ENTOMOLOGIST 1
Career Family: ENTOMOLOGIST
Entomologist 1 is a competitive state title, the kind you test for: the exam result, not a hiring manager's pick, decides where you land in line.
Of the 2 Entomologist grades this one pays the most, sitting just above Entomologist 2. It expects a bachelor's degree, 2 years of relevant experience, and a professional license. Pay on the FY 2027 schedule runs $69,668 to $101,951, and state payroll currently lists 3 people in the title, most of them 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
Entomologist 1 appears on the State payroll at one department, Department of Agriculture.
State departments
| Employer | Employees |
|---|---|
| Department of Agriculture | 3 |
State payroll and independent authority payroll are separate systems and are never merged. See data sources.
Pay ladder: Entomologist series
- Entomologist 2 — $60,876 – $88,743
- Entomologist 1 — $69,668 – $101,951 (this title)
Its top salary lands around the 48th percentile of all NJ civil service titles that publish a range.
Rungs are ordered by FY 2027 pay. NJ level numbers are not always sequential, so ordering follows salary rather than the title number.
Who employs this title
State payroll records show 3 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $98,503. The agencies employing the most are:
- Agriculture (3)
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 the Director or other supervisory official in the Division of Plant Industry, Department of Agriculture, plans and directs pest surveys and control projects to determine the presence and extent of insect pest infestations and the effectiveness of various biological agents as control factors; does related work as required.
Examples of work
- Consults with and advises the Shade Tree Commission of the several municipalities and counties of the state on the organization and development of pest control programs.
- Determines the advisability of biological control of insect pests and works with the Chief, Plant Laboratory in the rearing and distribution of natural control agents.
- Develops and organizes survey methods and techniques.
- Helps to develop a plant pest survey program in cooperation with the agricultural, shade tree, and forest interests of the state.
- Directs the field and reporting work of the Supervisor, Plant Pest Surveys and the Inspectors, Plant Industry assigned to field surveys.
- Collects, analyzes, and interprets data relating to the propagation, liberation, and control of insect parasites.
- Develops laboratory tests to determine the degree of efficiency of specific biological control agents on various insect pests.
- Helps to organize and develop Dutch Elm Disease and Canker Stain Disease control programs.
- Advises Shade Tree Commissions in the use of insecticidal and fungicidal sprays.
- Prepares for publication, clear, accurate, reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
- Plans, organizes, and assigns the work of the organizational unit and evaluates employee performance and conduct, enabling the effective recommendation of the hiring, firing, promoting, and disciplining of subordinates.
- Maintains essential records and files.
- Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and computerized information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
Education
Graduation from an accredited college with a Bachelor's degree in Biology, Entomology, or other Plant Science.
Experience
Two (2) years of experience in plant pest inspection and control programs and the identification of major injurious insects.
License
Appointees will have the opportunity to acquire registration as a certified Regulatory Pesticide Applicator from the Department of Environmental Protection during the working test period.
Appointees will be required to qualify for a Federal License to issue Phytosanitary Certificates during the working test period.
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 the essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
- Knowledge of the laws, rules, and regulations of the Department of Agriculture of New Jersey relating to the control of insect pests after a period of training.
- Knowledge of the purposes, policies, and procedures of the Division of Plant Industry concerned with plant parasites, of the particular insect pest found to be destructive in New Jersey, and the methods used for their control after a period of training.
- Knowledge of major insect pest and disease infestations.
- Knowledge of the operation of a plant parasite laboratory and its role in the propagation and distribution of beneficient parasites and pathogens, including the research methods and procedures useful in developing parasites able to destroy insect pests.
- Ability to analyze and interpret basic law, rules, and regulations.
- Ability to analyze insect pest and parasite problems and develop effective control methods on a statewide basis.
- Ability to give assignments and instructions to individuals and groups engaged in field inspection and plant test control and supervise the performance of their work.
- Ability to work effectively with associates and with those individuals and groups engaged in or concerned with the control of insect pests.
- Ability to prepare correspondence.
- Ability to prepare and supervise the preparation of clear, accurate, reports.
- Ability to maintain essential records and files.
- Ability to learn 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, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the 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 the 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.
- CODES: 22/R22- JMR 8/11/95
Note
Applicants who possess a Bachelor's degree in Biology or Plant Science must have nine (9) semester hour credits in Entomology included in or supplemented to the degree.
A Master's degree with specialization in Entomology may be substituted for one (1) year of the experience indicated above.