Per CCR 249.3, this job control may be used to fill subsequent vacancies.
These positions are located at the Alturas Border Protection Station.
These are Permanent-Intermittent positions with a maximum of 1,500 hours of work per calendar year.
Under the general supervision of the Station Manager or Shift Supervisor, or the direction of the Lead Plant Quarantine Inspector, the Agricultural Technician (Ag Tech) III independently performs the most difficult and varied regulatory inspections on vehicles and commodities to prevent the introduction of unwanted pests into California. The Ag Tech III acts as the program expert directing proper inspection of vehicles for compliance with agricultural commodity quarantine laws and regulations and the determination of admissibility of agricultural commodities.
Duties include but are not limited to:
· Inspect vehicles (i.e., automobiles, watercraft, self-moving, etc.) to determine if plant material (i.e., fruits, vegetables, plants, etc.) is present and to check the admissibility of plant material based on quarantine compliance and freedom from pests. This requires verbal communication and physical activities such as opening and removing containers, climbing, stooping, and bending around and within vehicles.
· Read and interpret shipping manifests and quarantine certificates in order to determine the contents and admissibility of commercial shipments.
· Use printed and electronic reference materials relating to the release or rejection of shipments in order to determine the admissibility of private shipments of plant material.
· Complete on-the-job training (including manuals, computer programs, and videos) designed to assist inspectors in order to learn and keep abreast of changes in regulations, and vehicle inspection procedures.
· Sample and inspect rejected or regulated commodities for pest infestation by collecting and carrying of samples and using a knives, fruit crushers, hand lenses, and microscopes to examine commodities.
· Compare collected specimens with samples or printed or electronic reference materials in order to make a preliminary identification of common pests.
· Preserve and ship suspect pest specimens using the prescribed methods to laboratory for identification.
· Dispose of rejected commodities by grinding, burning, or placement in dumpster.
Candidates may perform these essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.
Employees in this classification are routinely assigned to rotating work shifts including day, evening, night, weekends, and holidays. This job is performed outdoors, in the private vehicle and truck inspection areas approximately 80% of the time. The remaining time is spent in an office environment. When working outdoors, the employee may be exposed to high-low temperature changes, variable climatic conditions, rain, fog, dust, fumes, gases, and odors. The noise level in the work environment is moderate. Required to follow departmental grooming and uniform standards.