TECHNICAL ASSISTANT HIGHER EDUCATION
In New Jersey, Technical Assistant Higher Education 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 3 years of relevant experience. The FY2027 range lands between $50,990 and $73,902.
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 a Program Officer or other supervisory official at a State University, performs the more responsible detailed clerical duties related to statistical, fiscal, analytical, and/or interpretive activities within broad limits including the making of recommendations; supervises staff and has responsibility for a technical program area; does other related duties as required.
Examples of work
- Assists a supervisory official within defined areas in reviewing and evaluating complex information or data.
- Makes recommendations for action based on knowledge of rules, regulations, policies, and procedures governing the work of the department and/or the assigned unit.
- Develops and establishes procedures to ensure efficient processing of materials and to ensure that established deadlines are met.
- Oversees the work assigned to the unit by supervisory personnel, and trains new staff in the rules and regulations of the unit.
- As assigned, supervises subordinate employees, and assigns, reviews, and approves routine and special work assignments.
- Verifies information submitted by subordinate staff on particular projects to ensure compliance with regulations.
- Prepares confidential correspondence in response to written material which may not be reviewed by a supervisory official.
- Initiates calls to seek clarification when inaccurate or incomplete data are identified.
- Coordinates the gathering and arrangement of financial, statistical, and other data for entry into specific records, files, and/or accounts.
- Reads, evaluates, and summarizes material of a technical nature for use by the professional supervisory personnel.
- Independently prepares written reports to the supervisor outlining progress on assigned projects which include statistical data requiring interpretation.
- Maintains essential records and files.
- 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
Completion of thirty (30) semester hour credits at an accredited college or university.
Experience
Three (3) years of experience in the review, analysis, and evaluation of written materials or numerical data which is processed according to specific statutes, rules, regulations, and/or policies in a public or private organization.
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 essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
- Knowledge of office methods, practices, and procedures.
- Knowledge of the methods used to gather and compile information.
- Ability to comprehend, analyze, interpret, and apply rules and regulations.
- Ability to review, analyze, and evaluate factual materials.
- Ability to prepare detailed, technical, and confidential correspondence.
- Ability to compile material for and assist in the preparation of reports.
- Ability to give assignments and instructions to clerical employees and review the accuracy of their work.
- Ability to read, evaluate, and summarize highly technical information or data for use by staff professionals.
- Ability to maintain 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 essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. 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.
An additional thirty (30) semester hour credits at an accredited college or university may be substituted for one (1) year of experience.
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 credits being equal to one (1) year of experience.