PROGRAM SUPPORT SPECIALIST 1, QUALITY CONTROL
Quality Control
Career Family: PROGRAM SUPPORT SPECIALIST
New Jersey treats Program Support Specialist 1, Quality Control as a competitive-class job, so the gate is an examination and the ranked list it produces rather than a direct offer.
This is where the Program Support Specialist ladder starts, one grade under Program Support Specialist 2, Quality Control, whose band tops out about $9,570 higher. The spec names a master's degree, but it leaves the door open to substitute experience for the degree. The FY2026 range lands between $67,312 and $98,503.
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.
Pay ladder: Program Support Specialist series
- Program Support Specialist 1, Quality Control — $67,312 – $98,503 (this title)
- Program Support Specialist 2, Quality Control — $73,707 – $108,073
- Program Support Specialist 3, Quality Control — $84,548 – $124,366
Promoting to Program Support Specialist 2, Quality Control raises the top of the band by about $9,570. Its top salary lands around the 42nd percentile of all NJ civil service titles that publish a range.
Rungs are ordered by FY2026 pay. NJ level numbers are not always sequential, so ordering follows salary rather than the title number.
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 close supervision of a Program Support Specialist 3, Quality Control or other supervisory official in the Department of Human Services, is responsible for performing quality control audits of eligibility determinations for state and federal assistance programs and implementing controls to reduce fraud and abuse; does other related duties as required.
Examples of work
Monitors how the state and vendors determine eligibility for state and federal social service, healthcare, and financial assistance programs to ensure eligibility processes are valid and consistent with program objectives and state and federal regulations. Reviews and audits case documentation to verify that contractors, vendors, and government agencies are accurately determining eligibility for state and federal social service, healthcare, and financial assistance programs and meeting timelines set forth in laws, regulations, and contracts. Analyzes and interprets Quality Control policy and public assistance regulations and procedures and applies them with consistency to cases selected for Quality Control review. Monitors federal and state policies, regulations, laws, rules, and administrative orders for changes and compliance. Provides technical assistance to Division employees, County Welfare Agencies (CWAs), vendors, and other state, local, and county agencies performing eligibility review and policy work for client services/assistance programs, including Medicaid, NJ Family Care, the NJ Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs (NJ SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and other state or federal assistance programs for adults and children with low to moderate income. Compiles and analyzes data from quality control audits to ensure agencies are following state, federal, and department rules, regulations, and guidelines related to determining eligibility for client services and assistance programs. Provides technical assistance and answers routine program and policy questions related to the Quality Control system and/or the particular public assistance program assigned to monitor in order to minimize errors in eligibility determinations. Utilizes internal control systems, data tracking, and audit tools for monitoring the accuracy of eligibility determinations. Identifies and resolves Quality Control problems in the delivery, administration, implementation, or integration of program activities. Identifies potential fraud or abuse, assists in developing corrective action plans, and follows up to ensure that deficiencies are addressed. Responds to routine requests from internal units, management, external agencies, and federal oversight agencies to provide information concerning program audits. May assist with conducting site visits, studies, and/or investigations into the appropriateness and accuracy of eligibility determinations and prepare reports containing findings and recommendations for corrective action when deficiencies are identified. Prepares letters, memos, instructions, transmittals, and other information for approval and signature and sends to appropriate recipients. Prepares clear, sound, accurate, and comprehensive reports containing Quality Control findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Performs executive support duties as required. May represent the agency in public meetings and conferences. Maintains essential records and files. Will be required to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and 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 the objectives of human support service programs and Public Assistance Program policy. Knowledge of the activities and responsibilities of agencies involved in the field of Quality Control. Knowledge of research methods and techniques. Knowledge of the quality control procedures and legal standards. Knowledge of the procedures and methods used in the enforcement of regulations of a regulatory agency or organization. Ability to analyze laws, regulations, rules, policies, and procedures, interpret them in accordance with established quality control policies, and apply them to assigned programs and specific situations. Ability to operate and interpret information contained on the SDX, Benedex, and CODES terminal. Ability to gather and analyze data. Ability to interpret the purpose and programs of services provided to clients, other state agencies, and community organizations. Ability to provide guidance and technical assistance to stakeholders. Ability to identify potential fraud or abuse. Ability to collect, compile, and accurately interpret factual information relating to specific program activities. Ability to work cooperatively with department staff and other state agencies and act as a Quality Control representative to County Welfare Agencies, vendors, and other state and local entities. Ability to prepare clear, sound, accurate, and comprehensive reports containing Quality Control findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Ability to maintain essential records and files, including client 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 in a public or private agency responsible for providing social services or financial assistance for its clients, primary responsibility being monitoring or auditing social or human services programs, services, or client eligibility; or developing and implementing internal control systems and quality control programs; or performing other quality control activities. Examples of programs are: Aged, Blind and Disabled (ABD) program, Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), Presumptive Eligibility (PE), and Specified Low Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLIMB). Examples of quality control activities are: reviewing cases to ensure eligibility has been determined properly; validating documents; verifying recipients are receiving aid they are supposed to be receiving; investigating reports of assets, income, etc. to confirm a recipient should be receiving benefits based on the information they provided on their application, etc. 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 master's degree in social work, psychology, education, public administration, business administration, or a related field from an accredited college or university. "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.