Weed And Vertebrate Pest Control Technician-Project

The Position

Bargaining Unit: Local 1 - Agricultural & Animal Control Unit

The Contra Costa County Department of Agriculture is recruiting to fill vacancies in Weed and Vertebrate Pest Control Technician positions. All interested and qualified individuals are encouraged to apply.

Why join the Contra Costa Department of Agriculture, Weights & Measures?
Contra Costa County is one of the largest employers in the area, offering multiple career opportunities in public service. The Agriculture/Weights & Measures Department has a staff of 44 employees County wide and provides a wide range of services for the public and industry. Our goal is to promote and protect agriculture, the environment, and the people of Contra Costa County. We are responsible for operating many statewide programs through a combination of education, outreach and enforcement. The Weights and Measures side of Agriculture protects buyers and sellers by promoting fair packaging and by checking commercial weighting, measuring and timing devices for accuracy. The main office is located in Concord, CA and the branch office is in Knightsen, CA.

We are looking for someone who:

• Is able to work outside in all types of weather and over varied terrain
• Is reliable and responsible, and can work without supervision
• Can work effectively in groups
• Can perform simple mathematical calculations
• Can read and utilize simple diagrams and maps efficiently
• Can manage their time efficiently
• Is able to maintain a safe work place and personal safety at all times

• Maintaining equipment and vehicle
• Performing weed and vertebrate pest control activities
• Preparing and maintaining inspection maps, logs, inspections, calendars, etc.
• Receiving, storing, mixing, preparing and applying pesticides
• Operating a backpack sprayer
• Monitoring progress of pest management efforts
• Inspecting and surveying a variety of properties
• Lifting and carrying objects or materials weighing up to 50 pounds

• Your work will have a direct impact on our community
• You will have all tools and equipment provided
• You work outside inspecting/surveying properties surrounded by beautiful views
• You see lots of wildlife

• Performing physical labor in rough and uneven terrain under various weather conditions
• Performing physical labor in protective suits, goggles, helmets and/or hats, etc.
• You must be detail oriented and organized so you take everything you need to perform the task assigned

Typical Tasks

The primary duties of the Weed and Vertebrate Pest Control Technician will be to perform noxious weed and ground squirrel control. These are seasonal programs typically performed from February through September. These pest control activities occur throughout the county and require the candidate to work outside on a daily basis.

Minimum Qualifications

Licenses Required:
Possession of a valid California Driver's License. Out of State valid Motor Vehicle Operator's License will be accepted during the application process.

Education:
Possession of a high school diploma or G.E.D. equivalency or a high school proficiency certificate.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Ability to identify various noxious weeds and know how to control them
• Basic understanding of ground squirrels lifecycles and how to control them
• Experience with pesticide preparation and application procedures
• Ability to identify non-target species and mitigate risks
• Experience with ATV's in all types of terrain
• Mechanical background for simple technical difficulties in equipment or ATV malfunctions
• Ability to read and interpret laws and regulations relating to pesticide applications

Selection Process