TECHNICAL ASSISTANT AGRICULTURE
In New Jersey, Technical Assistant Agriculture is filled through the competitive process: candidates take a civil service exam and are hired off a ranked list, not picked at will.
Qualifying turns on 3 years of relevant experience. The FY2027 range lands between $50,990 and $73,902.
How to apply
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Exam
This is an application to sit an exam and be placed on an eligible list for this title, not an application for a specific job. A $35 application fee applies to Non-Public-Safety announcements issued on or after 2026-02-01. There may be no current vacancy behind it, and the list it produces may not be certified for months or years.
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Exam
Open to permanent employees in the competitive division who hold a qualifying lower title in the same unit. A $35 application fee applies to Non-Public-Safety announcements issued on or after 2026-02-01. Like the open competitive exam, this places you on a list; it is not itself a job offer.
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 the supervisory officer in the Department of Agriculture, performs technical support duties for an agricultural program which includes maintaining program records, providing technical support to program staff, assisting with arrangements for tours, functions, conventions or site inspections and providing administrative support; may assist with the office operations of an agricultural program; performs other related duties as required.
Examples of work
- Enters information regarding clients and their inspections, payments and reimbursements.
- Maintain, monitors, and updates agency tracking systems, mailing lists and other agricultural data bases.
- Verifies and monitors applications and permits.
- Collects, deposits, records and prepares spreadsheets of deposits and revenues.
- May assist with technical arrangements and details for all special events in which the program is engaged.
- Drafts correspondence, invoices, notices and/or certificates.
- Gathers information and prepares reports of program activities and transactions.
- Records, distributes and maintains files of minutes of meetings related to the agricultural program.
- Answers inquiries from the public and government agencies pertaining to agricultural programs and regulations.
- May assist in compiling of up-to-date information, photographs and updating exhibits for press releases and agricultural periodicals.
- Opens and routes mail.
- Keeps supply of agency forms.
- 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.
Education
Sixty (60) semester credit hours from an accredited college or university.
Experience
Three (3) years of experience performing technical support duties of an administrative nature, which includes bookkeeping.
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 methods used to collect and record program information.
- Knowledge of office practices, procedures, methods, filing and other related administrative support activities.
- Ability to maintain contracts, grants, public relations and financial records.
- Ability to comprehend, analyze, interpret and apply basic State and federal regulations and Departmental policies, and procedures governing the Department of Agriculture.
- Ability to maintain schedules and meet required deadlines.
- Ability to perform technical, complex and detailed work of a varied nature.
- Ability to maintain and update mailing lists, tracking systems and other databases.
- 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 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.
Applicants who do not possess the required education may substitute additional experience as indicated on a year-for-year basis with thirty (30) semester hour credits being equal to one (1) year of experience.