Agricultural Technician I Job at Department of Food & Agriculture, Kern County, CA

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  • Department of Food & Agriculture
  • Kern County, CA

Job Description

Job Description and Duties

Under the supervision of the Agricultural Pest Control (APC) Supervisor, the Agricultural Technician I performs duties of average difficulty in regard to the lab processing, sterile insect technique, and trapping activities for the Navel Orangeworm (NOW) Program and for a variety of programs within the IPCB.

Duties include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Inspect all traps brought in from the field for suspected navel orangeworm (NOW) specimens.

  • Differentiate male from female NOW moths.

  • Conduct crush tests to identify sterile NOW moths from wild NOW moths.

  • Record the number of male vs female and sterile vs wild NOW moths per trap from all trap inspections.

  • Write and submit reports of the lab results.

  • As needed, drive State vehicle to designated field sites and establish specified trapping zones according to NOW Program protocols. Place baited traps within the trap zone.

  • As needed, examine and conduct quality control (QC) on the NOW sterile moth shipments.


For more information, please refer to duty statement.


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 primarily occur indoors, approximately 70% of the time.


The incumbent typically works in an indoor lab setting with adequate lighting. Duties include trap inspections, identifying male from female and sterile from wild NOW moths (approximately 50 traps per day). Additional lab duties include QC inspections for moth mortality, longevity, and mating propensity dissections of 150 moths daily using a stereo microscope. The incumbent will be expected to maintain accurate trap inspection and QC records for weekly reports using Microsoft Excel.


When performing SIT duties, the incumbent typically starts work during the pre-sunrise hours working on pre-flight preparation of the plane and loading of the container (magazine) of sterile NOW moths, weighing approximately 60 pounds, onto the plane for release over targeted test sites. The incumbent will be required to drive to the Bakersfield Airport alone, retrieve the approximately 60 pounds magazine containing sterile NOW moths, drive it back to the Shafter facility, and transfer the magazine into a temperature- controlled storage area.


When performing trapping or nut collection duties, incumbent typically works outside, alone in an agricultural field setting inspecting traps or collecting nut samples. Some work areas are remote and uninhabited and have limited public services. Usually, Agricultural Technicians report to work at a district office/warehouse, where they pick up trapping and/or collection supplies and their assigned vehicle. Technicians are exposed to the environmental extremes in temperature, humidity, and moisture year-round in the San Joaquin Valley. The employee routinely services numerous insect traps per day and typically get in and out of the truck multiple times per day.


Technicians report back to their district office at the close of the workday to complete the necessary paperwork and return their assigned vehicle. While in the office setting performing any administrative duties (work accomplishment reports, timesheets, etc.), the incumbent will be in a normal office setting (desk/chair) with the typical office equipment (i.e. a computer, printer, telephone). Typical computer programs used: MS Office Suit (Word, Excel, Access, Publisher, Outlook) MapInfo â , and Internet Explorer.


Work requires navigation from the vehicle to work sites. Agricultural Technicians frequently navigate over plowed, disked, or loose ground. Road and ground surfaces can be wet, or very dry and dusty.


Technicians are encouraged to wear clothing appropriate for the weather conditions. Sunscreen lotion, hats, long sleeve cotton shirts, and long pants are recommended for sun and heat protection. Protective gloves are provided when needed. Sturdy footwear, suitable for walking over uneven (wet or dry/dusty) ground, is recommended. No open toe sandals are allowed. Fields are sometimes in isolated areas, and ice chests, or similar containers, are recommended for carrying lunches and cold drinks. Restroom facilities are limited in some areas.


Brooms, brushes, hand scrapers, high pressure/hot water cleaners, soap, and disinfectants are used in cleaning operations. Nearby equipment includes pumps, tanks, metal sinks, forklifts, tractors, carts, paper cutters, small laminators, electric staplers, etc. Office and warehouse flooring are concrete, and parking lots are asphalt.


Pesticide applications are common in most agricultural areas. Technicians may be pulled into assisting in other programs, either applying pesticides themselves or under the direction of lead staff. Technicians may help with spotting during pesticide applications. Personnel will receive basic personal pesticide safety training relative to: how to avoid contamination; personal hygiene; pesticide poisoning symptoms; emergency medical care; and reporting suspected pesticide poisoning.

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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.

  • Valid Driver’s License

  • Safe Driving Record

Benefits

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

Hard Copy Applications:

If you are dropping off or mailing in your application, please use the Examination/Employment Application, STD 678 Revised 6/2024 version.

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 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 required and must be included.
  • School Transcripts

Job Tags

Remote work,

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