Principal Secretary

Rutgers University; Camden (NJ); Hybrid; USD 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, prescription drug, and dental

Paid vacation and holidays

Retirement benefits

Educational benefits

Life insurance

Employee discounts

Job summary

Rutgers University–Camden is seeking a Principal Secretary for the EFNEP program. The role entails managing daily documents, coordinating meetings, preparing communications, greeting visitors, and providing confidential clerical support within a fast-paced environment.

Posting notes indicate a 35-hour work week with potential hybrid arrangements, and a salary range from approximately $40k to $54k depending on qualifications and funds. A valid driver’s license is required.

Qualifications

• High school/vocational education or equivalent plus three years of secretarial/clerical experience.
• A valid driver’s license is required for this position.
• Demonstrated data entry, word-processing, typing skills; proficient with basic spreadsheet, word-processing, database software and email.

Responsibilities

• Facilitates the orderly and timely flow of daily documents in a high volume environment.
• Organizes and performs diversified office duties including confidential clerical support.
• Greets and directs visitors, arranges schedules and reservations, and maintains records and files.
• Provides backup support for secretarial staff as needed and coordinates with university administrator(s).
• Designs word processing routines to access, manipulate, and transmit files for specific uses.

Skills

Data entry

Word processing

Typing

Spreadsheet

Communication

Customer service

Shorthand

Windows Office

Video conferencing

Organization

Multitasking

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Valid driver's license

Job description

Position Details

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.

• 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 FlexWork@RU 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

Regional Campus: Rutgers University-Camden

Home Location Campus: Rutgers University-Camden

City: Camden

State: NJ

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: http://uhr.rutgers.edu/non-discrimination-statement