SOCIAL SERVICE AIDE
To land Social Service Aide 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.
The FY2027 range lands between $38,928 and $55,860.
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.
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 the Department of Veteran Affairs or Department of Health, performs paraprofessional work involving the clarification of agency policies relating to the needs of the client, and assists clients in obtaining available services; does other related duties as required.
Examples of work
Receives continuous in-service training and performs supportive social service. Provides information to clients in relation to employment opportunities, work training programs, interpreting programs, and preschool education opportunities. Escorts clients to day care services when needed. Refers school dropouts to appropriate community services for help in job training or aide in furthering their education. Works with clients to discuss reasons for failure to keep medical or dental appointments. Aids clients in obtaining or verifying eligibility information. Aids clients in obtaining verification of births, deaths, and marriages. May assist in the placement of clients in boarding homes, nursing homes, or hospitals. Initiates correspondence relative to setting up various types of appointments. May assist in initiating complaints involving desertion, abusive parents, and in other matters. Aids clients with money management and purchase of food, clothing, and furnishings. Aids clients in completion of institution commitment and other legal papers on behalf of family members. Aids clients in obtaining available social services. Prepares clear, technically sound, accurate, and informative reports, containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Assesses day care needs of clients. Provides brief duration emergency childcare on sudden illness, desertion, or arrest of parent, and immediately refers matter to proper state or municipal childcare agency for the longer childcare needs. Provides information on availability of family planning services. Pursues and updates community resources information. Shares community resource information with staff and clients, and helps family members become involved in available community resources. Aids clients in keeping appointments with agencies or community health services. Provides the agency with information concerning client needs based on first-hand observation, informal discussions, and personal experience. Participates in group meeting and case conferences. May assist in teaching homemaking and parenting techniques. Provides supplementary supportive visits to families regularly supervised by a caseworker. Maintains essential records, reports, and files. Will be required to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units. IF ASSIGNED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS: Performs triage on the veteran's needs prior to meeting with the Veteran Service Officer. Makes appointments and informs the veteran on what documentation is needed for the initial interview. Physically assists the veteran with accessing the work site if required. Checks the veteran in upon arrival at the service office by completing an intake sheet. Assists the veteran in obtaining documents from the military such as the DD 214. Processes applications for State PTSD program and assists with the referral process, which requires securing supportive documentation. Assist with requests for consideration of VA health care at local clinics and regional medical centers. Involved with veteran's outreach events, engaged in interaction with veterans, informing them of their federal and state benefits. Updates community on veteran's outreach events and resources available. Remind veterans of upcoming appointments.
Experience
Six (6) months of subprofessional social service experience.
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 problems of economically and culturally disadvantaged persons. Knowledge of available community services and organizations and their resources. Knowledge of the prevailing economic and social conditions in the community. Knowledge of the basic casework procedures and routines including the preparation of case records and other documents. Ability to understand routine casework procedures and techniques. Ability to understand and apply department laws, regulations and procedures pertaining to the provision of social services. Ability to establish and maintain effective and courteous relationships with clients, business associate, employers, banks, insurance companies, schools, hospitals, and other establishments. Ability to understand, remember, and independently carry out oral and written instructions and assignments, and to learn quickly from explanations and demonstrations. Ability to work effectively with department staff. Ability to profit by an in-service training program. Ability to assess and determine client needs. Ability to use interviewing techniques, and to provide information in accord with prescribed procedures. Ability to prepare clear, technically sound, accurate, and informative reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Ability to 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 who do not possess the required experience may substitute completion of thirty (30) semester hour college credits for the required experience.