AGRICULTURAL BIOLOGIST AIDE

THE JOB: Under supervision, perform a variety of non-professional tasks in the field in support of agricultural and/or mosquito and vector control activities. There are three specialty areas as described below.

Pest Detection Trapper: Identifies target insects; follows the State Insect Trapping Guide; places, services and relocates insect traps within the county; recognizes preferred host plants of the target insects; removes all traps from the field at the end of the trapping season; handles, documents, and submits insect specimens; maintains equipment, supplies and submits accurate daily records.

Inspection Programs: Works on head lettuce Inspection Program; inspecting in the field for compliance with IRQ (Identity/Responsibility/Quantity) labeling as well as size, maturity and standard container requirements. Glassy-winged Sharpshooter (GWSS) Inspection Program: Thoroughly inspects incoming GWSS host plants/containerized nursery stock; protects Santa Cruz agriculture industry, home gardens, and parks from GWSS infestations; sets and services yellow panel insect traps at nurseries within the county.

Vector Control Aide: Supports vector control program staff; conducts field and laboratory activities;  conducts mosquito surveillance; detects mosquito-borne viruses; uses a microscope to sort, count and identify; uses a taxonomic key; picks up dead birds; prepares samples; lab submissions; samples potential breeding places; keeps data records and electronic maps; assists with trail clearing using brush cutting equipment; distributes informational materials; under supervision, conducts vector control inspections and applies pesticides; maintains traps and equipment; assists in tick surveillance and control efforts for other vectors; uses scientific skills to perform related work as required.

The list established from this recruitment will be used to fill the current vacancy and future part-time, full-time, substitute and extra-help temporary positions during the life of the eligible list. The current vacancy is limited term.

THE REQUIREMENTS: Any combination of education and experience which would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying, unless otherwise specified.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: License Requirements: Possession of a valid California Class C Driver’s License. Special Working Conditions: Exposure to: variable temperatures and weather conditions which include exposure to sun; allergens such as poison oak, pollen and bee stings; odors caused by alcohol or lures that may contain dilute pesticides; occasional contact with “Caution” level insecticides.

Knowledge: Some knowledge of basic arithmetic.

Ability to: Maintain accurate and legible field notes and prepare simple reports; perform computer data entry; learn and apply routine inspection and sampling procedures; understand and follow oral and written instructions; make arithmetic computations; establish and maintain cooperative relationships with the public, co-workers and others contacted in the course of work; move across broken or hilly terrain that may be slippery or wet; wade through thigh-deep water; lift objects up to 50 pounds, such as a 5-gallon bucket filled with water; distinguish colors and fine detail to perform tasks such as identify exotic and common insects; organize inspection routes for maximum efficiency; prepare accurate maps marking locations of traps; drive a truck with a manual transmission; and work independently in the field. For vector control, learn to safely use and maintain landscaping hand tools (machete, lopper) and motorized tools (chainsaw, brush cutter).

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS:
ANNUAL LEAVE – 22 days first year, increasing to 37 days after 15 years. Available after six months for vacation and/or sick leave.
HOLIDAYS – 12.5 paid holidays per year.
BEREAVEMENT LEAVE – 3 days paid in California, 5 days paid out-of-state.
MEDICAL PLAN – The County contracts with CalPERS for a variety of medical plans. For most plans, County contributions pay a majority of the premiums for employees and eligible dependents.
DENTAL PLAN – County pays for employee and eligible dependent coverage.
VISION PLAN – County pays for employee coverage. Employee may purchase eligible dependent coverage.
RETIREMENT – Pension formula 2% at age 60 or 2% at age 62 as determined based on provisions of the CA Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act of 2013(PEPRA). Pension benefit determined by final average compensation of three years. County participates in Social Security.
LIFE INSURANCE – County paid $20,000 term policy. Employee may purchase additional life insurance.
SDI – Employees in the General Representation Unit participate in the State Disability Insurance (SDI) program. This program is funded 100% by employee payroll deductions.
DEPENDENT-CARE PLAN – Employees who make contributions for child or dependent care may elect to have their contributions made utilizing “pre-tax dollars.”
H-CARE PLAN – Employees who pay a County medical premium share of cost may elect this pre-tax program.
HEALTH CARE FLEXIBLE SPENDING ALLOWANCE (HCFSA) – Employees may elect this pre-tax program to cover qualifying health care expenses.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION – A deferred compensation plan is available to employees.
OTHER – Other pay and benefit items apply to certain positions or assignments, such as Bilingual Pay and Night Shift Differential.

THE EXAMINATION: Your application and supplemental application will be reviewed to determine if you have met the education, experience, training and/or licensing requirements as stated on the job announcement. If you meet these criteria and are one of the best qualified, you may be required to compete in any combination of written, oral and/or performance examinations or a competitive evaluation of training and experience as described on your application. You must pass all components of the examination to be placed on the eligible list. The examination may be eliminated if there are ten or fewer qualified applicants. If the eligible list is established without the administration of the announced examination, the life of the eligible list will be six months and your overall score will be based upon an evaluation of our application. If during those six months it is necessary to administer another examination for this job class, you will be invited to take the examination to remain on the eligible list.

HOW TO APPLY: Apply Online Now!  Click on the link below; or print out an application and supplemental questionnaire and mail/bring them to: Santa Cruz County Personnel Department, 701 Ocean Street, Room 310, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060.  For information, call (831) 454-2600.  Hearing Impaired TDD/TTY: 711.  Applications will meet the final filing date if received in one of the following ways:  1) In the Personnel Department by 5:00 p.m. on the final filing date, 2) submitted online before midnight of the final filing date.  Following a review for minimum qualifications, applicants who are selected to move forward in the recruitment process will be notified that they must submit a completed conviction history questionnaire in order to continue to the examination phase of the process.

Women, minorities and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.  If you have a disability that requires test accommodation, please call (831) 454-2600.

To comply with the 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act, Santa Cruz County verifies that all new employees are either U.S. citizens or persons authorized to work in the U.S.

Some positions may require fingerprinting and/or background investigation.

NOTE: The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract.

An Equal Opportunity Employer