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.

Posting Summary

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey is seeking a Principal Secretary for the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP). Reporting to the Program Associate I of the Camden County Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP), the Principal Secretary facilitates the orderly and timely flow of daily documents; organizes and performs diversified office duties in a high volume, fast-paced environment, including confidential clerical support for the NJ EFNEP Camden County Office. The Principal Secretary will be housed in the Camden County Cooperative Extension Office.

Among the key duties of the position are the following:

Manages multiple tasks with accuracy.
Arranges meetings and associated logistics.
Prepares written communications and compiles documents for evaluation reporting.
Responds to internal and external inquiries.
Greets and directs visitors to proper destination; arranges schedules, appointments, and reservations.
Distributes mail, takes dictation and maintains records and files.
Aids clerical back-up-support (in-line with the realm of this position’s duties) for all secretarial lines for the NJ EFNEP work units on an as-needed basis, (i.e., in the case of Secretarial staff shortages due to illness, vacations, etc.).
Provides confidential and coordinating secretarial/clerical support to a university administrator or office.
Designs word processing routines to access, manipulate, and transmit files for specific uses. Performs a variety of additional advanced and basic word processing assignments.

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

Minimum Education and Experience

High school/vocational school education or equivalent plus three years of any equivalent combination of: secretarial experience, college-level study, advanced secretarial training, or clerical experience, provided secretarial experience accounts for at least one year of any such combination.

Certifications/Licenses

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

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Demonstrated data entry/word-processing/typing skills.
Working knowledge and the ability to use basic spreadsheet, word-processing, database software, and/or email.
Ability to communicate effectively.
Effective client service skills.
Shorthand, stenographic, and/or machine transcription skills.
Excellent computer skills (Windows, Word, Excel, Power Point, Internet).
Proficient in video conferencing platforms (Zoom, WebEx, Google Meets, Google Classrooms, Microsoft Teams).
Excellent organizational skills.
Good problem-solving skills.
Ability to provide excellent services to culturally diverse colleagues and collaborators.
Ability and willingness to work in a consistently high-energy, high-pressure atmosphere
Ability to effectively manage multiple priorities.
Ability to quickly assess situations, think broadly and logically, make appropriate decisions that account for broad consequences, and act swiftly.

Preferred Qualifications

Bilingual in Spanish.

Equipment Utilized

Familiarity with website maintenance, and a working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, and Email), and Internet.
A government supplied reporting system to data entry information needed for nutrition classes.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

Ability to lift up to 35 pounds.
Shift/Schedule: 7 hours per day, 8:00-3:30pm with a half an hour lunch or 8:00-4:00 with an hour lunch.

Special Conditions

This is a 100% grant funded position, employment in this position is contingent upon the availability of funds. This position will expire once the grant has ended.
Willingness to use personal vehicle to travel to purchase class supplies, including groceries, and to drive, as needed throughout Camden County, as well as to the State Office in New Brunswick.
Safe Driving Record.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Message to AFSCME Local 1761 (COLT) members ONLY:

To apply, an application or resume must be submitted no later than 9:00 a.m. on Friday, 5/22/2026. Although AFSCME Local 1761 (COLT) members have priority consideration, outside applications are accepted as well.