SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE
As an unclassified state title, Secretary of Agriculture is filled by appointment, and its published pay band is more of a guide than a fixed grade.
State payroll lists a single employee in the title, at Agriculture.
How to apply
This title is not filled by examination — agencies appoint directly.
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See where to apply for this title →Who employs this title
Secretary of Agriculture 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 $210,000. 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
Subject to applicable laws and in conformity with the rules, regulations, policies and standards of the State Board of Agriculture and, under the direction of the Governor, is responsible for administering Department of Agriculture regulatory, service and promotion functions.
The Secretary of Agriculture organizes, directs and supervises the eight divisions of the Department of Agriculture responsible for the following activities:
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.
<b>DIVISION OF ADMINISTRATION: </b>
Develop and present annual budget requests to provide staff and support for the attainment of Department objectives.
Maintain fiscal control though appropriate accounting procedures as required by the State Treasurer, Department policies, and Federal government standards when Federal funds are involved.
Maintain a personnel program in accordance with Department of Civil Service policies and appropriate for Department of Agriculture requirements.
Provide general service programs including purchasing; property management, duplicating and data processing.
Administer the State Board of Agriculture Federal Loan Fund, which provides farm ownership and operating loans to qualified New Jersey residents.
<b>DIVISION OF ANIMAL HEALTH</b>:
Establish and maintain appropriate staff and methodology for the detection, control and/or eradication of diseases which are of economic importance to the livestock industry or transmissible to humans.
Enforce provisions of the Federal Wholesome Meat Act which requires the licensing and inspection of all meat and poultry meat slaughterers and processors to prevent the sale of unwholesome meat and meat products.
<b>DIVISION OF AGRICULTURE CHEMISTRY</b>:
Provide for the registration, inspection, qualitative and quantitative analyses of livestock feedstuffs, fertilizers, pesticides and liming materials to assure that consumers receive guaranteed contents.
<b>DIVISION OF INFORMATION</b>:
Compile and disseminate producer and consumer information concerning Department programs, New Jersey farm products and such other data considered of interest to the general public.
Advise and assist in the management and development of agricultural fairs, shows and exhibitions which provide educational opportunities for consumers, competitive shows for the improvement of livestock and crops, youth activities for vocational students and 4-H Club members, or industry promotion.
Coordinate the installation and maintenance of all State agency exhibits at the New Jersey State Fair.
<b>DIVISION OF MARKETS</b>:
Maintain farm product inspection programs to provide shipping point, terminal market, and platform inspections for the movement of those products under United States Department of Agriculture or New Jersey official grade standards.
Maintain a fresh egg inspection program to insure that consumers receive the grade and quality standard stated by the vendor.
Provide managerial assistance to cooperatives organized under New. Jersey statutes
Administer special farm commodity programs including the collection of taxes and the conduct of promotion and advertising campaigns.
Seek to expand market demands for New Jersey farm products through quality improvement programs at the producer level and continuous liaison with trade and government agencies using such products.
Compile and issue crop estimates, supply and price data to inform grousers, buyers and consumers, and so aid in orderly and efficient marketing.
Enforce the licensing and bonding laws concerning. Brokers, of perishable commodities.
<b>DIVISION OF DAIRY INDUSTRY</b>:
Compile appropriate economic data required to establish price and quality standard regulations to assure consumers a wholesome and adequate supply of milk,
Perform such investigations and inspections required to assure the orderly marketing of milk.
<b>DIVISION OF PLANT INDUSTRY</b>:
Establish and maintain appropriate staff and methodology for the detection and control of insect pests and diseases which threaten crops, forests, shade and ornamental plants.
Establish and maintain seed and plant certification programs to provide quality plant stock.
Provide for the registration, inspection, quantitative and qualitative analyses of seeds offered for sale in New Jersey to insure that the purchaser receives the varieties and. germination guaranteed.
<b>DIVISION OF RUAL RESOURCES</b>:
Maintain a program to provide technical assistance for conservation of the soil and water for agricultural purposes; for the installation of flood control and watershed projects; and to reduce sedimentation in New Jersey water supplies.
Conduct development of the State Soil Survey, an inventory of soil types and classes, for use by planners and engineers.
In cooperation with the Department of Community Affairs and the Department of Conservations and Economic Development, provide agricultural information to be used for the development of rural resources.
Conduct economic studies concerning agricultural production, marketing, and land use.
* * * *
The Department of Agriculture staff presently includes 240 permanent, 70 part-time and about 60 seasonal employees. In addition, it annually recruits and supervises about 30 seasonal employees for the New Jersey Agricultural Society which serves as an agent of the Department to provide fruit and vegetable inspection services at processing plants.
The Department budget now totals about $4 million including State appropriations, 5 Federal funds, and 5 commodity tax accounts.
By virtue of his post, the Secretary of Agriculture is a member and must attend regular meetings of the following boards, commissions and authorities:
<b>FOR THE GOVERNOR: </b>
Cabinet Committee for Economic Opportunity Advisory Committee on Rural Poverty Committee on Farmland Assessment Interdepartment Committee on Encephalitis Interdepartment Committee on Pesticides
<b>NATIONAL: </b>
National Advisory Committee, Agricultural Marketing Act National Advisory Committee for Meat Inspection National Association of State Departments of Agriculture
<b>STATE: </b> Board of Managers, New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station New Jersey Apple Industry Council New Jersey Asparagus Industry Council New Jersey Migrant Labor Board New Jersey Poultry Products Promotion Council New Jersey. Public Health Association, Executive Board New Jersey Public Market Commission New Jersey State 4-H Advisory Board New Jersey State Soil Conservation Committee New Jersey Sweet Potato Commission Rural Advisory Council White Potato Industry Council of New Jersey