COUNTY SERVICES SPECIALIST
In New Jersey, County Services Specialist is filled through the competitive process: candidates take a civil service exam and are hired off a ranked list, not picked at will.
The stated bar is a master's degree, but candidates can swap in added experience for the diploma. The FY 2027 range lands between $87,507 and $128,719, and state payroll currently lists about 113 people in the title, most of them at Children and Families.
How to apply
This title is filled by competitive examination.
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
County Services Specialist appears on the State payroll at one department, Department of Children and Families.
State departments
| Employer | Employees |
|---|---|
| Department of Children and Families | 113 |
State payroll and independent authority payroll are separate systems and are never merged. See data sources.
Who employs this title
State payroll records show 113 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $124,366. The agencies employing the most are:
- Children and Families (113)
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 direction of the Regional Administrator or other administrative official in the Department of Children and Families, implements and integrates the services of the division within the designated county (or counties) human services system, consisting of multiple public and private social service agencies and programs; attempts to maximize resources by networking and interacting with all social services in the county/community; does related work as required.
Examples of work
Coordinates the development and submission of District Office and County Welfare Agency budgets. Assures integration of services and/or analyzes budget information to develop and recommend an integrated delivery system to ensure the most efficient use of all funding sources and service providers. Evaluates social service contracts to ensure the most effective impact of delivered services on the targeted populations. Assists in the development of improved and/or new service resources needed to achieve county services objectives. Supports and coordinates county-based services to ensure Department's and regional goals are met. Participates in county and regional social service planning processes in the areas of District Office operations, County Welfare Agency provided social services, and contracted social services. Identifies and evaluates existing county resources. Conducts analyses of county social service delivery structure to assess adequacy and effectiveness, potential duplicate services, and service gaps Provides recommendations to enhance the social service delivery structure. Integrates and facilitates services directed towards families served within the total county service framework. Monitors adherence to policies by all service agencies, including contract agencies, County Welfare Agencies, District Offices, and Child Placement Review Boards. Supervises and assigns work to subordinate staff. Supervises the work operations and/or functional programs and has responsibility for employee evaluations and for effectively recommending the firing, hiring, promoting, demoting and/or disciplining of employees. Performs individual case management tasks such as administrative review, responses to external inquiries, and other situations requiring special handling. Provides technical assistance to County Welfare Agencies, and community-based agencies. Establishes and maintains cooperative working relationships with those interested or involved in the work of the unit. Represents the regional administration in the services planning process within the county of responsibility. Prepares reports on social services activities. Prepares correspondence. Directs the establishment and maintenance of essential records, reports, and files. 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.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
Knowledge of tye types of social service programs likely to be needed by the client population served. Knowledge of social work theory. Knowledge of the difficulties in the delivery mechanisms for social service programs. Ability to learn Statewide contracting service procedures used by the various regional contract Administration units in order to communicate, expedite, enhance, and recommend purchase of services using community-based resources. Ability to interpret and apply New Jersey laws and the rules, regulations, policies, standards and procedures. Ability to plan, develop, coordinate and administer the conducting of surveys, studies and investigations applicable to the implementation of an integrated social service system. Ability to resolve administrative and other problems encountered in helping communities establish and maintain cooperative social service programming. Ability to prepare and supervise the preparation of clear and accurate reports. Ability to read and evaluate statistical reports. Ability to prepare correspondence. Ability to direct the establishment and maintenance of essential records and files. Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual r ecording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units. Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or 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 as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. 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. Eight (8) years of professional experience in the development, analysis, or review of social service programs and/or the delivery structure of such programs, two (2) years of which shall have been in program administration. OR Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; and four (4) years of the above mentioned professional experience, two (2) years of which shall have been in program administration. OR Possession of a Master's degree in Social Work, Guidance and Counseling, Business Administration, or Psychology; and three (3) years of the above mentioned professional experience, two (2) of which shall have been in program administration. "Professional experience" refers to work that us 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 judgement and make accurate and informed decisions. LICENCE: 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.