Program Specialist Trainee

NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

NOTICE OF JOB VACANCY

TITLE: Program Specialist Trainee

ANNOUNCEMENT #: 45-25

ISSUE DATE: 12/22/25

CLOSING DATE: 1/5/26

SALARY RANGE: $51,479.83-$53, 807.27

[X]  GENERAL PUBLIC

LOCATION: Division of Marketing & Development, Trenton, NJ

ELECTRONIC FILING INSTRUCTIONS

Interested applicants must email a cover letter, including the announcement number, resume, and transcripts by the closing date of this Notice of Job Vacancy to njdajobs@ag.nj.gov.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Under the direction of supervisory officer within the Division of Marketing and Development, selected candidate will provide planning, assistance, and development advice to agricultural commodity councils and producer groups; participate in conducting consumer and retailer preference surveys; prepare associated technical reports; participate in conducting marketing development and merchandise programs with local, national, and international agricultural buyers; develop and disseminate information and promotional messages through online media, including digital media (videos and audio); assist in preparing materials for print ads (newspapers, magazines, news releases, etc.); maintain the Jersey Fresh website; develop and implement social media campaigns; oversee social media for Jersey Fresh; and other related duties as required.

REQUIREMENTS

NOTE: 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.

EDUCATION: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s degree.

FOREIGN DEGREES: Degrees and/or transcripts issued by a college or university outside of the United States must be evaluated     by a reputable evaluation service at your expense. This evaluation must be included with your submission and failure to submit the required evaluation may result in an ineligibility determination.

OR

EXPERIENCE:  Four (4) years of professional experience relevant to the position.

NOTE: "Professional experience" refers to work that is analytical, evaluative, and interpretive; requires a range of basic knowledge of the profession's concepts and practices; and is performed with the authority to act and make accurate and informed decisions.   

ADVANCEMENT: Appointees who successfully complete the 12-month training period will be eligible for advancement to the title of Program Specialist 1. The inability of an employee in this title to attain a level of performance warranting advancement to the title listed above shall be considered as cause for separation.

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.

AUTHORIZATION TO WORK:  Selected candidates must be authorized to work in the United States according to the Department of Homeland Security, United States Citizenship, and Immigration Services regulations. 

NOTE: The State of New Jersey does not provide sponsorships for permanent residency to the United States or work visa

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Effective September 1, 2011, NJ PL 70 (NJ First Act), requires all state employees to reside in New Jersey, unless exempted under the law or current employees who live out-of-state and do not have a break-in service of more than 7 calendar days, as they are "grandfathered."  New employees or current employees who were not grandfathered and who live out-of-state have one year after the date of employment to relocate their residence to New Jersey or request an exemption.  Current employees who reside in NJ must retain NJ residency, unless an exemption is obtained. Employees who fail to meet the residency requirements or obtain an exemption will be removed from employment.

SAME PROGRAM INFORMATION

SAME APPLICANTS: If you are applying under the NJ “SAME” program, your supporting documents (Schedule A or B letter), must be submitted  to njdajobs@ag.nj.gov along with your resume, cover letter, announcement number, and transcript (if position has a degree requirement) by the closing date indicated above. For more information on the SAME Program visit their Website at: https://nj.gov/csc/same/overview/index.shtml, email: CSC-SAME@csc.nj.gov, or call CSC at (609) 292-4144, option 3.

BENEFIT(S)*

*Pursuant to the State/Department’s policy, procedures and/or guidelines

Statewide benefits include:

Deferred Compensation

Health and Life Insurance

Flexible and Health Savings Accounts (FSA) (HSA)

Alternate Work Week available for some positions

Paid Time Off

State Holidays

Up to $250 in rewards for Wellness Program

Telework available for some positions

The New Jersey Department of Agriculture is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer