SENIOR TECHNICIAN, MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS
Career Family: TECHNICIAN
Senior Technician, Management Information Systems 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 FY2027 schedule runs $55,691 to $81,008, and state payroll currently lists about 21 people in the title, led by Human Services.
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 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 Environmental Protection 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 Transportation 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 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 Health 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
State Parole Board'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 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
Motor Vehicle Commission'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 Banking & Insurance'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.
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Agency posting
Department of Law & Public Safety 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.
Who employs this title
State payroll records show 21 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $81,897. The agencies employing the most are:
- Human Services (4)
- Environmental Protection (3)
- Transportation (3)
- Labor (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 limited supervision of a supervisory official in a state or local department, institution, or agency, assists in the planning, development, and implementation of information systems; reviews related programs and systems; acts as liaison with internal components utilizing the systems, and/or with other government jurisdictions; OR under limited supervision of a supervisory official in a client/server environment, provides hardware/software support to end users; installs hardware and software on servers or workstations; performs complex and repetitive levels of help desk responsibilities at an intermediate level; performs other related duties as required.
Examples of work
Assists in the design, development, and support of management information systems to provide a ready source of retrievable up-to-date information on which management and operations-related decisions may be based. Develops applicable procedures as required. Conducts studies of programs and operations to determine their applicability to existing or planned information systems. Prepares and submits reports of findings and recommendations. Develops file layouts for user applications. Assists in the planning and implementation of information systems to ensure that administrative and other needs are met. Assists in the evaluation of active systems to determine levels and quality of outputs. Assists in the development and maintenance of control devices to ensure that systems output meet established standards of adequacy, efficiency, and effectiveness. Trains and oversees data collection/conversion teams, as required, to establish and maintain optimum levels of precision and quality of information within affected systems. Assists in the preparation of manuals and other training materials. Answers inquiries from system users; explains system functions and provides technical assistance in the use and application of system features. Provides support in the maintenance of client or endpoint software. Installs, configures and sets up printers and workstations; installs software programs. Responds to requests for assistance; identifies and corrects hardware, software, and printer problems. Troubleshoots application errors. Identifies and resolves network problems. Reviews regulations and policies for various programs and related systems; consults with information technology systems, and program development specialists to ensure that application of active or planned information systems is in accordance with directives. Analyzes and/or oversees the coding of data contained in primary or other source documents to facilitate the recording and storage of systems inputs. Monitors and reviews data inputs to detect errors within the system, analyzes resultant problems and develops corrected data/information for entry into the system. Prepares correspondence. Prepares and/or supervises the preparation of reports. Establishes and maintains essential records, reports, and files. Will be required to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and computerized 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 methods used to plan, develop and implement information systems. Knowledge of various project scheduling techniques, such as Critical Path Management (CPM), PERT, and GANTT. Knowledge of the techniques used to conduct surveys, feasibility studies, operational analyses, and systems studies for the development of plans, operations implementation, and other specialized planning, and research methods. Knowledge of computerized systems, peripheral devices, supportive operational equipment, and organizational backup. Knowledge of client/server productivity aid packages. Ability to organize assigned technical work, organize planning programs, and develop effective work methods. Ability to analyze planning systems and operational problems and direct research, analysis, and design efforts for their solution. Ability to use system diagnosis tools. Ability to use Network Center productivity aids and software packages. Ability to plan technical, systems work planning and development activities. Ability to coordinate project activities. Ability to prepare correspondence. Ability to prepare reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Ability to answer inquiries from system users; explain system functions and provides technical assistance in the use and application of system features. Ability to establish and maintain essential records, reports, 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 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. Five (5) years of professional experience utilizing or implementing electronic information systems, analyzing information systems and/or developing procedures for the use of information systems, or in providing user support and solving user problems in a helpdesk or related environment. OR Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; and one (1) year of the above-mentioned professional experience. OR Possession of a bachelor's degree or a master's degree in a computer science, information technology, or a closely related field. OR Possession of twenty-four (24) semester hour credits in computer science, information technology, or a closely related field from an accredited college or university; and three (3) years of the above-mentioned professional experience. "Professional experience" refers to work that is analytical, evaluative, and interpretive; requires a range of basic knowledge of the profession's concepts and practices; and is performed with the authority to act and make accurate and informed decisions.