CHIEF OF HOUSING SERVICES
Career Family: CHIEF
New Jersey treats Chief of Housing Services 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 $106,547 and $157,363, and state payroll currently lists 2 people in the title, most of them at Community Affairs.
How to apply
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
Who employs this title
State payroll records show 2 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $137,037. 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 direction, manages and directs the administration of programs designed to meet the housing and supportive services needs of the low and moderate income households; does other related work as required.
Examples of work
Prepares and administers the annual budget for the unit in accordance with State and federal guidelines and regulations. Directs the administration of programs including the Housing Choice Voucher, Moderate Rehabilitation, State Rental Assistance, Mainstream housing, supportive housing programs and/or other programs that address low and moderate income housing needs. Directs the development of programs combining State and federal programs and various public/private sector resources to provide housing for low- and moderate-income households. Reviews laws and regulations applicable to the program, as they relate to their administration and management. Manages and/or approves the development of procedures used to provide assistance in the areas of housing rehabilitation, relocation and related housing services. Manages the work operations and/or functional programs and has responsibility for employee evaluations and for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting and/or disciplining of employees. Represents the Director and/or Commissioner to the public and the Legislature in matters relating to the unit's jurisdiction. Plans and directs detailed studies, surveys and analyses of the need for housing for low- and moderate income households. Manages the preparation of all reports for submission to the Division Director and Commissioner. Controls the disbursement of funds. Oversees the maintenance of 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
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 problems in developing and administering statewide rental assistance and rehabilitation programs and/or housing development plans. Knowledge of management concepts and practices. Knowledge of supervisory techniques. Knowledge of budgeting and planning practices and procedures, program analysis, organization principles. Knowledge of research techniques. Knowledge of economic conditions, real estate values, population trends and other factors and systems having an effect upon housing and neighborhoods. Knowledge of the basic processes and programs used in commercial revitalization and economic development. Knowledge of health and safety standards applicable to housing. Ability to acquire knowledge of other State and federal housing agencies and their appropriate responsibilities for providing housing assistance and rehabilitation for low- and moderate-income and handicapped individuals. Ability to interpret and apply municipal laws affecting housing, such as rent control, code enforcement, tax abatement, and foreclosure. Ability to interpret and apply New Jersey housing legislation. Ability to provide technical assistance to local municipalities through the programs administered. Ability to assign, instruct, coordinate and monitor staff. Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with State and local agencies involved in housing and community development activities. Ability to draft correspondence. Ability to supervise the preparation of reports containing finding, conclusions and recommendations. Ability to identify rehabilitation target areas through analysis of demographic and housing data which are consistent with local community development activities. Ability to analyze housing rehabilitation proposals to determine feasibility and eligibility. Ability to prepare and administer a budget. Ability to communicate effectively with staff, supervisors and the public. Ability to assign work, analyze problems and develop work methods and team approaches. Ability to prepare reports. Ability to supervise the maintenance of 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 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 as long as 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. CODE: (M-32) CODE: (&-32)
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. Ten (10) years of professional experience in the administration of housing assistance and development programs and/or the assessment of population, households, housing units, and related characteristics, and community housing plans in a large public or private agency, three (3) years of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity. OR Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; and six (6) years of the above-mentioned professional experience, three (3) years of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity. OR Possession of a master's degree in economics, political science, business or public administration, planning, architecture, or a related field from an accredited college or university; and five (5) years of the above-mentioned professional experience, three (3) years of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity. "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.
Study guides for this exam
- Management Test Battery (MTB) National Learning Corporation · $52.95
- Manager/Administrator Test National Learning Corporation · $49.95 · general prep, not specific to this title
The Civil Service Commission does not publish official study guides or release past tests. These are independent equivalency guides.