Job Description

Job Description and Duties

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

Under the supervision of the Agricultural Pest Control Supervisor, the Agricultural Technician I (Seasonal) performs assignments of average difficulty, in a field and laboratory, for various fruit fly delimitation programs, maintains fruit fly trapping routes, coordinates the application of pesticides, maintains pesticide inventory and vehicle fleet, oversees pesticide applications performed by outside vendors, performs fruit removal and tree removal, communicates with the public at educational public meetings, coordinates with other agencies, and performs various insect/disease surveys for targeted pests for the emergency eradication. These activities include working in cooperation with other staff, overseeing treatment activities, preparing written reports, performing quality control inspections for treatment-survey-trapping programs, training new employees, and acting as the back-up trapper/applicator. The incumbent must be able to establish working relationships with those contacted during work and work well under pressure while completing assigned work and meeting required deadlines.

Essential functions include, but are not limited to:

• Perform field or staff support duties of average difficultly, deploy traps, perform visual surveys, or apply control measures for target pests such as, but not limited to various fruit flies, Japanese beetle, and gypsy moth.

• Assist in planning, organizing, and monitoring the daily operations of a trapping, visual survey, or treatment program and outside vendors to ensure compliance with Department policies and procedures, and State laws, rules, and regulations; enforce and implement new procedures or processes with seasonal employees, when necessary.

• Assemble equipment and mix chemicals using the appropriate protocols; assure that the Department is compliant with all pesticide rules and regulations.

• Safely drive and operate a state owned/leased/rented vehicle, abiding by all applicable state and local laws traffic laws to work with field staff in solving technical problems such as equipment breakdowns and trap deployment, using effective communication skills, knowledge, manuals, and/or facility operational procedures.

As an employee of the California Department of Food & Agriculture (CDFA), you are required to perform the “essential functions” of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation.  If you are interested in becoming part of a diverse and inclusive workforce where talent, experience, and expertise are valued, then CDFA is the place for you!!

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

The duties of this position are primarily conducted outdoors and may be exposed to extreme temperatures and weather, uneven terrain, and various noise levels. The incumbent may work within an office/warehouse environment furnished with a variety of office equipment, which normally consists of desks, tables, chairs, filing cabinets, storage cabinets, filing bins, computers, computer peripherals, phones, answering machines, photocopiers, and fax machines.

The incumbent must have a valid driver’s license and have a safe driving record as documented by the Department of Motor Vehicles. (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 will be required to drive, exit and re-enter the work vehicle numerous times during the workday, must possess a valid CA drivers’ license to be able to apply pesticides.

The incumbent will 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. Incumbent must travel 90 to 100% of the time, with travel required to different areas within California while performing Essential and Non-Essential work functions. Travel is essential and the incumbent will travel to various locations throughout the State to attend meetings or training related to pest detection and treatment and to assist other offices with detection and treatment efforts is required. While on travel status, the incumbent is to follow all rules of conducted expected at the home office.

The incumbent must be able to apply pesticides, haul loads of fruit and/or removed trees, perform survey work, and work well under extreme time constraints, exercise good judgment, determine priorities, make appropriate well-thought out decisions, allocate staff and resources to achieve maximum results, maintain focus under conditions of duress, and provide accurate assessment of rapidly changing situations (ex: multiple exotic pest detections requiring multiple operations).

The incumbent may be required to work overtime, weekends, and holidays. May work various shifts (pre-dawn and after 6:00 pm), weekends, overtime, and possibly a split shift.

Special Requirements

• The position(s) require(s) a valid California Drivers License (CDL). You must answer the questions addressing your CDL on your application. Ensure you provide your CDL number, class, expiration date, and any endorsements and/or restrictions.

Benefits

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

Hard Copy Applications:

If you are dropping off or mailing in your application, please use the Examination/Employment Application, STD 678 Revised 06/2024 version.

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:

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is optional. It may be included, but is not required.

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