Closing Date: 14th November, 2025
Description:
An opportunity currently exists in the unclassified service with the Department of Law & Public Safety, Division on Civil Rights, for applicantswho meet the requirements specified below:
Title: Legal SpecialistSalary: $115,000.00
Location:
Division on Civil Rights
Affirmative Enforcement UnitTrenton, Cherry Hill, Newark, or Atlantic City, NJ
Statewide travel required for work responsibilities.
Number of Positions Available: One (1) – Location preference required.
Duties:
Under the supervision of the Associate Director of Affirmative
Enforcement and Deputy Associate Directors within the Affirmative Enforcement
Unit, the Legal Specialist will initiate, develop, and carry out
proactive investigations and enforcement actions to protect the civil
rights of all New Jersey residents. The Legal Specialist will be
responsible for selecting, planning, and conducting investigations to
assess possible violations of the Law Against Discrimination, Fair
Chance in Housing Act, New Jersey Family Leave Act, or other civil
rights statutes. Duties include, but are not limited to, conducting
legal and factual research, interviewing witnesses, analyzing data and
evidence, and making recommendations as to how and whether to bring
affirmative enforcement litigation; drafting administrative complaints,
and preparing and reviewing memoranda and legal briefs; preparing and
responding to discovery requests, conducting extensive document review,
identifying and working with expert witnesses, preparing witnesses, and
participating in depositions; preparing for and participating in
settlement negotiations, and preparing and negotiating the terms of
proposed consent decrees and settlements; monitoring and enforcing
compliance with judgments, settlement agreements and consent decrees;
reviewing and recommending litigation for intervention or amicus
participation; working with Deputy Attorneys General in the Division of
Law on director-initiated investigations; working with investigators to
develop and coordinate affirmative civil rights investigations;
coordinating as necessary in the execution of the above duties with
other local, state and federal agencies and partners; and performing
other related duties as required. This position may also require
non-traditional work hours, on an as needed basis, including evenings
and weekends on short deadlines for certain assignments, with or without
advance notice.
Requirements:
- Education: Graduation from an accredited law school with Juris Doctor (J.D.) or a Bachelor of Laws (L.L.B.) degree.
- OR
- Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree.
- Experience: Three (3) years of experience involving legal or legislative research; drafting of rules, regulations, or amendments; and/or the interpretation of statutes.
- Note: Appointees currently matriculating in an accredited law school as an LL. B or J.D. candidate may substitute such enrollment for the three (3) years of required experience on a year-for-year basis.
- License: Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey.
- Preference: Preference will be given to applicants who have experience in civil litigation and case investigations; experience in civil rights laws enforced by the Division and/or other federal and state civil rights' laws.
- Same Applicants: If you are applying under the NJ “SAME” program, your Schedule A or B letter must be submitted along with your resume and any other required supporting documents indicated on the announcement by the closing date indicated below. For more information on the SAME Program please visit https://nj.gov/csc/same/overview/index.shtml, email: CSC-SAME@csc.nj.gov or call CSC at (609) 292- 4144, option 3.
- Resume Note: Eligibility determinations for experience and education will be based upon the resume and unofficial transcripts submitted at the time of application. Applicants who possess foreign degrees (degrees earned outside of the U.S.) are required to provide a CSC approved evaluation indicating the U.S. equivalency, with a course-by-course breakdown, prior to the closing date (see CSC foreign degree information). Failure to do so may result in disqualification of your education towards eligibility.
Benefits:
Appointees may be eligible for a comprehensive benefits package that
includes health, dental, and life insurance; a prescription drug plan;
and vision care reimbursement. Participation in retirement and deferred
compensation plans, as well as flexible spending and health savings
accounts may also be available. Eligible employees receive annual paid
sick and vacation leave as well as paid State holidays. Positions may
offer telework or an Alternate Work Week (AWP) schedule. Benefit
eligibility may vary based on job duties, operational needs, and
funding. For more information, visit NJDPB.
All
offers of employment are conditional subject to the applicant agreeing
to and then passing a background check that may include fingerprinting.
How to Apply: If qualified, please upload a cover letter indicating interest in job vacancy announcement #25-258 with desired location preference,
a current resume, and a copy of your final unofficial transcripts
and/or foreign degree evaluation (for education credit) to the
Recruitment Coordinator using the following link on or before the
closing date of November 14, 2025. Applications will not be accepted via
email.
