PRINCIPAL SEED ANALYST
New Jersey treats Principal Seed Analyst as a competitive-class job, so the gate is an examination and the ranked list it produces rather than a direct offer.
The minimum is a bachelor's degree and 3 years of relevant experience. The FY 2027 range lands between $76,287 and $111,856.
How to apply
This title is filled by competitive examination.
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See where to apply for this title →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 the general direction of a supervising officer in the Department of Agriculture, plans, supervises, and controls the activities of the seed laboratory: performs complex, technical, analytical seed work, and provides special seed testing services for the general public when necessary; supervises staff conducting seed work and work activities; prepares and signs official performance evaluations for subordinate staff; does other related work.
Examples of work
- Plans and prepares schedules for testing seed samples and assigns priorities in accordance with established laboratory and program policy or special instructions in compliance with the statutes of the Seed Law.
- Coordinates work load in purity and germination laboratories for most effective use of staff and efficient use of equipment.
- Supervises and provides instructions and training to all seed analysts regarding identification, purity and germination testing of field, vegetable, flower and tree seeds for purpose of updating new procedures, techniques and recognition of new seed varieties.
- Supervises the accuracy of difficult, critical or controversial tests for labeling compliance.
- Determines the validity of seed ingredient labels, assuring compliance with truth-in-labeling laws and ensures that test results are within tolerance levels of the seed law.
- Provides advice for preparation of legal evidence and is prepared to appear in court as an expert witness on seed violations.
- Maintains records for maintenance and repair of equipment and supplies used and received.
- Supervises the operation of all equipment related to seed testing.
- Allocates special daily tasks to expedite retest, difficult and problem samples and long term or special tests.
- Interprets difficult germination and identification tests for labeling compliance.
- Performs difficult seed tests such as vigor tests and variety verification tests, certifies quality of seeds coming from the field, and maintains a control standard in the testing of seeds.
- Prepares reports of seed analysis.
- Supervises the work operations and/or functional programs and has responsibility for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting and/or disciplining of employees.
- Supervises the establishment and maintenance of laboratory records and files.
- 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 Botany, Agronomy, Horticulture, Plant Science or Biological Science which shall include or be supplemented by 9 credit hours in Botany or Plant Science.
Experience
Three (3) years of professional experience in laboratory work involving seed analysis programs, (1) one year of which includes program responsibility in a seed laboratory.
License
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 problems which arise in supervising all phases of seed testing, including purity analysis and the determination of germination percentages.
- Knowledge of the principles of botany.
- Knowledge of the principles of seed science.
- Knowledge of the various kinds of grass and other agricultural seeds which are subject to inspection.
- Knowledge of and skill in laboratory techniques, equipment, terminology and procedures used in seed testing and analysis.
- Knowledge of and skill in the operation, minor adjustment and care of laboratory equipment.
- Knowledge of the inspection, sampling and seed control measures and techniques used in enforcing seed laws.
- Knowledge of the Rules for Testing Seeds promulgated by the Association of American Seed Analysts.
- Knowledge of Federal laws and regulations pertaining to seed control.
- Knowledge of and ability to read and understand the provisions of the New Jersey Seed Laws pertaining to seed quality/control and the regulations of the Department of Agriculture promulgated thereunder.
- Knowledge of supervisory principles, techniques and their application in order to effectively supervise seed laboratory activities.
- Ability to develop work schedules and assigns work among subordinate analysts.
- Ability to organize assigned laboratory testing work, analyze seed test problems, and develop appropriate work methods.
- Ability to give appropriate assignments and instructions to Seed Analysts and other laboratory employees and oversee the performance of their work.
- Ability to develop, organizes and supervise suitable work programs and working procedures.
- Ability to make accurate examinations of very small seeds over extended periods of time.
- Ability to oversee the accurate examination of seeds.
- Ability to manipulate with dexterity small seeds under analysis.
- Ability to compute readings on the analytical balance.
- Ability to carry out purity analysis and germination tests independently and to oversee personnel engaged in all phases of seed testing.
- Ability to accurately identify agricultural and weed seeds, plant specimens, and to present satisfactory proof of such identification.
- Ability to judge the need for rechecking results of tests or requesting new samples.
- Ability to use a microscope and microscopic techniques with skill.
- Ability to prepare reports of seed testing.
- Ability to accept changes and promotes the use of new and improved techniques in the laboratory.
- Ability to maintain the laboratory records and files.
- Ability to supervise assigned staff and plan, organize, and implement projects within the unit.
- 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 with or without reasonable accommodation. 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.
A Master's degree in any of the above subjects may be substituted for one (1) year of experience.