PROGRAM SPECIALIST 1
Career Family: PROGRAM SPECIALIST
In New Jersey, Program Specialist 1 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 4 Program Specialist grades, a step below Program Specialist 2, whose band tops out about $12,761 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, and state payroll currently lists about 269 people in the title, led by Human Services.
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 Human Services's employment page may require a click-through to see specific openings. Provisional appointment against a posted vacancy is how most people are actually hired into this kind of title.
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Agency posting
Department of Environmental Protection 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.
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Agency posting
Department of Children and Families 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.
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Agency posting
Department of Health 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.
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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.
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Agency posting
Department of Agriculture's employment page may require a click-through to see specific openings. Provisional appointment against a posted vacancy is how most people are actually hired into this kind of title.
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Agency posting
Department of Transportation 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.
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Agency posting
Department of Law & Public Safety 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.
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Agency posting
Board of Public Utilities's employment page may require a click-through to see specific openings. Provisional appointment against a posted vacancy is how most people are actually hired into this kind of title.
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Agency posting
Department of Labor and Workforce Development's employment page may require a click-through to see specific openings. Provisional appointment against a posted vacancy is how most people are actually hired into this kind of title.
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Agency posting
Department of the Treasury's employment page may require a click-through to see specific openings. Provisional appointment against a posted vacancy is how most people are actually hired into this kind of title.
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Agency posting
Department of Military and Veterans Affairs's employment page may require a click-through to see specific openings. Provisional appointment against a posted vacancy is how most people are actually hired into this kind of title.
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Agency posting
Department of State 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.
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Agency posting
Office of Information Technology's employment page may require a click-through to see specific openings. Provisional appointment against a posted vacancy is how most people are actually hired into this kind of title.
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Agency posting
Office of the Secretary of Higher Education 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.
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Agency posting
Department of Education 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: Program Specialist series
- Program Specialist 1 — $58,818 – $85,742 (this title)
- Program Specialist 2 — $67,312 – $98,503
- Program Specialist 3 — $84,548 – $124,366
- Program Specialist 4 — $97,100 – $143,176
Promoting to Program Specialist 2 raises the top of the band by about $12,761. 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.
Who employs this title
State payroll records show 269 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $58,818. The agencies employing the most are:
- Human Services (88)
- Environmental Protection (36)
- Children and Families (33)
- Health and Senior Services (29)
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 the close supervision of a Program Specialist 3 or 4, or other supervisory official in a state department, institution or agency, assists in the professional, administrative and analytical work to promote the planning, operation, implementation, monitoring and/or evaluation of various programs and services administered by the Department of assignment; assists in conducting the research and field work necessary to meet the needs of the appropriate state and/or local public or private agencies; does other related work. SPECIAL NOTE: An incumbent in this class conducts analysis, assists in the review of program proposals, assists in evaluating and monitoring program activities, and/or prepares recommendations aimed at developing, implementing or modifying programs. Tasks are assigned and performed according to supervisory instructions and oversight. Positions performing work specific to human/social services programs, socio-economic programs, or regulatory programs shall be classified in the respective variant series. NOTE: Appointments may be made to positions requiring bilingual skills. Bilingual in Spanish and English. SPECIAL SKILL - Applicants must be able to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in Spanish and English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position.
Examples of work
Assists in the administrative, analytical and professional work to promote the planning, operation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of various programs and services administered by the Department of assignment Assists in the planning, coordinating, implementation, and upgrading of existing programs and services, in assigned program area Researches funding sources, assists in the preparation of grant applications, and writes proposals Assists in conducting onsite evaluations or audits to monitor compliance with federal, State or local regulations Assists in negotiating and monitoring contracts or grants Assists in conducting surveys or other studies to help identify program needs Researches, collects, and disseminates information regarding assigned program(s) Responds to requests for information regarding program activities or requirements Assists in work involving budget preparation and State aid requests for the assigned program Establishes business relationships with potential funding sources via phone call, visit, and/or letter of inquiry Serves as a program liaison to a variety of parties including federal, State and local government officials and providers Assists in the preparation and modification of operations and procedures manuals to assist management in operating more efficiently and effectively Assists in the performance of professional recruitment, admission/placement activities for the program Reviews, analyzes and prepares written materials such as letters, reports, correspondence and other documents related to the program functions Prepares charts, tables, and/or other graphic representations needed for the planning, operation and implementation of program activities Maintains essential records, reports 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 the methods used to collect and analyze data Ability to research and identify public and private funding sources Ability to prepare proposals for funding Ability to assist in the preparation of informational materials Ability to assist in conducting surveys, research and field investigations Ability to comprehend, analyze and interpret basic laws, rules, regulations, standards and policies and apply them to specific situations Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, groups and others involved in the operation of the program Ability to prepare clear, technically sound, accurate and comprehensive reports containing findings, conclusions and recommendations Ability to organize assigned work, analyze problems, and develop effective work methods Ability to participate in conferences, meetings and other events as required Ability to maintain essential records and files Ability to learn 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, or 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 the 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 This job specification is applicable to the following title code(s) which are different work week or work month and/or variants of the job class title: Job Spec Code State, Local or Common Class of Service Work Week State Class Code Local Class Code Salary Range
Note
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 planning, monitoring, coordinating, implementing, modifying and/or evaluating agency programs and services. 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 a discipline appropriate for the position. "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. SCNE18N/AP18-Bilingual In Spanish & EnglishSCNE18N/AP18- This job specification is for government use only. Salary range is only applicable to state government. Local salaries are established by individual local jurisdictions. 10/3/2015