Senior Manager - Soil Testing Laboratory

Rutgers University; New Brunswick (NJ); On-site; USD 94,000 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, prescription drug, and dental

Paid vacation, holidays, and leave

Competitive retirement benefits

Educational benefits for employee and

Life insurance coverage

Employee discount programs

Job summary

Rutgers University—New Brunswick is seeking a Senior Manager for the Soil Testing Laboratory to lead staff, manage budgets, HR, and outreach programs. You will supervise laboratory operations, ensure quality control, and coordinate with NJAES/SEBS to support research and service delivery.

The role requires a master's in soil-related field and at least five years of supervisory lab experience; oversight of analytical workflows and client reporting is essential for delivering accurate test results

Qualifications

• Master's degree in soil fertility, soil chemistry, soil management, or closely related field.
• Minimum 5 years of supervisory experience in a laboratory setting.
• Knowledge of soil chemical, biological and physical processes especially as they affect plant growth and health.

Responsibilities

• Analyzes soil, compost, and solution samples submitted by clients in a timely fashion.
• Directs and supervises laboratory technicians and student assistants and participates in analytical duties to assure samples' tests are processed efficiently and data is managed appropriately.
• Makes decisions on process methodology and assures quality control measures.
• Reviews data and produces test reports for clientele.
• Works with SEBS-IT programmer to update and continue development of the bespoke database to improve user-friendly interpretations and recommendations.
• Assists NJAES, RCE, SEBS faculty and staff researchers in planning soil sampling and testing.

Skills

Soil science knowledge

Supervisory experience

Education

Master's degree in soil fertility/chemistry/management or related field

Tools

pH meter

ICP spectrometer

CN analyzer

XRF spectrometer

Seg. flow autoanalyzer

EC meter

Liquid dispensing equipment

Soil probe

Auger

Microsoft Office

Job description

Position Details

Recruitment/Posting Title: Senior Manager - Soil Testing Laboratory

Job Category: Staff & Executive - Research (Laboratory/Non-Laboratory)

Department: Soil Testing & Plant Diagnosti

Overview: The Soil Testing Lab (STL) is a service unit of the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station that performs chemical and mechanical analyses of approximately 8,000 soil, water, and compost samples annually for New Jersey residents, organizations, and businesses, as well as for Rutgers research personnel. The mission of the Laboratory is to provide accurate and timely soil, water, and compost test reports to aid sustainable agricultural and environmental management decisions throughout New Jersey and beyond.

Posting Summary: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey is seeking a Senior Manager - Soil Testing Laboratory for the The Soil Testing Lab (STL), a service unit of the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station. The Senior Manager of Soil Testing is responsible for managing and supervising all staff and functions associated with the Soil Testing Lab. This includes supervision of the financial accounts, marketing and educational outreach, support of NJAES/SEBS research. The Senior Manager also prepares reports and educational materials, and develops, coordinates, and participates in outreach programs and special projects for laboratory clientele.

• Analyzes soil, compost, and solution samples submitted by clients in a timely fashion.
• Directs and supervises laboratory technicians and student assistants and participates in analytical duties to assure samples' tests are processed efficiently and data is managed appropriately.
• Makes decisions on process methodology and assures quality control measures.
• Reviews data and produces test reports for clientele.
• Works with SEBS-IT programmer to update and continue development of the bespoke database to improve user-friendly interpretations and recommendations.
• Assists NJAES, RCE, SEBS faculty and staff researchers in planning soil sampling and testing. Provides consultation regarding special handling, analysis, interpretation, and/or recommendations.
• Hosts, trains, and supervises select SEBS graduate students who include soil testing as part of their research.
• Summarizes STL operations by producing annual reports.
• Oversees finances, HR, and administration of the STL.
• Manages daily operation of the STL, which includes budget, fee collection, marketing, and preparation of a fiscal year report.
• Serves on the Soil Testing and Plant Diagnostic Services advisory committee.
• Trains, supervises, and assigns duties to staff.
• Develops and implements budgets, policies, and management strategies.
• Works with Business Office to track expenses, monitor payment of PO's, order supplies, etc.
• Works closely with the Senior Associate Director, NJAES and the Office of Finance & Administration at NJAES/SEBS, and other individuals as needed to ensure that operational budgets are in alignment with STL needs, expenditures are in-budget and are made in compliance with Rutgers's policies, and that internal support for continued program funding is being provided.
• Develops strategies that lead to financial growth and testing capacity of STL.
• Identifies and pursues new sources of funding that enable program expansion and enhancement.

FLSA: Exempt

Grade: 07

Minimum Salary: 94492.000

Mid Range Salary: 119604.000

Maximum Salary: 144715.000

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:

• 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

Standard Hours: 37.50

Daily Work Shift: Day

Work Arrangement: This position requires a fully on-site work arrangement.

Union Description: Admin Assembly (MPSC)

Payroll Designation: PeopleSoft

Terms of Appointment: Staff - 12 month

Position Pension Eligibility: ABP

Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience:

• Master's degree in soil fertility, soil chemistry, soil management, or closely related field.
• A minimum 5 years of supervisory experience in a laboratory setting.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of soil chemical, biological and physical processes especially as they affect plant growth and health.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in soil science discipline related to soil fertility, soil chemistry, or closely related field.
• Certification and/or experience as a crop advisor or professional soil scientist.

Equipment Utilized:

• Soil testing Laboratory instruments: pH meter/robot, inductively coupled plasma spectrometer, carbon/nitrogen analyzer, x-ray fluorescence spectrometer, segmented flow autoanalyzer, electrical conductivity instrument, liquid dispensing equipment.
• Field equipment: soil probe and auger.
• Microsoft Office: Demonstrated computer skills in a variety of applications.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

• Ability to lift and carry 50 pounds, such as buckets of soil or trays of soil samples.
• Ability to tolerate dust.

Posting Details

Posting Number: 26ST2074

Posting Open Date: 10/30/2026

Regional Campus: Rutgers University-New Brunswick

Home Location Campus: Off Campus

City: New Brunswick

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