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AGRICULTURAL PEST CONTROL SPECIALIST

AGRICULTURAL PEST CONTROL SPECIALIST

Department of Food & AgricultureLos Angeles County, US
30+ days ago
Job type
  • Full-time
  • Part-time
  • Permanent
Job description

Job Description and Duties

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

The Pest Detection / Emergency Projects Branch is recruiting to fill one (1) Agricultural Pest Control Specialist position located in Los Angeles County.

Under general supervision of the Senior Environmental Scientist Supervisor (SESS), the incumbent performs the full range of technical control and eradication duties including the more difficult work. The incumbent will plan and organize and direct the work of field crews for various fruit fly delimitation programs, maintain fruit fly trapping routes, coordinate the application of pesticides, maintain pesticide inventory and vehicle fleet, oversee pesticide applications performed by outside vendors, lead fruit removal, communicate with the public at educational public meetings, coordinate with other agencies, and perform various insect / disease surveys for the emergency eradication of targeted pests. These activities include overseeing treatment activities, preparing written reports, performing quality control inspections for treatment-survey-trapping programs, training new employees, and acting as the back-up trapper / applicator. The incumbent will take lead in preparing detection, delimitation, and eradication assignments and reports according to Action Plans or program recommendations.

  • Provide leadership and direction to seasonal staff of an ongoing county detection / eradication program and ensure eradication projects are in compliance with Food and Agricultural Codes and departmental policies and procedures.
  • Coordinate with Supervisor on planning and implementation of cooperative pest detection and emergency response activities, including prioritizing work assignments for office and field personnel.
  • Train emergency project personnel on the techniques of insect pest detection, pesticide laws and regulations, including pesticide safety training, mixing pesticides, permit procedures, calibration, and application.
  • Conduct field quality control inspections of trapping and treatment staff, treatment vendors, and state-wide detection trapping programs.
  • Conduct field demonstrations and on-the-job training for fruit fly trapping delimitation, Japanese beetle high hazard airport inspections and Asian Defoliating Moth program.
  • Perform full range of field surveys, eradication treatments, and inspections of detection projects in order to efficiently and quickly eradicate infestation of serious agricultural pests and to prevent permanent establishment and subsequent spreading in California.
  • Plan, organize, and monitor the daily operations of a treatment / trapping and survey program and outside vendors to ensure compliance with Department policies and procedures, and State laws, rules, and regulations; enforce and implement new procedures or processes with seasonal employees, when necessary.
  • Communicate effectively and in a professional manner with homeowners and / or the general public in order to perform assigned duties. Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships in all situations using tact and interpersonal skills at all times.
  • Prepare and complete accurate and detailed technical reports (daily, weekly, and / or as required) as associated with biological control, detection and treatment activities, or other related activities.

Candidates may perform these essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

The duties of this position are primarily conducted outdoors and may be exposed to extreme temperatures and weather, uneven terrain, pesticides, fumes, gases, and odors. The work settings where the incumbent may be required to work may vary. They may be offices, warehouses, shops, fields, and yards. Office settings are permanent dwellings leased or owned by the state, or cooperating agencies, and office trailers. Offices are furnished with a variety of office equipment, which normally consists of desks, tables, chairs, filing cabinets, storage cabinets, filing bins, computer, phones, and fax machines. Shops and warehouses may be equipped with all the tools, equipment, and machinery normally used at mechanics / maintenance shops.

The incumbent is required to drive and must maintain 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 a drunk driving or reckless driving. The incumbent must be able to apply pesticides, haul loads of fruit and / or removed trees, perform survey / trapping 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 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.

To be given access to the airport to inspect planes for Japanese beetle, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires verification of employment history and a criminal history background check. Individuals must be fingerprinted and pass a 10-year background check to receive an airport badge.

Travel by State vehicle or other public transportation systems to various locations in the project area, and throughout the State is required on a frequent basis to assist various emergency projects as needed; overnight travel is required on a frequent basis. The incumbent may be required to work overtime, weekends, and holidays.

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Retirement

Learn more about the defined benefit plan that is offered to state employees through the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) based on years of service, age and final compensation. CalPERS also offers disability retirement, partial service retirement, and death benefits for eligible employees.

401(k) and 457(b) Plans (Savings Plus)

Offers a voluntary benefit that allows you to contribute to both a 401(k) and a 457(b) plan to enhance your retirement benefit. This allows you to contribute, through payroll deduction, up to twice the amount available to the private sector and most public sector employees. You can contribute on both a pre-tax and an after-tax designated Roth basis that offers you the opportunity to take advantage of tax savings now and in the future.

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Cash In Lieu of Health and / or Dental Benefits (Cash Option)

Allows you to receive cash in lieu of state-sponsored health and / or dental benefits insurance if you have other qualifying medical and / or dental coverage through a spouse, domestic partner, parent or other source.

Common Carrier Travel and Accident Insurance – for Excluded Employees Only

Offers employer-paid accidental death and dismemberment insurance to managers, supervisors and other specified employees who travel on state business.

Commute Program

Voluntary benefits that subsidize commuting expenses for eligible employees who commute to and from work using public transportation, vanpools, or bicycles.

Consolidated Benefits (CoBen)

Provides a benefit allowance, rather than specific contribution amounts for health, dental and vision benefits. You may receive additional taxable income each month, depending on the total cost of the benefit plans you choose.

Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA)

Continuation of health, dental, and vision insurance coverage as well as medical reimbursement account for employees and eligible dependents who involuntarily lose coverage.

Death Benefits

Benefits available to legal survivors and / or designees of state employees; see "Planning Ahead" handbook.

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Offers you and your dependents preventive, basic and major dental care coverage through one of several dental plans.

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Employer-paid program offers free professional and confidential short-term counseling and referral services to employees and their eligible dependents, as well as valuable information on a variety of topics including financial, legal, and wellness.

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    Health Benefits

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    CalPERS Health and Wellness

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    Long-Term Care Program

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    Part-time, Seasonal, and Temporary Retirement Program

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    Reimbursement Accounts

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    Third-Party Pre-Tax Parking Reimbursement Account Program

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    Vision Benefits

    Employer-paid benefit that offers you and your dependents an annual eye examination and an allowance for frames and lenses. An enhanced vision plan is also available which provides higher allowances for certain materials and other benefits.