Job Posting: PEST PREVENTION ASSISTANT I
Department of Food & Agriculture
JC-524096
PEST PREVENTION ASSISTANT I (VARIOUS PROJECTS)
$3,320.00 - $3,962.00 per Month
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
Final Filing Date: 7/23/2026
Application Methods:
Electronic (Using your CalCareer Account)
By Mail
Drop-off
Print Job
Save Job
Job Description and Duties
Per CCR 249.3, this job control may be used to fill subsequent vacancies.
Under the close supervision of the Agricultural Pest Control Supervisor (APCS), the Pest Prevention Assistant I performs routine field or staff support work for delimitation programs, maintains trapping routes, application of pesticides, oversees pesticide applications performed by outside vendors, assists with host removal, communicates with the public at educational public meetings, coordinates with staff from other agencies, and performs various insect/disease surveys for the emergency eradication of targeted pests. These activities include trapping, pesticide application, visual surveys, laboratory work, repairing and cleaning pesticide application equipment, mixing pesticides, and overseeing treatment activities, preparing written reports, and assisting in training new employees. The incumbent will work with Supervisor/Leads with preparing detection, delimitation, and eradication assignments and reports, according to action plans or program recommendations.
As an employee of the California Department of Food & Agriculture (CDFA), you are required to perform the "essential functions" of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation. If you are interested in becoming part of a diverse and inclusive workforce where talent, experience, and expertise are valued, then CDFA is the place for you!!
Located within Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base, our office location offers a secure workplace with easy access to the 405, 605, and 22 freeways.
Our team here at Los Alamitos, is committed to continuous learning, cross-training, and supporting professional development, making this an ideal environment for individuals who enjoy variety, adapting to change, and supporting field offices throughout California.
As first responders to plant pest emergency eradication projects, employees frequently travel by vehicle or airplane to locations across the state, gaining unique experiences while helping protect California's agriculture.
This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. The CDFA does not participate in E-Verify for employment authorization purposes.
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.
Working Conditions
The duties of this position are primarily conducted outdoors and may be exposed to extreme temperatures and weather, uneven terrain, may experience regular exposure to dust, pollen and moisture and various noise levels. The incumbent may drive, exit and re-enter work vehicles of various sizes, numerous times during the workday. Changes in lighting such as alternating bright sunlight and dark shade are encountered. The incumbent may work within an office/warehouse environment furnished with a variety of office equipment, which normally consists of desks, tables, chairs, filing cabinets, storage cabinets, filing bins, computers, computer peripherals, phones, answering machines, photocopiers, and fax machines. Fruit pickers, rakes, shovels, buckets, toolboxes, and clippers, extension poles for trap placement and removal, forceps, hand lenses, scales, personal protective gear, wash water, and iPhones, are among the primary hand tools and field equipment used in the work.
The incumbent may be required to work overtime, weekends, and holidays, as well as travel throughout the state for meetings, training, and pest detection, survey, and treatment activities.
This position may/may not be eligible for telework. The amount of telework is at the discretion of the CDFA and based on the current telework policy. While the CDFA supports telework where possible, in-person attendance may be required based on operational needs. Employees are expected to be able to report to their worksite with minimal notification if an urgent need arises, as determined by the Department.
Minimum Requirements
You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.
Additional Documents
Position Details
Job Code #:
JC-524096
Position #(s):
014-662-0490-004
Working Title:
PEST PREVENTION ASSISTANT I
Classification:
PEST PREVENTION ASSISTANT I (VARIOUS PROJECTS)
$3,320.00 - $3,962.00
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
# of Positions:
1
Work Location:
Orange County
Telework:
In Office
Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time
Department Information
The Mission of the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is to safeguard a resilient food system and promote an equitable marketplace, cultivating a California grown food supply that is globally recognized for innovation, quality, and sustainability.
The Pest Detection/Emergency Projects (PD/EP) Branch is responsible for the early detection and prompt eradication of serious exotic agricultural pests. The PD/EP Branch accomplishes its mission by conducting a statewide trapping program, staffed by county and state inspectors, for exotic insect pests; by implementing special surveys for significant agricultural pests and plant diseases for which traps are not available; and by providing emergency eradication services using the best available technology. The primary objective of the emergency project component is to quickly and efficiently eradicate incipient infestations of serious agricultural pests, thereby preventing permanent establishment and subsequent spread in California.
Department Website: https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/plant/pdep/
Special Requirements
Application Instructions
Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.
Final Filing Date: 7/23/2026
Who May Apply
Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply.
Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).
How To Apply
Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:
Address for Mailing Application Packages
You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:
Department of Food & Agriculture
Attn: Human Resources Branch JC-524096
1220 N Street, Room 242
Sacramento, CA 95814
Address for Drop-Off Application Packages
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
Department of Food & Agriculture
ATTN: Human Resources Branch JC-524096
1220 N Street, Room 242
Sacramento, CA 95814
08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
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:
Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.
Desirable Qualifications
In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:
Basic knowledge of plant and insect identification with a background in pest management and agricultural related field work, public contact skills/experience. Be highly responsible and adaptable.
Be able to establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted while working, cooperate with other staff members and leads in completing assigned work, communicate effectively verbally and in writing with other agencies and the public, and meet required deadlines.
Benefits
Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.
Contact Information
The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.
Department Website: https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/plant/pdep/
Hiring Unit Contact:
Maribel Del Toro Pacheco
(714) 412-3917
maribel.deltoropacheco@cdfa.ca.gov
Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.
EEO Contact:
Office of Civil Rights
(916) 654-1005
Civil_Rights@cdfa.ca.gov
California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.
Additional Information:
Employment History on the STD 678 (State Application) must be complete and include dates, accurate hours per week, total time worked, duties and responsibilities, and contact names and phone numbers of supervisors. Resumes or other documents cannot substitute for a completed state application. Applicants who fail to submit a completed STD 678 may be disqualified.
Please do not include any confidential information such as social security number, marital status, ethnicity, age, salary or disability information on any of the documentation uploaded with your online application.
If the classification you are applying for has an education requirement, transcripts will be required to verify you meet the minimum qualifications of the classification. Please be sure to redact any confidential information before uploading your transcripts.
Upon hire you may be required to provide official sealed transcripts or an original degree or certificate.
Applicants with foreign degrees may be asked to provide an official foreign transcript evaluation which indicates course work is equivalent to a degree from an accredited U.S. College or University.
This position may require a medical clearance.
Equal Opportunity Employer
The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.
It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.