PERSONNEL ASSISTANT 4, 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 master'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 close supervision of a Human Resource Manager, Personnel Assistant 1, Employee Relations Coordinator, or other supervisory official in a state department, institution, or agency, assists in routine administration of unit agreements and grievance processing at the institution, agency, or department level; assists in disciplinary processing at the institution or agency level; does other related duties as required.
Examples of work
Assists in the administration of statewide negotiation unit contracts using available departmental employee relations bulletins and Interpretive Circulars. Assists in training supervisory and managerial personnel on the administration and application of statewide negotiation unit contracts. Assists in training agency and institution staff on the grievance/discipline process. Collects information and gathers evidence used to substantiate claims. Assists liaison with day-to-day application of contracts and agreements between the institution, agency, and local officers and officials of various certified majority representatives. Reviews grievance decisions with hearing officers who are appointed by the appointing authority of the institution or agency. May act as liaison on contractual grievances between the institution or agency, and the Employee Relations section. Assists in administering and implementing the contract provisions. May act as liaison between the institution or agency and the Employee Relations section, Bureau of Personnel Services, and Employee Relations regarding interpretation, application, and administration of unit contracts and agreements. May conduct special investigations concerning employee relations problems. 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 administration of negotiated contracts and grievance processing programs. Knowledge of disciplinary processing programs. Ability to comprehend and apply the New Jersey Public Employee Relations Act (Chapters 123 and 303 as amended). Ability to comprehend the conduct and procedures of grievance and disciplinary hearings. Ability to comprehend and apply the rules, regulations, policies, and procedures of the department concerning grievances and disciplinary hearing processes. Ability to comprehend the grievance and disciplinary contractual provisions of the statewide negotiated unit contracts. Ability to comprehend the department's position on contractual provisions of the statewide 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 routine 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 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. Five (5) 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 one (1) year 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. "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.