FARMER
Farmer is a state title in New Jersey's competitive civil service, which means the way in is an open exam rather than a direct appointment.
The main requirement is 1 year of relevant experience. Pay on the FY 2027 schedule runs $41,070 to $59,027.
How to apply
This title is filled by competitive examination.
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See where to apply for this title →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 direction of a Head Farmer or other supervisory official at an institution, does general farm work and may supervise the work of employees, patients, and/or inmates; does related work as required.
Examples of work
- Plows, harrows, cultivates, and fertilizes the soil.
- Plants, transplants, sprays, cares for, and harvests fruits, vegetables, and grain.
- Feeds, waters, and cares for farm live stock and poultry.
- Operates, maintains, repairs, and adjusts farm tools, implements, and equipment.
- Trains and instructs Farmhands, Assistant Farmers, and patients and inmates assigned to the institution farm, and supervises the performance of their work.
- Supervises and does the digging of drainage ditches, the laying of drainage pipes, the building and repairing of fences, and the repairing of farm buildings.
- Prepares requisitions for needed farm equipment, tools, materials, and supplies and sees that these are stored, recorded, issued, and properly used.
- Takes the measures required for the safety, custody, and welfare of patients and inmates assigned to the institution farm.
- Prepares reports of farm activities and keeps records.
- In the Department of Human Services may be required to undergo fire training courses.
- Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and computerized information system used by the agency, office, or related units.
Experience
One (1) year of experience in general farming work.
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 general farming work and its problems.
- Knowledge of the proper use, maintenance, adjustment, and repair of agricultural machinery, equipment, and tools.
- Knowledge of the common farm fertilizers and conditioning agents and their most effective use and of modern farming procedures, methods, and techniques.
- Ability to organize assigned institution farm work and develop effective work methods.
- Ability to assign and instruct employees, patients, and inmates assigned to the institution farm and to supervise the performance of their work.
- Ability to plan, organize, and supervise the sowing, cultivating, spraying, and harvesting of farm crops, and of orchards and vineyards.
- Ability to see that cattle and other live stock and poultry are properly cared for.
- Ability to do and to supervise the work involved in operating, maintaining, adjusting, and making minor adjustments to farm machinery, tools, and equipment.
- Ability to see that the non-agricultural tasks of an institution farm are properly done.
- Ability to see that appropriate measures are taken for the safety, custody, and welfare of patients and inmates assigned to the farm.
- Ability to prepare reports and keep the records of farm activities.
- Ability to learn 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, or 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 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.
- CODES: A10- ECK 5/18/95