AGRICULTURAL TECHNICIAN I (SEASONAL)

State of California; California; On-site; USD 25,000 - 30,000; Part time

Job summary

California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) seeks an Agricultural Technician I (Seasonal) to survey hydrilla and other noxious aquatic weeds under supervision. The position offers $18.30–$21.87 per hour with a flexible filing date of 11/17/2026.

Location includes fieldwork, remote site travel, and outdoor conditions. CDL is mandatory, and applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. Family of programs within IPCB are referenced in this posting.

Qualifications

• CDL is required; you must provide CDL number, class, expiration, endorsements/restrictions on the application.
• Valid California Driver's License (CDL) is required; travel to various CA locations may be needed.

Skills

CDL

Job description

Job Posting: AGRICULTURAL TECHNICIAN I (SEASONAL)

Department of Food & Agriculture

$18.30 - $21.87 per Hour

Final Filing Date: 11/17/2026

Under the supervision of the Agriculture Program Supervisor I, the Agricultural Technician I performs duties of average difficulty regarding the survey of hydrilla and other noxious aquatic weeds.

This position location offers free parking.

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 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.

Working Conditions

The duties of this position primarily occur outdoors. The workload requires traveling to remote and/or populated areas within the State of California via State government assigned truck. When working in the field, the incumbent works independently or alongside a group of seasonal employees of the Program. Incumbent works with varied and unfamiliar vehicles such as ATV’s, large pickup trucks, trailers and equipment, including airboats, kayaks, heavy grappling hooks, and pumps of various kinds. Often, activities may require driving for several hours, lifting objects, and moving equipment of various weights. The incumbent may encounter extremes in temperature, humidity, variable terrain (smooth to irregular and unstable), and aquatic or riparian situations. Incumbent is required to enter or swim in bodies of water (lakes, canals, ponds and other waterways) that vary in temperature, length, width, and depth. Incumbent may also be required to navigate variable lengths of distance over unpredictable terrain. There is regular exposure to dust, pollen, and moisture. Exposure to herbicides is common. Various sitting, bending, stooping, standing, and reaching motions may be required on an irregular basis. Noise level for work is variable. Incumbents may work extended hours and days at any given time in the month including holidays. Incumbent may also be required to travel on short notice that requires full days or over few to several nights in length.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Number of Positions

2

Work Location

In Office

Job Type

Seasonal

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.

• 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.

Benefit Information

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

Contact Information

Hiring Unit Contact:
Tiffany Nissen
[phone]
[e-mail]

EEO Contact:
EEO Officer
[phone]
[e-mail]

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.