Job Description

Job Description and Duties

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 .

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.

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 6/2024 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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