Program Specialist Trainee
POSTING NUMBER: HR26-0014
ISSUE DATE: 2/3/2026
CLOSING DATE: 2/25/2026
TITLE: Program Specialist Trainee
DIVISION / OFFICE / UNIT: Housing and Community Resources / Housing Assistance Special Needs
LOCATION: 101 South Broad Street Trenton, NJ 08625
SALARY RANGE: P95 $51,479.83
NUMBER OF POSITIONS: 1
OPEN TO: General Public and/or State Employees
DESCRIPTION OF MAJOR DUTIES:
As a trainee, receives on the job training while supporting professional, administrative, and analytical work. Assists in the implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of social service programs that help families remain safely housed, access essential resources, and work toward long term self sufficiency. Supports all activities related to program administration, including grants management and compliance monitoring. Conducts regular site visits to review program operations, ensure adherence to policies and procedures, and verify that grant objectives are being met.
ADVANCEMENT: Appointees who successfully complete the 12 month training period will be eligible for advancement to one of the following titles: Program Specialist 1, Program Specialist 1 (Socio-Economic Programs), Program Specialist 1 (Social/Human Services), or Program Specialist 1 (Regulatory Programs). The inability of an employee in this title to attain a level of performance warranting advancement to one of the titles listed above shall be considered as cause for separation.
REQUIREMENTS
(APPLICANTS MUST MEET ALL REQUIREMENTS LISTED BELOW)
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE: REQUIREMENTS:
NOTE: Applicants must meet one of the following or a combination of both experience and education. Thirty (30) semester hour credits are equal to one (1) year of relevant experience.
Four (4) years of professional experience relevant to the position.
OR
Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
NOTE: "Professional experience" refers to work that is analytical, evaluative, and interpretive; requires a range of basic knowledge of the profession's concepts and practices; and is performed with the authority to act and make accurate and informed decisions.
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.
ADDITIONAL NOTES: The SAME program allows candidates who identify as having a significant disability, to apply for non-competitive and unclassified positions through a fast track hiring process. For more information about the SAME program, please go to: https://www.nj.gov/csc/same/overview/index.shtml. If you have any questions, please email, resume1@dca.nj.gov or call 609-292-6030. If you are applying under the NJ ”SAME” Program, your supporting documents (Schedule A or B letter) must be submitted along with your resume to resume1@dca.nj.gov by the closing date indicated above.
DO NOT SUBMIT VIA THE DCA PORTAL.
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS: The Department of Community Affairs provides many employee benefits, including but not limited to:
Alternative Workweek Program*
Telework*
Deferred Compensation
Public Service Loan Forgiveness
Health, Dental, and Life Insurance
Benefit Leave (Vacation, Sick, Administrative Leave)
Flexible and Health Spending Accounts
13 Paid Holidays
Pension
*Pursuant to Department policy, procedures, and/or guidelines
Please submit a resume and any required documents (licenses, certification and/or transcripts) along with a letter of interest, including a phone number, by the closing date to:
Resumes may be mailed to:
New Jersey Department of Community Affairs
Office of Human Resources
HR26-0014
101 South Broad Street
PO Box 800
Trenton, New Jersey 08625
OR
Online application available at: https://njdcaportal.dynamics365portals.us/dca-services/public-job-postings
Interviews will be granted based on resume.
NOTE: Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 52:14-7 (L. 2011, Chapter 70), also known as the “New Jersey First Act,” all new public employees are required to obtain principal residence in the State of New Jersey within one (1) year of employment. UNLESS OTHERWISE EXEMPTED FROM THE LAW.