Agricultural Program Assistant - Extra-Help



Agricultural Program Assistant - Extra-Help

Salary

$25.50 - $31.01 Hourly

Location

Santa Rosa, CA

Job Type

Extra Help

Job Number

22/12-1120-OEHC

Department

Agriculture/Weights & Measures Department (AGC)

Opening Date

12/27/2022

Closing Date

5/18/2023 8:39 AM Pacific

Bargaining Unit

05

Position Information

Multiple positions are available!

Agricultural Program Assistants are an integral part of the Department of Agricultural/Weights & Measures Pest Detection Trapping Program. These positions are placing and servicing insect traps that are used to detect the presence of invasive pests. Program assistants also focus on insect identification and data collection. The current positions will work Monday through Friday, 8 hours per day.  

Ideal candidates will have the ability to work independently under the direction of a team lead; feel comfortable performing fieldwork in a variety of seasonal weather conditions, and possess:

  • Education, knowledge and/or experience related to agriculture and/or entomology.
  • Knowledge of how to work with spreadsheets and databases, Excel, GIS, or other database software
Please note: Possession of a valid driver's license is required per the Minimum Qualifications.

Department of Agriculture / Weights & Measures

The Department of Agriculture/Weights & Measures is mandated to promote and protect agriculture, the environment, and public welfare through the enforcement of local, state, and federal laws and regulations. One of the department's primary responsibilities is the prevention of the establishment of exotic pests that are harmful to our agriculture and the environment. Additional responsibilities include environmental protection and worker health and safety, which are accomplished through enforcing pesticide laws and regulations and agricultural hazardous materials programs.
 
EXTRA-HELP EMPLOYMENT
 
Extra-help employees relieve or augment permanent staff. Temporary, extra-help employees are not in the classified civil service and do not have property rights to permanently allocated positions. In addition, they do not receive most employee benefits such as: long-term disability insurance coverage; accrual of vacation; participation in the County retirement program; or eligibility to take promotional examinations. Temporary, extra-help employees are limited in their employment to a maximum of one calendar year. These employees must be off of work for three months before they can be re-employed on an extra help basis. Extra-help employees who meet the eligibility requirements may qualify for a County contribution toward medical coverage.
 
This employment list may also be used to fill future extra-help positions as they occur during the active status of this list.

APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS REQUIRE THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE BE COMPLETED.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Any combination of course work or training including on-the-job training which would provide the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities stated herein. Normally, course work or training in the natural sciences, statistics and related subjects would provide such an opportunity.

Experience: Any combination of paid or volunteer work experience which would provide the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and ability stated herein. Normally, college internships, special agricultural projects and related tasks would provide such an opportunity.

License: Possession of a valid driver's license.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of: the methods of planting, growing, treating and harvesting agricultural crops; methods of controlling noxious weeds; the use of pesticides and other chemicals; a variety of audio-visual aides; possible computer applications to agricultural projects.

Ability to: learn to operate and maintain equipment and vehicles associated with cultivation of test plots, weed eradication and related tasks; operate vehicles and equipment in a manner determined to be safe by department policy and rules of regulatory agencies; communicate orally or in writing; develop effective working relationships between peers, supervisors, elected officials, community representatives, members of the public, and others who have an interest in Sonoma County agriculture; learn to perform basic research associated with agricultural projects; and learn to operate a computer and use common software.

Selection Procedure & Some Helpful Tips When Applying

  • Your application information and your responses to the supplemental questions are evaluated and taken into consideration throughout the entire selection process.
  • You should list all your employers and positions held within the last ten years in the work history section of your application and should be as thorough as possible when responding to the supplemental questions.
  • You may include history beyond ten years if related to the position for which you are applying. If you held multiple positions with one employer, list out each position separately.
  • Failure to follow these instructions may impact your competitiveness in this process or may result in disqualification.
Please visit Getting a Job with the County of Sonoma to review more detailed information about the application, examination, and department selection processes.
  
APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS REQUIRE THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE BE COMPLETED.
 
The selection procedure will consist of the following examination:
 
An Application and Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal (pass/not pass) will be conducted to evaluate each applicant's combination of educational coursework, training, experience, knowledge, and abilities that relate to this position to ensure satisfaction of the minimum qualifications for this position.  Candidates who possess the minimum qualifications for the position will be placed on an extra-help employment list and referred to the department.  The department may contact candidates from the employment list who possess the most appropriate job-related qualifications for further consideration.
 
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

A background investigation is required prior to employment. Candidates referred to departments for a selection interview are typically required to sign authorization and release forms enabling such an investigation. Failure to sign prescribed forms will result in the candidate not being considered further for that vacancy. Reference information will not be made available to applicants.

Additional requirements, such as successful completion of a physical exam, drug screen, etc., may apply, depending on the duties and responsibilities of the position. If you receive a conditional job offer for the position, the requirements upon which the offer is contingent will be outlined in the conditional job letter. You may also review the Job Classification Screening Schedule to determine the requirements for this position.
 
HOW TO APPLY

Applications are accepted online at www.yourpath2sonomacounty.org. Paper applications may be submitted by person, fax (707-565-3770), email, or through the mail. All applications and appropriate supplemental information as outlined in the job bulletin must be RECEIVED by the time and date specified on the first page of this job announcement. Continuous recruitments may close without notice at any time that a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received. Applications received after the recruitment closes will not be accepted.

The County of Sonoma values diversity and is dedicated to creating a workplace environment that provides individuals with a sense of belonging. We are committed to having a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we serve. The County is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer where all aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance, and business need.

HR Analyst: BH
HR Technician: RR

IMPORTANT NOTE: Benefits described herein do not apply to Extra Help positions.

COUNTY OF SONOMA BENEFITS: GENERAL*

These are some of the excellent benefits the County offers:
 
Paid Time Off: Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals; 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year; and may be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) of Paid Parental Leave after 12 months of County employment.
 
Health Plan: Choice of five health plans (a PPO, EPO, HMO, and two deductible HMOs) with a County contribution toward the premium (the contribution amount varies by bargaining unit. For specific details, please refer to the applicable MOU). A County contribution to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement is available for some bargaining units.

Retirement: Fully integrated with Social Security. For more information regarding eligibility, retirement contributions, and reciprocity with prior public service, please visit https://scretire.org/active-/-deferred/when-you-are-hired.
 
IRS 457 Plan: Pre-tax employee contribution up to the IRS annual maximum.
 
Retiree Medical: County contribution to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits.

Plus excellent dental, vision, disability, life insurance, professional development, and more.

For answers to specific questions regarding the employment process and more details about benefits or retirement, please contact Human Resources at (707) 565-2331. Additional details about benefit and compensation packages can be found in the MOUs located at https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/administrative-support-and-fiscal-services/human-resources/divisions-and-units/employee-relations/labor-agreements-and-salary-resolution. For specific information about health and welfare benefits including plan options, coverage, and premium amounts go to https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/administrative-support-and-fiscal-services/human-resources or, contact the Human Resources' Risk Management-Benefits Office at benefits@sonoma-county.org or (707) 565-2900.

*IMPORTANT NOTES: Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice.

01
How did you first learn about this opportunity?
  • Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG)
  • CalJobs
  • Careers in Government
  • College or University
  • Craigslist
  • DiversityJobs
  • Employee of Sonoma County
  • Facebook
  • Glassdoor
  • GovernmentJobs.com
  • Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Sonoma County
  • Indeed
  • Job Fair
  • La Voz
  • Latino Service Providers
  • LinkedIn
  • Los Cien
  • Minority Organization or Group
  • Press Democrat
  • sonoma-county.org/www.yourpath2sonomacounty.org
  • Sonoma County Human Resources Office
  • Sonoma County Job Line
  • Start Here!
  • Twitter
  • Veterans Services Office
  • Women's Organization or Group
  • Workplace Diversity
  • Other Internet Site
  • Other Publication
02
Do you possess a current, valid Class C or higher driver's license?
  • Yes
  • No
03
Please list your relevant coursework and/or training in natural sciences, statistics, and/or related subjects that qualifies you for this position.
04
Please describe your experience (paid or unpaid) working on agricultural projects. Highlight experience related to agriculture and entomology.
05
Please describe your experience working with spreadsheets an databases. Highlight experience with Excel, GIS or any other database software.

Required Question

Agency
County of Sonoma (CA)
Address
575 Administration Drive, Suite 116B

Santa Rosa, California, 95403
Phone
(707) 565-2331