N.J. Stat. Ann. § 11A:6-13

Appointment by governor; leave of absence without pay. Any employee in the career or senior executive service who is appointed to any position pursuant to P.L. 1947, c. 14 (C. 52:14-16.2) shall be entitled to a leave of absence without pay from the permanent career or senior executive service title for the length of the appointment. Upon the expiration of the leave, the employee shall have the right to return to the former title and receive all of the rights, privileges and benefits of that title as if the employee had remained in that title.