AGRICULTURAL RESOURCE SPECIALIST 3
Career Family: AGRICULTURAL RESOURCE SPECIALIST
In New Jersey, Agricultural Resource Specialist 3 is filled through the competitive process: candidates take a civil service exam and are hired off a ranked list, not picked at will.
It is the lowest-paid of the 3 Agricultural Resource Specialist grades, a step below Agricultural Resource Specialist 2, whose band tops out about $12,591 higher. The stated bar is a master's degree, but candidates can swap in added experience for the diploma. The FY 2027 range lands between $58,222 and $84,763, and state payroll currently lists 2 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
Agricultural Resource Specialist 3 appears on the State payroll at one department, Department of Agriculture.
State departments
| Employer | Employees |
|---|---|
| Department of Agriculture | 2 |
Where this title is used
Agricultural Resource Specialist 3 is a common title, so it is used in both State and local service. The local side is filled by the counties, municipalities, authorities and other employers that have adopted civil service under Title 11A, which set their own pay by ordinance or contract rather than from a State salary schedule.
Check whether an employer is a civil service jurisdiction · How local civil service works
State payroll and independent authority payroll are separate systems and are never merged. See data sources.
Pay ladder: Agricultural Resource Specialist series
- Agricultural Resource Specialist 3 — $58,222 – $84,763 (this title)
- Agricultural Resource Specialist 2 — $66,592 – $97,354
- Agricultural Resource Specialist 1 — $76,287 – $111,856
Promoting to Agricultural Resource Specialist 2 raises the top of the band by about $12,591. Its top salary lands around the 24th 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 2 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $76,768. The agencies employing the most are:
- Agriculture (2)
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 general supervision of a coordinator, program manager, or other supervisor, is responsible for implementing and maintaining agricultural or related natural resource management programs, following the guidance of state policies and procedures; does other related duties as required.
Examples of work
Provides technical assistance of a routine nature to government and private agencies and individuals to facilitate, promote, and coordinate agricultural resource management services. Reports on activities of local agricultural resource management officers to help ensure implementation of an effective, consistent program. Evaluates land to determine its suitability for inclusion in farmland preservation programs, soil and water conservation projects, or other agricultural resource management programs. Conducts field investigations for the purpose of developing agricultural retention methods for New Jersey in cooperation with government agencies. Reviews and prepares reports on all levels of new/current government regulations and policies related to agricultural resource management or environmental or land use management to evaluate the impact on agricultural management programs. Prepares reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations concerning agricultural resource management programs to inform management and other government agencies and individuals. Attends public meetings and conferences as a technical resource person representing local agricultural interest. Serves as liaison between the NJ Department of Agriculture and other government agencies to effectively implement agricultural resource management programs. Plans, initiates, and encourages development of agricultural resource management information programs in coordination with other agricultural agencies. Maintains 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.
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 agricultural, environmental, or land use management. Knowledge of land use concepts/techniques as they relate to agricultural resource management. Knowledge of agricultural resource management and environmental or land use policies and procedures of government agencies. Knowledge of agricultural production and marketing. Knowledge of soil and use capabilities of farmlands. Knowledge of operating policies/procedures of the New Jersey Department of Agriculture and other state/local agencies concerning agricultural resource management after a period of training. Knowledge of the operation, organization, and interrelationships of public/private agencies involved in or affecting agriculture after a period of training Ability to prepare clear, informative, and technically accurate reports and articles. Ability to develop, organize, and carry out effective work methods in coordination with other government and private agencies. Ability to evaluate and determine land suitability for inclusion in an agricultural retention program. Ability to analyze, review, recommend, revise, and develop policies/procedures related to agricultural resource management and land use planning. Ability to work cooperatively and communicate effectively with individuals, groups, and agencies concerned with agricultural resource management and land use planning. Ability to publicly participate at meetings, conferences, or work sessions dealing with agricultural resource management and land use planning. 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 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. Five (5) years of professional experience in reviewing, developing, implementing, and maintaining agricultural, environmental, or land use management programs in the public or private sector, including or supplemented by twelve (12) semester hour credits in one or a combination of the following courses: agricultural science, natural resource management, environmental science, environmental planning, or land use planning. OR Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, including or supplemented by twelve (12) semester hour credits in one or a combination of the following courses: agricultural science, natural resource management, environmental science, environmental planning, or land use planning; and one (1) year of the above-mentioned professional experience. OR Possession of a master's degree from an accredited college or university in Agricultural Science, Natural Resource Management, Environmental Science, Environmental Planning, Land Use Planning, or other related field. "Professional experience" refers to work that is analytical, evaluative, and interpretive; requires a range of basic knowledge of the profession's concepts and practices; and is performed with the authority to act and make accurate and informed decisions.