Per CCR 249.3, this job control may be used to fill subsequent vacancies.
Under supervision of the Senior Environmental Scientist (Supervisory) or the Agricultural Pest Control Supervisor, the incumbent will work on entomological or plant pest field and laboratory work.
• Follow established protocols for visual survey, 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.
• Must be able to draw maps to show exact geographic locations using Global Positioning System (GPS) technology to show the coordinates, longitude and latitude.
• Complete a Pest Damage Record (PDR) for samples and packaging of samples for submission to the Plant Pest Diagnostics Center for Identification.
• Keep daily reports of work completed in the route trap books and electronically, i.e. number of traps serviced, properties treated, acreage surveyed, samples collected and other topics as needed.
• Screen wet and dry traps for target pests (plant and insect). Examine content of traps visually, which may contain hundreds of plant samples, insects and debris to make preliminary identifications of specimens, which resemble target pests.
• The incumbent will be required to drive and must 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) to operate a state motor vehicle safely and responsibly.
Candidates may perform these essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.
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. The technician may drive, exit and re-enter the work vehicle numerous times during the workday. The technician acts under the general direction of the Senior Environmental Scientist Supervisor, but the Senior Environmental Scientist may not always be on site in the field.
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; and cooperate with other staff members in completing assigned work, communicate effectively verbally and in writing, and meet required deadlines.
The position requires 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. Employee may work various shifts (pre-dawn and after 6:00 pm), weekends, overtime, and possibly a split shift.
The incumbent must 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).
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.
Regular or recurring telework may occur as part of the incumbent’s ongoing regular schedule in accordance with CDFAs Telework Policy.