Principal Secretary

Position Details

Position Information


Recruitment/Posting Title
Principal Secretary


Job Category
AFSCME 1761 (COLT)


Department
EFNEP


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.

FLSA
Nonexempt


Grade
13


Salary Details
Introductory Rate of $39,179.030


Minimum Salary
40354.400


Mid Range Salary
47338.870


Maximum Salary
54618.900


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
35.00


Standard Hours
35.00


Daily Work Shift

Work Arrangement


Consistent with the current application of Rutgers Policy 60.3.22 or the applicable provisions of relevant collective negotiations agreements, this position may be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement. Flexible work arrangements are not permanent, subject to change or discontinuation, and contingent on the employee receiving approval in the View email address on click.appcast.io Application System.

Union Description
AFSCME - Local 1761 COLT


Payroll Designation
PeopleSoft


Seniority Unit

Terms of Appointment
Staff - 12 month


Position Pension Eligibility
PERS

Qualifications


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.

Posting Details


Posting Number
26ST1043


Posting Open Date
05/14/2026


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.

Regional Campus
Rutgers University-Camden


Home Location Campus
Rutgers University-Camden


City
Camden


State
NJ


Location Details

Pre-employment Screenings


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

Immunization Requirements
Under Policy 100.3.1 Immunization Policy for Covered Individuals, if employment will commence during Flu Season, Rutgers University may require certain prospective employees to provide proof that they are vaccinated against Seasonal Influenza for the current Flu Season, unless the University has granted the individual a medical or religious exemption. Additional infection control and safety policies may apply. Prospective employees should speak with their hiring manager to determine which policies apply to the role or position for which they are applying. Failure to provide proof of vaccination for any required vaccines or obtain a medical or religious exemption from the University will result in rescission of a candidate's offer of employment or disciplinary action up to and including termination.

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 encourage all qualified applicants to apply. For additional information please see the Non-Discrimination Statement at the following web address: