SUPERVISING PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST CORRECTIONS
Corrections
To land Supervising Program Development Specialist Corrections in New Jersey you go through the competitive route: you sit an announced exam and the score puts you on the eligible list agencies hire from.
A master's degree is the listed credential, and extra years on the job can be traded for it. The FY2027 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
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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 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 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 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 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 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
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 Corrections'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 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 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
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
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
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.
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 (33)
- 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.
Definition
Under the direction of a supervisory officer, Department of Corrections, supervises the development of social/rehabilitative programs for offenders, including programs in the areas of inmate work and skill development and develops guidelines and procedures to implement and maintain these programs to meet specific needs of the Department; supervises implementation, revision and distribution of these guidelines and procedures; does related work as required.
Examples of work
Develops policy guidelines, administrative procedures, and regulations concerning social/rehabilitative programs, including programs in the areas of inmate work and skill development, in the correction field. Ensures that program goals are communicated to the institution Superintendents, Program Development Specialists, program coordinators, and classification committees to assist them in making appropriate decisions regarding the implementation of correctional programs. Supervises the assessment of program needs. Acts as planning coordinator and liaison between the Department Central Office and program staff at institutions and district offices. Designs and prepares proposals for implementing new programs and revising or modifying existing programs; may implement and supervise programs. Works in cooperation with institutional program coordinators to isolate and correct problem areas and increase programs operational effectiveness. Supervises monitoring of specified program operations at institutions and satellite units ensuring they are operating according to goals and procedures. Analyzes statistical reports and prepares monthly reports. Prepares correspondence. Supervises the orientation of institutional staff, assesses their effectiveness and recommends staff reassignment. 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
Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in NJ only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
Knowledge of the types of social and rehabilitative programs likely to be needed by the client population served. Knowledge of the methods used to collect and analyze data. Knowledge of program development and assessment methods. Knowledge of supervisory techniques. Ability to conduct and supervise the conduct of research. Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those interested or involved in the work of the unit. Ability to design and implement programs and assess program performance. Ability to interpret Federal and State laws, rules and regulations and apply them to specific situations. Ability to prepare reports and correspondence. Ability to coordinate planning activities. Ability to evaluate program operations. Ability to provide guidance and technical assistance on program activities. Ability to provide assignments and instructions to staff and supervise their work performance. Ability to establish and supervise 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 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.
Note
The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular 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. Eight (8) years of professional experience in the development, implementation or evaluation of programs or services designed for the rehabilitation and social adjustment of social offenders or socially atypical persons, including programs in the areas of inmate work and skill developmet; two (2) years of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity. OR Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; and four (4) years of the above-mentioned professional experience, two (2) years of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity. OR Possession of a master's degree in social work, psychology, guidance and counseling, sociology, criminal justice, political science, public administration or business administration; and three (3) years of the above-mentioned professional experience, two (2) 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 judgement and make accurate and informed decisions.