Pest Prevention Assistant II

Job Description and Duties

Per CCR 249.3, this job control may be used to fill subsequent vacancies.

Under the general supervision of the Senior Environmental Scientist (Supervisory), the Pest Prevention Assistant II will perform the full range of field, laboratory or staff support duties on rearing, survey, detection, control, and/or eradication activities for the Biological Control Program. The incumbent must be able to establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted during work duties, work well under pressure, work independently, and in cooperation with other staff members, in completing assigned work and meeting required deadlines.

Duties include, but are not limited to the following:

• Plan, organize, and perform activities necessary to maintain and increase weeds and pest insects in culture.

• Plan and purchase materials for plant growth and daily diets of insects

• Perform sterilization operations of insect collecting and rearing equipment

• Provide special egg-laying materials to insect adults, transfer various live insect stages into rearing containers, and collect and ship selected life stages to cooperating scientists for specific laboratory and field experiments

• Enter rearing data into appropriate records and files used for tracking insect production in culture

• Build, deploy, and service monitoring traps for pests and/or biological control agents.

• Organize and ensure accuracy of records of survey activities and results on computer databases

• Functions independently to complete all required program paperwork and ensures accuracy.

Please refer to duty statement for more information.

Candidates may perform these essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

Approximately 70% of the workload will be in laboratory rooms inside trailers owned by the State of California or US Department of Agriculture. The setting includes programable growth chambers in which containers of live insects will be maintained. The rearing rooms will include countertops, a sink, and shelves to hold numerous containers of live insects. The dissecting laboratory will include a countertop, a sink, microscopes, computers (which run the microscope software), and chairs. The data entry workstation will include a desk and chair and computer and keyboard. Computer software used may include MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, ArcGIS, and Google Earth, as well as other databases/software created especially for a given research task.

The remaining 30% of the workload requires traveling to remote and/or populated areas within the State of California via government (State) assigned vehicle. When working in the field, the incumbent works alone or with a group of field scientists and/or seasonals. Incumbent works with varied and unfamiliar vehicles and equipment, including excavators, trailers, pumps of various kinds, and ATVs. The incumbent may work in isolated locations and may work alone for extended periods. Often, activities may require driving for several hours (alone or with company), lifting objects and moving equipment of various weights. Also, the incumbent may encounter extremes in temperature, humidity, variable terrain (smooth to irregular and unstable), and often aquatic or riparian situations. Incumbent may also be required to navigate variable lengths of distance over unpredictable terrain. Various sitting, bending, stooping, standing, and reaching motions may be required on an irregular basis. Noise level for work is variable. Incumbent may work extended hours and days at any given time in the month including holidays. Incumbent will also be required to travel. Travel may also be on a short notice that requires full days or over few to several nights in length.

Special Requirements

• The position(s) require(s) a valid California Drivers License (CDL). You must answer the questions addressing your CDL on your application. Ensure you provide your CDL number, class, expiration date, and any endorsements and/or restrictions.

Benefits

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

Hard Copy Applications:

If you are dropping off or mailing in your application, please use the Examination/Employment Application, STD 678 Revised 06/2024 version.

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is required and must be included.
• Other - References