FAMILY SERVICE SPECIALIST TRAINEE
Bilingual In Spanish And English
New Jersey classifies Family Service Specialist Trainee as non-competitive, which skips the exam-and-list step and turns on whether you meet the minimum requirements.
It lists a bachelor's degree as the baseline, with an experience-based path open to those who do not hold the degree. Pay on the FY 2027 schedule runs $63,663 to $66,592, and state payroll currently lists about 298 people in the title, most of them at Children and Families.
How to apply
This title is not filled by examination — agencies appoint directly.
See every real route in, and where to apply. One agency employs it. We don't track live vacancies.
See where to apply for this title →Who employs this title
Family Service Specialist Trainee appears on the State payroll at one department, Department of Children and Families.
State departments
| Employer | Employees |
|---|---|
| Department of Children and Families | 298 |
State payroll and independent authority payroll are separate systems and are never merged. See data sources.
Who employs this title
State payroll records show 298 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $64,340. The agencies employing the most are:
- Children and Families (298)
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. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.
Definition
Under the close supervision of a supervisory official in the Department of Children and Families, as a trainee and productive worker, learns to perform the field work and office work to conduct various types of investigations, including abuse and/or neglect referrals, in-home supervision, residential placement, foster care and Adoption Complaint Investigations (ACI's); collects, records, and analyzes significant facts, draws conclusions, and determines appropriate action; does other related duties as required.
Examples of work
Under close supervision, as a trainee and productive worker: Learns to investigate allegations of child abuse or neglect within 24 or 72 hours; interviews children, parents, relatives, neighbors, and other collateral parties to the family or institution; learns to take appropriate action to seek court intervention, police assistance, or in severe situations removal of the child from an unsafe environment in accordance with statute. Conducts periodic visits within an assigned area to obtain social, economic, personal, and other data necessary to prepare a plan of action. Learns to acquire needed medical care and services for clients. Attempts to gain the cooperation of the client and family. Learns to provide advice to clients concerning school problems, finances, health, and family relationships. Visits schools, clinics, hospitals, social and welfare agencies, relatives, physicians, and others to collect information required to prepare recommendations for social, court, and other action. Lifts and carries children and secures them in car seats. Will be required to drive varied types of State vehicles for field work and/or to transport clients. Learns to prepare and maintain case histories. Learns to prepare reports containing findings and recommendations. Prepares correspondences; maintains records 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.
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 collect and analyze data. Ability to learn and apply modern social work theory, standards, and methods. Ability to interpret and apply laws, rules, regulations, and procedures to specific situations. Ability to work effectively with associates, families, individuals, and groups. Ability to collect and analyze data and evaluate the social relationships of individuals and families and take appropriate action. Ability to comprehend the problems of physically and/or emotionally maladjusted or dependent persons, or those confined in an institution. Ability to learn from an in-service training program. Ability to prepare accurate case histories and reports. Ability to act as a witness in court. Ability to prepare correspondence. Ability to remain calm and decisive in emergency situations, make immediate and critical decisions based on agency policy and perform judiciously under pressure. Ability to lift, carry, position and secure children in car seats. Ability to perform heavy lifting of children and their belongings. Ability to safely drive a State vehicle. Ability to maintain records 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. ADVANCEMENT: Appointees who successfully complete the twelve (12) month training period will be eligible for advancement to the Family Service Specialist 2 title in accordance with the New Jersey Civil Service Commission procedures. The inability of an employee in this trainee title to attain a level of performance warranting advancement to Family Service Specialist 2 shall be considered as cause for separation. 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. NOTE: 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, and communicate in Spanish and English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. 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. Four (4) years of professional experience in social work, direct support counseling, guidance, or case management involving high risk child abuse and neglect or other problematic situations involving counseling services to clients with social, emotional, psychological, or behavioral problems including gathering and analyzing information, determining needs, and planning and supporting and/or carrying out treatment plans. OR Possession of a bachelor's degree 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. SNNE95N/AP95-Bilingual In Spanish And EnglishSNNE95N/AP95- This job specification is for government use only. Salary range is only applicable to state government. Local salaries are established by individual local jurisdictions. 1/10/2026