NJ Civil Service Navigator

PLANNING ASSOCIATE 1, STATISTICS/DATA ANALYSIS

Statistics/Data Analysis

Code: 72623J State Non-Competitive Range: P26 (FY2026)

Career Family: PLANNING ASSOCIATE

Salary: $80,755.57 - $118,678.05/year FY2026 schedule (last updated 2026-05-08)

There is no civil service exam for Planning Associate 1, Statistics/Data Analysis. As a non-competitive state title, it is filled on the strength of meeting the listed qualifications.

The minimum is a master's degree and 3 years of relevant experience. The FY2026 range lands between $80,756 and $118,678, and state payroll currently lists about 42 people in the title, most of them at Education.

How to apply

  • No exam
    This title is not filled by examination

    Non-competitive, unclassified, and Senior Executive Service titles are appointed directly by the hiring agency rather than through a civil service exam. Apply directly to the agency below.

  • Agency posting

    Department of 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.

  • Agency posting

    Department of Banking & Insurance'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.

  • 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.

Pay ladder: Planning Associate series

  1. Planning Associate 1 — $80,756 – $118,678
  2. Planning Associate 2 — $88,530 – $130,339
  3. Planning Associate 3 — $97,100 – $143,176

Its top salary lands around the 61st percentile of all NJ civil service titles that publish a range.

Rungs are ordered by FY2026 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 42 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $107,301. The agencies employing the most are:

  • Education (39)
  • Banking and Insurance (2)
  • Children and Families (1)

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 direction of a Planning Associate 3, manager, or other supervisory official in the Department of Education, assists in the performance of education research by collecting, analyzing, and interpreting statistical data in order to meet changing education needs; develops educational programming by conducting analyses and evaluations of education programs, surveys, needs assessment, and related research; assists in the establishment, maintenance, and evaluation of program and fiscal data related to state and federal aid, grant applications, and allocation; performs mandated regulatory functions; is knowledgeable in and works with some independence in areas of assignments; does related work as required.

Examples of work

  • Assists in designing and implementing evaluation instruments to analyze effectiveness of training, curricula, and related education services in local school districts and intermediate and regional units.
  • Establishes and maintains effective work communication with county offices and regional units to ensure goals of education programs are being met.
  • Analyzes relevant state and federal laws, and regulations and assists in developing policy and program recommendations for their enforcement.
  • Assists in the development of specialized programs for targeted populations.
  • Assists in developing technical documents for all New Jersey education systems to evaluate of educational services.
  • Establishes and maintains liaison with education and public interest groups to inform them of department activities and identify their needs.
  • Analyzes demographic data and helps develop, plan, and recommend policy and formula for funds distribution.
  • Analyzes and interprets needs assessments by reviewing labor market trends, industrial and technological data in order to design and develop evaluative materials and plans to meet changing educational needs.
  • Conducts statistical analysis of data, prepares statistical reports and develops technical documents for the evaluation of education services and programs.
  • Develops standard operation procedures for department data collections and prepares the annual data collection plan for state and federal information requirements.
  • Assists in reviewing the progress of local district education goals, as approved by the Department of Education.
  • Assists in researching and analyzing, demographic, labor market, and technological data used in establishing education programs and plans to meet changing needs.
  • Provides technical assistance to local programs and assists in coordinating the development of training programs for funded agencies.
  • Assists in developing and recommending funding criteria, competitive application procedures, and forms for awarding contracts to eligible agencies.
  • Helps to coordinate the maintenance of programmatic and fiscal reporting systems.
  • 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

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's degree in Public Administration, Educational Statistics and Measurement, Statistics, or a related field.

Experience

Three (3) years of experience in program evaluation, statistical analysis, or psychometrics.

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 organization and structure of the New Jersey education system.
  • Knowledge of public education policy at the local, state, and federal levels.
  • Knowledge of state statutes and administrative codes as applied to education.
  • Knowledge of principles and practices for providing education programming at the local level.
  • Knowledge of state and federal program aid requirements.
  • Knowledge of legislation and guidelines related to funded programs.
  • Knowledge of the operational processes and practices of state agencies, including the fiscal system.
  • Knowledge of procedures for collecting, analyzing, evaluating, and interpreting statistical data.
  • Ability to determine the statistical validity of research findings.
  • Ability to adapt the theories, methods, and techniques of modern statistics to educational research.
  • Ability to establish and maintain working and information networks with education and public interest groups.
  • Ability to exercise leadership in program planning and development with department staff, county offices, regional units, and local school district staff.
  • Ability to coordinate plans and resources and identify areas of potential problems or additional needs.
  • Ability to analyze data and prepare accurate reports of findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
  • Ability to prepare accurate documentation of budgetary needs.
  • Ability to interpret state and federal rules and regulations, and develop a responsible plan for meeting special needs.
  • Ability to prepare extensive official correspondence.
  • Ability to coordinate the maintenance of a program and fiscal reporting system and other essential files.
  • Ability to develop technical assistance materials.
  • Ability to plan and conduct regional and statewide inservice training programs.
  • Ability to develop needs assessment information into program plans.
  • Ability to analyze state and federal labor projections and identify education programs to meet these needs.
  • Ability to analyze trends and project future education needs based on these trends.
  • Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency.
  • 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 know 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 position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.