PROGRAM SPECIALIST 1 SOCIAL/HUMAN SERVICES BI SPANISH/ENGLI
Social/Human Services Bi Spanish/Engli
Career Family: PROGRAM SPECIALIST
New Jersey treats Program Specialist 1 Social/Human Services Bi Spanish/Engli 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 FY 2027 range lands between $58,222 and $84,763, and state payroll currently lists about 269 people in the title, led by Human Services.
How to apply
This title is filled by competitive examination.
See every real route in, and where to apply. 15 agencies employ it. We don't track live vacancies.
See all 15 employers and how to apply →Who employs this title
Program Specialist 1 Social/Human Services Bi Spanish/Engli appears on the State payroll at 20 departments, most of them at Department of Human Services.
State departments
Showing the largest 8 of 20 departments. All agencies.
State payroll and independent authority payroll are separate systems and are never merged. See data sources.
Pay ladder: Program Specialist series
- Program Specialist 1 — $60,876 – $88,743
- Program Specialist 2 — $69,668 – $101,951
- Program Specialist 3 — $87,507 – $128,719
- Program Specialist 4 — $100,498 – $148,187
Its top salary lands around the 24th percentile of all NJ civil service titles that publish a range.
Rungs are ordered by FY 2027 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 (31)
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. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.
Definition
Under the close supervision of a Program Specialist 3 or 4, Social/Human Services, or other supervisory officer in a State department or agency, assists in the professional, administrative and analytical work to promote the planning, operation, implementation, monitoring and/or evaluation of human or social services programs designed to improve the medical, social or other circumstances of the client population served; does other related duties as required. 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 social/human services programs. Tasks are assigned and performed according to supervisory instructions and oversight. 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 social/human services program areas designed to improve the medical, social or other circumstances of the client population served Researches funding sources, assists in the preparation of grant applications, and writes proposals Learns to negotiate and monitor contracts or grants Learns to conduct onsite evaluations or audits to monitor compliance with federal or State regulations Assists in conducting surveys or other studies to help identify program needs Provides technical assistance to participating sponsors in the completion of forms and documents Assists in the negotiation of preliminary grant and contract terms with appropriate funding agencies for the development of programs Researches, collects, and disseminates information on social/human service programs Provides operational support, information and assistance to agency staff for their dissemination to community groups, local provider agencies, various citizen groups, etc. 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 Assists in the development and implementation of treatment and service delivery plans Assists in providing funding organizations with grant proposals which clearly state program objectives and sets forth a plan and budget for the program activities Responds to requests for information regarding program activities or requirements 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 Analyzes financial reports for compliance with funding requests for funding (RFP) proposals Reviews, analyzes and prepares written materials such as letters, reports, correspondence and other documents related to the program functions 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
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 identify the social/human service needs of the client population served Ability to prepare and submit proposals for funding Ability to assist in conducting surveys, independent studies, research and field investigations Ability to research and identify public and private funding sources Ability to assist in the development of treatment and service delivery plans Ability to serve as a program liaison to a variety of parties including Federal, State and local government officials and providers Ability to assist in preparation of proposals Ability to provide advice and assistance to institutional and community agency staff as required Ability to establish business relationships with potential funding sources via phone call, visit, and/or letter of inquiry Ability to read, interpret and apply federal and State laws and regulations Ability to analyze financial reports for compliance with funding requests for funding (RFP) proposals Ability to review, analyze and prepare written materials such as letters, reports, correspondence and other documents related to the program functions Ability to participate in conferences, meetings and other events as required 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 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 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
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 a social or human services program. 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 Social/Human services specialty area, Public or Business Administration, Child Advocacy and Policy, or Child Advocacy and Policy with a concentration in Public Child Welfare. "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.