Official Site of The State of New JerseyOur Mission: Opportunity. Stability. Dignity.
The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development is dedicated to protecting our workforce, strengthening our businesses, and promoting the dignity of work.
Rob Asaro-Angelo, Commissioner
Robert Asaro-Angelo (Uh-SAR-oh ANN-juh-lo) was nominated by Governor Phil Murphy to serve as the Commissioner of the NJ Department of Labor and Workforce Development in January 2018.
As Commissioner, Asaro-Angelo is proud to oversee the state’s diverse services to New Jersey workers. Due in part to the innovation he has spearheaded in New Jersey, in February, 2021, Asaro-Angelo was chosen by his counterparts across the nation as the Board Chair of the National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA) for the 2021 association year.
In recent years, Congress has called upon the Commissioner multiple times to testify about labor-related topics, including the state’s innovative efforts to develop apprenticeship programs, increase access to paid family and medical leave, and combat unemployment insurance fraud.
From 2010 – 2017, Asaro-Angelo served as Eastern Regional Representative for the U.S. Department of Labor under the Obama Administration, managing the department’s regional activities and coordinating federal initiatives on the regional, state, and local levels.
Prior to his government service, Commissioner Asaro-Angelo worked for the Laborers International Union, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees and the Service Employees International Union Local 1115 organizing and educating public employees, construction workers and nursing home employees about government and politics.
Asaro-Angelo earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications from Boston University and a master’s in Public Policy from the Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers University.
A proud, life-long New Jerseyan, he lives in Middlesex County with his family.
Julie Diaz, Deputy Commissioner
Julie Diaz is the Deputy Commissioner overseeing the areas of Workforce Development, Information Management, Wage & Hour Compliance, Public Safety & Occupational Safety and Health, and Vocational Rehabilitation Services. In this capacity, she plays an instrumental role in ensuring that these programs create a level playing field, for both workers and employers, and contribute to a stronger and fairer economy in our state.
From January 2018 to September 2022, Diaz was NJDOL’s Chief of Staff where she helped develop and implement the agency’s strategic plan, as well as managed all aspects of internal operations. Her commitment to public service is exemplary and longstanding. Her political experience began with a grassroots campaign for then-Senator Barack Obama. Diaz’s dedication to public service includes the position of Outreach Coordinator in the Office of Governor Jon Corzine, and Chief of Staff to a New Jersey state legislator. She proudly served as New Jersey Political Director for Local 32BJ SEIU (Service Employees International Union) – the largest property services union in the country. In addition, she served on various coalitions and boards that promote protections for immigrants, women’s equality, and worker protections.
A native New Jerseyan hailing from Middlesex County, Diaz holds an associate’s degree in Business Administration from Middlesex County College.
Michael B. Marich, Deputy Commissioner
A proud graduate of Rutgers University, Michael Marich has been with NJDOL since 1996 when he started as an hourly Intermittent Labor Service Worker. Marich went on to work within or supervise every unit within the Division of Income Security, most recently serving as the Division's Deputy Assistant Commissioner.
Marich spearheaded the Unemployment Insurance division’s anti-fraud measures, and he has collaborated with colleagues nationwide via the National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA), National Association of Unemployment Insurance Appeals Professionals (NAUIAP) and the United States Department of Labor Office of Inspector General (USDOL-OIG).
As a lifelong New Jersey resident, Marich and his wife are extremely proud to live and raise their three children in the Garden State.
Kim Walker, Chief of Staff
As Chief of Staff, Kim Walker works closely with the Commissioner and her executive colleagues to develop and administer NJDOL’s wide array of programs and services designed to strengthen New Jersey workers and businesses, in addition to overseeing all aspects of the department’s internal operations.
Walker formerly served as Deputy Assistant Commissioner and Deputy Chief of Staff at the NJ Department of Education, and in the Office of Governor Philip D. Murphy in Cabinet Affairs.
Prior to joining the Murphy Administration, she worked as a communications and operations strategist in corporate nonprofit settings across a variety of industries including healthcare, education, financial services and specialty manufacturing.
Her experience in government began at the federal level, where she worked on Capitol Hill for the late civil rights icon, Rep. John Lewis (D-GA), as executive assistant and legislative aide.
Walker is a graduate of Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts, where she earned a B.A. in Politics and Geography.
Administrative Services and Procurement
Gary Karr, Assistant Commissioner
Administrative Services oversees facility management and maintenance, internal procurement and emergency management processes.
Employment Accessibility Services
Charyl Yarbrough, Assistant Commissioner
The goal of Employment Accessibility Services is to exhibit excellence in providing services to those who seek New Jersey vocational rehabilitation and employment related services, Social Security disability determination services, short term wage replacements due to temporary disability, or family leave.
Finance and Accounting
Priyank Patel, Chief Financial Officer
Finance and Accounting is responsible for the Department’s internal financial systems and support.
Human Capital Strategies
Ebonik Gibson, Assistant Commissioner
Human Capital Strategies oversees departmental human resources services, equal opportunity, and the Office of Diversity and Compliance.
Income Security
Ronald Marino, Assistant Commissioner
Income Security oversees public-facing services including Fraud Prevention and Risk Management, Unemployment Insurance, Employer Accounts, and Appeal Tribunal.
Office of Information Management, Services and Solutions
Sharon Pagano, Assistant Commissioner/Chief Information Officer
Information Management, Services and Solutions oversees the technology and systems infrastructure that services the Department.
Office of Research and Information
Lesley Hirsch, Assistant Commissioner
Research and Information manages the department’s labor market and demographic research, and oversees the Office of Performance Accountability, and workforce research and analytics.
Public Safety and Occupational Safety and Health
Justin Baker, Assistant Commissioner
The Division of Public Safety and Occupational Safety and Health enforces laws and regulations that provide for safe and healthful working conditions throughout New Jersey's public and private sector.
Wage and Hour Compliance
Joseph Petrecca, Assistant Commissioner
The Division of Wage and Hour Compliance enforces labor laws that address conditions of employment and the method and manner of payment of wages.
Workers’ Compensation
Maria Del Valle-Koch, Director and Chief Judge
Workers' compensation provides medical treatment, wage replacement and permanent disability compensation to employees who suffer job-related injuries or illnesses, and death benefits to dependents of workers who have died as a result of their employment.
Workforce Development
Yolanda Allen, Assistant Commissioner
The Division of Workforce Development is responsible for New Jersey’s workforce services, including vocational rehabilitation services, veteran’s services, and more.
Our three wage-replacement programs - Unemployment, Temporary Disability, and Family Leave Insurance - provide cash benefits to workers who lose their jobs through no fault of their own, or are unable to work because they are sick or injured, caring for a family member, or bonding with a new child.
Our Division of Disability Determination Services helps individuals who are disabled and can’t work apply for cash benefits through the federal Social Security Disability Program.
All New Jersey workers – including members of immigrant and refugee communities – have protections under the law. If you believe you are entitled to overtime, lost wages, paid leave from work, or other benefits, we can help.
Browse or Wage and Hour Compliance, Public Safety and Occupational Safety and Health, and Workers' Compensation sites to learn more.
The Division of Workforce Development is responsible for New Jersey’s workforce services, including vocational rehabilitation services, veteran’s services, and more. The division oversees the One-Stop Career Centers throughout the state, which offer a variety of programs and services to help employers meet their need to secure talented workers.
Learn more about Workforce Development services here.
The Office of Research & Information (ORI) is New Jersey’s premier source for economic, labor market, and demographic data and analysis.
Browse our Labor Market Information site to learn more.
Our Division of Employer Accounts staff help employers throughout the state maintain compliance with Unemployment and Disability Insurance laws, while our Business Services Representatives provide concierge-like services, connecting employers with our statewide network of resources and referrals.
Browse our Employer Accounts and Business Support sites to learn more.
Office of the Commissioner
Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo is proud to oversee the state’s diverse services for New Jersey workers. The Commissioner’s Office is responsible for key operations, fiscal oversight, and ensuring the NJDOL fulfills its commitments to its constituents, employees, and the public.
Office of Communications and Marketing
Comms oversees all internal and external marketing and communications activities for NJDOL. Specifically, the Office is responsible for all NJDOL publications, forms, media/public relations materials, marketing activities, intranet content, web/online information, and video.
Office of Finance and Accounting
Finance and Accounting is responsible for the Department’s internal financial systems and support. The office is responsible for preparation of monthly financial statements, calculation of month end accruals, execution of journal entries, and payment of expenditures.
Office of Information Management, Services and Solutions
Office of Information Management, Services and Solutions (OIMSS) is a team of roughly 100 employees engaged in all aspects of IT Solution implementation and support. OIMSS’s work encompasses various branches of IT, including application development, desktop support, network health, data protection, business process analysis, project management and governance, contract review and solution engineering. OIMSS’s goal is to provide seamless delivery of technology services and facilitate the digital transformation of the Department of Labor while keeping abreast of the latest trends in the field.
Human Capital Strategies
Human Capital Strategies (HCS) oversees Human Resources, Labor Relations, Diversity and Compliance, Employee Development and Training, and Contract Compliance. HCS ensures the delivery of an efficient and effective operation through enforcement of Department, State, and Federal rules, regulations, policies, procedures and negotiated union agreements.
Administrative Services and Procurement
Administrative Services oversees facility management and maintenance, internal procurement, and emergency management processes.
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Employee benefits
The Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) isn't just a great place to work -- it offers a long list of generous benefits, some of which aren't offered at other state departments.
