NJ Civil Service Navigator

PROGRAM SPECIALIST 4 REGULATORY PROGRAMS

Regulatory Programs

Code: 64486J State Competitive Range: S29 (FY 2027) Work week NL: FLSA exemptOvertime table (4A:3, Appx. A)

Career Family: PROGRAM SPECIALIST

Salary: $95,955.4 - $141,386.2/year FY 2027 schedule (last updated 2026-07-27)

In New Jersey, Program Specialist 4 Regulatory Programs is filled through the competitive process: candidates take a civil service exam and are hired off a ranked list, not picked at will.

The stated bar is a master's degree, but candidates can swap in added experience for the diploma. The FY 2027 range lands between $95,955 and $141,386, and state payroll currently lists about 147 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. 13 agencies employ it. We don't track live vacancies.

See all 13 employers and how to apply →

Who employs this title

Program Specialist 4 Regulatory Programs appears on the State payroll at 15 departments, most of them at Department of Human Services.

State departments

Employer Employees
Department of Human Services 53
Department of Health 34
Department of Children and Families 14
Department of Community Affairs 10
Department of Environmental Protection 8
Department of Law & Public Safety 8
Department of Transportation 8
Department of Corrections 3

Showing the largest 8 of 15 departments. All agencies.

State payroll and independent authority payroll are separate systems and are never merged. See data sources.

Pay ladder: Program Specialist series

  1. Program Specialist 1 — $60,876 – $88,743
  2. Program Specialist 2 — $69,668 – $101,951
  3. Program Specialist 3 — $87,507 – $128,719
  4. Program Specialist 4 — $100,498 – $148,187

Its top salary lands around the 84th 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 147 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $129,353. The agencies employing the most are:

  • Human Services (53)
  • Health and Senior Services (34)
  • Children and Families (14)
  • Community Affairs (10)

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 supervisory official in a State department or agency, supervises professional and/or technical staff engaged in program activities; prepares and signs official performance evaluations for subordinate staff; performs the most difficult and sensitive professional, administrative and analytical work to promote the planning, operation, implementation, monitoring and/or evaluation of regulatory programs designed to ensure public safety, health and welfare, and/or to protect the environment. SPECIAL NOTE: An employee in this class conducts in-depth analysis, supervises the review of program proposals, supervises program evaluation and monitoring activities, and prepares recommendations aimed at developing, implementing, or modifying regulatory 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 very complex and sensitive 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. Must supervise and evaluate staff, and oversees program activities and operations.

Examples of work

Supervises staff engaged in program activities and oversees program activities and operations; performs very complex and sensitive administrative, analytical and professional work to promote the planning, operation, implementation, monitoring and/or evaluation of regulatory programs designed to ensure public safety, health and welfare, and/or to protect the environment Plans, develops and supervises the implementation of program goals, policies, procedures and objectives 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 Handles sensitive and complex program issues and acts as a subject matter expert Supervises the assessment of program needs Designs, reviews and prepares proposals for implementing new programs, and revising or modifying existing programs; supervises a program Indentifies program deficiencies and develops corrective action strategies in support of established goals Researches and identifies available funding sources, develops and reviews grant applications, and writes proposals; negotiates and monitors contracts or grants Supervises the work operations and/or functional programs, evaluates employee performance and conduct, and has responsibility for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting and/or disciplining of employees Supervises and/or conducts the more difficult onsite evaluations or audits to ensure compliance with prescribed codes, regulations and/or contract terms; prepares related reports containing findings, conclusions and recommendations Oversees administrative and other studies/surveys related to the assigned program Monitors local regulatory programs funded through registration and inspection fees to ensure that funds are being efficiently utilized Monitors expenditure of budgeted funds Reviews staff prepared program resources to ensure accuracy of content Participates in the development and/or implementation of department/agency initiatives Establishes business relationships with potential funding sources via phone call, visit, and/or letter of inquiry Supervises and develops and monitors program evaluation strategies Serves as a program liaison to a variety of parties including federal, State or local government officials Organizes and/or conducts education/training workshops Establishes and maintains cooperative working relationships with other State and local code enforcement officials Supervises the preparation of, and/or prepares informational materials Oversees the training of staff involved in program activities Prepares charts, tables, and/or other graphic representations needed for the planning, operation and implementation of program activities Reviews, analyzes and prepares written materials such as letters, reports, correspondence and other documents related to the program functions Analyze financial reports for compliance with funding requests for funding RFP proposals Supervises the maintenance of 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, coordinating, monitoring, evaluating and implementing regulatory programs Knowledge of the methods used to collect and analyze data Knowledge of supervisory techniques and practices 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 and assessment techniques Knowledge of the principles and practices of contract compliance monitoring Knowledge of the various types of regulatory programs administered by the department Ability to supervise assigned staff and plan, organize, and Implement projects within the unit Ability to conduct periodic evaluations of programs, and provide recommendations for improvement Ability to handle sensitive and complex program issues and act as a subject matter expert Ability to oversee program activities and supervise staff Ability to develop appropriate policy based on laws or legislative proposals Ability to research and identify public and private funding sources Ability to oversee administrative and/or other studies and surveys Ability to conduct needs assessments for the State, counties, and municipalities regarding the Department's regulatory programs Ability to prepare training plans and projects Ability to serve as a program liaison to a variety of parties including federal, State and local government officials 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, rules, regulations, policies and procedures. Ability to coordinate special planning studies Ability to represent the department or agency at conferences, meetings and other events Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, groups and others involved in the operation of the program Ability to participate in drafting regulations governing enforcement of procedures of a statewide code enforcement activity Ability to oversee the training of staff involved in program activities Ability to prepare informational materials Ability to supervise the review, analysis and preparation of written materials such as letters, reports, correspondence and other documents related to the program functions Ability to supervise the maintenance of 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. Eight (8) years of professional experience in planning, monitoring, coordinating, implementing, modifying and/or evaluating regulatory programs designed to ensure public safety, health and welfare, or to protect the environment, one (1) year of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity over professional or technical staff. OR Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and four (4) years of the above-mentioned professional experience, one (1) year of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity over professional or technical staff. OR Possession of a master's degree from an accredited college or university Public or Business Administration, one of the social sciences, or other discipline appropriate to the position; and three (3) years of the above-mentioned professional experience, one (1) year of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity over professional or technical staff. "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

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