OMBUDSPERSON HEALTH 2
Career Family: OMBUDSPERSON HEALTH
Ombudsperson Health 2 falls in New Jersey's unclassified service: an appointing authority hires for it directly, without a civil service exam.
This is the senior rung of the Ombudsperson Health series, the level you reach after Ombudsperson Health 1. The spec names a master's degree, but it leaves the door open to substitute experience for the degree. The FY2026 range lands between $97,100 and $143,176.
How to apply
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No examThis title is not filled by examination
Non-competitive, unclassified, and Senior Executive Service titles are appointed directly by the hiring agency rather than through a civil service exam. Apply directly to the agency below.
Pay ladder: Ombudsperson Health series
- Ombudsperson Health 1 — $88,530 – $130,339
- Ombudsperson Health 2 — $97,100 – $143,176 (this title)
Its top salary lands around the 81st 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 direction of a higher-level supervisory official in the Healthcare Ombudsperson Program, Department of Labor & Workforce Development, supervises a unit engaged in providing education and counseling on State of New Jersey health benefit plans and options; elicits, receives, processes, and resolves employee healthcare complaints/issues of a more complex or sensitive nature; supervises staff engaged in outreach activities designed to expand awareness of the Ombudsperson Program; supervises staff and work activities; prepares and signs official performance evaluations for subordinate staff; does other related duties as required.
Examples of work
Supervises the work operations and/or functional programs and has responsibility for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting and/or disciplining of employees. Assists in formulating goals and objectives of the Healthcare Ombudsperson Program. Supervises the development of training material to acquaint and educate public employees on the various State of New Jersey health benefit plans and options available to them. Supervises and/or makes presentations to various groups and committees as requested regarding the State of New Jersey health benefits plans and options; answers complex technical inquiries and provides advice to external constituents. Provides employees with individual assistance in reviewing healthcare options based on their specific needs; maintains confidentiality of all employees seeking assistance. Attends State Health Benefits Plan Design Committee meetings and State Health Benefit Commission meetings to stay current on changes and issues regarding the administration of the New Jersey State Health Benefit Plan. Researches and analyzes in and out of network utilization, access to mental health services, and other health benefit related topics. Analyzes new laws, regulations, and contract trends to determine potential impacts on assigned health benefits programs. Receives and responds to complex telephone and email health benefit related inquiries from employees and collective bargaining unit officials; logs and responds to inquires in a timely and helpful manner. Attends meetings with providers such as Direct Primary Care Medical Home, pilot project facility openings, and meetings with potential participants for medical home/primary care initiative and projects. Serves as a liaison between employees and health benefits staff of the Division of Pensions and Benefits to address complex billing and coverage problems. Supervises the conduct of employee satisfaction surveys to gather information on employee healthcare needs and obtain feedback on changes to healthcare plans. Interfaces with collective bargaining unit officials, local presidents, and shop stewards to identify, investigate, and resolve complex or sensitive employee health benefit issues/complaints. Provides recommendations to supervisory or administrative officials for program improvements based on outcomes of employee complaints/concerns. Gives assignments and projects to subordinates; instructs them in the performance of their work and establishes deadlines for completion; monitors work progress and assignment status. Settles employee conflicts or problems in a supervisory capacity. May participate in special projects and initiatives. Prepares correspondence. Supervises the preparation of clear, sound, accurate, and informative monthly reports which identify the unit's goals and objectives, and statistical and/or narrative information on current issues, orientation sessions, workplace meetings, surveys, and accomplishments of the previous month. Supervises the maintenance of confidential records, files, and documentation, ensuring they are kept in a secured area and in accordance with program requirements. 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 State of New Jersey Health Benefits Program and its various plans. Knowledge of current laws, rules, and regulations applicable to public sector health benefits systems and plans. Knowledge of the methods used to collect and analyze data. Knowledge of research methods and techniques. Knowledge of statistical methods and procedures and their use in the presentation of factual data related to health benefit plans and systems. Knowledge of investigation techniques. Knowledge of effective interpersonal and customer service skills. Knowledge of principles/practices/procedures of supervision, employee motivation, and performance evaluation. Ability to supervise assigned staff and plan, organize, and implement projects within the unit. Ability to interpret and explain the State of New Jersey Health Benefits Program provisions to employees, officials, and external constituents. Ability to read and interpret rules and regulations and apply them to specific situations. Ability to understand the difficulties and challenges encountered by employees related to their healthcare plans and provide them with guidance/advice. Ability to analyze information. Ability to resolve employee healthcare complaints and problems. Ability to work independently and with integrity. Ability to establish rapport and maintain cooperative working relationships with a wide variety of individuals. Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing. Ability to prepare correspondence. Ability to supervise the preparation of clear, sound, accurate, and comprehensive reports. Ability to supervise the maintenance of confidential records, files, and documentation. 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. Nine (9) years of professional experience in a health or social service program which shall have included responsibility for program development, public relations, training, complaint resolution, advocacy, and/or customer service. OR Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; and five (5) years of the above-mentioned professional experience. OR Possession of a master's degree in public health, health advocacy, healthcare administration, business administration, public administration, or closely related field; and four (4) years 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.