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AGRICULTURAL BIOLOGIST AIDE SEASONAL POSITION

Bilingual English/Spanish Candidates Encouraged to Apply

Recruitment #21-TC1-01

Introduction

Definition

THE JOB: Under supervision, perform a variety of non-professional tasks in the field in support of agricultural and/or public health mosquito and vector control activities. There are three specialty areas as described below. *Effective July 11, 2020, this position will be furloughed by 7.5%.

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 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 a seasonal position for a limited term.

Employment Standards

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 License at the time of hire. 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; slippery surfaces; toxic agricultural and public health pesticides; wetness, such as while walking through creeks, ponds and sloughs to conduct mosquito surveillance; odors, such as from marshes and septic water; potential infections, such as tick-borne Lyme disease or mosquito-borne viruses; and aggressive animals, poisonous plants and animals; irate or hostile individuals; hazardous gases and chemicals.

Knowledge: Some knowledge of record keeping and arithmetic; and general computer skills.

Ability to: Maintain accurate and legible field notes and prepare simple report; input and access information using a computer and/or mobile device; 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; wade through thigh deep water; distinguish colors and fine detail to perform tasks such as identifying exotic and common insects; organize inspection routes for maximum efficiency; prepare accurate maps marking locations of traps; read and interpret street maps and use mapping programs for direction; work independently in the field; perform tasks requiring bending, stretching, twisting, reaching, or squatting; move across broken or hilly terrain that may be slippery or wet; and lift objects up to 40 pounds, such as a backpack motorized sprayer filled with insecticide or, a 5-gallon bucket filled with water.

Benefits

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS:
ANNUAL LEAVE - 22 days first year, increasing to 37 days after 15 years of service. Available for vacation and/or sick leave.
HOLIDAYS - 13 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.
DISABILITY INSURANCE - 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 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.

Selection Plan

THE EXAMINATION: Your application and supplemental questionnaire 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 and supplemental questionnaire. 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 your application and supplemental questionnaire. 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 510, 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.

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

County of Santa Cruz

 

www.santacruzcountyjobs.com

                         

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