Agricultural and Standards Program Aide

This examination is being given to fill multiple positions in the Office of the Agricultural Commissioner and to establish a referral pool that may be used to fill future positions. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of an application. A completed application must be postmarked or received online by the final filing deadline.

NOTE: All correspondences relating to this recruitment will be delivered via e-mail. The e‑mail account used will be the one provided on your employment application during time of submittal. Please be sure to check your e‑mail often for updates. If you do not have an e‑mail account on file, Human Resources will send you correspondences via U.S. Mail.

Pre-Employment Drug Screening and Background: Potential new hires into this classification are required to successfully pass a pre‑employment drug screen and a background investigation as a condition of employment. Final appointment cannot be made unless the eligible has passed the drug screen and completed the background process. The County pays for the initial drug screen.

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. An employee in this class spends a substantial amount of time in the field driving to various locations throughout San Joaquin County and provides 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 identifying 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 public‑relations practices; safe driving practices; basic computer use.

Follow written and oral instructions; perform outdoor manual labor relating 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…