PEST PREVENTION ASSISTANT II

Job Description and Duties

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

Under general supervision of the Agriculture Program Supervisor I (APS I), the incumbent performs at the journey-level field or staff support work for various fruit fly delimitation programs, maintaining fruit fly trapping routes, application of pesticides, oversee pesticide applications performed by outside vendors, assist with fruit removal and tree removal, communicate with the public at educational public meetings, coordinate with staff from other agencies, and perform various insect/disease surveys for the emergency eradication of targeted pests. These activities include trapping, visual surveys, pesticide application, repairing and cleaning pesticide application equipment, mixing pesticides, and overseeing treatment activities, preparing written reports, and assisting in training new employees. The incumbent will work with Supervisor/Leads with preparing detection, delimitation, and eradication assignments and reports according to action plans or program recommendations.

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!!

The San Jose office has free on site parking. It is with in walking distance from the Berryessa Bart Station and 3 miles from Caltrain Diridon station. We are a few blocks from a new shopping center which is across from the Berryessa Flea Market.

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. The CDFA does not participate in E-Verify for employment authorization purposes.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

The work settings vary. The settings could be permanent buildings or trailers leased or owned by the state or cooperating agencies or other locations. The employee may work in isolated locations and may work alone for extended periods. The duties of this position are primarily conduct ed 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, photocopiers, and fax machines. Computer software used may include Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Access and Publisher.

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 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. 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.

When working in the field, the employee may encounter extremes in temperature and humidity, variable terrain (smooth to irregular and unstable), and aquatic or riparian situations. The employee may work with varied vehicles and equipment such as global positioning system units, pesticide spray equipment, trailers, pumps of various kinds, and ATVs. Activities may require the mixing, loading and application of pesticides, driving for several hours, lifting (25 or more pounds not more than 50 pounds), bending, reaching and climbing, and moving equipment. Noise level for work is variable. 

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. May work various shifts (pre-dawn and after 6:00 pm), weekends, overtime, and possibly a split shift.

The incumbent may also be required to travel on short notice that requires several continuous nights in length or work extended hours and days at any given time in the month including weekends, overtime, and holidays. 

Travel is essential and the incumbent will travel to locations throughout the state to attend meetings or training related to pest detection, survey, and treatment activities and to assist other offices with detection and treatment efforts is required.

The incumbent must have a valid California 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).

This position may/may not be eligible for telework. The amount of telework is at the discretion of the CDFA and based on the current telework policy. While the CDFA supports telework where possible, in-person attendance may be required based on operational needs. Employees are expected to be able to report to their worksite with minimal notification if an urgent need arises, as determined by the Department.

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.

Additional Information:

Employment History on the STD 678 (State Application) must be complete and include dates, accurate hours per week, total time worked, duties and responsibilities, and contact names and phone numbers of supervisors. Resumes or other documents cannot substitute for a completed state application. Applicants who fail to submit a completed STD 678 may be disqualified.

Please do not includ e 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.

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.