PLANT QUARANTINE INSPECTOR

State of California; California (MO); On-site; USD 50,000 - 67,000; Full time

Job summary

State of California, Department of Food and Agriculture, seeks a Plant Quarantine Inspector at the Topaz Border Protection Station in Mono County. You will perform regulatory inspections of vehicles and commodities to prevent pest introductions and may act as shift leader.

This permanent, full-time position requires outdoor work, weekends and holidays, rotating shifts, and adherence to safety protocols. Telework is not guaranteed. Final filing date: 11/6/2026.

Job description

PLANT QUARANTINE INSPECTOR
PLANT QUARANTINE INSPECTOR

$4,130.00 - $5,617.00 per Month
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

Final Filing Date: 11/6/2026

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

Under the close supervision of the Plant Quarantine Supervisor I, with guidance from the Plant Quarantine Supervisor II, the Plant Quarantine Inspector performs regulatory inspections on vehicles and commodities to prevent the introduction of unwanted pests into California. Seasoned inspectors are expected to be able to work independently with minimal supervision and may be required to act as shift leader.

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!!

Located in Mono County, the Topaz Border Protection Station is located in a rural scenic area with views of Topaz Lake. Topaz offers quiet and peaceful surroundings with many outdoor recreational opportunities such as camping, fishing, and boating.

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

Employees in this classification are routinely assigned to work weekends and holidays, and rotating shifts including day, evening, and night. This job is performed outdoors, in the private vehicle and truck inspection areas approximately 90% 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 and variable climatic conditions such as rain, fog, dust, fumes, gases, and odors. The noise level in the work environment is moderate. The wearing of a uniform and use of safety equipment is required.

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

• PLANT QUARANTINE INSPECTOR

# of Positions: 1

Work Location: In Office

Telework: In Office

Job Type: Permanent, Full Time

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 Border Protection Stations Branch operates 16 border protection stations. Inspectors at these facilities check vehicles and commodities entering California from other states for agricultural pests and quarantine compliance. Collectively, these stations are one of the State’s primary defenses in protecting against exotic pest infestations.

Who May Apply

Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply. 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).

Contact Information

The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.

Hiring Unit Contact:
Charmaine Yu
[phone]
[e-mail]

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
[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.