PERSONNEL ASSISTANT 3, EMPLOYEE RELATIONS
Career Family: PERSONNEL ASSISTANT
Personnel Assistant 3, Employee Relations sits in the competitive class of New Jersey's state civil service, so reaching it runs through testing and an eligible list instead of a straight hire.
It lists a master's degree as the baseline, with an experience-based path open to those who do not hold the degree. Pay on the FY2026 schedule runs $67,312 to $98,503.
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 42nd 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 limited supervision of a Human Resource Manager, Personnel Assistant 1, Employee Relations Coordinator, or other supervisory official in a state department, institution, or agency, functions as the designee of the department head in the hearing of contractual and non-contractual grievances and in the review of the administration of agreements and contracts for statewide negotiations units and grievance processing; 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. Trains supervisory and managerial personnel on the administration and application of statewide negotiation unit contracts. Trains agency and institution staff on the grievance/discipline process. Participates in the preparation of cases for grievance and disciplinary arbitration hearings and may act as departmental representative at such hearings. Provides advice and guidance on employee relations and contractual matters to agency representatives. Reviews disciplinary action recommendations. Prepares disciplinary action charges. Collects information and gathers evidence used to substantiate claims. As directed, assists in the preparation of the department's position on issues subject to negotiations. May act as a liaison between the department and the various certified majority representatives in the day-to-day application of contracts and agreements. May review with the appropriate representatives of the institution or agency those contractual provisions that have been cited in a grievance before decisions are rendered by hearing officers. Acts as a 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. Participates in the planning and administration necessary for the timely and efficient implementation of obligations contained in collectively negotiated provisions. Assists in the preparation of departmental employee relations bulletins and Interpretive circulars that serve as the official source of employee relations guidelines, policies, procedures, and practices. May conduct special investigations and field studies concerning employee relations problems. Assists in periodic audits to ensure compliance with departmental labor relations policies, procedures, and practices. May participate in employee relations, grievance processing, and disciplinary procedures training programs. Maintains records, reports, and files. Prepares specialized and routine memoranda, reports, and correspondence as required in the course of official duties. 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 and familiarity with the conduct and procedures of 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 comprehend and interpret 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 take and maintain a firm and courteous stand when differences of opinion and interpretation arise. Ability to work effectively with associates, union or association representatives, supervisors, and individuals interested in or with the programs and services of the department. Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions. Ability to prepare detailed statistical and other reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. 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. 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. Six (6) 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 two (2) 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 one (1) year 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.