PERSONNEL ASSISTANT 2, EMPLOYEE RELATIONS
Career Family: PERSONNEL ASSISTANT
In New Jersey, Personnel Assistant 2, Employee Relations is filled through the competitive process: candidates take a civil service exam and are hired off a ranked list, not picked at will.
The stated bar is a master's degree, but candidates can swap in added experience for the diploma. The FY2026 range lands between $77,144 and $113,264.
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 55th 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 general supervision of a Human Resource Manager, Personnel Assistant 1, Employee Relations Coordinator, or other supervisory official in a state department, institution, or agency, conducts contractual and noncontractual grievance hearings; reviews the administration of agreements and contracts for statewide negotiation units and grievance processing; prepares cases for disciplinary arbitration hearings; conducts audits and recommends corrective actions; may take the lead over lower-level Personnel Assistants; does other related duties as required.
Examples of work
Conducts grievance hearings and promulgates decisions as the designee of the Commissioner in accordance with the applicable grievance procedures of the various agreements and contracts, as well as policies, procedures, and practices of the department and state. Acts in a limited capacity as liaison with the Governor's Office of Employee Relations to ensure correct and consistent interpretation of contractual provisions. Oversees training of supervisory and managerial personnel on the administration and application of statewide negotiation unit contracts. Oversees training of agency and institution staff on the grievance/discipline process. Prepares cases for grievance arbitration hearings and may act as departmental representative at such hearings. Prepares the department's position on issues subject to negotiations. Prepares evidence and witness testimony for submission at grievance and disciplinary hearings. Provides guidance to field personnel regarding disciplinary action. Collects information and gathers evidence used to substantiate claims. Provides liaison between the department and various certified majority representatives in the day-to-day application of the contract and agreements. Reviews relevant contractual provisions of a case with the institution or agency representative before decisions are rendered by a hearing officer. Provides liaison between the Employee Relations Section and appropriate management representatives of the institution or agency. Provides routine advice and guidance on contractual or employee relations matters. Plans and administers implementation of obligations contained in collectively negotiated provisions. Prepares cases for disciplinary arbitration hearings and may act as a departmental representative at such hearings. Assists in preparing departmental employee relations bulletins and Interpretive Circulars that serve as the official source of Employee Relations guidelines, policies, procedures, and practices. Oversees and conducts special investigations and field studies concerning employee relations problems. Conducts audits to ensure compliance with departmental labor relations policies, procedures, and practices. Participates in employee relations, grievance processing, and disciplinary procedure training programs. Prepares complex reports, specialized and routine memoranda, and other correspondence. Maintains records, reports, and all related documents 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 New Jersey Public Employee Relations Act (Chapters 123 and 303, as amended). Knowledge of the methods used to conduct grievance and disciplinary hearings. Knowledge of the rules, regulations, policies, and procedures of the department concerning grievances and disciplinary hearing processes. Knowledge of the grievance and disciplinary contractual provisions of the state-wide negotiated unit contracts. Knowledge of the department's position on contractual provisions of the state-wide negotiated unit contracts. Ability to interpret and apply Civil Service Commission, Department of the Treasury and Office of Employee Relations directives and other rules, regulations, and procedures. Ability to handle matters concerning departmental employee relations administration and preparation and maintenance of required records. Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with associates, unions, association representatives, supervisors, and individuals interested in or with the programs and services of the department. Ability to take and maintain a firm and courteous stand when differences of opinion and interpretation arise. Ability to prepare correspondence and detailed complex reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions. Ability to 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. Incumbents in this title may be assigned to a centralized facility to coordinate activities of a distinct unit in the employee relations program OR may be assigned to an Employee Relations Coordinator in a regional/field employee relations office serving more than one facility. Incumbents in this title may not perform other human resource functions such as recruitment. 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. Seven (7) years of professional experience in the administration of negotiated contracts, grievance, and disciplinary processing programs in a large public or private organization. OR Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; and three (3) years of the above-mentioned professional experience. OR Possession of a master's degree in business administration, public administration, personnel, labor relations, economics, finance, or accounting from an accredited college or university; and two (2) 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.