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Agricultural Aide/Technician (Seasonal) Series

Agricultural Aide/Technician (Seasonal) Series

California State Personnel Board Specification

Series established May 19, 1987

Scope

This series specification describes four seasonal classes in the Department of Food and Agriculture typically used to perform work in a field or field and laboratory setting relating to the inspection of agricultural commodities, the control of animal and plant pests and diseases, inspection of vehicles for compliance with agricultural commodity quarantine laws and regulations, assistive and nonprofessional entomological or plant pest work, hide and brand inspection, livestock identification, livestock sampling activities, and environmental monitoring and pesticide use/management.

 

Employment in this class series is seasonal. It will not extend for more than nine months in any 12-month period.

 

Agricultural Aide/Technician (Seasonal) Series Specification - Class Titles and Codes
Schem Code Class Code Class
AF20 0365 Agricultural Aide (Seasonal)
AB90 0034 Agricultural Technician I (Seasonal)
AB80 0033 Agricultural Technician II (Seasonal)
AB70 0032 Agricultural Technician III (Seasonal)

Factors Affecting Position Allocation

All Levels:

Factors that affect allocations to the Agricultural Aide/Technician (Seasonal) series include supervision received, complexity, independence of action of assigned work, and leadperson responsibility.

Definition of Series

The Agricultural Aide/Technician (Seasonal) series describes seasonal work typically performed in a field or a field and laboratory setting concerned with the inspection of agricultural commodities subject to State, Federal, or industry standards or regulations included in the agricultural and administrative codes; the control of animal and plant pests and diseases; the inspection of vehicles for compliance with agricultural commodity quarantine laws and regulations; the nonprofessional entomological or plant pest and nonprofessional laboratory work; hide and brand inspection; livestock identification; animal health/disease control work; and environmental monitoring and pesticide use management.

 

Incumbents in these seasonal classes typically perform routine grading, sorting, counting, and sampling work in connection with agricultural commodities; assist in filing and sorting samples of seeds; assist in the preparation of soil, planting, irrigating, cultivating, and harvesting of various agricultural commodities in test plots; dig and burn brush, trees, and weeds; assist in the application and mixing of spray materials; load and unload material and equipment for the field or the plant/animal laboratories; clean equipment; collect, handle, and prepare various specimens and media; collect samples for analysis; chart and prepare specimens for laboratory analysis; inspect agricultural commodities for compliance with standards; conduct routine tests for maturity, quality, labeling, and packaging; reject substandard commodities; issue inspection certificates; inspect vehicles entering the State at a border station for compliance with agricultural commodity quarantine laws and regulations; aid in entomological or plant pest field and laboratory work programs performing nonprofessional tasks relating to plant pest/disease control and eradication; assist in inspection of fruit trees for presence of virus diseases; assist in routine milk and cream quality determinations; assist in hide and brand inspection work and livestock identification; assist in inspecting cattle and horses for proof of ownership; assist in collecting livestock blood samples and urine samples; assist in pesticide use/management field work including environmental monitoring/hazards assessment projects and surveys involving rearing and releasing of biological controls; assist in scheduling or schedule/coordinate crew assignments; instruct crews; arrange transportation for the crews, supplies, and equipment; enforce safety precautions; safeguard State equipment; maintain contact with staff scientists and county agricultural commissioners; maintain discipline and evaluate work performance; maintain maps and plot plans; keep records of work done; prepare reports and complete forms; complete and maintain appropriate field notes and other documentation; perform certificate or other related data entry; maintain database control and management; respond to client questions; and do other related work.

Definition of Levels*

Agricultural Aide (Seasonal)

Under close supervision, incumbents perform the less responsible and routine seasonal work in a field, a field and laboratory, or an office setting concerned with the inspection of agricultural commodities; the control of plant and animal pests and diseases; inspection of vehicles for compliance with agricultural commodity quarantine laws and regulations; assistive and nonprofessional entomological or plant pest work; hide and brand inspection; livestock identification; livestock sampling activities; or environmental monitoring and pesticide use/management. This is

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* Additional information regarding functions performed, complexity factors, and scope of responsibility is contained in a separate document titled Allocation Guidelines.

 

the entry/training level in the series. Incumbents will develop the skills necessary to perform in the more complex and independent work environment of the Agricultural Technician I (Seasonal) classification.

Agricultural Technician I (Seasonal)

Under supervision, incumbents perform assignments of average difficulty in a field, a field and laboratory, or an office setting concerned with the inspection of agricultural commodities; the control of plant and animal pests and diseases; the inspection of vehicles for compliance with agricultural commodity quarantine laws and regulations; assistive and nonprofessional entomological or plant pest work; hide and brand inspection; livestock identification; livestock sampling activities; or environmental monitoring and pesticide use/management.

Agricultural Technician II (Seasonal)

Under general supervision, incumbents (1) in a lead capacity plan, organize, and direct the work of a small crew; or (2) as a program specialist, independently perform the more difficult, varied, and responsible duties in a field or a field and laboratory setting concerned with the inspection of agricultural commodities; the control of plant and animal pests and diseases; the inspection of vehicles for compliance with agricultural commodity quarantine laws and regulations; assistive and nonprofessional entomological or plant pest work; hide and brand inspection; livestock identification; livestock sampling activities; or environmental monitoring and pesticide use/management.

Agricultural Technician III (Seasonal)

Under direction, incumbents (1) in a lead capacity plan, organize, and direct the work of a medium-size crew in one or more counties; or (2) as a program expert, independently perform the most complex, varied, and responsible duties in a field or a field and laboratory setting concerned with the inspection of agricultural commodities; the control of plant and animal pests and diseases; the inspection of vehicles for compliance with agricultural commodity quarantine laws and regulations; assistive and nonprofessional entomological or plant pest work; hide and brand inspection; livestock identification; livestock sampling activities; or environmental monitoring and pesticide use/management.

Minimum Qualifications

All Levels:

Physical strength and agility necessary to fulfill the requirements of the assigned work. Where driving is a requirement of the position: possession of a valid driver license of the appropriate class and a safe driving record as documented by the Department of Motor Vehicles within 60 days prior to appointment. (A safe driving record is one free from convictions in the past two years for repeated moving violations or a single serious violation such as drunk driving or reckless driving.) Applicants who do not possess this license will be admitted to the examination but must secure the license prior to appointment.

Agricultural Aide (Seasonal)

Experience: No experience required.

Agricultural Technician I (Seasonal)

Experience: One season of experience (approximately three months) in growing, harvesting, grading, packing, sorting, loading, buying, selling, or inspecting fruits, vegetables, or other agricultural commodities; or the inspection and certification of livestock; or in virus, animal/plant pest, or disease eradication and control work in the field or laboratory; the inspection of fruit trees for presence of viruses; environmental monitoring; biological control or pest management work including pest and pesticide sampling and rearing of pests, landscape maintenance or nursery operations work, or other agricultural work. (Completion of a one-semester college course in one or more agricultural subjects, such as plant or animal science, botany, entomology, zoology, physical science, biology, chemistry, or ornamental horticulture; or one year of general college work may be substituted for the required experience where the education is applicable to the program area.)

Agricultural Technician II (Seasonal)

Experience: Two seasons of experience (approximately six months) in growing, harvesting, grading, packing, sorting, loading, buying, selling, or the inspection and certification of fruits, vegetables, or other agricultural commodities; or the inspection and certification of livestock; or in virus, animal/plant pest or disease eradication and control work in the field or laboratory; inspection of fruit trees for presence of viruses; environmental monitoring; biological control or pest management work including pest and pesticide sampling and rearing of pests, landscape maintenance or nursery operations work, or other agricultural work. (Completion of a one-year college course in one or more agricultural subjects, such as plant or animal science, physical science, biology, chemistry, or ornamental horticulture may be substituted for the required experience where the education is applicable to the program area.)

Agriculture Technician III (Seasonal)

Either I

 

Experience: Two seasons of experience (approximately six months) in agricultural inspection, certification, entomological or plant pest field and laboratory work, animal/plant pest disease control work, environmental monitoring, biological control, pest management field work, or other agricultural work. (Two years of college study with a major in plant or animal science, biology, or entomology may be substituted for a maximum of one season of experience.)

Or II

 

Experience: Eighteen months of experience in inspection or quality control of fruits, vegetables, grain, or livestock; environmental monitoring, biological control, insect control and eradication, or pest management work. (Two years of college study with a major in plant or animal science, biology, or entomology may be substituted for a maximum of 12 months of experience.)

Or III

 

Experience: Two seasons of experience (approximately six months) in general laboratory work involving the analysis of biological organisms. (Completion of two years of college with at least 12 units in plant or animal science may be substituted for the required experience.)

Knowledge and Abilities

Agricultural Aide (Seasonal)

Ability to: Communicate at a level required for successful job performance; understand and follow directions; keep simple records; perform simple arithmetic calculations; observe and report conditions; learn to perform the requirements of the job.

Agricultural Technician I (Seasonal)

Knowledge of: Applicable laws, rules, regulations, and standards.

 

Ability to: Follow directions; do simple arithmetical calculations; prepare clear and accurate reports; secure and maintain the cooperation of persons contacted in the work; analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action; communicate effectively at a level required for successful job performance; complete forms; complete and maintain appropriate field notes and other documentation; accurately examine livestock bills of sale and/or documents to determine proof of ownership; accurately inspect cattle for identifying brands and marks; accurately inspect, grade, sort, count, and sample agricultural commodities; accurately inspect vehicles for compliance with quarantine laws and regulations; accurately mix and apply pest control agents; monitor plant pests.

Agricultural Technician II (Seasonal)

Knowledge of: All of the above, and leadperson responsibilities, training methods, and safety and health concerns and requirements; the more difficult technical aspects of the job requirements, for example: methods for certificate approval for multiple commodities, and equipment suitability and maintenance.

 

Ability to: All of the above, and perform support laboratory duties; independently perform the more difficult aspects of the required job; where applicable, act in a lead capacity over field crews and schedule/coordinate crew assignments; arrange transportation for the crews, supplies, and equipment; safeguard State equipment; instruct others in such things as recognition of plant diseases or insect infestations and inspection methods and certification approval; maintain discipline and direct work assignments; read maps and plans; enforce safety precautions; effectively promote equal opportunity in employment and maintain a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment.

Agricultural Technician III (Seasonal)

Knowledge of: All of the above, and the most complex aspects of the job requirements.

 

Ability to: All of the above, and independently perform the most complex, varied, and responsible aspects of the required job; observe processes and procedures and effect changes as appropriate to meet program goals and/or objectives.

Additional Desirable Qualifications

Agricultural Technician II (Seasonal)

Agricultural Technician III (Seasonal)

Wide and varied experience in entomological or plant pest and horticulture field and laboratory work; in growing, harvesting, handling, or inspecting agricultural commodity shipments and livestock; in pest management/environmental studies; or in directing the work of others in field or laboratory assignments.

Special Personal Characteristic

All Levels:

Willingness to travel throughout the State as required.

Class History

Agricultural Aide/Technician (Seasonal) Series History - Dates Established, Revised, and Title Changed
Class Date Established Date Revised Title Changed
Agricultural Aide (Seasonal) 07/26/1946 07/07/1999 09/03/1970
Agricultural Technician I (Seasonal) 07/26/1946 07/07/1999 07/07/1999
Agricultural Technician II (Seasonal) 04/20/1956 07/07/1999 07/07/1999
Agricultural Technician III (Seasonal) 04/20/1956 07/07/1999 07/07/1999
  Updated: 6/3/2012
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