Job Posting: AGRICULTURAL TECHNICIAN III (SEASONAL)

Department of Food & Agriculture

JC-534812
-
AGRICULTURAL TECHNICIAN III (SEASONAL)
AGRICULTURAL TECHNICIAN III (SEASONAL)

$20.54 - $23.36 per Hour
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

Final Filing Date: 10/22/2026

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 (LT) position that may be extended up to 24 months or may become permanent.

 

Under the direction of the Agriculture Program Supervisor IV (APS IV), the Agricultural Technician III independently performs the most complex, varied, and responsible duties in a field and laboratory concerned with the assistive and nonprofessional entomological or plant pest work.

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 job has free parking on site, and about 5 minutes from restaurants/coffee and gas stations. Located a few minutes away from a major freeway (57fwy). Ideal for people who likes to work outside and independently as majority of work is out on the field.

 

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 Duty Statement.

Working Conditions

The supervisor may not always be on site in the field. 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. Incumbent will be provided CDFA uniforms and personal protective equipment when using pesticides. The work area can be urban or rural.

 

The incumbent will be required to drive, exit, and re-enter the work vehicle numerous times during the workday. The incumbent must possess a valid California driver's license and maintain a good driving record as documented by the Department of Motor Vehicles to operate a State motor vehicle safely and responsibly. 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 must also be able to apply pesticides, work well under extreme time constraints, exercise good judgment, determine priorities, make appropriate well-thought-out decisions, allocate staff, and provide resources to achieve maximum results, maintain focus under conditions of duress and provide an 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 in completing assigned work, communicate effectively verbally and in writing, and meet required deadlines.

Incumbent 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. The incumbent may work various shifts (pre-dawn and after 6:00 p.m.), weekends, overtime, and possibly a split shift.

The position may require 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 can be exposed to warm temperatures and loud noise. They may also work alone inside aircraft for extended periods of time.

 

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.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-534812
Position #(s):
014-678-0032-XXX
Working Title:
AGRICULTURAL TECHNICIAN III (SEASONAL)
Classification:
AGRICULTURAL TECHNICIAN III (SEASONAL)
$20.54 - $23.36
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
AGRICULTURAL TECHNICIAN II (SEASONAL)
$19.02 - $22.69
AGRICULTURAL TECHNICIAN I (SEASONAL)
$18.30 - $21.87
AGRICULTURAL AIDE (SEASONAL)
$18.26 - $20.22
# of Positions:
Multiple
Work Location:
Orange County
Telework:
In Office
Job Type:
Non-Tenured, Intermittent

Department Information

The Mission of the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is to safeguard a resilient food system and promote an equitable marketplace, cultivating a California grown food supply that is globally recognized for innovation, quality, and sustainability.  

                                    
The Pest Detection/Emergency Projects Branch is responsible for the early detection and prompt eradication of serious exotic agricultural pests. The Branch accomplishes its mission by conducting a statewide trapping program, staffed by county and state inspectors, 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.

 

https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/plant/pdep/

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.

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: 10/22/2026

Who May Apply

This is a non-testing Classification, therefore, anyone meeting the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification may apply for this position. Individuals in specific programs, such as the Welfare to Work Program, are encouraged to apply and will be given priority according to the applicable Laws and Rules. Please note on your application your current participation in these programs.

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-534812
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
Attn: Human Resources Branch, JC-534812
1220 N Street, Room 242
Sacramento, CA 95814
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.
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:
Erica Ganse
(916) 215-2006
Erica.Ganse@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:
EEO Officer
(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.

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 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