Agricultural and Standards Program Aide

Description

Under general supervision, provides support services related to the enforcement of agricultural and weights and measures laws; and does related or other work as required.

This is a part‑time/temporary class in San Joaquin County’s Office of the Agricultural Commissioner. Employees spend a substantial amount of time in the field, driving to various locations throughout the county and providing sub‑professional assistance to Agricultural Biologist/Standards Inspectors related to the enforcement of state agricultural and weights and measures administrative codes. As knowledge is gained, incumbents typically work alone and must be able to make decisions regarding the identity of a pest.

• Assists licensed staff by performing support services related to the enforcement of agricultural and weights and measures laws.
• Assembles and baits a variety of pest detection traps or devices; places and maintains traps in good physical condition; inspects traps on a regular specified schedule.
• Collects, transports, and submits any specimens suspected of being target pests.
• Performs specific pest surveys; explains to the public the purposes and importance of the pest detection survey program.
• Keeps detailed records and maps of trap locations, dates of servicing and trap conditions; prepares routine reports of work performed; assists with compiling annual crop report.
• May assist licensed staff with field inspections, packing, and shed inspections; may perform other support activities related to identification of target pests including insects, diseases, vertebrates, and weeds.

Education: High school diploma or equivalent.
Experience: Six months of full‑time experience working in the agricultural industry.
Substitution: Nine units of college coursework in agricultural science, biology, or a closely related field may be substituted for the six months of required work experience.
License: Possession of a valid California driver’s license.

Methods of pest trapping, survey and recognition of target pests; basic mathematics; basic practices of public relations; safe driving practices; basic computer use.

Follow written and oral instructions; perform outdoor manual labor related to trap maintenance or in support of other agricultural or weights and measures programs in varying weather conditions; keep detailed records and prepare routine written reports; read maps and plot trap locations on maps; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with others; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; work independently with minimal direct supervision.

Mobility: constant driving; frequent walking; occasional sitting and standing for long periods, pushing/pulling, bending/squatting and basic keyboard operation.
Lifting: ability to occasionally lift 5 to 30 pounds.
Vision: good overall vision with constant color perception; frequent eye/hand coordination; depth perception, peripheral vision, and reading close‑up work.
Dexterity: frequent reaching, holding, grasping and writing; occasional repetitive motion.
Hearing/Talking: frequent hearing normal speech and talking in person; occasional talking on the telephone/radio.
Emotional/Special Conditions: constant exposure to outdoor conditions; public contact and working alone; frequent concentration and exposure to hazardous materials; occasional decision making and exposure to outdoor situations.

Part‑time employees who meet the appropriate eligibility criteria may receive health insurance benefits and step increases.

San Joaquin County complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and, upon request, will consider reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions. San Joaquin County is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing equal employment to all without regard to age, ancestry, color, creed, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation or belief, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation.