Seasonal Agricultural Worker-Fruit IPM Program

Rutgers University

United States, New Jersey, New Brunswick

Feb 06, 2025

Position Details

Position Information

Recruitment/Posting Title	Seasonal Agricultural Worker-Fruit IPM Program
Posting Number	25TM0050
Department	SEBS - RCE-Pest Management
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 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.
Posting Summary	Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey is seeking Seasonal Agricultural Workers for the Rutgers Cooperative Extension Fruit IPM program within the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences. Among the key duties of the position are the following: Responsible for 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, the use of 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.
Position Status	Full Time
Hours Per Week	40 or less
Daily Work Shift	Day
Work Arrangement	This position requires a fully on-site work arrangement.
FLSA	Nonexempt
Position Salary	$15.49-$22.00/hour
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.
Terms of Appointment	Temporary Staff Appointment - Hourly

Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience	High school/vocational school education or equivalent experience.
Certifications/Licenses	Valid NJ driver's license; personal vehicle is required for travel and around assigned farms.
Preferred Qualifications	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.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Equipment Utilized
Physical Demands and Work Environment	During the growing season, technicians spend almost 100% of their time outside in field conditions.
Special Conditions

Posting Details

Posting Open Date	02/06/2025
Posting Close Date	07/06/2025
Open Until Filled	No
Special Instructions to Applicants
Regional Campus	Rutgers University-New Brunswick
Home Location Campus	Off Campus
City	Flemington
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