HORTICULTURIST (State)
To land Horticulturist in New Jersey you go through the competitive route: you sit an announced exam and the score puts you on the eligible list agencies hire from.
A bachelor's degree is the listed credential, and extra years on the job can be traded for it, and a professional license is required on top of that. The FY 2027 range lands between $57,158 and $83,211, and state payroll lists a single employee in the title, at Agriculture.
How to apply
This title is filled by competitive examination.
See every real route in, and where to apply. One agency employs it. We don't track live vacancies.
See where to apply for this title →Who employs this title
Horticulturist appears on the State payroll at one department, Department of Agriculture.
State departments
| Employer | Employees |
|---|---|
| Department of Agriculture | 1 |
State payroll and independent authority payroll are separate systems and are never merged. See data sources.
Who employs this title
State payroll records show 1 person working under this title. The median actual salary is $70,328. The agencies employing the most are:
- Agriculture (1)
Counts from NJ YourMoney agency payroll. See statewide workforce analytics.
Official job specification
The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.
Definition
Under direction of a supervisory official in the Department of Agriculture, plans programs for the detection, control, and eradication of injurious plant pests and diseases, identifies pest and disease infestation of nursery, greenhouse, and other horticultural material; conducts skilled, complex inspections and surveys in accord with state and federal requirements; does other related duties as required.
Examples of work
- As directed plans programs related to the detection, control, and eradication of injurious plant pests and diseases related to nursery, greenhouse, and other plant materials.
- Conducts regulatory inspections of horticultural plants and plant products.
- Issues permits for movement of approved products to other states or foreign countries and verifies that plants and plant products which are moved into New Jersey from other states or foreign countries are in accord with applicable quarantine standards.
- Issues phytosantiary certificates in accord with federal, state, and importing country regulations.
- Conducts surveys and inspects horticultural plants and plant products in assigned areas.
- Collects and analyzes data on insect and disease infestation to assist in determination of their environmental and economic impact.
- Determines need and arranges for and supervises the destruction, treatment, or deportation of infested plant quarantined products entering New Jersey from other quarantined areas not meeting quarantine provisions.
- As directed develops integrated plant pest control programs including the conduct of surveys, placement of biological control agents, and application of chemical control materials.
- Evaluates effectiveness of various control measures used.
- Supervises producers and vendors in the proper fumigation of soil, plant materials, and products to comply with state and federal requirements for the particular item and as specified by quarantine and approved methods.
- Provides technical assistance and guidance to horticulturists, trainees, and seasonal field employees.
- Prepares clear, accurate reports of all types of horticultural plants and plant products inspected and related plant industry activities performed.
- Serves occasionally as division representative at various functions, information meetings, program seminars, and similar events.
- Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
Education
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in Horticulture or other plant sciences which shall have included or been supplemented by 12 semester hour credits in horticulture.
Experience
One (1) year of professional experience in horticultural production or inspection.
License
Appointees will be required to qualify for a permit as a Certified Pesticide Applicator in New Jersey.
Appointees may be required, depending on duty assignment, to take training to qualify for state and federal approval to issue phytosanitary certificates.
Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
- Knowledge of major insect pest and disease infestations common to nursery and greenhouse plant material.
- Knowledge of plants and plant materials of economic importance in New Jersey.
- Knowledge of common varieties of plant material.
- Knowledge of field survey procedures and methods of survey data analysis.
- Knowledge of chemical compounds and gases used in treatment and fumigation of nursery stock.
- Ability to identify common varieties of plant materials.
- Ability to plan and make comprehensive inspections of soil, plant materials, and products to detect and identify injurious plant pests and diseases.
- Ability to identify and inspect horticultural products and issue phytosanitary certificates in accord with federal, state, and importing country standards.
- Ability to determine need for and supervise fumigation of soil plant material and products to comply with state and federal quarantine requirements.
- Ability to read and understand laws, rules, and regulations of the Department of Agriculture, New Jersey, and Federal Government relating to plant pest control programs and methods and the movement of plant and plant products to other states and countries.
- Ability to interpret and enforce requirements of plant quarantines. Ability to collect and compile scientifically sound, meaningful data for analysis.
- Ability to assist in the placement of biological control agents and chemical control materials for the control of plant pests.
- Ability to determine the need to arrange for destruction, treatment, or deportation of infested plant material.
- Ability to work effectively with associates, superior officers, farmers, nursery people, college representatives, federal personnel, and others associated with various plant inspection programs.
- Ability to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
- Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
- Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
Note
The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.
Applicants who have successfully completed a major course of study in horticulture or other plant science including or supplemented by 12 semester hour credits in horticulture and who do not possess the Bachelor's degree may substitute additional experience for education on a year for year basis.