Deputy Counsel 1

Office of Legislative Services

Notice of Vacancy

Title:                                      Deputy Counsel 1

Location:                               Office of Legislative Services

Central Management Unit

State House Annex

West State Street, Trenton, New Jersey

Annual Salary:                     $97,560.32 per year ($98,668.96 after six months of satisfactory performance)

The Office of Legislative Services (OLS) is an agency of the New Jersey Legislature established by law to provide professional, nonpartisan staff support services to the Legislature including its officers, members, committees, and commissions. OLS operates under the authority of the Legislative Services Commission, a 16-member bipartisan panel with equal representation from each House of the Legislature.

The goal of OLS is to facilitate the work of the New Jersey Legislature and to enable and promote public understanding of the legislative process. As nonpartisan employees of the Legislature, OLS staff are prohibited from engaging in political activity or taking a public position with regard to any matter before the Legislature.

Description: Provides professional services for legislators, legislative staff, and legislative committees and commissions after an initial period of instruction to obtain a working knowledge of legislative operations, OLS policies, manuals, and procedures. Works under the direct supervision of a section chief or higher-titled staff. Conducts research and provides analysis on issues and policy matters of legislative concern. Drafts, reviews, and analyzes legislation. Provides research, drafting, and administrative support to legislative committees and commissions. Communicates with legislators, legislative staff, and superiors, both in private and in a public setting, and with State and local officials and public and private representatives. Conducts legal research and writes legal opinions.

Requirements

Education*:

•   Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school.

• Admission to the New Jersey Bar.

* Foreign degrees and/or transcripts must be evaluated by a recognized evaluation service such as the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services and Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. at applicant’s expense. Please attach copy of transcript and evaluation with application. Candidates will not be considered for the position if they fail to provide all requested documents upon initial submittal.

Experience:

• This is an entry-level position. Three writing samples must be submitted with a resume for consideration.

*Writing samples should be the applicant’s own work (not have been co-written, edited, or proofed by others) and should demonstrate the ability to research and express complex matters clearly. Applicant’s name must be reflected on each page of all writing samples.

Residency Law: Pursuant to the “New Jersey First Act,” all persons newly hired by the Office of Legislative Services, unless exempted by the law, shall have one year from the date of employment to establish, and then maintain, principal residence in the State of New Jersey. New Jersey state employees hired prior to September 1, 2011 who transfer from another State of New Jersey appointing authority without a break in service greater than seven days but who reside outside the State of New Jersey are not required to change their principal residence to New Jersey in order to comply with the Act.

Pay Transparency: The salary range for this position is $97,560.32 ($98,668.96 after six months of satisfactory performance.) Full-time employees are eligible to participate in the State Health Benefits Program including options for medical, dental, and prescription coverage; Public Employees’ Retirement System pension program; Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program; leave program which includes vacation, sick, and administrative leave; 13 paid State holidays; voluntary investment programs separate from and in addition to the pension plan through the Deferred Compensation Plan and Supplemental Annuity Trust of New Jersey (SACT); Tax Savings Programs including the Premium Option Plan, Medical Flexible Spending Account, Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account, and Commuter TaxSave; NJBest 529 College Savings Plan; and Member Term Life Coverage including basic and optional plans. For additional information on State benefits please visit: https://www.nj.gov/treasury/pensions/.

Authorization to work: Selected candidates must be authorized to work in the United States according to the Department of Homeland Security, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services Regulations. The Office of Legislative Services does not provide sponsorship for citizenship to the United States.

Please respond by: April 2, 2026

To apply, cover letter, resume and three writing samples should be emailed to: OLSJOBS@njleg.org

Date Posted: March 19, 2026

The Office of Legislative Services is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and is committed to fostering a respectful and inclusive work environment which reflects the diversity of the state we serve.