SUPERVISING AGRICULTURAL RESOURCE SPECIALIST
Career Family: AGRICULTURAL RESOURCE SPECIALIST
Supervising Agricultural Resource Specialist sits in the competitive class of New Jersey's state civil service, so reaching it runs through testing and an eligible list instead of a straight hire.
It lists a master's degree as the baseline, with an experience-based path open to those who do not hold the degree. Pay on the FY2026 schedule runs $92,711 to $136,605, and state payroll currently lists 3 people in the title, most of them at Agriculture.
How to get hired
- Watch for an open-competitive announcement for Supervising Agricultural Resource Specialist on the NJ Civil Service Commission jobs portal. Announcements run for a fixed filing window.
- Apply during that window and sit the examination. Depending on the title, that can be a written test, a rating of your training and experience, or a mix of the two.
- Passing scores go onto a ranked eligible list. Veterans get preference points added on top of their score.
- When an agency has a vacancy it must appoint from the top of that list under the "Rule of Three." Many competitive jobs are first filled provisionally while the list is being built.
Read the official specification at NJ Civil Service Commission.
Who employs this title
State payroll records show 3 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $123,437. The agencies employing the most are:
- Agriculture (3)
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.
Definition
Under the direction of a program manager or other supervisor in the New Jersey Department of Agriculture or local government jurisdiction, coordinates, supervises and directs the planning, developing, and implementing of agricultural or related natural resource management programs, following guidelines/policies/procedures; does other related work.
Examples of work
Coordinates, plans and develops a program of technical assistance to government/private agencies and individuals to facilitate, promote, and coordinate agricultural resource management services. Coordinates, reviews and analyzes operating policies/procedures of local agricultural resource management offices, prepares reports of findings based on this review, and recommends strategies for implementation or improvement. Supervises and/or develops the criteria used to evaluate land to determine its suitability for inclusion in farmland preservation programs, soil and water conservation projects, or other agricultural resource management programs. Conducts and/or supervises special projects and field investigations for the purpose of developing agricultural retention methods for NJ in cooperation with government agencies. Supervises the review of requests for financial aid for compliance with agricultural resource management program guidelines/requirements. Supervises and/or makes recommendations to eliminate or reduce the impacts on agricultural resource management programs caused by unfavorable or conflicting government regulations/policies. Prepares and oversees the preparation of reports and correspondence containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations concerning agricultural resource management, environmental, or land use management programs to inform agency management and other government agencies and individuals. Speaks at public meetings/conferences as a technical resource person to represent the agency's agricultural interest. Coordinates and/or serves as liaison between government agencies to effectively implement agricultural resource management programs. Supervises, plans, initiates, and encourages development of agricultural resource management information programs in coordination with other agricultural agencies. Coordinates, directs, and supervises the assignment of work established through work plans and schedules to appropriate staff in counties of primary responsibility. Coordinates with Agricultural Retention Program Manager to ensure that requested and required work assignments are completed for presentation to the State Agriculture Development Committee and that SADC actions are properly implemented in a timely manner. Coordinates the review and preparation of resolutions, correspondence and recommendations for activities related to easement purchase, direct easement purchase, fee simple purchase, nonprofit easement/fee simple purchase and planning incentive grant applications for impacts in agricultural development areas, monitoring and enforcement actions, actions permitted pursuant to the Deed of Easement and other related activities. Coordinates the review of closing documents on farms selected for development easement purchase, direct easement purchase, fee simple purchase, nonprofit easement/fee simple purchase and planning incentive grant easement purchase acquisitions. Coordinates with County Agriculture Development Board Administrators and local units of government in the development and implementation of Farmland Preservation and Right to Farm Programs. Performs inspections of farms for evaluation, monitoring and maintenance purposes. Recommends and prepares necessary amendments to application forms, policies and procedures for implementing the Farmland Preservation and Right to Farm Programs. Attends SADC, County Agriculture Development Board, municipal and other State, Federal or local agency meetings. Supervises and reviews agricultural impact statements contained in state agencies' proposed, amended or new rules to determine impact on agriculture; prepares correspondence to Department of Agriculture Division Directors advising of agricultural impacts. Coordinates the resolution of right to farm conflicts, issues, or concerns, including legal research; reviews correspondence from the agricultural community, county agriculture development boards, county extension agents, other state agencies or other interested parties and supervises the preparation of appropriate recommendations for resolution. Administers the Agricultural Mediation Program in cooperation with USDA/Farm Service Agency. Supervises and/or reviews requests for grant proposals; supervises the preparation of applications for same; supervises the appropriate expenditure of grant monies received. Acts as public relations liaison with Public Information Specialist with respect to press releases and inquiries, and revisions to informational brochures for the Farmland Preservation and Right to Farm programs. Coordinates legal services with the Chief of Legal Affairs to ensure proper review of Right to Farm cases with the Attorney General's office. Supervises, coordinates and assigns work to staff to accomplish Right to Farm and Farmland Preservation Program goals. Coordinates, prioritizes, and supervises the preparation of agricultural management practices (AMP's) for public comment and review pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act. Reviews same with Chief of Legal Affairs; prepares responses to public comments and makes appropriate changes to agricultural management practices; negotiates resolutions of agricultural conflicts with State agencies; retains and directs consultants for the drafting of certain AMP's. Prepares and recommends policies necessary for the administration of the Right to Farm and Farmland Preservation programs. Provides staff support to SADC sub-committees and other appropriate committees or task forces created by the Department of Agriculture and/or the SADC. Supervises the establishment and maintenance of records and files. Supervises work operations and/or functional programs and has responsibility for employee evaluation and for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting, and/or disciplining of employees. 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 agricultural, environmental or land use management policies and procedures. Knowledge of generally accepted agricultural management practices and the ability to prioritize Right to Farm and Farmland Preservation initiatives. Knowledge of land use concepts/techniques as related to agricultural resource management. Knowledge of agricultural resource management and environmental or land use policies/procedures of government agencies. Knowledge of soil and use capabilities of farmlands. Knowledge of statutes, operating policies, and procedures of the SADC and County Agriculture Development Boards' programs. Knowledge of agricultural production and marketing. Knowledge of operating policies/procedures of the agency and other state agencies concerning agricultural resource management. Knowledge of the operation, organization, and interrelationships of public/private agencies involved in or affecting agriculture. Knowledge of budgeting principles as applied to the agency. Ability to manage, coordinate and supervise staff. Ability to comprehend, interpret, and apply the laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures of the Department of Agriculture and the State Agriculture Development Committee. Ability to review applications and closing documents to ensure accurate and timely processing. Ability to prepare clear, sound, technically accurate, and informative, reports and articles containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. 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 review, recommend, revise, and develop policies/procedures related to agricultural resource management. Ability to work cooperatively and communicate effectively with individuals, groups, and agencies concerned with agricultural resource management and land use planning. Ability to participate at meetings, conferences, or work sessions dealing with agricultural resource management and land use planning. Ability to maintain records and files. 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 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. CODES: 29/S29 - MCK 12/23/06
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. Eight (8) 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 four (4) years 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; and three (3) years of the above-mentioned professional experience. "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.
Study guides for this exam
- Supervisory Test Battery (STB) National Learning Corporation · $56.99
- General Supervisor National Learning Corporation · $49.90 · general prep, not specific to this title
The Civil Service Commission does not publish official study guides or release past tests. These are independent equivalency guides.