RESEARCH SCIENTIST 1, BOTANY
Botany
Career Family: RESEARCH SCIENTIST
New Jersey classifies Research Scientist 1, Botany as non-competitive, which skips the exam-and-list step and turns on whether you meet the minimum requirements.
The minimum is a master's degree and 4 years of relevant experience. The FY 2027 range lands between $100,498 and $148,187, and state payroll currently lists about 129 people in the title, led by Health and Senior Services.
How to apply
This title is not filled by examination — agencies appoint directly.
See every real route in, and where to apply. 13 agencies employ it. We don't track live vacancies.
See all 13 employers and how to apply →Who employs this title
Research Scientist 1, Botany appears on the State payroll at 13 departments, most of them at Department of Health.
State departments
Showing the largest 8 of 13 departments. All agencies.
State payroll and independent authority payroll are separate systems and are never merged. See data sources.
Pay ladder: Research Scientist series
- Research Scientist 3 — $79,844 – $117,228
- Research Scientist 2 — $91,628 – $134,900
- Research Scientist 1 — $100,498 – $148,187
Its top salary lands around the 88th 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 129 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $138,568. The agencies employing the most are:
- Health and Senior Services (61)
- Environmental Protection (37)
- Human Services (8)
- Children and Families (6)
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 a division director or other supervisory official in a State department, institution, or agency, supervises and independently initiates, designs, coordinates, and implements highly-complex research projects and develops programs for the detection and evaluation of plant pests and diseases, identification of pest and disease infestation through visual examination or laboratory testing of agricultural or horticultural crops, conducting inspections and surveys in accordance with state and federal requirements, primarily in a laboratory setting which may include field and/or office work; supervises staff and work activities; prepares and signs official performance evaluations for subordinate staff; does other related duties as required.
Examples of work
Develops appropriate botanical research protocols and designs, including preparation of project scope and budget, determination of sampling design and schedules, collection and analysis of data, and preparation of reports suitable for submission to scholarly publications. Supervises activities of subordinate research staff and reviews, modifies, approves, or disapproves studies proposed by said staff to ensure compliance with appropriate botanical research methodology and statistical techniques. Supervises the development, and reviews, and analyzes all publications and other documents pertaining to current botany-based research developments and disseminates information to internal and external professional staff. Prepares applications for federal and other grant funds through the design of original and creative research projects. Supervises the acquisition, control, and maintenance of supplies and equipment to ensure availability for ongoing and proposed research projects. Supervises the work operations and/or functional programs and has responsibility for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting, and/or disciplining of employees. Plans, surveys, inspects and monitors a wide variety of plants, to detect, identify, measure and evaluate plant diseases, insect pests and weeds. Identifies plants to the species by using keys or analytical techniques. Supervises the planning and/or conducts plant pathological examinations and tests in the field, laboratory, and greenhouse for the diagnosis of plant diseases, reports results, and recommends a course of control action to be taken. Maintains a reference plant herbarium for use in plant identification and training inspectors. Recommends appropriate control actions and regulatory alternatives to meet new plant pest and disease control problems. Prepares and submits technically sound reports of plant pest and disease control data collected. Prepares clear and accurate correspondence; maintains communication with plant growers and other regulatory agencies. Serves as a representative at various public program functions, information meetings and similar gatherings related to plant pest and disease control programs. Detects, diagnoses, and recommend methods for controlling diseases of agricultural and horticultural crops. Provides technical recommendations to greenhouses, diagnostic laboratories, and programs concerned with plant pest and disease. Supervises staff and/or inspects seed fields for varietal purity, isolation and freedom from disease, insect damage and crops and weed contaminants. Supervises staff and/or inspect harvesting, seed handling and cleaning equipment for freedom from other varietal and/or crop contaminants. Serves as an agency liaison with other federal and state regulatory agencies concerning plant disease situations of a regulatory nature. Cooperates with representatives of other states or federal agencies in conducting special surveys, investigations or plant regulatory activities. Will be required to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office or related units.
Education
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master of science degree in botany, horticulture, plant pathology/biology or other appropriate plant science discipline.
Experience
Four (4) years of experience in botany, horticulture, plant pathology/biology or other appropriate plant scientific analysis or research.
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 the essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
Knowledge of the principles of botany and of plant pathology. Knowledge of major plant diseases, insects, pests and weeds; their origin, identification and control. Knowledge of agriculture crops, trees, plants and plant materials of economic or environmental importance including identity, distribution and culture. Knowledge of major insect pest and disease infestations common to Agricultural and horticultural crops. Knowledge of field survey procedures and methods of survey data analysis. Knowledge of principles and practices of modern research methods, evaluation techniques, and methodology of technical analyses and interpretation of results and findings. Knowledge of statistical techniques, modern laboratory automation systems, methodology, and procedures pertaining to the area of specific research, and of methods of ensuring conformance therewith. Knowledge of appropriate federal regulations and procedural methods requirements. 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 identify a wide variety of plant diseases, insects, weeds and nematodes including the ability to carry out the examinations, tests and procedures necessary to substantiate the presence and identity of various plant pests. 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 and instruct technical and other staff, to verify the results of tests, examinations, and analyses made by staff, and to supervise the performance of their work. Ability to plan, supervise, and evaluate research activities. Ability to supervise assigned staff and plan, organize and implement projects within the unit. Ability to exercise good judgment in evaluating situations and in making decisions concerning research and administrative problems. Ability to maintain cooperative working relationships with personnel assigned to other units within the department and division and with others concerned with the work of the research unit. Ability to prepare and supervise the preparation of clear, scientifically sound, clinically accurate, and informative reports of tests and other reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Ability to write scientific articles and take an active part in meetings and conferences. Ability to prepare official correspondence in connection with the research program. Ability to learn how 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 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 if they can perform the 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 Doctorate in botany, horticulture, plant pathology/biology or other appropriate plant science discipline may be substituted for two (2) years of experience indicated above.