SUPERVISING INSPECTOR PLANT INDUSTRY
In New Jersey, Supervising Inspector Plant Industry is filled through the competitive process: candidates take a civil service exam and are hired off a ranked list, not picked at will.
The stated bar is a bachelor's degree, but candidates can swap in added experience for the diploma. The FY 2027 range lands between $63,663 and $92,953.
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 direction of a supervisory officer in the Division of Plant Industry, supervises the field and other operation relating to plant pest (insect and disease) control programs; does related work as required
Examples of work
Plans, assigns, instructs and supervises the work of a field force, of Senior Inspector, Plant Industry, and Inspectors engaged in the prevention and control of plant pests which cause economic loses to farmers, producers and the owners of residential properties. Assists in planning pest control programs and supervises the application of frequently toxic pesticides, which must be handled with great care in order to prevent injury to human life and to certain species of plant and animal life and to control plant pests. Recommends the chemical treatment or destruction of infested plant or host material as directed by state and federal plant quarantines in order to prevent the spread of plant pests. Plan, organize and conducts educational program in order to acquaint agriculturalists, county and municipal officials and other interested persons and groups with modern plant pest control methods and materials when required. Trains and supervises Senior Inspectors, Plants Industry and Inspectors, Plant Industry in the survey and mapping procedures required in order to determine the presence and extend of economically important plant insect and disease pests. Prepares clear, sound, accurate and informative statistical and other reports of investigations, inspections, quarantines and the progress of plant pest survey and control programs containing findings, conclusions and recommendations in order to provide a reliable basis for management decisions. Supervises the work operations and/or functional programs and has responsibility for employee evaluations and for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting and/or disciplining of employee assigned to his/her unit. Supervises the maintenance of the essential plant pest control and related records and files. May 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.
License
Appointees may be required 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 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
Thorough knowledge of the types of forest, ornamental and agricultural crops grown in the Northeastern United States in order to readily identify the plants being inspected. Thorough knowledge of the most common plant insect and disease pests indigenous to the Northeastern United States' forest, ornamental, and agriculture crops in order to readily identify pests encountered during inspection programs. Thorough knowledge of field inspection and survey techniques in order to representatively sample plant pest populations. Thorough knowledge of map reading, compass usage, and field measurements in order to effectively conduct a field survey of plant and pest populations. Thorough knowledge of pesticide application apparatus, materials, and techniques used to control plant pest populations effectively and in such a manner as not to endanger the health and safety of human, plant or animal population. Thorough knowledge of quarantined or regulated plants and pests in order to enforce the laws, rules and regulations governing the movement of plants and pests within and between states. Thorough knowledge of specimen collection techniques and procedures in order to maintain collected specimens in a satisfactory condition for future examination. Basic knowledge of mathematics in order to calculate sums, differences, products, area, averages, and the percent of the whole. Considerable ability to develop, organize and supervise a plant pest control staff and program with a major emphasis on field procedures. Considerable ability to prepare detailed written reports and analysis of inspections containing findings, conclusions and recommendations. Ability to learn quickly from oral and written instructions and from demonstrations. Ability to perform field work quickly and accurately. Ability to work independently and with others in a courteous and cooperative manner. Ability to supervise the maintenance of essential records and files in a neat and organized fashion so that they may be understood by others Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording 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.
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 must meet one of the following or a combination of both experience and education. Thirty (30) semester hour credits are equal to one (1) year of relevant experience. Seven (7) years of professional experience in in a large-scale plant pest control program, one (1) year of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity. OR Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; and three (3) years of the above-mentioned professional experience; one (1) year of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity. "Professional experience" refers to work that is creative, analytical, evaluative, and interpretive; requires a range and depth of specialized knowledge of the profession's principles, concepts, theories, and practices; and is performed with the authority to act according to one's own judgment and make accurate and informed decisions.