AGRICULTURAL TECHNICIAN I (SEASONAL)
Department of Food & Agriculture - Orange County, CA
Apply NowJob 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 Program Supervisor I (APS I), the incumbent will work on entomological or plant pest field and laboratory work. the incumbent will perform assignments of average difficulty and routine seasonal entomological or plant pest field and laboratory work.• Safely operate and maintain a State owned and State rented vehicles to travel to designated work areas. Incumbent is required to drive, have a good driving record, and a valid Class C, or equivalent drivers license. • Follow established protocols for visual survey, larval survey, eradication treatment, host removal, and detection/delimitation trapping. • Collect, process, and package suspect plant and insect samples that are removed from foliage and host material using various insect/plant collection tools and inspect for target pests. • Keep daily reports of work completed, i.e. number of traps serviced, properties treated, acreage surveyed and samples collected and other topics as needed.• Enter technical data into computers or other electronic devices such as iPhone, iPad, and tablet.• Screen wet and dry traps for target pests (plant and insect) and examine trap contents, which may contain hundreds of plant samples, insects and debris to make preliminary identifications of specimens, which resemble target pests. • Once a suspect target pest is preliminarily identified, follow prescribed action, which may include phone contact and/or return of the suspect target pest to the field office for official identification.• Interact with the public in a professional manner.• Initiate contact with property owner or representative to conduct visual surveys, place traps or apply pesticides.• Train seasonal employees on proper host identification, drawing property diagrams, correct trap placement, baiting and application procedures, the biological aspects of the target pest, etc.• Train seasonal employees on ground bait application using the solo backpack sprayer, truck mounted ground treatment equipment, soil drench application using the Hudson sprayer, and the use of a pressure gun and other equipment as needed.• Transport vehicles to service facility. • Perform weekly vehicle inspection reportsCandidates may perform these essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.You will find additional information about the job in the . Working Conditions 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. Incumbents 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. The incumbent may drive, exit and re-enter the work vehicle numerous times during the workday. Employee acts under the general direction of the Agricultural Pest Control Supervisor, but the Agricultural Pest Control Supervisor may not always be on site in the field.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 and maintain a good standing driving record to operate a state motor vehicle safely and responsibly, be able to apply pesticides, work well under extreme time constraints, exercise good judgement, 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 in this position must be able to establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted during the course of work; work well under pressure; work independently and in cooperation with other staff members in completing assigned work and meeting required deadlines.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. 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. California State Civil Service Employee Benefits Summary Benefit Description Additional Information New Employee Benefits Orientation Page Summary review of benefits available to you as a new State Civil Service employee. State Civil Service Act Review the benefits and protections provided to State Civil Service employees through the State Civil Service Act. Salaries and Civil Service Pay Scales Information regarding salary ranges for State Civil Service employees, as well as the Civil Service Pay Scales, the official salaries for all state jobs. Represented Employee Bargaining Contracts Review the specifics of represented state employee collective bargaining contracts. Retirement Learn more about the defined benefit plan that is offered to state employees through the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) based on years of service, age and final compensation. CalPERS also offers disability retirement, partial service retirement, and death benefits for eligible employees. 401(k) and 457(b) Plans (Savings Plus) Offers a voluntary benefit that allows you to contribute to both a 401(k) and a 457(b) plan to enhance your retirement benefit. This allows you to contribute, through payroll deduction, up to twice the amount available to the private sector and most public sector employees. You can contribute on both a pre-tax and an after-tax designated Roth basis that offers you the opportunity to take advantage of tax savings now and in the future. California State Civil Service Employee Benefits Summary - Specific Benefits Specific Benefits Additional Information Cash In Lieu of Health and/or Dental Benefits (Cash Option) Allows you to receive cash in lieu of state-sponsored health and/or dental benefits insurance if you have other qualifying medical and/or dental coverage through a spouse, domestic partner, parent or other source. Common Carrier Travel and Accident Insurance - for Excluded Employees Only Offers employer-paid accidental death and dismemberment insurance to managers, supervisors and other specified employees who travel on state business. Commute Program Voluntary benefits that subsidize commuting expenses for eligible employees who commute to and from work using public transportation, vanpools, or bicycles. Consolidated Benefits (CoBen) Provides a benefit allowance, rather than specific contribution amounts for health, dental and vision benefits. You may receive additional taxable income each month, depending on the total cost of the benefit plans you choose. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) Continuation of health, dental, and vision insurance coverage as well as medical reimbursement account for employees and eligible dependents who involuntarily lose coverage. Death Benefits Benefits available to legal survivors and/or designees of state employees; see "Planning Ahead" handbook. Planning Ahead Handbook | Dental Benefits Offers you and your dependents preventive, basic and major dental care coverage through one of several dental plans. Employee Assistance Program Employer-paid program offers free professional and confidential short-term counseling and referral services to employees and their eligible dependents, as well as valuable information on a variety of topics including financial, legal, and wellness. (866) EAP-4SOC TDD California State Civil Service Employee Benefits Summary Benefit Description Additional Information Group Legal Services InsuranceVoluntary, employee-paid plan that provides comprehensive legal coverage designed to meet most common personal legal needs. Available to eligible employees and their eligible dependents. TDD Group Long-Term Disability Insurance - For Excluded Employees Only Voluntary, employee-paid plan that replaces a portion of the employee's income in the event the employee is unable to work for six months or longer due to a covered illness or injury. Health Benefits Offers you and your dependents a broad range of health insurance plans with the state paying a portion of the premium. CalPERS administers this coverage. CalPERS Health and Wellness Promotes a work environment that encourages healthy lifestyle choices, decreases the risk of illness and disease and enhances employee effectiveness and well-being. Long-Term Care Program Offers coverage through CalPERS for a chronic illness, frailty of old age, or a serious accident. Available to all California public employees, retirees, and their eligible family members. Part-time, Seasonal, and Temporary Retirement Program Offers a retirement savings program for part-time, seasonal and temporary employees who are not covered by CalPERS or Social Security. Reimbursement Accounts Allows you to set pre-taxed money aside in a reimbursement account to pay for certain kinds of medical and dependent care expenses. You can increase your take home pay and decrease your taxable income. Third-Party Pre-Tax Parking Reimbursement Account Program Allows you to deduct a specific pre-tax amount for work-related parking fees from your pay. Available to employees who drive a personal vehicle to work or to a location from which the employee commutes to work and pays for parking. Vision Benefits Employer-paid benefit that offers you and your dependents an annual eye examination and an allowance for frames and lenses. An enhanced vision plan is also available which provides higher allowances for certain materials and other benefits.
Created: 2025-11-28