Per CCR 249.3, this job control may be used to fill subsequent vacancies.
Under the general supervision of the Senior Environmental Scientist (Supervisory), the incumbent will independently perform the more difficult range of field and office support duties, for various fruit fly delimitation programs, maintain fruit fly trapping routes, coordinate the application of pesticides, maintain pesticide inventory and vehicle fleet, oversee pesticide applications performed by outside vendors, perform plane inspections for Japanese beetle, fruit removal and tree removal, communicate with the public at educational public meetings, coordinate with other agencies, and perform various insect/disease surveys for targeted pests. These activities include working independently and in cooperation with other staff, overseeing treatment activities, preparing written reports, performing quality control inspections for treatment-survey-trapping programs, training new employees, and acting as the back-up trapper/applicator. The incumbent must be able to establish working relationships with those contacted during work and work well under pressure while completing assigned work and meeting required deadlines.
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Deploy traps, perform visual surveys, and apply control measures for target pests such as but not limited to various fruit flies, plant diseases, Japanese beetle, European grapevine moth, and spongy moth.
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Plan, organize and maintain daily trapping routes, visual surveys, and treatment programs
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Monitor outside vendors to ensure compliance with Department policies and procedures, and State laws, rules, and regulations; enforce and implement new procedures or processes with seasonal employees, when necessary.
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Assemble equipment and mix chemicals using the appropriate protocols; assure that the Department complies of all pesticide rules and regulations.
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Work with field staff in solving technical problems such as equipment breakdowns trap deployment, using effective communication skills, knowledge, manuals, and/or facility operational procedures.
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Prepare and complete accurate and detailed technical reports (daily, weekly, and/or as required) as associated with detection trapping, survey, and treatment activities, or other related activities.
- Carefully document address, host type and location of samples on property or field by drawing a map and/or using a GPS unit, on submission slip, and on a Pest and Damage Record (PDR).
Candidates may perform these essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.
Working Conditions
The duties of this position are primarily conducted outdoors. The incumbent works in extremes of weather and temperature. Changes in lighting such as alternating bright sunlight and dark shade are encountered. Noise levels constantly vary. Terrain encountered varies from smooth and stable to irregular and unstable. Incumbent may experience regular exposure to dust, pollen and moisture. Some trap types use a specific chemical insect lure; some of these lures may contain small amounts of pesticide. The work can be in urban areas, rural areas, airport facilities, inside and around aircrafts.
When working at the airports, typical work environment includes frequent walking between aircraft terminals, standing, squatting, crawling, and climbing ladders that are approximately 20 feet high. They will be exposed to warm temperatures and loud noise. They may also work alone inside an aircraft for extended periods of time. Other factors in the work environment includes the presence of moving service vehicles, cargo containers, working around airport employees and their associated equipment. When working at the airport, you will be required to carry supplies such as a fanny pack containing vials to place insects, flashlight, batteries, safety vest, earplugs, tweezers, clipboard, sharpies and pencils, this equipment may weigh several pounds.
To be given access to the airport to inspect planes for Japanese beetle, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires verification of employment history and a criminal history background check. Individuals must be fingerprinted and pass a 10-year background check in order to be receive an airport badge.
The incumbent will be required to drive, exit and re-enter the work vehicle numerous times during the workday, must possess a valid driver license and have a safe driving record as documented by the Department of Motor Vehicles. If employee is not a California resident but takes a job at this location or becomes a resident, they must get a California driver’s license within 10 days of the job appointment.
The incumbent must be able to apply pesticides, haul loads of fruit and/or removed trees, perform survey work, and work well under extreme time constraints, exercise good judgment, determine priorities, make appropriate well-thought out decisions, allocate staff and resources to achieve maximum results, maintain focus under conditions of duress, and provide accurate assessment of rapidly changing situations (ex: multiple exotic pest detections requiring multiple operations).
The incumbent must be able to establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted during the course of work, cooperate with other staff members and leads in completing assigned work, communicate effectively verbally and in writing, with other agencies and the public, and be able to meet required deadlines.
The incumbent may be required to work various shifts (pre-dawn and after 6:00 pm), split shift, overtime, weekends, and holidays. Travel throughout the state to attend meetings or trainings related to pest detection, and treatment and to assist other offices with detection and treatment efforts. Employee may be required to travel by state/ rental vehicle, or other public transportation systems to various locations throughout the state.