Placer County

Provides assistance and support services in the enforcement of agricultural, pesticide use, and weights and measures laws and regulations.

Receives supervision from higher level agricultural department staff.

• Assemble and bait a variety of insect traps or devices; identify and select appropriate host plants for trap placement; deploy, service, and inspect traps on a regular basis.
• Perform specific pest surveys; count and identify pests in traps; collect, identify and submit pest specimens suspected of being target pests.
• Inspect incoming nursery plant shipments for pests.
• Provide routine policy, procedure, and regulatory information to the public and regulated industries; explain various pest detection and eradication methods and devices.
• Mix, load, and safely apply appropriate pesticides to noxious weeds and other pests.
• Assist in quality control, weighing and measuring device inspections, and testing.
• Assist in enforcement of pesticide laws and regulations. 
• Perform general clerical duties including data entry, filing, and sorting.
• Compile and maintain accurate and detailed records for insect traps and noxious weed infestation sites.
• Prepare daily and monthly activity summary reports.
• Assist agricultural department staff with programs as required and perform related duties as assigned.

Experience and Training
Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience: No experience required.

Training: Equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade supplemented by college level course work in biology, entomology, agriculture or a closely related field.

Required License or Certificate:
May need to possess a valid driver's license as required by the position.  Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.

Knowledge of:

• Basic biology and botany, especially pertaining to invertebrate and weed pests.
• Physical characteristics of common garden pests.
• Basic pest control techniques.
• English usage, spelling, punctuation and grammar.
• Principles and practices of work safety.
• Modern office procedures, methods, tablet PCs and computer equipment.

Ability to:

• On a continuous basis, understand and follow oral and written instructions and know and understand all assigned aspects of the job.
• Frequently walk, hike, stand, bend, squat, climb and bend in the field, kneel, or twist to collect traps and specimens; lift heavy weight including backpacks, bags and crates, chemicals, and other related equipment.
• Often work alone in a variety of climatic conditions and environments including remote areas with steep and rugged terrain.
• Understand and interpret policies, procedures and regulations.
• Prepare clear and concise reports.
• Collect and identify a variety of pests, make pertinent descriptions in determining the identity of specimens, and apply appropriate control and eradication treatments using pesticides, traps, and mechanical and other devices.
• Safely drive a county vehicle on a frequent and ongoing basis; operate four wheel drive vehicle in off road settings.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work; tactfully and effectively interact with the public and regulated industries.