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.
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.
City: Freehold
State: NJ
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.
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is a leading national public research university and the state's preeminent, comprehensive public institution of higher education. Rutgers is dedicated to teaching that meets the highest standards of excellence; to conducting research that breaks new ground; and to turning knowledge into solutions for local, national, and global communities. As it was at our founding in 1766, the heart of our mission is preparing students to become productive members of society and good citizens of the world. Rutgers teaches across the full educational spectrum: preschool to precollege; undergraduate to graduate and postdoctoral; and continuing education for professional and personal advancement. Rutgers is New Jersey's land-grant institution and one of the nation's foremost research universities, and as such, we educate, make discoveries, serve as an engine of economic growth, and generate ideas for improving people's lives.
