CHIEF TECHNICIAN, ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS
Career Family: CHIEF
In New Jersey, Chief Technician, Environmental Systems is filled through the competitive process: candidates take a civil service exam and are hired off a ranked list, not picked at will.
Qualifying turns on 5 years of relevant experience. The FY2026 range lands between $70,431 and $103,187.
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.
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 an Engineer-in-Charge of Maintenance, has charge of the boilers, machinery, equipment, power and rooftop facilities for conditioning and flow of water, conditioning and flow of air, and related pursuits indicative of a complete internal climate control system for rooftop facilities of not less than 2,555 tons of air conditioning and 1,000 boiler horse power, or in a cogeneration plant where boiler operation is not applicable; does other related duties as required.
Examples of work
- Plans the work program and procedures, analyzes problems and develops appropriate work methods indicative to heating, ventilating, air conditioning, and climate control rooftop units.
- Assigns and instructs employees in work relating to the repair and operation of boilers, machinery, equipment, power and rooftop facilities for the conditioning and flow of water, conditioning and flow of air, and related pursuits indicative of a complete climate control system, and oversees the performance of their work.
- Formulates and executes plans for effective utilization of personnel and equipment, materials, and supplies.
- Formulates and monitors an effective filter program throughout the institution's rooftop units and forced air heating systems, and maintains necessary inventory to complete the program.
- Formulates and monitors an effective preventive maintenance program on boilers, machinery, equipment, and power and rooftop facilities.
- Obtains, safeguards, stores, distributes, and supervises the use of equipment, materials, supplies, and tools.
- Prepares reports.
- Maintains records and files.
- Supervises work operations and/or functional programs and has responsibility for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting, and/or disciplining of employees.
- 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.
Experience
Five (5) years of experience in the operation, maintenance, repair, and adjustment of heating, air conditioning, refrigeration, auxiliary equipment, related electric or solid state controls and wiring, the conditioning of air or water in roof-mounted units, boilers and chilling systems, or other type of heating or refrigeration systems, two (2) years of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity.
License
Appointee may be required to possess an Operating Engineer's License of an appropriate grade and type as required by the NJ Department of Labor.
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 essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
- Knowledge of problems, procedures, and methods involved in supervising and taking the lead in the operation, maintenance, adjustment, and repair of rooftop or other heating, ventilating, and air conditioning units, boilers, pumps, and power and related equipment.
- Knowledge of problems, procedures, methods, operating characteristics, controls, adjustments, safety devices, water flow, air flow, electrical diagnosis, and repairs common to heating systems, air conditioning systems, nontoxic refrigeration systems, and climate control systems.
- Knowledge of methods used in making periodic, comprehensive tests for fuel consumption, energy consumption, pressure, air flow requirements, water flow requirements, and temperature requirements using all types of testing or metering devices.
- Ability to organize assigned work, develop effective work methods, give work assignments and instructions to subordinates, and to supervise and critique the performance of their work.
- Ability to work effectively with associates and all other employees.
- 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 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 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: 22/R23 - RKR 9/30/97
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.