County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

Under supervision, to control both desirable and undesirable vegetation in an assigned area of the County; to mix and apply various pesticides to trees, shrubs, grass, weeds, soil and vegetation to control and eradicate plants, plant growth, fungus, and pests; and to perform related duties as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

Positions in this class report to a Weed and Pest Control Supervisor and are responsible for the control of prohibited and restricted noxious weeds, control of undesirable weed infestations and the management of desirable vegetation, both native and landscaped, in designated locations of the County. Incumbents are trained and licensed to handle the chemicals used in vegetation management and pest control, including rodents.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

NOTE: The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

1. Inspects creeks, drainage channels, rights of way, easements and other County-owned properties for prohibited and restricted noxious weeds and undesirable growth, while performing regular pest control activities, and reports findings to supervisor.
2. Maintains designated landscape areas by monitoring and promoting desirable native and introduced vegetation.
3. Mixes appropriate materials registered for use with the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (C.D.P.R.) according to label and in accordance with the rules and regulations of CDPR.
4. Operates manual and automatic pesticide application equipment, regulates pressure, selects and installs nozzles, attaches spray booms, and regulates spray.
5. Monitors spraying conditions to avoid destruction of ornamental vegetation, harm to public safety and the environment.
6. May be required to hand trim vegetation, backfill rodent holes, and plant or repair damaged landscape.
7. Performs minor preventive maintenance on pesticide application equipment, applicator hand and power tools, safety equipment, brush/tree chippers and vehicles.
8. Maintains logs and records of pesticide inventories, vegetation/pest control operations work completed, time-keeping records, and equipment usage.
9. May also perform the duties of a Laborer as needed.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Experience:

The equivalent of one year of full-time experience in the control of prohibited and restricted weeds and weed infestations and the management of desirable vegetation.

Licenses:

Possess and maintain a valid California Motor Vehicle Class C Driver’s License. Candidates must submit evidence from DMV showing current status of their license at the time of application and must have a clean driving record for the previous three-year period.

Possess and maintain a valid Qualified Applicator Certificate issued by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation certifying the holder in the following types of pest control: Landscape Maintenance and Right of Way and to obtain additional certification in Aquatics within 6 months of employment.

It shall be the employee's responsibility to pay any renewal fees to maintain a valid driver's license and application certificate.

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the "Examples of Duties" section of this specification.

Knowledge of:

• Landscape maintenance practices.
• Right-of-Way pest control practices.
• Plant Agriculture procedures and practices.
• Aquatic Pest Control.
• Native and exotic varieties of species of vegetation, plants
and pests common to the area.
• Vegetation growth patterns, types and characteristics of
weeds and their control techniques.
• Operation and adjustment of pumps and pressure regulated
spray equipment.
• Methods and procedures used to mix and apply pesticides.
• Safe work practices relating to the use of hand and power
tools, compressors, pumps and related equipment.
• Safety precautions required to protect personnel and property
from damage or destruction through the use of pesticides.
• Laws, rules, regulations, hazards and precautions associated
with the safe and effective use of pesticides.
Ability to:

• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with co-workers and the general public and regulatory agencies.
• Identify common pests, fungi, plant growth, and vegetation indigenous to the area.
• Work independently.
• Make adjustments in the field to work around other work or situations in progress.
• Read, understand, interpret and comply with laws and technical regulations pertaining to vegetation, pest, and rodent control.
• Maintain daily records of pest control activities, time sheets, maps and chemical use.
• Mix and apply pesticide, either manually or with automated spray equipment.
• Evaluate field conditions such as: Weather, wind terrain, proximity of non-target animals, plants or property to assure safe and effective work practices during pest control activities.
• Accurately measure liquids and solids.
• Read and understand information provided on maps, work orders, road code book, product labels and material safety data sheets.
• Calibrate pesticide application equipment to deliver known quantities of pesticides to a given area.
• Perform heavy physical work.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

HC:pb 9/30/92
Old doc: 1191h
New doc: 9106.doc
ys/3/01
CSC Date: 10/15/92
RC:pf Rev. 12/12/03
CSC Date: 1/21/04
MH:cs Revised 2/3/15
CSC Date: 5/27/15

BENEFITS

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

• Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
• Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
• Vision or Vision Reimbursement
• Share the Savings
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees) 
• County Allowance Credit
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

• 12 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1^st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.