Seasonal Agricultural Worker – Rutgers Cooperative Vegetable IPM Program

Overview

The New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station (NJAES) is an integral component of Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. The experiment station provides a diverse range of research, extension, and education programs that serve the people of New Jersey and the urban, suburban, and rural communities in which they live. Through its Cooperative Extension offices in all 21 New Jersey counties, dedicated 4-H agents, Extension specialists, Family & Community Health Sciences educators, and Agriculture and Natural Resources agents work to serve New Jersey residents in every area of the state.

The Rutgers Cooperative Extension Vegetable Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program is an educational/service program for commercial agriculture in New Jersey. Driven by environmental monitoring and field scouting, and relying on up-to-date research, the program strives to help growers produce high quality vegetables while minimizing pesticide inputs. The program also develops real-time GIS-based predictive models of pest activity and seeks to maintain populations of beneficial insects, incorporate biological control tactics where practical, utilize reduced risk pesticides and employ resistance management strategies. The program works cooperatively with researchers in demonstrating new technologies and measuring the impact of reduced risk pest management practices.

Posting Summary

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey is seeking Seasonal Agricultural Workers for the Rutgers Cooperative Extension Vegetable IPM Program.

Among the key duties of this position are the following:

• Performs regular data collection (2 times per week per site), identifying pest and disease presence, identifying beneficial arthropods, completing IPM reports for participating growers, providing weekly summaries of insect catch data for supervisors, and collecting plant tissue samples when needed.
• Shares duties on field research projects with entomology and plant pathology specialists.
• Assists in pre-planning seasonal field activities, therefore, starting on an earlier date.

FLSA: Nonexempt

Salary Details

$15.92 – $21.00/hourly

Offer Information

The final salary offer may be determined by several factors, including, but not limited to, the candidate’s qualifications, experience, and expertise, and availability of department or grant funds to support the position. We also take into consideration market benchmarks, if and when appropriate, and internal equity to ensure fair compensation relative to the university’s broader compensation structure. We are committed to offering competitive and flexible compensation packages to attract and retain top talent.

Benefits

Rutgers provides a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. The specific benefits vary based on the position and may include:

• Medical, prescription drug, and dental coverage
• Paid vacation, holidays, and various leave programs
• Competitive retirement benefits, including defined contribution plans and voluntary tax-deferred savings options
• Employee and dependent educational benefits (when applicable)
• Life insurance coverage
• Employee discount programs

Position Status: Full Time

Working Hours

40 hours or less

Daily Work Shift: Day

Work Arrangement

This position requires a fully on-site work arrangement.

Payroll Designation: PeopleSoft

Terms of Appointment: Temporary Staff Appointment – Hourly

Minimum Education and Experience

• High school/vocational school education or equivalent experience.

Certifications/Licenses

• A valid driver’s license would be required for this position.

Preferred Qualifications

• Coursework in environmental studies, agriculture, biology, chemistry, entomology, plant pathology, and/or GIS databases.
• Additional experience and/or community college training with agricultural production.
• Competence in MS Excel and web-based Google software is helpful.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• During growing season technicians spend almost 100% of their time outside in field conditions.
• Travel required to and around assigned farms.

Special Conditions

• Clean Driving Record.
• Multiple Vacancies.

Posting Open Date: 02/26/2026

Posting Close Date: 08/26/2026

Regional Campus: Rutgers University-New Brunswick

Home Location Campus: Off Campus

City

Multiple New Jersey locations

State

NJ

Tagged as: Employment