TECHNICAL ASSISTANT CLASSIFICATION, DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Career Family: TECHNICAL ASSISTANT CLASSIFICATION
Technical Assistant Classification, Department of Corrections 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 paper it calls for an associate's degree, though the specification lets enough relevant experience stand in for the degree. Pay on the FY2027 schedule runs $55,691 to $81,008, and state payroll currently lists about 17 people in the title, most of them at Corrections.
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 Corrections'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.
Who employs this title
State payroll records show 17 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $61,146. The agencies employing the most are:
- Corrections (17)
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 direction of a supervisory official in the Department of Corrections, performs technical support tasks involved in the classification of inmates; assists in the calculation of sentence expirations, the compilation of information, and preparation of materials for use by the Bureau of Parole, the State Parole Board, and other committees; does other related duties as required.
Examples of work
Interviews inmates at the onset of incarceration; assists in the preparation of case histories, case analyses, and classification summaries. Prepares agenda and expedites the organization of relevant information and inmate histories to be presented at weekly meetings of the Institutional Classification Committee, including reports received from the educational, custodial, psychological, psychiatric, social service, and other staff members. Assists in the calculation of sentence expirations by applying allowances for work performed, minimum credits earned, and other factors. Posts work credits to time cards. Assists in the interpretation of penal commitments. Prepares termination certificates as scheduled by the Bureau of Parole. Assists in arranging for the transfer of inmates to other institutions, including preparation of transfer orders. Assists in the preparation and presentation of data for submission to the State Parole Board regarding inmates to be recommended for discharge from parole. Assists in arranging for the release of individuals for parole; determines whether all warrants filed against inmates have been cleared prior to release, or that appropriate authorities are notified. Compiles information and assists in preparing the Objective Classification System scoring instrument. Reviews inmate records, recommends appropriate level of security, and prepares information for the review of the classification staff. Replies to intra and interdepartmental correspondence. Assists with classification records, summaries, progress reports, reclassifications, parole cases, and parole violators. Compiles data and assists in the preparation of reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Assists in the preparation of recommendations for the type of housing, work, education, and other assignments to be given to individual inmates. Establishes and maintains essential 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.
Education
Successful completion of sixty (60) semester hour credits at an accredited college or university.
Experience
One (1) year of experience performing general office or technical support work.
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
Ability to read, interpret, and apply the federal and state laws and the regulations, policies, and procedures of the department regarding the security, rehabilitation, status, transfer, release, and parole of inmates. Ability to review inmate records, determine appropriate level of security, and calculate sentence expiration in accordance with established criteria. Ability to make the necessary arrangements for the transfer and parole of inmates, and prepare the forms and documents required for this purpose. Ability to assist in the organization and execution of the activities of the classification unit of a correctional institution. Ability to interview inmates, compile materials, and prepare accurate and complete classification records, summaries, and social histories of inmates. Ability to prepare and present data for submission before formal committees and boards for use in making decisions regarding the release and parole of inmates. Ability to prepare correspondence. Ability to compile data and assist in the preparation of clear, technically sound, accurate, and informative reports of classification matters containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Ability to establish and maintain essential 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.
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 education may substitute additional experience as indicated above on a year-for-year basis, with thirty (30) semester hour credits being equal to one (1) year of experience.