PROGRAM SPECIALIST 3 SOCIAL/HUMAN SERVICES
Social/Human Services
Career Family: PROGRAM SPECIALIST
Program Specialist 3 Social/Human Services is a state title in New Jersey's competitive civil service, which means the way in is an open exam rather than a direct appointment.
On paper it calls for a master's degree, though the specification lets enough relevant experience stand in for the degree. Pay on the FY 2027 schedule runs $83,582 to $122,832, and state payroll currently lists about 244 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 3 Social/Human Services appears on the State payroll at 19 departments, most of them at Department of Human Services.
State departments
Showing the largest 8 of 19 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 69th 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 244 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $107,301. The agencies employing the most are:
- Human Services (64)
- Health and Senior Services (43)
- Environmental Protection (42)
- Children and Families (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. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.
Definition
Under the direction of a Program Specialist 4, Social/Human Services, or other supervisory officer in a State department or agency, directly supervises professional and/or technical staff engaged in program activities; perform the more complex and sensitive professional, administrative and analytical work to promote the planning, operation, implementation, monitoring and/or evaluation of human or social services programs; prepares and signs official performance evaluations for subordinate staff; does other related duties as required. SPECIAL NOTE: An incumbent in this class conducts in-depth analysis, reviews program proposals, evaluates and monitors program activities, and/or prepares recommendations aimed at developing, implementing, or modifying social/human services programs. Incumbents review proposed draft regulatory changes for fiscal or programmatic impact and make recommendations regarding the development and revision of agency policies based on changes to State and federal laws and regulations. Incumbents handle the more sensitive and complex program issues and act as a subject matter expert. Assignments at this level are broadly defined; incumbents are expected to determine the methods needed to achieve objectives. May supervise staff engaged in program activities.
Examples of work
Supervises or performs the more complex and sensitive administrative, analytical and professional work to promote the planning, operation, implementation, monitoring and/or evaluation of social/human service program areas designed to improve the medical, social or other circumstances of the client population served Reviews proposed legislation and regulations as to its potential impact on the administration of the program and may recommend changes in operational policies or procedures to comply with changes in legal mandates Researches funding sources, develops grant applications, and writes proposals; negotiates and monitors contracts or grants Plans, develops, and/or supervises the implementation of program goals, policies, procedures and objectives Supervises the work operations and/or functional programs, and has responsibility for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting, and/or disciplining of subordinates Plans, coordinates, implements and upgrades existing programs in assigned area Identifies program deficiencies and develops corrective action strategies in support of established goals Reviews funding proposals to determine eligibility, completeness, and technical content; makes recommendations for funding based on the results of the proposed review Conducts onsite evaluations or audits to monitor compliance with federal or State regulations Conducts surveys or other studies to help identify program needs Participates in the implementation of department/agency initiatives Provides operational support, information and assistance to agency staff for their dissemination to community groups, local provider agencies, various citizen groups, etc Participates in developing program budgets Researches and identifies available funding sources; develops and reviews grant applications; writes proposals; negotiates and monitors contracts or grants Participates in the development and implementation of treatment and service delivery plans Establishes business relationships with potential funding sources via phone call, visit, and/or letter of inquiry Develops and monitors program evaluation strategies Prepares position papers identifying issues and policy options and recommending policy choices in areas of department or agency responsibility Reviews and evaluate program components for client population served and utilizes these findings in the enhancement of service models in relevant program areas Prepares policy statements, operating guidelines, policy discussion documents, and other related reports Reviews evaluation findings to determine whether program designs under demonstration accurately represent the program models recommended Provides funding organizations with grant proposals that clearly state program objectives and sets forth a plan and budget for the program activities Oversee program activities by establishing priorities and deadlines Serves as a program liaison to a variety of parties including federal, State and local government officials and providers Prepares or recommends the modification of existing 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 Plans and conducts program outreach and promotional activities Trains staff involved in program activities Monitors expenditure of budgeted funds Reviews, analyzes and prepares written materials such as letters, reports, correspondence and other documents related to the program functions Maintains essential 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 and procedures used in planning, implementing, coordinating, monitoring and evaluating human or social services programs Knowledge of the methods used to collect and analyze data Knowledge of methods used to research and identify public and private funding sources Knowledge of the methods and procedures used to prepare and submit proposals for funding Knowledge of program evaluation techniques Knowledge of the various types of human/social service programs likely to be needed by the client population served Knowledge of the principles and practices of contract compliance monitoring Ability to supervise assigned staff and plan, organize, and implement projects within the unit Ability to identify the social/human service needs of the client population served Ability to provide operational support, information and assistance to agency staff for their dissemination to community groups, local provider agencies, various citizen groups, etc. Ability to handle sensitive and complex program issues and act as a subject matter expert Ability to conduct surveys, independent studies, research and field investigations Ability to negotiate preliminary grant and contract terms with appropriate funding agencies for the development of programs Ability to assist in the preparation of the budget Ability to analyze facts and to exercise sound judgment Ability to participate 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 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 oversee program activities, organize and assign work tasks, provide instruction to employees and review their work Ability to review, analyze and prepare written materials such as letters, reports, correspondence and other documents related to the program functions Ability to represent the department or agency at conferences, meetings and other events Ability to provide advice and assistance to institutional and community agency staff 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 supervise the establishment and maintenance of 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. Seven (7) 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 three (3) years 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; 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.