Job Posting: Urban Agriculture Specialist

Department of Food & Agriculture

JC-509865
-
Urban Agriculture Specialist
ANALYST II

$6,031.00 - $7,547.00 per Month
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

Final Filing Date: 3/27/2026

Job Description and Duties

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

This is a 12-month limited-term position which may be extended to a maximum of 24-months, or which may become permanent.

Under the general direction of the Supervisor II, the Analyst II provides analytical support to the Office and the Urban Agriculture program with the special projects administered within the Office of Farm to Fork, including grant required site visits, grant administration technical assistance, regional and virtual gatherings, database technology adoption and implementation, and other related projects throughout the State of California. Travel is required; potential overnight stays may be required.

The incumbent must have initiative, good judgement, independent action, timeliness, prioritization of multiple projects, good verbal and written communication skills, proficient computer skills and knowledge of a variety of software, including but not limited to:
Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Power Point, Outlook and Internet social media functions.

• Travel to conduct grant required site visits throughout California, provide urban agriculture technical assistance, organize and participate in regional and virtual gatherings related to program implementation, and other in-person programmatic activities.

• Act as technical assistance team leader for CDFA Urban Agriculture stakeholders, providing consultative services and management to others as needed regarding program administration or development.

• Research agricultural industry statutes, codes and regulations regarding issues which may impact the development and process of the Office in order to prepare analysis of findings and make recommendations to stakeholders.

• Formulate procedures, policies, and programs for the California Urban Agriculture Grant Program, including the California Urban Agriculture Grant, grantee gatherings, virtual gatherings, grantee office hours, and other relevant urban agriculture projects.

• Revise and analyze proposed legislation and advise management on the impact.

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

This position may/may not be eligible for telework. The amount of telework is at the discretion of the department and based on the current CDFA Telework Policy. While 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 when required.

This position’s designated headquarters (HQ) address will be in one of the following cities: Anaheim, Bakersfield, Camarillo, Cerritos, Chico, Commerce, El Monte, Escondido, Fresno, Sacramento, Lodi, Modesto, Riverside, Ontario, Palm Desert, Redding, San Bernadino, Tulare, San Jose or Visalia. For hybrid positions, employees may be required to report to their HQ location depending on operational need.

Travel expenses to and from HQ are not reimbursed, however other authorized transit subsidies do exist for those who qualify.

Travel will be required up to 80% of the time. This may include overnight travel.

The duties of this job are performed indoors 75% of the time. The incumbent is supplied with the necessary tools and supplies to perform the assigned duties, including, but not limited to, a cell phone, a laptop computer with various software programs, and a multifunction print/scan/copy machine.

Incumbent must be able to establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted during the course of work; work well under pressure, make appropriate decisions and well-thought-out recommendations, work independently in completing assignments and meeting required deadlines.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-509865
Position #(s):
014-714-5393-982
Working Title:
Urban Agriculture Specialist
Classification:
ANALYST II
$6,031.00 - $7,547.00 A
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
# of Positions:
2
Work Location:
United States
Telework:
In Office
Job Type:
12 Month Limited Term - Full Time

Department Information

The Inspection Services Division (Division) fulfills its mission by providing professional services which support and contribute to a safe, abundant, quality food supply, environmentally sound agricultural practices, and an equitable marketplace for California agriculture. The Division’s priority is to provide the highest degree of consumer protection, analytical services, and grading services. The Division is comprised of three branches: Center for Analytical Chemistry; Feed Fertilizer & Livestock Drugs Regulatory Services; Inspection & Compliances and, an Administration Unit. Within the Division’s Administration Unit is the Office of Farm-to-Fork (Office), which operates the statewide California Nutrition Incentive Program, the California Urban Agriculture Grant Program, the California Farm to Community Food Hub Grant Program, the California Farm to School Program (including the California Farm to School Incubator Grant Program), and the Healthy Refrigeration Grant Program.

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.

Applicants are required to complete a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) in addition to completing a standard state application (Examination/Employment Application STD 678). The SOQ is required to elicit information regarding each candidates’ interest and experience in relation to this position. The completed SOQ must address the questions below, should not be more than one page, using Arial, 12-point font size. Applications with SOQs that do not address the questions below will not be considered. Resumes, letters, and other materials will not be considered as responses to the SOQ.

Statement of Qualifications

1. Please describe your experience with grant administration.

2. Please describe your experience with urban agriculture or food systems development.

Application Instructions

Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. 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: 3/27/2026

Who May Apply

Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP 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 Resource Branch JC-509865
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 Resource Branch JC-509865
1220 N Street, Room 242
Sacramento, CA 95814
ELECTRONIC APPLICATION IS PREFERRED. All mail or drop-off applications must include JC-509865
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.
  • School Transcripts
  • Statement of Qualifications -

    A completed Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) must be submitted with your State Application to be considered. The SOQ must follow the specifics as stated in the “Special Requirements” section.

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.

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:
Rachel Alcaraz
(916) 823-7415
Rachel.Alcaraz@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 06/2024 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.

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.

Application Methods:
Electronic (Using your CalCareer Account)
By Mail
Drop-off
Print Job