowability and reasonableness, contract budget principles, matching fund accounting, and procurement guidelines. Knowledge of the legal and administrative requirements concerning contractual agreements. Ability to supervise a staff of professional and clerical employees and to conduct the day-to-day operation of the section. Ability to define objectives and to determine costs of operating the section. Ability to recognize problems and to prepare and present department management analytical reports containing problem statements, data analyses, conclusions, and recommendations. Ability to understand, interpret, and apply federal and state laws pertinent to the contract operations of a state agency and communicate this understanding and interpretation in the form of clear and concise guidelines and directives. Ability to interpret the intent and impact of legislation, guidelines, rules, and regulations on the contracting policies and procedures of the department. Ability to interpret technical data and procedures in response to questions from provider organization employees and appropriate division and department personnel. Ability to make effective use of available training modes and methods. Ability to prepare analytical reports, containing data analyses, conclusions, and recommendations. Ability to supervise the maintenance of records and files. Ability to learn 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 or 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 as long as 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. 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 work involving contract administration, program administration, financial management, and analysis, and/or budgets and management operations of a government or business entity, at least three (3) years of which shall have been in contract administration 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, at least three (3) years of which shall have been in contract administration in a supervisory capacity. OR Possession of a master's degree in Business Administration or Public Administration; and four (4) years of the above-mentioned professional experience, at least three (3) years of which shall have been in contract administration 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.
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.