PLANNING ASSOCIATE 2 COMPUTER APPLICATIONS AND SYSTEMS DESIGN
Computer Applications & Systems Design
Career Family: PLANNING ASSOCIATE
Because Planning Associate 2 Computer Applications and Systems Design is non-competitive, hiring leans on your background rather than a test score: meet the requirements and apply to the agency directly.
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 $91,628 to $134,900, and state payroll currently lists about 51 people in the title, most of them at Education.
How to apply
This title is not filled by examination — agencies appoint directly.
See every real route in, and where to apply. 3 agencies employ it. We don't track live vacancies.
See all 3 employers and how to apply →Who employs this title
Planning Associate 2 Computer Applications and Systems Design appears on the State payroll at 3 departments, most of them at Department of Education.
State departments
| Employer | Employees |
|---|---|
| Department of Education | 46 |
| Department of Environmental Protection | 3 |
| Office of Administrative Law | 2 |
State payroll and independent authority payroll are separate systems and are never merged. See data sources.
Pay ladder: Planning Associate series
- Planning Associate 1 — $83,582 – $122,832
- Planning Associate 2 — $91,628 – $134,900
- Planning Associate 3 — $100,498 – $148,187
Its top salary lands around the 80th 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 51 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $121,977. The agencies employing the most are:
- Education (46)
- Environmental Protection (3)
- Office of Administrative Law (2)
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 direction of a Planning Associate 3, manager, or other supervisory official in the Department of Education, develops and maintains department databases and computerized systems; participates in planning the design, programming, and implementation of information systems; develops education programming by conducting analyses and evaluation of education programs, surveys, needs assessment, and related research; establishes, maintains, and evaluates program and fiscal data related to state and federal formula aid and discretionary grant applications and allocations; performs mandated regulatory functions; is knowledgeable in and works with independence in areas of assignment; does other related duties.
Examples of work
- Designs and implements evaluation instruments to analyze effectiveness of training, curricula, and related education services in local school districts and intermediate and regional units.
- May assist in the establishment of developmental priorities for curriculum and training services.
- Establishes and maintains effective work communications with county offices and regional units to ensure goals of education programs are being met.
- Analyzes relevant state and federal laws and regulations and develops policy recommendations for their enforcement.
- Initiates the development of specialized programs for target populations.
- Develops technical documents for all New Jersey educational systems to evaluate educational services.
- After review, makes recommendations on changes in maintenance of local district educational goals, as approved by the Department of Education.
- Analyzes complex demographic data, develops plans, and recommends policy and formula for funds distribution.
- Participates in planning information systems to meet organizational needs.
- Writes computer programs in SAS and COBOL/FMS.
- Develops information processing system documentation consistent with design parameters.
- Executes production functions by monitoring source data validity and quality control.
- Maintains department wide databases. Establishes and maintains liaison with education and public interest groups to inform them of department activities and identify their needs.
- Trains other professional or nonprofessional personnel.
- Researches and analyzes demographic, labor market, and technological data and makes recommendations on education programs and plans to meet changing needs.
- Develops and recommends funding criteria and competitive application procedures and forms for awarding grants and contracts to eligible agencies.
- Provides technical assistance to local programs and coordinates the development of training programs for funded agencies.
- Coordinates the ongoing statewide implementation and evaluation of instructional programs as required by federal law and regulations to ensure compliance.
- Coordinates program maintenance and fiscal reporting comparing results with departmental standards and recommending changes to meet standards.
- 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.
Education
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's degree in Educational Administration, Public Administration, Computer Science, or a related field.
Experience
Four (4) years of experience in system design and computer programming on a mainframe or a PC LAN environment.
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 organizationand structure of New Jersey education system.
- Knowledge of public education policy at the local, state, and federal levels.
- Knowledge of state and federal statutes and administrative codes, as applied to education.
- Knowledge of automated management information processing systems.
- Knowledge of procedures involved in the analysis, planning, and design of information systems.
- Knowledge of online system design.
- Knowledge of SAS.
- Knowledge of COBOL.
- Knowledge of principles and practices for improving adult specialized 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.
- Ability to document system specifications.
- Ability to identify problems in involving system design.
- Ability to document programming (design) specifications.
- Ability to write computer programs in specified language.
- 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 problem areas or 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 responsive plan for meeting special needs.
- Ability to prepare extensive official correspondence.
- Ability to coordinate program maintenance, and fiscal reporting, and other essential files.
- Ability to develop technical assistance materials.
- Ability to plan and conduct regional and statewide inservice training programs.
- Ability to develop program plans from needs assessment information.
- Ability to analyze state and federal labor projections and identify appropriate education programs to meet these needs.
- Ability to analyze trends and project future educational needs based on these trends.
- Ability to write computer programs in specified languages.
- 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 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.
Applicants who do not possess the required education may substitute additional experience as indicated on a year-for-year basis with thirty (30) semester hour credit being equal to one (1) year of college. Applicants wishing to substitute additional experience for the required Master's degree, must possess a total of six (6) years of combined education and experience, in addition to the required experience cited above.