AGRICULTURAL RETENTION PROGRAM MANAGER
New Jersey treats Agricultural Retention Program Manager as a competitive-class job, so the gate is an examination and the ranked list it produces rather than a direct offer.
The spec names a master's degree, but it leaves the door open to substitute experience for the degree. The FY2026 range lands between $92,711 and $136,605.
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 supervision of the Executive Director or Assistant Director, State Agriculture Development Committee, plans organizes and directs agricultural retention programs involving complex and technical methods of farmland preservation; does other related duties.
Examples of work
Manages and oversees the evaluation and ranking of applications submitted to the Farmland Preservation and the Transfer of Development Rights Programs. Prepares rules, policies and procedures as directed. Researches, analyzes, and/or prepares proposed legislation affecting Farmland Preservation or Transfer of Development Rights Programs. Directs staff and coordinates with the Office of the Attorney General to ensure a thorough and accurate review of closing documents on lands participating in the Farmland Preservation or Transfer of Development Rights Programs. Coordinates with the Assistant Director through the establishment of goals, work plans and schedules to effectively utilize staff and other resources to accomplish program goals for the State Agriculture Development Committee and the Transfer of Development Rights Bank. Coordinates with the Administrative Analyst the preparation of all fiscal transactions, projections of financial needs and reports. Provides assignment, instruction, and supervision of staff. Manages work operations and is responsible for employee evaluations and for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting, and/or disciplining of employees. Drafts correspondence in the course of official duties. Prepares and directs the preparation of clear, sound, accurate, and informative reports containing findings, statistical information, analyses, conclusions and recommendations. Maintains 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.
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
Knowledge of agricultural or environmental land acquisition or land use management. Knowledge of land acquisition and land use concepts/techniques as related to agricultural resource management. Knowledge of agricultural resource management and environmental or land use policies. Knowledge of rule making procedures. Knowledge of effective supervisory techniques. Ability to read, analyze and interpret pertinent state and federal laws and related rules, regulations, and policies. Ability to review and thoroughly understand survey plats, various maps, legal descriptions, title reports and other related documents associated with real estate transactions. Ability to work cooperatively and communicate effectively with associates, subordinates, staff of other divisions, departments, and/or branches of government, and with the general public. Ability to prepare technical agreements, contracts, deeds and other legal documents. Ability to prepare rules, policies and procedures. Ability to assign, instruct, and supervise professional and other staff. Ability to prepare clear, sound, accurate and informative reports containing findings, conclusions and recommendations. Ability to plan, carry out and supervise assigned investigations, surveys, studies, and research activities. 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.
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. Nine (9) years of professional experience involving planning, rule making, legal representation, organizing, coordinating, staffing, reporting, and budgeting in the areas of agricultural or environmental land acquisition or land use management programs, including or supplemented by twelve (12) semester-hour credits in one or any combination of the following: 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 any combination of the following: agricultural science, natural resource management, environmental science, environmental planning, or land use planning; and five (5) years of the above-mentioned professional experience. OR Possession of a Master's degree from an accredited college or university in one of the areas listed above; and four (4) years of the above-mentioned professional experience. OR Possession of a law degree from an accredited college or university; 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
- Management Test Battery (MTB) National Learning Corporation · $52.95
- Manager/Administrator Test National Learning Corporation · $49.95 · 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.