COMMUNITY SERVICE OFFICER 1
Career Family: COMMUNITY SERVICE OFFICER
Community Service Officer 1 is a competitive state title, the kind you test for: the exam result, not a hiring manager's pick, decides where you land in line.
Of the 3 Community Service Officer grades this one pays the most, sitting just above Community Service Officer 2. You can qualify with a master's degree or, if you do not have one, by piling up more experience instead. Pay on the FY2026 schedule runs $80,756 to $118,678, and state payroll currently lists 2 people in the title, most of them at Community Affairs.
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.
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Agency posting
Department of Community Affairs posts its own vacancies directly, often before (or instead of) any civil service exam announcement. Provisional appointment against a posted vacancy is how most people are actually hired into this kind of title.
Pay ladder: Community Service Officer series
- Community Service Officer 3 — $56,253 – $81,897
- Community Service Officer 2 — $64,340 – $94,062
- Community Service Officer 1 — $80,756 – $118,678 (this title)
Its top salary lands around the 61st 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.
Who employs this title
State payroll records show 2 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $95,925. The agencies employing the most are:
- Community Affairs (2)
Counts from NJ YourMoney agency payroll. See statewide workforce analytics.
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 Supervising Community Service Officer or other supervisory official in the Department of Community Affairs, provides technical assistance to communities to plan and develop programs; does other related duties as required.
Examples of work
Provides technical assistance for the development of physical, economic, and social programs of rehabilitation for use in New Jersey communities. Provides assistance to local communities in preparing proposals to make use of any federal, state, or other sources available to provide financial/technical aid to the community. Supervises work operations and/or functional programs and has responsibility for employee evaluations and for effectively recommending the firing, hiring, promoting, demoting, and/or disciplining of employees. Prepares guides and instructional materials for local government units to prepare formal applications to federal/state agencies. Provides technical assistance to communities to prepare various proposal plans and programs. Coordinates activities and events with government officials, community organizations, and businesses to further program goals. Provides technical assistance to communities filing applications for federal programs sponsored by Housing and Urban Renewal, Health, and Human Services, and other federal departments to ensure that applications are complete, accurate, and meet program requirements. Informs communities of federal/state aid programs concerned with housing and urban renewal, welfare, water/sewer facilities, air/water pollution, regional planning, and law enforcement. Participates in administrative studies regarding the organization and structure of a municipality and makes recommendations for changes. Works closely with community groups, individual, and government officials to discuss and resolve community social issues. Speaks to public/private groups on community relations issues. Prepares correspondence. Prepares statistical and financial reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Plans, organizes, and assigns work of the organizational unit and recommends the hiring, firing, promoting, and disciplining of employees. 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 methods used to provide technical assistance to communities. Knowledge of the methods used to gather and analyze data. Knowledge of the federal programs available to communities in the areas of housing and urban renewal, economic development, air/water pollution, regional planning, and public facilities. Ability to interpret federal/state rules and regulations concerning federal/state programs of assistance to communities. Ability to interpret federal/state regulations and apply them to specific situations. Ability to develop physical, economic, and social plans for rehabilitation for use in local communities. Ability to organize assigned field/office work, analyze problems arising therein, and develop appropriate work methods. Ability to prepare detailed proposals utilizing federal/state sources to provide technical aid to communities. Ability to conduct and participate in administrative studies/surveys/analyses. Ability to establish and maintain cooperative work relationships with those interested or involved in the work of the unit. Ability to prepare correspondence. Ability to prepare clear, technically sound, accurate, and informative statistical, financial, progress, and other reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Ability to maintain records and files. 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: 26/R26 - 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. Seven (7) years of professional experience providing technical assistance to local governments or local government agencies on the development of programs, or in municipal administration. 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 from an accredited college or university in Political Science, Government, Public Administration, or a related field; 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.