HEAD FARMER

Code: 45325 State Competitive Range: R16 (FY 2027) Work week 40: FLSA coveredOvertime table (4A:3, Appx. A)

Salary: $53,281.62 - $77,370.62/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.

Examples of work

• When the farm work program has been approved, organizes assigned work, and develops effective work methods.
• Assigns and instructs employees and patients, inmates and/or students assigned to the farm and supervises the performance of their work,
• Plans the crops to be planted, where they will be planted, and the time of planting in order to produce the right yield, to prevent soil damage, and to be harvested at the right time for consumption, canning and storage and directs the carrying out of such plans,
• Supervises the work operations and/or functional programs and has responsibility for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting and/or disciplining of employees.
• Directs the preparation of the soil and the cultivation of the crops.
• Supervises the operation of the piggery, the hennery, the garden and the greenhouse.
• Supervises the planting of trees in orchards and the cultivating, fertilizing, pruning, spraying, and gathering of the fruit.
• Supervises the placing of crops in the root cellar, the operation of the cold storage preservation unit, and the distribution of commodities therefrom.
• Supervises the maintenance and servicing of mechanical farm implements and the replacement of old machinery.
• Makes recommendations for the purchase of new farm equipment and machinery.
• Supervises the maintenance of the farm buildings.
• Obtains, stores, records, safeguards, distributes and supervises the proper use of needed farm equipment, materials and supplies.
• Prepares daily farm reports and reports of progress, time, costs and production.
• Maintains the essential farm records and files.
• May be required to undergo fire training classes.
• <b>REQUIREMENTS
• EXPERIENCE</b>
• Three years of experience in the determining of crops to be planted, the preparation of soil, the cultivation of crops, soil management and animal husbandry - one year of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity,

License

Appointee 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

• Wide knowledge of the problems involved in operating a large and diversified farm program.
• Basic knowledge of the problems encountered in supervising the work of patients and/or inmates in order that they may receive the maximum benefit, mentally and physically, and that the assigned work may be completed in the most efficient manner.
• Wide knowledge of the methods involved in making plans involving the determination of crops to be planted, the time, place and manner of the plantings, the preparation of the soil, and the cultivation of crops in order to produce the proper yield, prevent soil damage, and bring about maturing and harvesting at the appropriate time for consumption, canning, and storage.
• Wide knowledge of and familiarity with the varied problems involved in planning and supervising the operation of a large and diversified farm.
• Ability to organize farm management work, analyze the varied problems pertaining thereto, and develop effective work methods.
• Ability to assign and instruct patients, inmates, students and/or employees assigned to the farm and supervise the performance of their work.
• Ability to plan and supervise the work of a group of patients and/or inmates in such a manner as to ensure that they receive the maximum benefit mentally and physically and that the work may be completed in the most effective manner.
• Ability to plan the crops to be planted, the time, place and manner of the planting, the preparation of the soil, and the working of the crops in order to produce the proper yield, prevent soil damage, and to bring about harvesting at the appropriate time for consumption, canning, freezing and storage.
• Ability to supervise the operation of the piggery, garden, greenhouse and hennery.
• Ability to supervise the planting of trees in orchards and the cultivating, fertilizing, pruning and spraying of trees and the gathering of fruit.
• Ability to supervise the placing of food in the root cellar, the operation of the cold storage preservation unit, and the distribution of commodities therefrom.
• Ability to supervise the feeding and care of farm animals and the maintenance and repair of harness, wagons and other farm equipment.
• Ability to supervise the proper use, care and maintenance of farm equipment and implements.
• Ability to supervise the maintenance of farm building.
• Ability to obtain, store, record, safeguard, distribute and supervise the proper use of needed farm equipment, materials and supplies.
• Ability to prepare daily farm reports, weekly progress reports, time reports and other reports of farm programs and activities containing findings, conclusions and recommendations.
• Ability to maintain the essential farm records and files.
• 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.