Seasonal Field IPM Technician: Crops & Bees

Overview

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 Fruit 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 fruit while minimizing inputs such as pesticides and fertilizers, and maximizing honey bee and pollinator health. The program seeks to optimize the use of reduced‑risk strategies, computerized phenology models of insects and diseases, mating disruption and other biological intensive management practices, and GIS technologies.

The program works cooperatively with researchers, demonstrates new technologies and measures the impact of reduced‑risk IPM practices. The work is used to manage over $180 million of crop value, reduce the environmental impact of traditional agricultural systems, and minimize non‑point source pollution.

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is seeking Seasonal Agricultural Workers for the Rutgers Cooperative Extension Fruit IPM program. Under the guidance and direction of either the Sr. Program Coordinator/Program Associate of the Fruit IPM program at the Rutgers Agricultural Research and Extension Center off‑Campus farm, these positions perform assistance to the IPM program with field and laboratory work.

• Performs regular data collection (1-2 times per week per site), identifying pest presence, identifying beneficial arthropods, completing IPM reports for participating growers, mapping pest presence, entering data into a database, using GPS receivers and GIS databases where appropriate, and plant tissue and soil sampling when needed.
• Works in commercial blueberry fields, vineyards, and orchards and/or with honeybees.
• Shares duties on field research projects with entomology and plant pathology specialists.

Hourly wages range from $15.92 to $22.00. The final offer may be influenced by the applicant’s qualifications, experience, and expertise, as well as available funding. Compensation considerations include market benchmarks, internal equity, and overall program needs.

• 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

Position status:
Full Time

Working hours:

40 hours or less

Daily work shift:
Day

Work arrangement:
Fully on‑site

Payroll designation:
People Soft

Terms of appointment:
Temporary Staff Appointment – Hourly

• High school/vocational school education or equivalent experience.

• A valid driver’s license is required.

• 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.

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

• Clean driving record.
• Multiple vacancies.

Under Policy 100.3.1 Immunization Policy for Covered Individuals, if employment will commence during Flu Season, Rutgers University…