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Form of workPer CCR 249.3, this job control may be used to fill subsequent vacancies.
The Pest Detection and Emergency Projects Branch is recruiting to fill multiple Pest Prevention Assistant II positions located in Ventura County. These are 12-month, limited-term positions, which may be extended to a maximum of 24-months or may become permanent.
Under the general supervision of the Senior Environmental Scientist (Supervisory), the incumbent will perform the full range of field, laboratory or staff support duties, for various fruit fly delimitation programs, maintain fruit fly trapping routes, coordinate the application of pesticides, maintain pesticide inventory and vehicle fleet maintenance, perform fruit removal and tree removal, communicate with the public at educational public meetings, coordinate with other agencies, and perform various insect/disease surveys for targeted pests for the emergency eradication. These activities include 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 may act as lead in preparing detection, delimitation, and eradication assignments and reports according to Action Plans or program recommendations. Duties include but are not limited to:
• Perform the full range of field, laboratory or staff duties, to deploy traps, perform visual surveys, or apply control measures for target pests such as, but not limited to various fruit flies, Japanese beetle, Spongy Moth, European Grapevine Moth.
• Assemble equipment and mix chemicals using the appropriate treatment and equipment method; assure that Department is in compliance with all pesticide rules and regulations.
• 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.
• Communicate effectively and in a professional manner with homeowners and/or the general public in order to perform assigned duties. Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships in all situations using tact and interpersonal skills at all times.
• Must read maps to navigate to multiple locations when performing field activities and be able to draw maps to show exact geographic locations. Uses GPS technology to site register sample and packages samples separately to maintain sample and site integrity.
• Prepare and complete accurate and detailed technical reports, digitally and hard copy, (daily, weekly, and/or monthly, as required) as associated with detection and treatment activities, biological control activities, or other related activities.
• On an as-needed basis, travel to various locations throughout the State operating a state vehicle safely and responsibly in order to inspects routes, survey areas, and treatment activities to assure that work is performed at an acceptable level.
• Inform management of changes/improvements needed to assure that the program is biologically sound.
• Assist with training seasonal employees on proper host identification, drawing property diagrams, correct trap placement, baiting/application procedures, the biological aspects of the pest
• Act as back-up trapper, surveyor, pesticide applicator, and assist with fruit/ tree removal when an emergency project becomes necessary or when a crew member is absent. Service traps, apply pesticides, assist with fruit/tree removal, perform visual survey, document work completed, identify targeted insects, interact with the public, and submit suspect insects.
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 duties of this position are primarily conducted outdoors and may be exposed to extreme temperatures and weather, uneven terrain, and various noise levels. Incumbent may experience regular exposure to dust, pollen, and moisture. The work can be in urban or rural environments. Some trap types use a specific chemical insect lure; some of these lures may contain small amounts of pesticide. 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 will be required to drive and must have a valid driver license and 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 and maintain a safe driving record. 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 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.
The incumbent may be required to work overtime, weekends, and holidays. Travel to various locations throughout the State to attend meetings or trainings related to pest detection and/or treatment and to assist other offices with detection and/or treatment efforts may be required. This may be accomplished by State vehicle or other public transportation system.
Regular or recurring telework may occur as part of the incumbent's ongoing regular schedule in accordance with CDFAs Telework Policy.
Minimum Requirements You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.
- PEST PREVENTION ASSISTANT II (VARIOUS PROJECTS)
- PEST PREVENTION ASSISTANT I (VARIOUS PROJECTS)
- PEST PREVENTION ASSISTANT III (VARIOUS PROJECTS)
- Job Application Package Checklist
- Duty Statement
Position Details Job Code #:
JC-419530
Position #(s):
014-679-0491-XXX
Working Title:
Pest Prevention Assistant II (Various Projects)
Classification:
PEST PREVENTION ASSISTANT II (VARIOUS PROJECTS) $3,235.00 - $3,743.00
Shall Consider:
PEST PREVENTION ASSISTANT I (VARIOUS PROJECTS)
$3,115.00 - $3,594.00
PEST PREVENTION ASSISTANT III (VARIOUS PROJECTS)
$3,489.00 - $3,910.00
# of Positions:
9
Work Location:
Ventura County
Telework:
In Office
Job Type:
12 Month Limited Term - Full Time
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
Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates 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
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 Resources Branch JC-419530
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 Resources Branch JC-419530
1220 N Street, Room 242
Sacramento , CA 95814
ELECTRONIC APPLICATION IS PREFERRED. All mail or drop-off applications must include JC-419530
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:
- 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 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:
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
If you are dropping off or mailing in your application, please use the Examination/Employment Application, STD 678 Revised 10/2023 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.
