Per CCR 249.3, this job control may be used to fill subsequent vacancies.
At the Arvin Biological Control Facility, program operations include the production of biological control of the glassy-winged sharpshooter (GWSS) and the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), area-wide trapping of GWSS, and Pierce’s Disease Control Program (PDCP) warehouse activities, to suppress the pest populations and stop the further spread of these pests in California. Under the supervision of the Senior Environmental Scientist (Supervisory), the Environmental Scientist performs a range of duties involving the research, environmental analysis, outreach, and logistics of a biological control program for the PDCP and Citrus Division.
Essential functions include but are not limited to:
• Travel to sites, using a State vehicle to conduct pest detection, eradication and control planning and implementation activities for regional or statewide programs to ensure that the States agriculture and natural resources remain free of threatening and invasive pests.
• Conduct studies and develop designs and protocols to improve mass rearing system of biological control agents to determine the optimal species-specific environmental conditions for rearing in order to increase production efficiency.
• Perform a broad range of research activities statewide concerning present and future environmental, environmental health, and natural resource management issues related to protecting the States agricultural industry, natural resources and public health from invasive species. This includes applying scientific methods and principles in the identification, research, and solution of problems in the areas of pest detection, eradication and control, environmental monitoring, and natural resources protection.
• Meet and confer with individuals such as ranchers, growers, and other commercial agricultural entities as well as stakeholders throughout California, traveling by State vehicle, to provide regulatory guidance to ensure compliance with current laws and regulations.
• Evaluate funding and equipment needs to maintain effective and efficient projects. Identify necessity and make recommendations to the Senior Environmental Scientist (Supervisory) to initiate the procurement process as needed.
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!!
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.
The duties of this employee are performed indoors about 75% of the time, in the field, in crop fields, orchards, and vineyards, and in greenhouses and buildings 25% of the time. The employees workstation is in an office that is equipped with standard office equipment. When working in the greenhouses or the field sites, the employee may be exposed to extremes in temperature and humidity. The noise level for this work is low. The remaining time is spent either in a vehicle traveling to meetings or evaluating program progress in the field. Field work may involve walking over unpaved, uneven terrain or traveling in off-road vehicles. Extremes in temperatures, air quality, and other adverse conditions are frequently encountered. Various bending and stooping motions may be required on an irregular basis. The noise level for work is variable. Often, activities require driving for extended hours and lifting objects and equipment.
Incumbent may be required to work for extended hours and days at any given time in the month, including holidays. Incumbent may also be required on short notice to travel or work on emergency projects for PDCP or other departmental programs from a few days to several weeks in length.
Regular or recurring telework may occur as part of the incumbent’s ongoing regular schedule in accordance with CDFA’s Telework Policy.
