PERSONNEL ASSISTANT 4, (EMPLOYEE RELATIONS)
Employee Relations
Career Family: PERSONNEL ASSISTANT
New Jersey treats Personnel Assistant 4, (employee Relations) as a competitive-class job, so the gate is an examination and the ranked list it produces rather than a direct offer.
The spec names a bachelor's degree, but it leaves the door open to substitute experience for the degree. 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
- Personnel Assistant 3 — $67,312 – $98,503
- Personnel Assistant 2 — $77,144 – $113,264
- Personnel Assistant 1 — $88,530 – $130,339
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 supervision of a Human Resource Manager or other supervisory officer or manager in a state department agency, or institution, assists in the routine administration or unit agreements and grievance processing at the institution, agency, or department level; assists in the disciplinary processing at the institution or agency level; does related work as required.
Examples of work
- Using available Departmental Employee Relations Bulletins and Interpretive Circulars, assists in the administration of Statewide negotiation unit contracts.
- Assists with the training of supervisory and managerial personnel in the administration and application of the State-wide negotiation unit contracts.
- Participates in the training of agency/institution staff involving the grievance/discipline process.
- Collects information and gathers evidence used to substantiate claims.
- As directed, assists with liaison between the institution, agency, and the local officers and officials of the various certified majority representatives in the day to day application of contracts and agreements.
- As directed, reviews grievance decisions as necessary, with hearing officers appointed by the appointing authority of the institution or agency.
- May act as liaison between the institution and agency and the Employee Relations Section for the processing of those contractual grievances, the decisions of which require interpretation of contractual provisions.
- May act as a liaison between the institution or agency and the Employee Relations Section, Bureau of Personnel Services, and Employee Relations on the interpretation, application, and administration of the unit contracts, and agreements.
- May conduct special investigations concerning employee relations problems.
- Prepares specialized and routine memorandums, reports, and correspondence as required in the course of official duties.
Education
Graduation from an accredited college with a Bachelor's degree.
Experience
One (1) year of technical work experience in the routine administration of negotiated contracts, grievance, and disciplinary processing programs in a large public or private organization.
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
- Ability to acquire knowledge of New Jersey Public Employee Relations Act (Chapters 123 and 303 as amended).
- Ability to acquire knowledge and familiarity with the conduct and procedures of grievance and disciplinary hearings.
- Ability to acquire knowledge of the rules, regulations, and policies and procedures of the department concerning grievances and disciplinary hearing processes.
- Ability to acquire knowledge of the grievance and disciplinary contractual provisions of the statewide negotiated unit contracts.
- Ability to acquire knowledge of the department's position on contractual provisions of the statewide negotiated unit contracts.
- Ability to comprehend and interpret Civil Service, Department of Treasury, and Office of Employee Relations directives and other rules, regulations, and procedures.
- Ability to handle routine matters concerned with departmental employee relations administration and the preparation and maintenance of the required records.
- Ability to take and maintain a firm and courteous stand when differences of opinion and interpretation arise and to work effectively with associates, union or association representatives, supervisors, and with those individuals interested in or with the programs and services of the department.
- Ability to prepare detailed statistical and other reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
- Ability to maintain the essential 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 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
Applicants who do not possess the required education may substitute experience as indicated above on a year for year basis.