The Pest Detection and Emergency Projects Branch is recruiting to fill one (1) Agricultural Pest Control Specialist position located in Ventura County.
- Provide leadership and direction to seasonal staff of an ongoing county detection/eradication program and ensure eradication projects are in compliance with Food and Agricultural Codes and departmental policies and procedures.
- Coordinate with Supervisor on planning and implementation of cooperative pest detection and emergency response activities, including prioritizing work assignments for office and field personnel.
- Train emergency project personnel on the techniques of insect pest detection, pesticide laws and regulations, including pesticide safety training, mixing pesticides, permit procedures, calibration, and application.
- Utilizing a State vehicle, travel to conduct field quality control inspections of trapping and treatment staff, treatment vendors, and state-wide detection trapping programs.
- Conduct field demonstrations and on-the-job training for fruit fly trapping delimitation, Japanese beetle high hazard airport inspections and Asian Defoliating Moth program.
- Perform full range of field surveys, eradication treatments, and inspections of detection projects in order to efficiently and quickly eradicate infestation of serious AGRICULTURAL PESTs and to prevent permanent establishment and subsequent spreading in California.
- Plan, organize, and monitor the daily operations of a treatment/trapping and survey 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.
- Prepare and complete accurate and detailed technical reports (daily, weekly, and/or as required) as associated with biological control, detection and treatment activities, or other related activities.
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 incumbent is required to drive and must maintain 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 a drunk driving or reckless driving. The incumbent must be able to apply pesticides, haul loads of fruit and/or removed trees, perform survey/ trapping 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 must be able to establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted during the course of work, cooperate with other staff members and leads in completing assigned work, communicate effectively verbally and in writing, with other agencies and the public, and be able to meet required deadlines.
To be given access to the airport to inspect planes for Japanese beetle, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires verification of employment history and a criminal history background check. Individuals must be fingerprinted and pass a 10-year background check to receive an airport badge.
Travel by State vehicle or other public transportation systems to various locations in the project area, and throughout the State is required on a frequent basis to assist various emergency projects as needed; overnight travel is required on a frequent basis.
Minimum Requirements
You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.- AGRICULTURAL PEST CONTROL SPECIALIST
Additional Documents
- Job Application Package Checklist
- Duty Statement
Position Details
Department Information
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: 8/16/2024Who May Apply
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
Address for Mailing Application Packages
You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:
Address for Drop-Off Application Packages
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
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 www.CalCareers.ca.gov. 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.
Benefits
Contact Information
The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.
Hiring Unit Contact:
David Neustadt
(805) 383-7357
david.neustadt@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
Additional Information
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.