Job Posting: AGRICULTURAL TECHNICIAN I (SEASONAL)

Department of Food & Agriculture

JC-531468
-
AGRICULTURAL TECHNICIAN I (SEASONAL)
AGRICULTURAL TECHNICIAN I (SEASONAL)

$18.30 - $21.87 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: 9/23/2026

Job Description and Duties

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

 

Under supervision of the Environmental Program Manager I, the incumbent performs assignments of average difficulty in the field or office setting. These assignments may include activities related to animal welfare, animal health, food safety, emergency management and other special programs and functions. The Agriculture Technician I must have knowledge of the Microsoft Office suite, the ability to communicate and follow both oral and written instructions and the ability to work with others as a team.

 

Be a part of the Animal Care Program team and travel throughout California to ensure Animal Confinement laws and regulations are implemented and enforced.

 

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!!

 

This CDFA work location is near restaurants, coffee shops, and a farmer’s market. We are within walking distance to light rail/public transportation, across the street from beautiful Capitol Park, and two miles from Downtown Commons (DOCO).

 

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 mostly conducted indoors; however, incumbent may occasionally be required to work outside and under difficult conditions.

Indoor activities may include:
  • Operating a computer with various software programs, including e-mail, Excel, and word processing
  • Entering data in a computer database
  • Operating a telephone, facsimile, calculator, and copier
  • Operating various filing drawers and bins
  • Processing paperwork and samples
  • Presenting to large groups
Outdoor activities may include:
  • Working in livestock facilities at various locations
  • Inspecting livestock at farms, ranches, and saleyards or other livestock facilities
  • Taking samples from livestock at farms, ranches, saleyards, or other livestock facilities
  • Travel by State vehicle or other modes of transportation to various locations in California
  • Standing for extended periods of time
  • Potential exposure to allergens
The incumbent may encounter:
  • Confrontational, unfriendly, or irate individuals
  • Quickly moving heavy gates
  • Stampeding livestock
  • Crowded milking parlors, feedlots, swine pens and broiler barns
  • Heavy machinery
  • Extremes in temperature
  • High levels of noise
  • Various unpleasant odors
  • Sick and diseased animals
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-531468
Position #(s):
014-100-0034-982
Working Title:
AGRICULTURAL TECHNICIAN I (SEASONAL)
Classification:
AGRICULTURAL TECHNICIAN I (SEASONAL)
$18.30 - $21.87
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:
Sacramento County
Telework:
Hybrid
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 Animal Care Program, as part of the Animal Health and Food Safety Services (AHFSS) division, regulates the confinement of calves raised for veal, breeding pigs and egg-laying hens to ensure compliance with farm animal housing and care provisions of the Health and Safety Code and California Code of Regulations. This law prohibits covered farm animals from being confined in a cruel manner or products from covered farm animals confined in a cruel manner sold within the State.  The definition of confined in a cruel manner means egg-laying hens, calves raised for veal, and breeding pigs must be raised according to the minimum space requirements outlined in the law and it is illegal for businesses in California to knowingly sell shell eggs, liquid eggs, veal or pork meat that originated from animals confined in a cruel manner, including products from covered farm animals raised and maintained at facilities located out-of-state.  The Program registers facilities involved in the handling, distribution and sales of eggs, pork meat and veal meat, and conducts audits and inspections to ensure products reaching California consumers are from sources in conformance with animal cruelty prevention requirements in state law.

https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/AHFSS/AnimalCare/

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.

A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required and must be submitted with your Employment Application (STD. 678). Applications received without an appropriate SOQ based on the instructions below may be disqualified from this recruitment. Resumes, cover letters, and other documents will not be considered in lieu of the SOQ. The SOQ instructions and questions/prompts are below.

 

  • Restate questions/prompts prior to response
  • Include your name and job control number at the top of each page
  • Must be single-spaced, no more than two (2) pages, and Arial size 11 font

 

  1. Describe your experience organizing and analyzing data.
  2. Describe your experience following a set of standard operating procedures or set processes.
  3. Describe your experience collecting scientific data in the field or in a lab setting.

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: 9/23/2026

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-531468
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-531468
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.
  • Statement of Qualifications - A completed Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) must be submitted with your State Application (STD. 678) to be considered. Please see the Special Requirements section for the SOQ details.
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:
Shelby Torres
(916) 516-5601
shelby.torres@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