Agricultural Program Assistant - Extra-

About the Position

Bring your agricultural passion to the County of Sonoma and apply to be an Agricultural Program Assistant! Several positions are available!
Salary starting at $27.72/hour!

The Department of Agriculture/Weights and Measures is mandated to promote and protect agriculture, the environment, and public welfare through the enforcement of local, state, and federal laws and regulations. One of the department's primary responsibilities is the prevention of the establishment of exotic pests that are harmful to our agriculture and the environment. Additional responsibilities include environmental protection and worker health and safety, which are accomplished through enforcing pesticide laws and regulations and agricultural hazardous materials programs.

Agricultural Program Assistants are an integral part of the Department of Agriculture/Weights and Measures Pest Detection Trapping Program. They place and service insect traps that are used to collect data, identify insects, and detect the presence of invasive pests during the trapping season of 2/17/2026 through 9/15/2026 and 5/1/2026 through 10/31/2026 (dates are approximations).

The positions work Monday through Friday, eight hours per day. Work is performed outside in all weather conditions and may include walking on uneven terrain. Operating a vehicle safely in all weather conditions, both on and off road, and in rural and urban areas, is critical for these positions.

• Agricultural or entomology experience and/or relevant coursework
• A keen sense of safety awareness
• The ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Excellent attention to detail, strong customer service skills, and a passion for serving the community
• Basic Microsoft Office, data entry, and computer skills
• Possession of a valid driver's license

Extra-help employees relieve or augment permanent staff. Temporary, extra-help employees are not in the classified civil service and do not have property rights to permanently allocated positions. They do not receive most employee benefits such as long-term disability insurance coverage; accrual of vacation; participation in the County retirement program; or eligibility to take promotional examinations.

Temporary, extra-help employees are limited in their employment to a maximum of one calendar year. These employees must be off of work for three months before they can be re‑employed on an extra help basis. Extra-help employees who meet the eligibility requirements may qualify for a County contribution toward medical coverage.

Application submissions require the Supplemental Questionnaire be completed.

Experience:

Any combination of paid or volunteer work experience which would provide the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities stated herein.

Education:

Any combination of coursework or training including on‑job training which would provide the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities stated herein.

In the application, please list all employers and positions held within the last ten years in the work history section. Be as thorough as possible when responding to the supplemental questions.

The selection will consist of an Application and Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination (pass/not pass) to evaluate each applicant's combination of educational coursework, training, experience, knowledge, and abilities that relate to this position to ensure satisfaction of the minimum qualifications. Candidates who possess the minimum qualifications will be placed on an extra‑help employment list and referred to the department. The department may contact candidates from the employment list who possess the most appropriate job‑related qualifications for further consideration.

A background investigation is required prior to employment. Candidates referred to departments for a selection interview are typically required to sign authorization and release forms enabling such an investigation. Failure to sign prescribed forms will result in the candidate not being considered further for that vacancy. Reference information will not be…