INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS TECHNICIAN
Instructional Materials Technician 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.
Candidates need an associate's degree and 1 year of relevant experience. Pay on the FY 2027 schedule runs $53,282 to $77,371.
How to apply
This title is filled by competitive examination.
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See where to apply for this title →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 direction of an onsite supervising professional staff member in the Department of Education, performs the more responsible detailed duties of client services related to research, reference, circulation, technical assistance, instructional materials (acquisition and processing), membership learning stations, up to and including the making of technical recommendations and decisions for a material resource center project; does related work as required.
Examples of work
- Provides service within defined areas up to and including drawing conclusions and/or inferences from available data, or develops data from which such actions can be taken.
- Makes recommendations for action based upon extensive knowledge of the resource center rules, regulations, policies, and procedures of the contract or the assigned unit.
- Coordinates, solicits, and analyzes needs assessment data from clients (parents, professionals, and paraprofessionals) and makes recommendations on project services.
- Provides support and follow-through to the computerization processing of instructional materials (100,000 plus items) by special collection.
- Operates computer for project activities and direct client services.
- Assists, or supervises subordinate staff in assisting clients in the appraisal and location of materials and programs, as well as learning stations.
- Conducts file and/or library research and reference projects; prepares finished reports, or provides required data upon which the professional staff and clients may base reports, articles, and speeches.
- Initiates calls or prepares letters of inquiry and clarification when inaccurate or incomplete data are identified, or in response to technical requests.
- As required, makes investigations to determine adherence by clients, schools, business (vendors or business that pertains to a library) or other institutions to the rules, regulations, policies, and procedures of the Learning Resource Center.
- Personally provides or supervises the provision of responses to inquiries for information by means of letters, memoranda, or reference documents, such as bibliographies and reading lists.
- May supervise clerical personnel on special or ongoing projects.
- Reads and summarizes material of a technical nature for use by professional supervisory personnel.
- Coordinates the proper systems flow for various project funding applications; develops procedures to ensure smooth processing of those materials, and to meet established deadlines.
- As assigned, maintains in current condition program budget status of material orders and account reports; takes the required steps to report and resolve matters involving improper charges against budget elements.
- Coordinates the gathering and arrangement of financial, statistical, and other data for generation of required state and federal reports.
- Checks and verifies data for accuracy and completeness.
- Prepares final drafts of internal reports including recommendations where required.
- Develops job described records, charts or other visual devices used to depict status of projects or programs.
- Supervises the maintenance of essential records and files.
- Organizes instructional materials processing including acquisition, cataloging, and circulation.
- Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and computerized information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
Education
Completion of sixty (60) semester hour credits of college level courses from an accredited college.
Experience
One (1) year of experience in a library or resource center or client service related field.
License
Appointees 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 rules, regulations, policies, and procedures of the Department of Education as established for the preparation of correspondence, reports, memoranda and other documents after a period of training.
- Knowledge of the special needs of the Learning Resource Center client after a period of training.
- Ability to review and analyze materials of a technical nature for use by professional personnel.
- Ability to coordinate the proper systems flow for various projects.
- Ability to analyze problems and develop appropriate work methods.
- Ability to work independently and in groups on projects.
- Ability to communicate and interact with a wide variety of people, e.g., professionals in the department and other agencies, local school systems, citizens, and pupils.
- Ability to prepare reports.
- Ability to maintain essential records.
- Ability to maintain a flexible work schedule including evenings and Saturday work.
- 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.
- CODES: 17/A16- JMR 7/20/95
Note
Applicants who do not possess the required college training may substitute additional experience as indicated above on a year-for-year basis. Thirty (30) credits of college level courses equals one (1) year of experience.