CUSTOMER SERVICE INFORMATION SPECIALIST 1
Career Family: CUSTOMER SERVICE INFORMATION SPECIALIST
Customer Service Information Specialist 1 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 pay it sits at the foot of the Customer Service Information Specialist ladder. One promotion up is Customer Service Information Specialist 2, whose band tops out about $10,674 higher. The main requirement is 1 year of relevant experience. Pay on the FY2026 schedule runs $38,027 to $54,571, and state payroll currently lists about 13 people in the title, most of them at State.
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 State 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
Civil Service 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 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.
Pay ladder: Customer Service Information Specialist series
- Customer Service Information Specialist 1 — $38,027 – $54,571 (this title)
- Customer Service Information Specialist 2 — $45,147 – $65,245
- Customer Service Information Specialist 3 — $49,266 – $71,403
Promoting to Customer Service Information Specialist 2 raises the top of the band by about $10,674. Its top salary lands around the 1st 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.
Who employs this title
State payroll records show 13 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $42,990. The agencies employing the most are:
- State (8)
- Civil Service Commission (4)
- Human Services (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 the close supervision of a supervisory official in a state department or agency, provides routine information and directs the callers appropriately regarding department or agency regulations, programs, services or regulatory functions; utilizes manual and electronic sources to access and provide information; does other related duties.
Examples of work
Explains agency regulations, programs and/or services. Provides courteous, accurate and timely responses to requests for information. Resolves problems of an uncomplicated nature. Notifies supervisor of repetitive problematic issues where a possible pattern may exist. Verifies the identity of the requestor to ensure that information is provided to the authorized person. Provides information to the requestor regarding the functions, operations and procedures necessary to conduct business with the agency. Processes and records customer information necessary to transact agency business. Verifies information provided by the requestor. Obtains information from other agency units to answer inquiries. Provides instructions for the completion of forms; provides information on documentation required to complete agency transactions. May verify the issuance or non-issuance of agency documents; transacts documents. Provides information to requestors within the parameters of agency laws and regulations. Conducts information searches in manual and electronic file systems to provide accurate responses to inquiries. Refers the more difficult inquiries to supervisory personnel, or to other specialized units within the agency. Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office or related units.
Experience
Successful completion of the six (6) month training period as an Agency Services Representative Trainee. OR One (1) year of experience in disseminating, verifying and providing information to the public.
License
Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license 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 customer service techniques. Ability to read and interpret agency rules and regulations and apply them to specific situations. Ability to listen to inquiries and clarify facts and information to appropriately identify the nature of the call. Ability to locate requested information utilizing electronic sources. Ability to comprehend agency laws and regulations and explain them to the public. Ability to deal with difficult callers and those that provide inaccurate or incomplete information. Ability to recognize customer difficulty in comprehending information, and to reiterate facts. Ability to communicate effectively and courteously with the public. Ability 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 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 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. This job specification is applicable to the following title code(s) which are different work week or work month and/or variants of the job class title: Job Spec Code State, Local or Common Class of Service Work Week State Class Code Local Class Code Salary Range
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. Appointments may be made to positions requiring bilingual skills. - Bilingual in Spanish and English SPECIAL SKILL Applicants must be able to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in Spanish and English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. SC3509N/AA09-Bilingual In Spanish & EnglishSC3509N/AA09- This job specification is for government use only. Salary range is only applicable to state government. Local salaries are established by individual local jurisdictions. 08/17/19