N.J.S.A. 11A:3-3 Senior executive service
A senior executive service shall be established in State government and include those positions having substantial managerial, policy influencing or p… Implemented by a rule in N.J.A.C. Title 4A.
In plain language
The senior executive service holds State positions with substantial managerial or policy responsibility, capped at 1,200 people, and excludes anything in a collective negotiations unit. Like the unclassified service, it sits outside the rest of Title 11A unless a provision says otherwise. The part that matters most to someone already working in State government is the reinstatement right. An employee holding permanent career service status in a title assigned here gets the choice of joining, with the appointing authority's approval. Decline, or fail to get approval, and the right is to reinstatement in the career service directly below. Join and later leave, and the right is to the level held before, unless the separation was after a hearing and for a reason that would justify removal from the career service.
Written by the NJ Civil Service Navigator editorial team from the text of this section. The statute itself is below, unabridged.
Current through the close of the 221st Legislature (L. 2025, c. 346). What that means
Enacted by L. 1986, c. 112, effective September 25, 1986. Last amended by L. 2008, c. 29, effective June 30, 2008.
A New Jersey statute changes only when the Legislature amends it, so a section untouched since its last amendment is settled rather than out of date.
Reviewed as of July 28, 2026. Official text: njleg.state.nj.us.
A senior executive service shall be established in State government and include those positions having substantial managerial, policy influencing or policy executing responsibilities as determined by the Civil Service Commission. Titles included in a collective negotiations unit shall not be included in the senior executive service. The total number of senior executive service employees shall not exceed 1,200. The Civil Service Commission shall adopt rules providing for the selection, placement, transfer, development, compensation, separation and performance appraisal of senior executive service employees, and for the reinstatement of career service employees to the career service. The senior executive service shall not be subject to the provisions of this title unless otherwise specified. The senior executive service shall include noncareer and career service employees. The number of noncareer employees shall not exceed 15% of the entire senior executive service work force.
Where an employee holds permanent career service status in a position in a title that is assigned to the senior executive service, the employee, with appointing authority approval, shall be provided the option of joining the senior executive service. Permanent career service employees who opt not to join the senior executive service or who do not receive approval to join the senior executive service shall have the right to reinstatement to the career service to a level directly under the senior executive service. Permanent career service employees who join the senior executive service and who are later separated from the senior executive service shall have a right of reinstatement to the career service to a level held prior to entry in the senior executive service, unless the employee has been separated, after opportunity for hearing, from the senior executive service for reasons which constitute cause for removal from the career service.
The rules that implement this section
A statute sets the framework and the Civil Service Commission’s rules fill in the detail. Where a question turns on procedure, the rule usually governs; where it turns on who is covered or what the Commission may do, the statute does.
- N.J.A.C. 4A:3-2.1 General provisions: State service
Legislative history
Session laws, newest first
- L. 2008, c. 29, section 22Amended
effective June 30, 2008 - L. 1986, c. 112Enacted
effective September 25, 1986
How this section has been applied
1 reported decision cites this section. Citations only: the summaries in the source are the publisher's own writing, and where we describe a case we write it from the decision itself.
Appellate Division 1
- In re Baykal309 N.J. Super. 424, 707 A.2d 467, 1998 N.J. Super. LEXIS 98
Effective-date provisions
Quoted from the session laws themselves.
- Section 120 of L. 2008, c. 29 provides: “This act shall take effect immediately and any actions necessary to implement this act may be taken any time thereafter. General implementation shall be completed no later than 12 months following enactment.” Chapter 29, L. 2008, was approved on June 30, 2008.
Sections that refer to this one
- N.J.S.A. 11A:4-13 Types of appointment