Position Description
This is an extra-hire, 24 hour/week position from late April through mid-November.
Under general supervision offers varied technical and administrative support to Agricultural Biologist/Standards Inspectors performing routine inspections, enforcing agricultural and weights and measures programs and projects.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: This is a technical support class performing a variety of field and office duties in support of Agricultural and Weights and Measures programs and projects. Employees in this classification are not required to possess the State certification necessary as a minimum qualification to enter the Agricultural Biologist/Standards Inspector classifications. Job duties are normally performed in areas not requiring certification or in areas where seasonal certificates may be issued by the Department of Food and Agriculture. Incumbents normally work under the guidance of a licensed Agricultural Biologist/Standards Inspector but may be assigned to fieldwork on their own. An employee in this class is responsible for performing technical fieldwork related to trapping, identifying, and eradicating pests; educating and communicating with the public; assisting licensed staff with special projects and activities; and maintaining field and office records. Incumbents are expected to become familiar with State agricultural and weights and measure administrative codes and may be assigned to perform work in the field or office as needed.
Example of Duties
- Leads and performs a variety of non-licensed technical and administrative support duties related to the enforcement of agricultural and weights and measures laws.
- Prepares reports of inspections, tests, investigations and other activities as directed.
- Performs pest surveys by assembling and baiting pest detection traps or devices; places and maintains traps in good physical conditions; inspects traps regularly and records results; performs other technical duties as assigned to assist licensed staff.
- Communicates with the public to convey the purposes and importance of the pest detection survey program and/or other assigned programs.
- Assists licensed staff in inspection of fruits, vegetables, nuts, honey, eggs and other agricultural commodities in markets, packing houses and storage areas for compliance with regulations relating to standards and grades.
- As directed, inspects nurseries and seeds for compliance with laws and regulations.
- As directed, applies pesticides as appropriate for the control of weed, insect and vertebrate pests in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
- Assists with inspections of incoming and certain outgoing shipments of plant material for evidence of disease, insect and weed pests which are prohibited.
- As directed, inspects apiaries for honeybee diseases and other pests.
- Assists with inspections of nurseries for compliance with regulations relating to labeling, grades and standards of cleanliness.
- Assists with inspection and testing of commercial weighing and measuring devices for compliance with laws and regulations.
- Assists in inspection of licensed weighmasters for compliance with established laws and regulations.
- Prepares and conducts appropriate training sessions.
- Performs maintenance on departmental equipment.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
Skill in: Making accurate inspections of seeds, plants, pests and other agriculturally related products; making accurate inspections and testing of weighing and measuring devices.
Ability to: Distinguish various fruit and nut tree crops commonly grown in Calaveras County; read, understand and interpret instructional manuals and materials; perform outdoor manual labor relating to agricultural and weights and measures programs in varying weather conditions; maintain detailed and accurate records of work performed and findings; prepare clear and concise written reports, correspondences, and other written materials; use a variety of office equipment; read maps, GPS units, and plot locations on maps; lift and carry fifty (50) pound test weights; interpret and assist in enforcing agricultural standards, laws and regulations; assist in inspecting commercial weighing and measuring equipment; understand and carry out verbal and written directions; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted during the course of work; work independently with minimal direct supervision.
Knowledge of: Methods of pest surveillance, including the identification of crops, pests, basic insects, plants and trees; methods and techniques used in the inspection of seeds, plants and produce; trapping, recognition, and elimination of target pests; laws, rules and regulations related to storage, transportation and application of varied pesticides laws; rules and regulations related to the transportation of agricultural products; basic principles of public relations; safe driving practices; standard office practices and procedures; personal computer systems and general office computer software; correspondence, letter, and report formats; recordkeeping and report preparation methods; business arithmetic; basic provisions of the California Agriculture Code relating to the functions of the Agriculture Commissioner and related laws, rules and regulations.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Education: Equivalent to graduation from high school. Where college degrees and/or college course credits are required, degrees and college units must be obtained from an accredited college or university. Courses from non-accredited institutions will not meet this requirement.
Experience: Two years performing biological or agricultural research, pest survey, or inspection-related fieldwork. Substitution: Completed coursework in agricultural science, biology, or a closely related field from an accredited college or university may be substituted for the above-required experience, where thirty (30) college units is considered equivalent to one (1) year of experience. In addition to the above , one (1) year of public contact which included explaining services and/or procedures to the public, OR one (1) year of experience ensuring public compliance with various rules and/or regulations.
The equivalent to completion of two (2) years of college which includes at least ten (10) units in agriculture or biological science is desirable.
Special Requirements
Must be willing to work on evenings, weekends, and holidays.
Must possess a valid Class C California driver's license (or other state equivalent) issued by the State Department of Motor Vehicles.
Possession of an appropriate California driver’s license issued by the State Department of Motor Vehicles may be required.
Bargaining Unit 7 - Service Employees International Union Local 1021
For available Health/Dental/Vision insurance please visit the County BENEFITS WEBPAGE. Please note that Extra-hire positions that are benefitted, are only offered our CORE medical plan and are not offered dental or vision.
NEW * Assist-To-Own program to help Couny employees purchase a home. Program Highlights:
- Down Payment Assistance, up to 5.5% of the Total Mortgage Loan.
- Available with purchase of a primary residence.
- Variety of Mortgage Loan options (FHA, VA, USDA and Conventional Mortgage Loans).
- No first-time homebuyer requirement to qualify.
- Flexible guidelines: Minimum FICO 640; Maximum DTI 50%.
- Flexible income limits, up to moderate income levels; no income limits for FHA and VA.
For more information, vists Calaveras County Assist-to-Own
Boot Allowance: $150 per year and is distributed once a year, in the first full pay period in the month of December.
Qualifying Classifications: Registered EH Specialists, EH Techs, OSS Engineers, Fleet Manager, Junior Engineer, Mechanic series, Sheriff's Mechanic, Public Works Inspector, Road Maintenance Worker series, Integrated Waste Worker series, AG Techs, and AG Biologists, and Recycling Program Coordinator I/II, Permit Tech I/II, Engineering Tech I/II assigned to the Rock Creek Landfill facility, and Air Pollution Control Tech.
Uniform Allowance:$600 per calendar year split into monthly payments.Payments will be made monthly on the second pay check.
Qualifying classifications: Custodian series, facility maintenance worker series, facilities maintenance engineer.
Extra-Hire:Extra-hire employees are not eligible for step advances, vacation, seniority rights, holiday pay or other certain employee benefits. They are entitled to 24 hours of sick leave per year and eligilbe for the county's CORE Medical plan but not eligible for dental or vision insurance.
Vacation days:0 - 3 complete years = 80 hours per year.
After 6 months you can take your first week.
3 - 10 complete years = 120 hours per year
10 years+ = 160 per year
Holidays:13 paid holidays per year.
Life Insurance: $50,000.00 County paid
Sick Leave: 12 days annual sick leave accrual with unlimited accumulation.
Sick leave is accrued at 3.69 hours for each full 80 hours of payroll period.
60 hours of sick leave can be used for immediate family, parent spouse, child or sibling.
Merit: After successfully completing twenty-six (26) pay periods, a 5% merit increase may be granted.Merit increases may be granted annually thereafter to the top step.
Probation Period: New employees remain in a probationary status for 26 pay periods..
Longevity Incentives @ 2.5% for each of the following: - 5.5 years (if hired before March 28, 2005)
- 6 years
- 10 years
- 15 years
- 20 years
- 25 years
Bi-Lingual pay:$75 per month for specific approved job classifications.
Flexible Spending: Pre-Tax Medical Reimbursement - Max contribution of $2,500 annually
Flexible Spending:Pre-Tax Dependent Care Account - Max contribution of $5,000 annually
Section 125 Plan:Additional insurance is available through the Section 125 plan and may be purchased from a representative during open enrollment or by appointment when they are on-site.
AFLAC
Heart & Stroke Insurance
Cancer Insurance
Accident Insurance
Universal Life Insurance
Short Term Disability Insurance
?LEGALSHIELD
CALPERS RETIREMENT INFORMATION: CalPERS:CLASSIC MEMBERS: 2% at 55
PEPRA MEMBERS: 2% at 62
Extra-Hire's will be enrolled into Public Agency Retirement System (PARS) unless you are already a member of CalPERS.Additional Retirement Plan:The County offers a 457 Government plan. Employees can contribute u to this deferred compensation plan (
Pre or Post Tax options).The County utilizes VALIC.
Participating employees will receive a County paid match of up to $50 a month.Closing Date/Time: Continuous
