Senior Program Coordinator - Veg IPM

Rutgers University

United States, New Jersey, New Brunswick

Nov 15, 2024

Position Details

Position Information

Recruitment/Posting Title	Senior Program Coordinator - Veg IPM
Job Category	URA-AFT Administrative
Department	Agric & Natural Resources
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.
Posting Summary	Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey is seeking a Senior Program Coordinator - Veg IPM for the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Rutgers NJAES Cooperative Extension ( RCE) within the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences. This position will be housed at an NJAES Research Farm facility, campus, or county office ( TBD). Within the senior program coordinator duties, the candidate will be responsible for making pest management recommendations to growers and making diagnostic field visits, often on a last-minute and 'on-demand' basis, which often matches the demands of weather, pest development, and other biological conditions, as well as any developing market factors. The training of seasonal employees may also be partly determined by unplanned biological, weather, and market factors; thus necessitating weekend and evening work hours, and will also include the preparation for, attendance at, and presentations at evening grower meetings and state and regional conferences. The preparation and coordination of IPM information for online and printed newsletter publications is also a required duty of this position. The Vegetable IPM Program is a major thrust area for the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources. As such, the successful candidate in this position will have major responsibilities in the daily administration of the Department's program throughout the state. The position will include the responsibilities of planning day-to-day operations of IPM scouting staff, programming and outreach efforts, budgeting program needs, hiring and training of seasonal employees, ensuring the accuracy of invoicing clientele, and all other related duties that constitute management and business operations of the Vegetable IPM Program within the Department. Among the key duties of the position are the following: Provides leadership and support, in collaboration with the IPM Agent, county faculty and Extension specialists, and fellow IPM staff in identifying and conducting integrated pest management (IPM) program needs, coordinating training and field visits and inspections, and timely reports and general program support for commercial vegetable growers. Takes major responsibility for hiring, training, and supervising seasonal hires, students, and other hourly employees. Collaboratively leads grower education efforts relating to program recommendations and interpreting IPM data. Evaluates pest, pesticide use, and program impacts. Collaborates with researchers on integrating on-farm research and demonstration projects with industry practices. Works with county faculty in developing fertility practices and other 'non-pest' program components. Actively participates in appropriate departmental, Rutgers Cooperative Extension, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, and University and county (if applicable) administrative functions, provide timely reports, and informational assistance with regional RCE colleagues, as requested.
Position Status	Full Time
Hours Per Week
Daily Work Shift	Day
Work Arrangement
FLSA	Exempt
Grade	05
Position Salary
Annual Minimum Salary	65741.00
Annual Mid Range Salary	81857.00
Annual Maximum Salary	97972.00
Standard Hours	37.50
Union Description	URA-AFT Administrative
Payroll Designation	PeopleSoft
Benefits	Rutgers offers a comprehensive benefit program to eligible employees. For details, please go to http://uhr.rutgers.edu/benefits/benefits-overview.
Seniority Unit
Terms of Appointment	Staff - 12 month
Position Pension Eligibility	ABP

Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience	Requires a bachelor's degree in agricultural or biological sciences such as plant science, horticulture, entomology, plant pathology, environmental science, or another related field, or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience in a closely related field. A minimum of two years of related work experience in agriculture, horticulture, pest management or a related field is also required.
Certifications/Licenses	A valid NJ driver's license and a minimum of two years of driving experience is required. Completion of the Rutgers Defensive Driving course will be required. A valid NJDEP Commercial Pesticide Applicators License for Categories 1A and/or 10 or the application of said license shortly after employment.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities	Strong project management skills. Ability to work independently and prioritize tasks to meet multiple deadlines. Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of integrated pest management practices and their relationship to commercial agriculture, especially in commercial vegetable production Demonstrated understanding of Cooperative Extension program development, program outreach, and identifying issues faced by commercial farmers.
Preferred Qualifications	Masters Degree in entomology, pathology, or related field. Experience with monitoring vegetable pests and making pest management recommendations. Experience working for Cooperative Extension, with specific experience in commercial agriculture production. Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication, and organizational skills. Advanced computer literacy and technology skills. Effective public speaking, presentation, and teaching skills. Demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse audiences. Supervisory experience. CITI certification.
Equipment Utilized	The position requires extensive sampling of insect and disease pests in fell conditions, using various sampling methods, use of insect traps, some on-farm ATV use, and extensive driving to and from farm sites. Computer literacy in spreadsheets, databases, descriptive statistics, and other relevant software, including the use of digital cameras and other digital instruments for recording data.
Physical Demands and Work Environment	Expected to work outdoors, walk over rough ground, lift and handle 40 lb. objects. Must have flexibility and ability to work daytime, evenings, and weekends as needed.
Special Conditions

Posting Details

Posting Number	24ST2521
Posting Open Date	11/05/2024
Special Instructions to Applicants	Applicants can submit a personal statement describing their understanding of IPM best practices (scouting, reporting, grower adoption).
Regional Campus	Rutgers University-New Brunswick
Home Location Campus	Off Campus
City	Freehold
State	NJ
Location Details

Pre-employment Screenings

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

Immunization Requirements

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. Prospective employees should speak with their hiring manager to determine which policies apply to the role or position for which they are applying. Failure to provide proof of vaccination for any required vaccines or obtain a medical or religious exemption from the University will result in rescission of a candidate's offer of employment or disciplinary action up to and including termination.

Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

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 value diversity of background and opinion, and prohibit discrimination or harassment on the basis of any legally protected class in the areas of hiring, recruitment, promotion, transfer, demotion, training, compensation, pay, fringe benefits, layoff, termination or any other terms and conditions of employment. For additional information please see the Non-Discrimination Statement at the following web address: http://uhr.rutgers.edu/non-discrimination-statement