Agricultural Technician I

Per CCR 249.3, this job control may be used to fill subsequent vacancies.

Under supervision of the Agriculture Program Supervisor IV (APS IV) with guidance from the Senior Environmental Scientist Supervisory (SESS), the Agricultural Technician I will perform assignments of average difficulty in a field and laboratory concerned with the assistive and nonprofessional entomological or plant pest work.

• Follow established protocols for visual survey, pesticide use, eradication, and detection / delimitation trapping.
• Service various insect traps, perform visual surveys and insect sweeps, visually inspect for target pest damage on local plant hosts, and conduct eradication treatments (mixing and application of spray materials).
• Collect, process, and package suspect plant and insect samples that are removed from foliage using various insect / plant collection tools and inspected for target pests.
• Read maps to navigate to multiple locations when performing field activities.
• Draw maps to identify the exact geographic locations using Global Positioning System (GPS) technology to show the coordinates i.e., longitude and latitude.
• Complete a Pest Damage Record (PDR) for samples and packaging of samples for submission to the CDFA Plant Pest Diagnostics Center for Identification.
• Keep daily reports of work completed in the Route Trap Book and electronically in CalTrap utilizing an iPad, i.e., number of traps serviced, properties treated, acreage surveyed, and samples collected, and other topics as needed.
• Screen wet and dry traps for target pests (plant and insect).
• Examine the content of traps visually which may contain hundreds of plant samples, insects, and debris to make preliminary identifications of specimens that resemble target pests.
• Initiate prescribed action for the preliminarily identified suspect target pest which may include, phone contact and / or return of the suspect target pest to the field office for official identification.

Candidates may perform these essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement .

Working Conditions

The APS IV or SESS may not always be on site in the field. The duties of this position are primarily conducted outdoors. The incumbent works in extremes of weather and temperature. Changes in lighting such as alternating bright sunlight and dark shade are encountered. Noise levels constantly vary. Terrain encountered varies from smooth and stable to irregular and unstable. Incumbent may experience regular exposure to dust, pollen, and moisture. Some trap types use a specific chemical insect lure; some of these lures may contain small amounts of pesticide. The work area can be urban or rural. Incumbent will be provided CDFA uniforms and personal protective equipment when using pesticides.

The incumbent will be required to drive, exit, and re-enter the work vehicle numerous times during the workday. The incumbent must possess a valid California driver's license and maintain a good driving record as documented by the Department of Motor Vehicles to operate a State motor vehicle safely and responsibly. A safe driving record is one free from convictions in the past two years for repeated moving violations, or a single serious violation, such as drunk driving or reckless driving.

The incumbent must also be able to apply pesticides, work well under extreme time constraints, exercise good judgment, determine priorities, make appropriate well-thought-out decisions, allocate staff, provide resources to achieve maximum results, maintain focus under conditions of duress, and provide an accurate assessment of rapidly changing situations (ex. multiple exotic pest detections requiring multiple operations). The incumbent must be able to establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted during the course of work, cooperate with other staff members in completing assigned work, communicate effectively verbally and in writing, and meet required deadlines.

Incumbent may be required to travel by State or rental vehicle to perform field active or other public transportation systems to various locations throughout the state. Must be legally able to rent a car. The incumbent may work various shifts (pre-dawn and after 6 : 00 p.m.), weekends, overtime, and possibly a split shift.

The position may require a background check to be cleared prior to being hired. Some of the work will be conducted at airport facilities, inside and around aircraft. The incumbent will be exposed to warm temperatures and loud noise. They may also work alone inside aircraft for extended periods of time.

Minimum Requirements You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

Position Details Job Code # :

JC-481694

Position #(s) : 014-678-0034-982

Working Title :

Agricultural Technician I

Classification :

AGRICULTURAL TECHNICIAN I (SEASONAL) $17.77 - $21.23

New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

Shall Consider :

AGRICULTURAL AIDE (SEASONAL)

$17.73 - $19.63

AGRICULTURAL TECHNICIAN II (SEASONAL)

$18.47 - $22.03

AGRICULTURAL TECHNICIAN III (SEASONAL)

$19.94 - $22.68

# of Positions : Multiple

Work Location : Orange County

Telework : In Office

Job Type :

Non-Tenured, Intermittent

Department Information

The Pest Detection / Emergency Projects Branch is responsible for the early detection and prompt eradication of serious exotic agricultural pests. Staffed by county and state inspectors, the Branch accomplishes its mission by conducting a statewide trapping program for exotic insect pests, by implementing special surveys for significant agricultural pests and plant diseases for which traps are not available, and by providing emergency eradication services using the best available technology. The primary objective of the emergency project component is to quickly and efficiently eradicate incipient infestations of serious agricultural pests, thereby preventing permanent establishment and subsequent spread in California.

Application Instructions

Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.

Final Filing Date : Until Filled

Who May Apply

This is a non-testing Classification, therefore, anyone meeting the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification may apply for this position. Individuals in specific programs, such as the Welfare to Work Program, are encouraged to apply and will be given priority according to the applicable Laws and Rules. Please note on your application your current participation in these programs.

Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).

How To Apply

Complete Application Packages (including your Examination / Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below :

Address for Mailing Application Packages

You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to :

Department of Food & Agriculture

Attn : Human Resource Branch JC-481694

1220 N Street, Room 242

Sacramento , CA 95814

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at :

Department of Food & Agriculture

Human Resource Branch JC-481694

1220 N Street, Room 242

Sacramento , CA 95814

ELECTRONIC APPLICATION IS PREFERRED. All mail or drop-off applications must include JC-481694

08 : 00 AM - 05 : 00 PM

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job :

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.

Benefits Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

Contact Information

The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.

Hiring Unit Contact :

Adrian Gonzales

(714) 520-6866

adrian.gonzales@cdfa.ca.gov

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.

EEO Contact :

Office of Civil Rights

(916) 654-1005

Civil_Rights@cdfa.ca.gov

California Relay Service : 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Hard Copy Applications

If you are dropping off or mailing in your application, please use the Examination / Employment Application, STD 678 Revised 6 / 2024 version.

Additional Information

Please do not include any confidential information such as social security number, marital status, ethnicity, age, salary or disability information on any of the documentation uploaded with your online application.

If the classification you are applying for has an education requirement, transcripts will be required to verify you meet the minimum qualifications of the classification. Please be sure to redact any confidential information before uploading your transcripts.

Upon hire you may be required to provide official sealed transcripts or an original degree or certificate.

Applicants with foreign degrees may be asked to provide an official foreign transcript evaluation which indicates course work is equivalent to a degree from an accredited U.S. College or University.

This position may require a medical clearance.

Alternate Classifications and Training and Development assignments may be considered.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.