SUPERVISING AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS AGENT

Code: 33894 State Competitive Range: S22 (FY 2027) Work week N4: FLSA exemptOvertime table (4A:3, Appx. A)

Salary: $69,668.2 - $101,950.9/year FY 2027 schedule (last updated 2026-07-27)

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 supervisory officer in the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, supervises the work force assigned to regulatory service programs including inspection, certification, grading, standardization and enforcement involving numerous fresh and processed agricultural commodities; supervises the sampling of materials and products used in plant and livestock production; inspections of wholesale and retail dealers to ensure proper licensing; and the labeling of agricultural commodities at point of sale; performs special investigations; directs investigators and complex program oversite as well as development of the program to enforce the New Jersey Milk Control Act, Chapter 274, P.L. 1941, as amended; enforces and translates the provisions of the law and assists milk dealers, processors, and retail merchants in milk marketing problems; monitors and controls the inventory in the warehouses for minimal loss nd maintenance of quality and wholesomeness; supervises the work of Agricultural Products Agents who monitor the receipt, allocation, utilization, storage and distribution of federally donated food commodities to eligible recipient agencies; provides administrative support for the electronic information processing system to ensure continued and uninterrupted monthly allocations of U.S.D.A. commodities to all eligible recipient agencies within New Jersey; supervises staff and work activities; prepares and signs official performance evaluations for subordinate staff; does other related duties.

Examples of work

Assigns and delegates workloads to inspection and grading personnel. Supervises the issuance of official certificates and reports, including various official United States Department of Agriculture Marketing and Distribution Certificates, in compliance with State/Federal and Foreign requirements, including shipping point, receiving market, phytosanitary, export and import inspections. Participates in industry meetings and provides technical advice and assistance on agricultural commodity grading problems and programs. Supervises the work operations and/or functional programs and has responsibility for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting and/or disciplining of employees. Supervises the collection of samples of animal feeds, seeds, fertilizers, soil conditioners and liming materials for Departmental laboratory analysis. Participates in the development of contracts for inspection and grading services, works with agricultural commodity processors and packers to develop proper terminology in processors/packer- grower contracts. Supervises and assigns the inspection and grading personnel and ensures that work performance is in accordance with applicable laws, regulations and State/Federal standards and grades. As required supervises the verification of prices and proper dating of agricultural commodity packages and containers, and proper labeling of commodities and materials such as lime, feed, fertilizers, potatoes and eggs. Supervises the interpretation and application of official standards and grades for agricultural products by bureau personnel. Participates in the training and supervision of inspection and grading personnel, dairy investigation personnel and Food Distribution personnel. Conducts laboratory evaluations of milk processing plants and holds the appropriate license to act as a Laboratory Evaluation Officer (LEO). Certifies laboratory technicians to perform sanitary and safety tests on raw milk used for processing milk and milk products. Supervises and acts as test proctor for the Weigher/Sampler licensees. Conduct and supervise detailed warehouse audits of products for dealers, and to analyze such information to determine regulatory compliance. Conduct and/or supervise the collection and analysis of detailed financial information as it relates to variable cost pricing and to explain variable cost as defined in the regulations for stores, dealers, and for any other legal matters. Assists in planning and organizing of Division investigations in highly sensitive and complicated cases. Obtains affidavits from complainants, licensees, or witnesses to support or refute allegations relevant to cases conducted by the Division. Assists with the compilation and organization of pre-investigative research. Reviews licensing records for background information in formulating the course of action of an investigation. Supervises and arranges conferences related to investigative cases. Review labels of consumer packaging for approval and/or compliance with the New Jersey labeling regulations and those of the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO) and/or Certified Organic Program. Review for compliance and approval of 'cents off promotions' as they related to the New Jersey Milk Control Act. Investigates Dealers and Processors to collect evidence for a hearing/mediation on a violation. Acts as Department representative to submit evidence at hearings. Conducts field hearings and mediation for dairy violations. Settles Disputes and violations. Participates in the development of "Value Added Dairy Marketing". Plans and organizes investigations of dealers, processors, and stores to collect evidence for a hearing/mediation on a violation. Provides advice on packaging, inspection, grading and regulatory matters to Department and industry personnel, serves as an expert witness on such matters as required. Cooperates with Federal and State organizations and agencies. Provides advice to farmers on grading and standardization requirements. Supervises the inspection of facilities proposed for Controlled Atmosphere (CA) storage of agricultural commodities; supervises the inspection of approved facilities for temperature and percentages of oxygen and carbon dioxide compliance. Supervises the maintenance and issuance of equipment and provides instructions for use. Reviews and analyzes activity and other operational reports. Prepares reports of the Commodity Inspection and Grading programs or in the Food Distribution programs containing findings, conclusions and recommendations. Prepares correspondence. Develops work programs for Agricultural Products Agents verifying the compliance of recipient agencies with regulations concerning the receipt, transportation, distribution, storage and utilization of federally donated food commodities. Meets with prospective sponsors of needy-feeding programs. Guides recipient agencies in the development of efficient management practices related to food commodities, use inventories, withdrawal and use records, temperature requirements, dry storage, refrigerated storage and freezer storage practices. Meets with federal representatives regarding the inspection of record keeping, utilization, receipt, storage, distribution, claims and processing agreement practices of recipient agencies. Meets with representatives of recipient agencies to identify their needs, arrange for delivery schedules, and determine utilization requirements for federal foods. Provides guidance and instruction to field employees and supervises the performance of their work. Provides administrative support for the daily operation of the electronic data system for the monthly allocation offering of food. Supervises the sampling and collection of Federal foods for analytical testing to ensure food quality meets State and Federal regulations and standards. Processes claim losses due to shortages, damages, spoilage and prolonged storage. Supervises the establishment and maintenance of essential 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.

Requirements

Five (5) years of experience in fresh fruit and vegetable grading and inspection; or in food safety systems auditing; or in field and internal related work as an agricultural commodities regulation enforcement officer; or as a food service director.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

Knowledge of the methods used to inspect food products. Knowledge of agriculture products, standards and grades, and other quality specifications for agricultural commodities. Knowledge of laboratory evaluations of milk processing plants. Knowledge of certification procedures to certify laboratory technicians to perform sanitary and safety tests on raw milk used for processing milk and milk products. Knowledge of the problems encountered in soliciting voluntary observance of grading procedures for the marketing of fruits and vegetables. Knowledge of the trade practices for handling, packing, storage and distribution of food. Knowledge of the types, volume and production schedules of various agricultural commodities. Knowledge of the methods used to develop and supervise food distribution programs. Ability to supervise assigned staff and plan, organize, and implement projects within the unit. Ability to supervise and act as test proctor for the Weigher/Sampler licensees. Ability to conduct and supervise detailed warehouse audits of products for dealers, and to analyze such information to determine regulatory compliance. Ability to conduct and/or supervise the collection and analysis of detailed financial information as it relates to variable cost pricing and to explain variable cost as defined in the regulations for stores, dealers, and for any other legal matters. Ability to investigate Dealers and Processors to collect evidence for a hearing/mediation on a violation. Ability to act as Department representative to submit evidence at hearings. Ability to conduct field hearings and mediation for dairy violations. Ability to settle Disputes and violations without consultation with Coordinator of Dairy Program. Ability to provide assignments and instructions to staff and supervise their performance. Ability to provide advice on packing, inspection and grading of food. Ability to supervise the collection of food and other samples for analysis and testing. Ability to interpret laws, rules and regulations and apply them to specific regulations. Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with associates, subordinates, and others involved in the work of the program. Ability to prepare correspondence. Ability to prepare reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Ability to supervise the establishment and maintenance of essential records and files. Ability to meet with representatives of food recipient agencies to identify and expedite their needs. Ability to supervise the issuance and use of equipment and supplies. Ability to develop plans for the utilization of electronic data systems. 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. Possession of a United States Department of Agriculture unrestricted Interstate/Intrastate Market license may be substituted for one (1) year of experience. Possession of a United States Department of Agriculture Processed Base Auditors license may be substituted for one (1) year of experience. Possession of a Food and Drug Administration, Grade A Milk Sanitation License may be substituted for one (1) year of experience. Appointees may be required to qualify for federal and/or State licenses or certifications for agricultural commodities inspections and/or food safety inspections. 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. SPECIAL NOTE: The duties of this title may require heavy lifting. Appointees will be expected to perform duties where heavy lifting of objects such as crates of ice, packed poultry, and dry pack cases of eggs, fruits, vegetables, seafood, red meat, frozen/refrigerated, canned commodities, and other objects will be required. Appointees may be expected to detect color variations and undesirable odors in commodities being inspected and/or graded.