SUPERVISING PLANT PATHOLOGIST
Career Family: PLANT PATHOLOGIST
Supervising Plant Pathologist is a state title in New Jersey's competitive civil service, which means the way in is an open exam rather than a direct appointment.
Candidates need a bachelor's degree, 3 years of relevant experience, and a professional license. Pay on the FY 2027 schedule runs $79,844 to $117,228, 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
Supervising Plant Pathologist 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 $109,652. 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 the direction of the Chief, Bureau of Plant Pest and Disease Control, Division of Plant Industry, Department of Agriculture, develops, implements and supervises programs and staff engaged in plant pest and disease control, interrelated pest and weed detection and control; develops and supervises laboratory and field facilities to aid in the more complex plant disease diagnostic examinations; supervises professional laboratory and field employees; prepares and signs official performance evaluations for subordinate staff; does related work as required.
Examples of work
- Assists Chief in planning, implementing and supervising survey and detection programs for prompt detection, diagnosis, control and eradication of plant pest and disease of economic importance.
- Develops, implements and supervises plant pathological diagnostic services, using professional field, greenhouse, and laboratory methods in order to identify and control plant pest and disease.
- Enforces State regulations concerning plant pest and disease quarantines against other states; enforces State statutes requiring suppression on eradication of the designated plant diseases and exotic pests.
- Drafts and recommends new or revised rules and regulations related to plant pest and disease control, particularly imported vegetable transplants, and other agricultural and horticultural crops.
- Develops, conducts, and supervises training sessions in plant pest and disease survey, inspection and control activities in support of the objectives of the plant pest and disease control programs.
- Supervises the establishment and maintenance of a reference plant disease herbarium and reference plant disease microorganism culture collection, for use in diagnosing diseases and training other employees.
- Maintains communication with plant growers, plant scientists and officials of New Jersey, other states and the U.S.D.A. in order to establish and maintain effective standards, policies and procedures for interstate and intrastate plant disease survey and regulatory activities.
- Prepares and submits clear, technically sound, accurate and relevant reports of plant pest and disease control, inspection findings and recommendations for control and improvement.
- Supervises and evaluates the work operation and/or functional programs, and has responsibility for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting, and/or disciplining of subordinates.
- Assists Chief in planning and preparing budget and staffing recommendations to insure that program issues and needs can be adequately considered.
- Supervises, reviews and recommends appropriate division action regarding the movement of cultures of live plant pathogens, and of certain plant material in interstate and international commerce.
- Assists Chief in planning and implementing forest and shade tree disease control programs; supervises and certifies to requesting state and local officials the existence of tree disease or insects readily communicable to neighboring healthy trees; serves as technical consultant to other official governmental bodies on plant disease and related pest control.
- Prepares clear and accurate correspondence providing information to outside agencies.
- Assists the Chief in the development of supplemental or alternative biological control programs, especially those dealing with plant diseases.
- Participates as a speaker and division representative in support of various plant pest and disease control programs, before public and private organizations and groups.
- Supervises the establishment and maintenance of written, photographic, computer and other office and laboratory records and files.
- May be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording information systems used by the agency, office or related units.
Education
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in Plant Science which shall include or be supplemented by at least nine (9) credit hours in plant pathology.
Experience
Three (3) years of professional experience in a laboratory or field environment involving the detection, control and eradication of plant pest and disease.
License
Appointee will be required to obtain certification as a Pesticide Applicator in New Jersey.
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 the principles of plant pathology and of plant pathological laboratory and field diagnostic methods, procedures and equipment.
- Knowledge of major plant disease, insects, pests and weeds, their origin, identification, survey and control.
- Knowledge of plant pest and disease detection and monitoring survey methods and equipment along with their operation in the field, laboratory and greenhouse tests.
- Knowledge of principles and application in the field of plant pest and disease control regulatory actions, such as plant quarantines and eradication programs.
- Knowledge of agricultural crops, trees, plants and plant materials of economic or environmental importance, including their identity, distribution and culture.
- Knowledge of fungicides, insecticides, and pesticide application equipment, including efficacy, safety, application rates, calibrations and of laws and regulations governing their use.
- Knowledge of planning surveys for plant pest and disease control strategies in cooperation with other agency groups and individuals.
- Knowledge of the principles, techniques, and application of supervision to aid in serving as lead field survey and inspection worker.
- Knowledge of statistical methods and procedures as applied to plant pest and disease control diagnosis and control programs.
- Knowledge of Federal laws pertaining to plant disease and plant pest control.
- Ability to systematically plan, organize, direct and train program activities of plant pest and disease control, detection, inspection, survey collection of data, data analysis, and the reporting of results, interpretations and recommendations.
- Ability to diagnose a wide variety of plant disease, including the ability to carry out the plant pathological examination, tests and procedures necessary to substantiate the presence and identity of various kinds of plant pathogens.
- Ability to read and interpret State and Federal laws and regulations regarding plant pest and disease control programs and activities, and apply them to specific situations.
- Ability to understand and implement State laws pertaining to plant pest and disease control, and to interpret the laws, rules and regulations of the Department of Agriculture, other states, and the Federal government.
- Ability to prepare clear, sound, accurate and complete reports of plant pathological and other plant pest and disease control matters, including findings, conclusions and recommendations.
- Ability to develop, organize and lead, giving necessary training suitable for work programs and working procedures, and to evaluate their effectiveness in field and laboratory.
- Ability to assign, instruct and supervise professional and technical field and laboratory staff assigned to plant pest and disease control and suppression programs.
- Ability to work effectively with associates, superiors, farmers, nurserymen, college representatives, Federal personnel and others associated with the various plant survey, inspection, plant pest and disease control and regulatory programs.
- Ability to prepare clear, scientifically sound program reports of findings, conclusions and recommendations.
- Ability to prepare correspondence in the course of official duties.
- Ability to establish and maintain records and files.
- Ability to supervise assigned staff and plan, organize, and implement projects within the unit.
- 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 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 plant science may be substituted for one (1) year of experience.