Job Posting: AGRICULTURAL TECHNICIAN III

Department of Food & Agriculture

JC-530941
-
AGRICULTURAL TECHNICIAN III
AGRICULTURAL TECHNICIAN III (SEASONAL)

$20.54 - $23.36 per Hour
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

Final Filing Date: 9/17/2026

Job Description and Duties

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

 

Under the direction of the Senior Environmental Scientist (Supervisory), the Agricultural Technician III will act as a program expert, independently performing the most complex, varied, and responsible duties in a field and laboratory setting concerned with the control of plant and animal pests and diseases, specifically with the rearing of biological control agents and survey tasks for the Biological Control Program’s projects. This position may require both day travel and occasional overnight travel.


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!!

 

We offer free parking on the compound and within walking distance of the Meadowview Lightrail Station

 

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

Approximately 70% of the workload will be in laboratory rooms inside trailers owned by the State of California. 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 be over several nights in length. When driving is required, employee must have a good driving record and a valid Class C, or equivalent driver’s license. Must safely operate and maintain the state vehicle to travel to designated work areas for field studies.

 

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-530941
Position #(s):
014-453-0032-XXX
Working Title:
AGRICULTURAL TECHNICIAN III
Classification:
AGRICULTURAL TECHNICIAN III (SEASONAL)
$20.54 - $23.36
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
AGRICULTURAL TECHNICIAN II (SEASONAL)
$19.02 - $22.69
# of Positions:
Multiple
Work Location:
Sacramento County
Telework:
In Office
Job Type:
Non-Tenured, Intermittent

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 primary responsibilities of the Integrated Pest Control Branch (IPCB) are the detection and control or eradication of exotic and invasive pests that threaten California’s agricultural and natural resources. This is accomplished through a number of General, Federal and Industry funded programs. These programs include Cotton Pest Control Program, Cotton Seed Bug Program, Silverleaf Whitefly Monitoring Program, Beet Curly Top Virus Program, Broomrape Program, Navel Orangeworm Program, Hydrilla Eradication Program, Vertebrate Pest Control Research Program, Pink Hibiscus Mealybug Program, Terrestrial & Aquatic Weed Grant and County Weed Program, Statewide Weed Management Areas, Biological Control Program, Apiary Protection, Bee Brand, and County Beekeeper Registration Program.

 

https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/plant/ 

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.

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: 9/17/2026

Who May Apply

This is a non-testing Classification, therefore, anyone meeting the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification may apply for this position. Individuals in specific programs, such as the Welfare to Work Program, are encouraged to apply and will be given priority according to the applicable Laws and Rules. Please note on your application your current participation in these programs.

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-530941
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-530941
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:

  • 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 www.CalCareers.ca.gov. 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 optional. It may be included, but is not required.
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.

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.

Hiring Unit Contact:
Tiffany Nissen
(916) 926-9888
tiffany.nissen@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:
EEO Officer
(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.

Application Methods:
Electronic (Using your CalCareer Account)
By Mail
Drop-off
Print Job