PROGRAM SUPPORT SPECIALIST 2, QUALITY CONTROL
Quality Control
Career Family: PROGRAM SUPPORT SPECIALIST
To land Program Support Specialist 2, Quality Control in New Jersey you go through the competitive route: you sit an announced exam and the score puts you on the eligible list agencies hire from.
It is a middle Program Support Specialist grade, between Program Support Specialist 1, Quality Control below and the better-paid Program Support Specialist 3, Quality Control above. A master's degree is the listed credential, and extra years on the job can be traded for it. The FY2026 range lands between $73,707 and $108,073.
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
- Program Support Specialist 2, Quality Control — $73,707 – $108,073 (this title)
- Program Support Specialist 3, Quality Control — $84,548 – $124,366
Promoting to Program Support Specialist 3, Quality Control raises the top of the band by about $16,293. Its top salary lands around the 51st 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 limited 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 complex eligibility determinations for state and federal assistance programs and implementing controls to reduce fraud and abuse; may take the lead over lower-level staff in the unit; 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 and makes recommendations for program changes to ensure eligibility processes are valid and consistent with program objectives and state and federal regulations. Reviews and audits complex 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. Reviews proposed, new, and current federal/state laws and regulations relating to government-sponsored programs to ensure that eligibility determinations are being made in accordance with regulations set forth by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and/or other governing bodies; provides guidance to lower-level staff regarding laws and regulations. Monitors federal and state policies, regulations, laws, rules, and administrative orders for changes and compliance. Reviews, analyzes, and comments on legislation, field, management, and fiscal reports which relate to quality control measures necessary for specific programs administered by the agency to identify problematic areas; recommends corrective action. Utilizes internal control systems, data tracking, and audit tools for monitoring the accuracy of eligibility determinations. Reviews and monitors specific program activities and eligibility determinations made by the Division, County Welfare Agencies (CWA), and/or vendors and makes appropriate recommendations to ensure that standards and procedures are followed, and that the quality of the program meets acceptable standards; refers more complex cases to a supervisory official. Identifies and resolves Quality Control problems in the delivery, administration, implementation, or integration of program activities. Identifies potential fraud or abuse, develops corrective action plans, and follows up to ensure that deficiencies are addressed. Provides technical assistance and answers 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. 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. Implements evaluation strategies and quality control initiatives to identify deficiencies in acceptable quality control standards and oversees the preparation and enforcement of Corrective Action Plans. Conducts on-site visits and off-site investigations to evaluate the work operations and performance of vendors and contractors providing eligibility determinations for various assistance programs; provides guidance and technical expertise pertaining to quality control requirements, evaluations, and findings. Assists in the development of interagency and division policies and procedures relating to Quality Control. Assists in the development of and/or utilizes data tracking or case management tools. May take the lead over lower-level Program Support Specialist staff. Prepares letters, memos, instructions, transmittals, and other information for approval and signature and sends to appropriate recipients; prepares correspondence to county welfare board directors when Quality Control findings are protested. Prepares clear, sound, accurate, and comprehensive reports containing Quality Control findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Presents at meetings, conferences, and training sessions. Performs executive support duties as required. 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 state and federal regulations, including those development by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), regarding quality control requirements for government-administered healthcare programs. Knowledge of Medicare, Medicaid, state and federal health insurance marketplaces, and associated state and federal programs. 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. Knowledge of research methods and techniques. 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 gather and analyze data. Ability to monitor and analyze pending legislation, federal and state policies, regulations, laws, rules, and administrative orders for changes and compliance. Ability to operate and interpret information contained on the SDX, Benedex, and CODES terminal. Ability to assist in the development of interagency and division procedures and policies. Ability to interpret the purpose and programs of services provided to clients, other state agencies, and community organizations. Ability to audit eligibility determinations for an assistance program. Ability to provide guidance and technical assistance to stakeholders. Ability to identify potential fraud or abuse. Ability to identify problematic areas and recommend corrective action. Ability to read and interpret Requests for Proposals (RFP's), contracts, and other legal documents to monitor and enforce the provisions of contracts. Ability to comprehend the components of a vendor's case review system. Ability to collect, compile, and accurately interpret factual information relating to specific program activities. Ability to take the lead over lower-level Program Support Specialist staff. Ability to analyze work assignments and develop effective work methods. Ability to conduct site visits, studies, and investigations. 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. Six (6) 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 two (2) years 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; and one (1) year of the above-mentioned professional experience. "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.