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Agricultural Biologist I (#RA0151)


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DEFINITION

Under immediate supervision, performs technical work in enforcing state, federal, and local agricultural laws and ordinances; and does related or other work as required in accordance with Rule 3, Section 3 of the Civil Service Rules.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

This is the entry-level class in the Agricultural Biologist series. An employee of this class is responsible for enforcing provisions of the Food and Agriculture Code and the California Code of Regulations. Initially, work is performed in a limited area of inspection but as knowledge and experience are gained a broader program of inspection may be assigned.

TYPICAL DUTIES

  • Inspects a wide variety of items for compliance with plant quarantine regulations; determines and enforces appropriate treatment of inspected items which do not conform to regulations.
  • Conducts surveys for pests not known to occur in this area; carries out eradication programs against introduced pests; inspects nurseries for pest cleanliness and compliance with minimum standards; inspects apiaries and abates diseased hives when necessary.
  • Enforces pesticide regulations to insure safety of users, field workers, crops and the environment; investigates complaints of damage from pesticide use; collects and prepares samples for laboratory analysis; investigates pesticide related illnesses; assists in providing training and educational outreach to growers on pesticide safety and regulations.
  • Inspects a wide variety of agricultural produce, eggs, and other related items to insure compliance with regulations and minimum standards for quality; inspects product samples, issues certificates of inspection; restricts sale and movement of sub-standard items.
  • Identifies and controls pests to protect crops; determines and recommends most efficient control measures; explains use of pesticides, and other pest-control materials; conducts surveys if necessary; conducts experiments to determine effectiveness of various control measures.
  • Participates in legal action against growers, packers, shippers, farm workers, or others who do not comply with Food and Agriculture Code and subsequent regulations; participates in informal office hearings; collects and reports evidence of violations; testifies in court.
  • Advises general public on agriculture-related matters; identifies plants, diseases, insects, and pests; explains the requirements of inter- or intra- state or country movement of plants and other agricultural produce.
  • Gathers information and prepares inspection and investigative reports; compiles and maintains records of crops and acreage; prepares other statistical reports.
  • Conducts surveillance, certification, and quarantine inspections for Federal agencies as requested.

    • MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

    Education:  Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a major in agriculture or a biological science, or other majors as determined by the California Secretary of Food and Agriculture.

    License:  Possession of a valid California driver's license.

    Special Requirements:  Ability to obtain Agricultural Inspector's/Biologist registered license issued by the California Department of Food and Agriculture in the area(s) of assignment.

    KNOWLEDGE

    General agriculture including crops, soils, equipment and related items; basic horticulture, plant pathology and entomology; common pest vertebrates, insects, weeds, and other agricultural pests; common pesticides, traps, baits and other pest control measures, basic mathematics; basic experimentation procedures, including sampling, testing, control methods, and data collection; basic public relations; report writing practices.

    ABILITY

    Read, understand, and interpret job related material including technical and legal publications; enforce laws, regulations and guidelines firmly, tactfully, and impartially; make decisions on routine enforcement problems in accordance with established policies and procedures; communicate effectively both orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.

    PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

    Mobility-Occasional operation of keyboards, sitting or standing for extended periods, climbing stairs or ladders, running or crawling; frequently walking, driving, pushing/pulling and bending/squatting; Lifting-Frequently lifting 5 to 70 pounds or less; Vision-Excellent overall vision including good color and depth perception with constant eye/hand coordination; frequent reading and close-up work; Dexterity-Normal dexterity with constant holding; frequent reaching, grasping, repetitive motion and writing; Hearing/Talking-Constant hearing normal speech; frequent hearing and talking on the telephone/radio and in person; occasional hearing faint sounds; Emotional/Psychological-Constant concentration with frequent public contact and decision making; frequent exposure to hazardous materials and occasional exposure to emergency situations and heights; Special Conditions-Frequent exposure to outdoor conditions; may require frequent overtime, weekend or evening work and working alone.

    CLASS: RA0151; EST: 10/1/1958; REV: 10/17/2002;