SUPERVISING PROGRAM SPECIALIST SUBSTANCE ABUSE/AIDS
Supervising Program Specialist Substance Abuse/Aids is a competitive state or local title, the kind you test for: the exam result, not a hiring manager's pick, decides where you land in line.
You can qualify with a master's degree or, if you do not have one, by piling up more experience instead. Pay on the FY2027 schedule runs $87,507 to $128,719.
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 direction of a supervisory official has charge of one of the major areas of the alcoholism, drug abuse, or AIDS program, including program development, monitoring, training, or prevention; does other related work.
Examples of work
Interprets the rules, regulations, and policies established by New Jersey and federal laws pertaining to alcohol abuse, drug abuse, and/or AIDS. Organizes assigned technical and supervisory work, analyzes personnel and related operating problems, and develops appropriate work schedules, procedures and staff. Reviews, studies, and analyzes current available information, plans, services, and research projects; develops and recommends guidelines, standards, and information references applicable to all areas of state (or other) programs relating to education and information concerning the prevention of alcohol abuse, drug abuse, or AIDS. Supervises the preparation of and submits proposals and recommendations for demonstrations and research projects on the departmental or local levels. Assigns workers to collaborate with other workers in the field, and provides leadership and consultant services to those working on research projects as appropriate. Directs the training and staff development activities in program areas. Supervises the planning, organization, and implementation of state and/or community programs concerned with alcohol and drug addiction, alcohol and drug abuse, and/or AIDS. Supervises the development of information, technical data, and visual aids for use in research and for general and specialized distribution purposes. Supervises the development of training programs in collaboration or cooperation with professional groups, and works to develop a team of speakers qualified to provide information and prevention assistance to community groups. Supervises the development of planning and coordination methods for treatment program based upon the review, analysis, and evaluation of all available information in research studies, professional publications, and other related program reports directed to major target groups. Plans, organizes, and assigns the work of the organizational unit and evaluates employee performance and conduct, enabling the effective recommendation of the hiring, firing, promoting, and disciplining of subordinates. Directs the development of information and prevention programs, based upon the review, analysis, and evaluation of all available information in research studies, professional publications, and other prevention program reports directed to major target groups. Directs the development of special information and training programs. Supervises the preparation of reports, brochures, and informative materials concerned with the specific program. Prepares correspondence as needed. Supervises the development of special information and communication programs for greater technical skills in the development of plans, program enhancement, and grant applications. Supervises the preparation of reports concerned with program applications, projects, plans, and reviews. Supervises the maintenance of records and files. Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and computerized information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
License
Appointee 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 organization, programs, responsibilities, or physical facilities of the program after a period of training. Knowledge of the policies, rules and regulations, procedures, or objectives of the division after a period of training. Knowledge of various laws and their implications with regard to the control, treatment, rehabilitation, and prevention of alcohol abuse, drug abuse, and/or AIDS after a period of training. Knowledge of the economic, psychological, and sociological bases of alcoholism, drug abuse, and/or AIDS. Knowledge of the types of informational and educational materials and programs required to reach varied ethnic groups, adolescents, and other age groups. Knowledge of local community and other resources available and their use after a period of training. Ability to organize assigned supervisory work. Ability to understand, analyze, interpret, and apply basic law and regulations to specific situations. Ability to supervise the required surveys and studies, compile needed information, and determine the particular types of assistance needed. Ability to supervise the preparation and the recommendation of appropriate guidelines standards and reference materials applicable to all areas of state (or other) programs relating to the prevention and control of alcoholism, drug abuse, and/or Aids. Ability to recognize, understand, and act reasonably in the presence of all phases of psycho-social deviant behavior and attitudes. Ability to assign and instruct individual employees and groups of employees engaged in division activities and supervise their work. Ability to organize and supervise the necessary studies and surveys. Ability to act as the representative of the program and participate in conferences, meetings, and other activities dealing with alcoholism, drug abuse, and/or AIDS. Ability to develop and recommend demonstration and research projects, and to provide assistance to research workers. Ability to develop and supervise information, technical data, and visual aids for research and general and/or specialized distribution purposes. Ability to develop and recommend appropriate program needs, components and interagency relationships, and to provide assistance to principal investigators and program planners. Ability to develop and carry out programs directed specifically to major target groups. Ability to organize assigned work. Ability to make field investigations. Ability to prepare correspondence. Ability to prepare and supervise the preparation of reports of program activities. Ability to supervise the establishment and maintenance of program records and files. Ability to learn 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, 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 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 related health disciplines working with community organization and/or treatment and/or prevention and rehabilitation programs for a public or private alcoholism, drug abuse, or health care (including HIV/AIDS) agency, including or supplemented by thirty (30) semester hour credits in the social or behavioral sciences, one (1) year of experience shall have been in a supervisory capacity. OR Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university including or supplemented by thirty (30) semester hour credits in the social or behavioral sciences; and four (4) years of the above-mentioned professional experience, one (1) year of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity. OR Possession of a master's degree in Psychology, Social Work, Public Health or other closely related field and three (3) years of the above-mentioned professional experience, one (1) year of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity. "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 judgement and make accurate and informed decisions.
Study guides for this exam
- Supervisory Test Battery (STB) National Learning Corporation · $56.99
- General Supervisor National Learning Corporation · $49.90 · general prep, not specific to this title
The Civil Service Commission does not publish official study guides or release past tests. These are independent equivalency guides.