COMMUNITY SERVICE OFFICER 3
Career Family: COMMUNITY SERVICE OFFICER
In New Jersey, Community Service Officer 3 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 3 Community Service Officer grades, a step below Community Service Officer 2, whose band tops out about $12,165 higher. The stated bar is a master's degree, but candidates can swap in added experience for the diploma. The FY2026 range lands between $56,253 and $81,897.
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: Community Service Officer series
- Community Service Officer 3 — $56,253 – $81,897 (this title)
- Community Service Officer 2 — $64,340 – $94,062
- Community Service Officer 1 — $80,756 – $118,678
Promoting to Community Service Officer 2 raises the top of the band by about $12,165. Its top salary lands around the 22nd 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 supervision of a Community Service Officer 1 or supervisory official in the Department of Community Affairs, provides technical assistance to communities; does other related duties as required.
Examples of work
Provides assistance to local government by interpreting, organizing, planning, and writing grant and loan applications for state/federal programs. Researches and assists in preparation of detailed reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Evaluates the need and ability of a community to participate in state/federal aid programs. Prepares correspondence. Gathers statistics, financial data, and information for state/federal aid programs. Maintains records and files. Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
License
Appointees 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 the methods used to gather and analyze data. Knowledge of methods and procedures used to providetechnical assistance to communities. Knowledge of federal and state programs available to communities in the area of housing and urban renewal, economic development, air/water pollution, regional planning, and public facilities. Ability to organize assigned work, analyze community service problems, and develop appropriate work methods. Ability to participate in administrative studies, surveys, and analyses of local governments. Ability to conduct field investigations. Ability to aid municipalities in compiling information on Federal and State assistance programs. Ability to interpret laws, rules and regulations and apply them to specific purposes. Ability to prepare state/federal applications and reports in accord with established procedure. Ability to prepare technically sound, accurate, and comprehensive reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Ability 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 as long as they can perform essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible. CODES: 18/P18 - MCK 07/23/05
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 providing technical assistance to local governments or local government agencies on the development of programs. 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 from an accredited college or university in Political Science, Government, Public Administration, or other closely related field. "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.