Position Details

Position Information

Recruitment/Posting Title	Field Researcher IV
Job Category	Staff & Executive - Research (Laboratory/Non-Laboratory)
Department	SEBS - Blueberry-Cranberry
Overview	Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is a leading national research university and the State of New Jersey’s preeminent, comprehensive public institution of higher education. As one of the largest employers in the State of New Jersey, Rutgers University is committed not only to the students and the State that we serve, but also to the faculty and staff who work on our campuses. Ranked in 2022 by Forbes as a top 100 best large employer in America, Rutgers’ commitment to its employees includes maintaining and fostering a safe, diverse, and respectful workplace environment, creating employment opportunities for our nation’s military veterans, and ensuring accessibility and accommodation for individuals with disabilities.
Posting Summary	Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is seeking a Field Researcher IV. The successful candidate will fill a critical role in the Plant Pathology Team focused on research targeting blueberry and cranberry disease management. Under the guidance and direction of the faculty leader, the primary responsibilities of this position include performing, training, and supervising others to carry out a variety of field, greenhouse, laboratory, and data processing duties required to operate a highly efficient and effective specialty crops plant pathology research program. Among the key duties of this position are the following: Participate in the planning, establishment and maintenance of field/greenhouse/growth chamber/laboratory experiments. This involves field plot design, preparation, and implementation; weed and pest control; fertilization; harvest; any other maintenance requirements. Supervise, train and assign duties to hourly employees to facilitate an efficient and productive plant pathology program. Includes facilitating projects to coordinate data collection, experimental design and new experiment development. Includes training of personnel to safely operate equipment used under this research program. Assist in the preparation, organization and coordination of the effective evaluation of large scale field and greenhouse experiments, other research trials and spaced plants, including data collection, database maintenance, subsequent statistical analysis, and document preparation for publication. Coordinates equipment use, preventative maintenance and repairs. Participates in the requisition ordering of all field supplies, seeds, pesticides, fertilizers, laboratory chemicals and necessary supplies for the project. Participates in field days, conferences, demonstrations, literature searches, visitor tours and other duties as requested.
Position Status	Full Time
Hours Per Week
Daily Work Shift
Work Arrangement
FLSA	Nonexempt
Grade	03
Position Salary
Annual Minimum Salary	46742.000
Annual Mid Range Salary	59162.500
Annual Maximum Salary	71583.000
Standard Hours	37.50
Union Description	Admin Assembly (MPSC)
Payroll Designation	PeopleSoft
Benefits	Rutgers offers a comprehensive benefit program to eligible employees. For details, please go to http://uhr.rutgers.edu/benefits/benefits-overview . Rutgers also offers a benefit program to eligible full-time postdoctoral fellow students. For details, please go to https://finance.rutgers.edu/healthcare-risk/insurance/postdoctoral-health-insurance.
COVID-19 Immunization Requirement	Under Policy 60.1.35 , Rutgers University requires all prospective employees to provide proof that they are fully vaccinated and have received a booster (where eligible) against COVID-19 prior to commencement of employment, unless the University has granted the individual a medical or religious exemption. Prospective employees who are not eligible for a booster at the time of an offer of employment must provide proof they have received a booster within two weeks (14 calendar days) of eligibility . Based on current guidance, individuals are considered fully vaccinated against COVID-19 two weeks after receiving the final dose of any COVID-19 vaccine authorized or approved for use in the United States by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Eligibility for a booster against COVID-19 varies and is explained on the University’s web site located at https://coronavirus.rutgers.edu/covid-19-vaccine . Failure to provide proof of primary vaccination and booster will result in rescission of a prospective employee’s offer of employment and/or disciplinary action up to and including termination.
Seniority Unit
Terms of Appointment	Staff - 12 month
Position Pension Eligibility	ABP

Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience	Bachelor’s degree in a biological science including course work or experience in field biology and plant ecology, or an equivalent combination of education
Certifications/Licenses	Valid NJ DEP Pesticide Applicator’s License (Category 3B). Use of personal vehicle in order to travel for business demands; a valid driver’s license would be required for this position.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities	Must be able to independently prepare chemicals necessary to conduct field evaluations and apply them with proper spraying equipment. Must be organized, flexible and capable of carrying out several tasks or projects at the same time and have the ability to reorganize tasks depending on weather, labor schedules and other resources. Must have good reading/writing skills. Must have good interpersonal communication skills. Must have experience in proper experimental design. Must be able to follow to the letter research protocol as produced by chemical manufacturing companies or by the direct supervisor. Must have knowledge of basic laboratory equipment and techniques including sterile techniques, seed preparation, and plant propagation and growth. Must have knowledge of computer applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Must be familiar with proper data/statistical analysis of experiments. Must be able to carry field work during hot days of summer, cold days of winter, and on weekends when requested by essential tasks.
Preferred Qualifications	A minimum of 2 years’ experience working with specialty crops (vegetables, small fruits, tree fruits or ornamentals) management in the field and in the greenhouse with emphasis on pests, disease or weed management.
Equipment Utilized
Physical Demands and Work Environment	Must be able to lift 50 lbs and endure strenuous physical activities in frequently adverse conditions.
Special Conditions	Clean Driving Record.

Posting Details

Posting Number	22ST2620
Posting Open Date	08/08/2022
Special Instructions to Applicants
Regional Campus	Rutgers University-New Brunswick
Home Location Campus	Off Campus
City	Chatsworth
State	NJ
Location Details	Marucci Center 125A Lake Oswego Road, Chatsworth, NJ, and local farms

Pre-employment Screenings

All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of all pre-employment screenings.

Infection Control and Safety

This position is subject to all Rutgers University policies, including TB surveillance and other infection control and safety policies. Please review the Tuberculosis Surveillance Policy for additional information.

Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

It is university policy to provide equal employment opportunity to all its employees and applicants for employment regardless of their race, creed, color, national origin, age, ancestry, nationality, marital or domestic partnership or civil union status, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, disability status, liability for military service, protected veteran status, affectional or sexual orientation, atypical cellular or blood trait, genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing), or any other category protected by law. As an institution, we value diversity of background and opinion, and prohibit discrimination or harassment on the basis of any legally protected class in the areas of hiring, recruitment, promotion, transfer, demotion, training, compensation, pay, fringe benefits, layoff, termination or any other terms and conditions of employment. For additional information please see the Non-Discrimination Statement at the following web address: http://uhr.rutgers.edu/non-discrimination-statement