PERSONNEL ASSISTANT 4
Career Family: PERSONNEL ASSISTANT
In New Jersey, Personnel Assistant 4 is filled through the competitive process: candidates take a civil service exam and are hired off a ranked list, not picked at will.
It is the lowest-paid of the 4 Personnel Assistant grades, a step below Personnel Assistant 3, whose band tops out about $12,761 higher. The stated bar is a master's degree, but candidates can swap in added experience for the diploma. The FY2026 range lands between $58,818 and $85,742.
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.
Pay ladder: Personnel Assistant series
- Personnel Assistant 4 — $58,818 – $85,742 (this title)
- Personnel Assistant 3 — $67,312 – $98,503
- Personnel Assistant 2 — $77,144 – $113,264
- Personnel Assistant 1 — $88,530 – $130,339
Promoting to Personnel Assistant 3 raises the top of the band by about $12,761. Its top salary lands around the 27th 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 close supervision of a Personnel Assistant 1 or other supervisory official in a state department, institution, or agency, performs routine personnel work pertinent to one or more major personnel program areas such as classification, recruitment, personnel orientation and training, personnel research, administrative services, employee counseling and personnel services, and management assistance; does other related duties as required. 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.
Examples of work
May assist in reviewing personnel-related programs and activities and in evaluating their implementation and administration. May assist in installing, using, and as needed, changing reporting systems that assess performance factors including workload volume, quality, and effectiveness. May assist in the review of personnel operations that include the design or update of new and existing systems and procedures for improving effectiveness, efficiency, and management controls. Provides information, advice, and assistance to agency management, employees, union representatives, and the public. Engages in recruitment efforts using modern techniques to promote state departments, institutions, or agencies. May assist in recruitment and interview processes for prospective employees and may assist in managing employee retention initiatives. Assists in the development and delivery of personnel-related training presentations to enhance department employees' skills and knowledge. Conducts exit interviews and reviews statistical data and other studies to determine reasons for employee turnover. May utilize applicant tracking systems (ATS) to streamline processes, manage candidate data, and track applicant progress through the hiring cycle. May interpret and analyze collected data to develop comprehensive reports that offer an in-depth understanding of the agency's workforce standing and trends. Reviews personnel forms for completeness, accuracy, and compliance with Civil Service Commission rules and regulations. Maintains close liaison with the Civil Service Commission, Department of the Treasury, and other department personnel offices to further the total program of personnel services. May assist in research and assembly of information for personnel-related studies and investigations. Assists in technical work of the program area, such as handling problems that require review and analysis. Prepares, as directed, clear, technically sound, accurate, and informative reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Answers inquiries from all sources, as directed on interpretation and application of Civil Service Commission rules and regulations, and department, division, or unit policies and procedures. Assists with the new employee orientation program by providing information on department policies and employee benefits; may also assign new employees to offices and workstations. Conducts surveys of individual and groups of positions, units of work, and prepares reports thereof. Conducts studies of department personnel routines and procedures to determine the need for updates. Provides updates on duties and responsibilities of individual and group positions and organizational relationships. Prepares correspondence, survey reports, memoranda, analyses, position descriptions, and other written materials using a predetermined form in the course of official duties. Maintains records, reports, 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
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 organizational structures commonly found in business and government. Knowledge of occupations commonly found in public and private sectors. Knowledge of public personnel methods and techniques and principles and practices of public administration. Knowledge of statistical, psychological, economic, and scientific concepts, terminology, procedures, and tools used in personnel administration. Knowledge of personnel guidelines and procedures of New Jersey State government personnel, the Civil Service Commission, and Department of the Treasury. Knowledge of rules, regulations, policies, procedures, organizational structure and specific functions of incumbent's assigned department, institution, or agency and application. Knowledge of Civil Service rules and regulations (N.J.S.A. 11A and N.J.A.C. 4A), Department of the Treasury requirements, applicable federal regulations, Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action, and classification and compensation policies and guidelines of the Civil Service Commission. Knowledge of negotiated bargaining agreements. Ability to organize assigned technical personnel work, analyze program areas and related problems, and develop effective work procedures. Ability to comprehend, analyze, interpret, and apply basic laws, rules, and regulations. Ability to interpret and apply public personnel methods and techniques as well as the principles and practices of public administration. Ability to conduct interviews. Ability to understand and carry out oral and written directions. Ability to work effectively with others. Ability to collect and analyze extensive data and draw sound conclusions. Ability to prepare clear, technically sound, accurate, and comprehensive narrative and/or statistical reports of findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Ability to prepare detailed correspondence in the course of official duties. Ability to maintain records, reports, 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 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. 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. 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. Five (5) years of professional experience in a personnel program of a public or private organization. OR Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; and one (1) year of the above-mentioned professional experience. OR Possession of a master's degree in business administration, personnel administration, public administration, management, or other related field 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. SC3520N/AP19-Bilingual In Spanish & EnglishSC3520N/AP19- This job specification is for government use only. Salary range is only applicable to state government. Local salaries are established by individual local jurisdictions. 12/28/2024