Seasonal Agricultural Worker - Rutgers Cooperative Vegetable IPM Program

Position Title

Seasonal Agricultural Worker - Rutgers Cooperative Vegetable IPM Program

The New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station (NJAES) is an integral component of Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. The experiment station provides a diverse range of research, extension, and education programs that serve the people of New Jersey and the urban, suburban, and rural communities in which they live. Through its Cooperative Extension offices in all 21 New Jersey counties, dedicated 4‑H agents, Extension specialists, Family & Community Health Sciences educators, and Agriculture and Natural Resources agents work to serve New Jersey residents in every area of the state.

The Rutgers Cooperative Extension Vegetable Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program is an educational/service program for commercial agriculture in New Jersey. Driven by environmental monitoring and field scouting, and relying on up‑to‑date research, the program strives to help growers produce high quality vegetables while minimizing pesticide inputs. The program also develops real‑time GIS‑based predictive models of pest activity and seeks to maintain populations of beneficial insects, incorporate biological control tactics where practical, utilize reduced risk pesticides and employ resistance management strategies.

The program works cooperatively with researchers in demonstrating new technologies and measuring the impact of reduced risk pest management practices.

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey is seeking Seasonal Agricultural Workers for the Rutgers Cooperative Extension Vegetable IPM Program.

• Performs regular data collection (2 times per week per site), identifying pest and disease presence, identifying beneficial arthropods, completing IPM reports for participating growers, providing weekly summaries of insect catch data for supervisors, and collecting plant tissue samples when needed.
• Shares duties on field research projects with entomology and plant pathology specialists.
• Assists in pre‑planning seasonal field activities, therefore, starting on an earlier date.

FLSA:
Nonexempt

Salary: $15.92 – $21.00 per hour

• Medical, prescription drug, and dental coverage
• Paid vacation, holidays, and various leave programs
• Competitive retirement benefits, including defined contribution plans and voluntary tax‑deferred savings options
• Employee and dependent educational benefits (when applicable)
• Life insurance coverage
• Employee discount programs

• During growing season technicians spend almost 100% of their time outside in field conditions.
• Travel required to and around assigned farms.

• High school/vocational school education or equivalent experience.

• A valid driver’s license is required for this position.

• Coursework in environmental studies, agriculture, biology, chemistry, entomology, plant pathology, and/or GIS databases.
• Additional experience and/or community college training with agricultural production.
• Competence in MS Excel and web‑based Google software is helpful.

All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of all pre‑employment screenings.

Under Policy 100.3.1 Immunization Policy for Covered Individuals, if employment will commence during Flu Season, Rutgers University may require certain prospective employees to provide proof that they are vaccinated against Seasonal Influenza for the current Flu Season, unless the University has granted the individual a medical or religious exemption. Additional infection control and safety policies may apply. Failure to provide proof of vaccination for any required vaccines or obtain a medical or religious exemption will result in rescission of a candidate's offer of employment or disciplinary action up to and including termination.

It is university policy to provide equal employment opportunity to all its employees and applicants for employment regardless of their race, creed, color, national origin, age, ancestry, nationality, marital or domestic partnership or civil union status, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, disability status, liability for military service, protected veteran status, affectional or sexual orientation, atypical cellular or blood trait, genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing), or any other category protected by law.

As an institution, we encourage all qualified applicants to apply. For additional information please see the Non‑Discrimination Statement at the following web address: (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below).-statement