Entry Level Agricultural Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Per CCR 249.3, this job control may be used to fill subsequent vacancies.
Under the supervision of a Senior Environmental Scientist (Supervisory), the Agricultural Technician I (Seasonal) is responsible for performing the more routine, technical activities pertinent to the operations of the ACP Biological Control Program. This is an entry-level position in the PDCP. The incumbent must be able to work within greenhouse, field, laboratory, and office settings in both entomological and plant-related work assignments of average difficulty. The incumbent must be able to establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted during the course of the work; work well with others, work independently in completing assigned work, take direction, and meet required deadlines. The incumbent must be able to apply consistently rational judgment in analyzing work situations and interactions with others and draw sound conclusions.
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.
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement .
Working Conditions
The duties of this position are performed in greenhouses and outdoors 70% of the time and indoors (offices, laboratory, warehouse and insectaries) 30% of the time. The employee's primary work location is in a greenhouse. When working in greenhouses and outdoors, the employee can be exposed to extremes in temperature and humidity characteristic to the months of May through October in the San Joaquin Valley.
The noise level constantly varies. Outdoor work sites can be rural and urban, such as agricultural fields, nurseries, riparian areas, and residential & commercial properties. Terrain encountered varies from smooth and stable to irregular and unstable. At agricultural field sites, road and ground surfaces can be wet or very dry and dusty. The incumbent may experience exposure to dust, pollen, odor, humidity and moisture. Incumbents may be required to work with pesticides or work at greenhouses and agricultural fields where pesticides were previously applied but only after the expiration of restricted-entry interval (REI). Must be able to perform all duties in a safe manner by fully complying with PDCP Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP) in order to prevent workplace injury and illness.
Minimum Requirements You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• AGRICULTURAL TECHNICIAN I (SEASONAL)

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

Position Details Job Code #:
JC-523068
Position #(s):
018-478-0034-XXX
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:
2
Work Location:
Kern County
Telework:
In Office
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 primary mission of the Pierce's Disease Control Program (PDCP) is to minimize the statewide impact of Pierce's disease (PD) and the glassy-winged sharpshooter (GWSS). PDCP is a partnership that includes the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), County Agricultural Commissioners (CAC), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the University of California and the California State Universities, other state and local agencies, industry, and agricultural organizations throughout the state.
Given the infrastructure and expertise , PDCP has been also working for the Biological Control Program of the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) in collaboration with the Citrus Pest and Disease Prevention (Citrus) Division to suppress and stop the further spread of ACP throughout the state of California. ACP is an invasive insect pest that acts as a vector spreading HLB, a devastating disease of citrus trees. The ACP Biological Control Program is responsible for the selection , production, and field-release of biological control agents that specifically attack AC are carried out efficiently and effectively. At CDFA Arvin field station, ACP Biological Control staff perform a variety of activities including production of ACP host plants for mass-production of ACP biological control agents and field-release at strategic locations.
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.

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: 7/20/2026
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 523068
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 523068
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 required and must be included.

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:
Chasika Bandna
(916) 900-5024
chasika.bandna@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.
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.