Insect Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $52,540.80 - $67,745.60 Annually
Location : County of San Diego, CA
Job Type: Regular - Full time
Job Number: 26539901
Department: Agriculture, Wghts & Meas
Division: Agriculture Weights And Measur
Opening Date: 01/16/2026
Job Summary
The County of San Diego Department of Agriculture, Weights and Measures is seeking qualified applicants for:
INSECT DETECTION SPECIALIST II
Interviews will take place on an ongoing basis.
The starting salary for this position will be based on the candidate's qualifications at time of appointment.
Future Salary Increases
** June 2026 - 4.67% increase to base pay (3.5% Across-the-Board + 1.17% Market Adjustment)
** June 2027 - 4.17% increase to base pay (3% Across-the- Board + 1.17% Market Adjustment)
If working independently outdoors and having an interest in plants, insects or horticulture appeals to you, this might be your ideal job!
The mission of Agriculture, Weights and Measures (AWM) is to enhance public health and safety, ensure food security, facilitate agricultural trade, foster consumer confidence, and promote a sustainable environment in the San Diego region. It aims to unite educational and research resources to assist individuals, families, businesses, and communities in tackling issues related to agriculture, the environment, horticulture, and public health.
Insect Detection Specialists II are tasked with conducting detection, trapping, field identification, and management of agricultural pests. They operate under general supervision and independently carry out a range of field and laboratory support tasks, in addition to training junior Insect Detection Specialists.
Click to view AWM website and to learn more about the department.
Click to read the 2024 Crop Report.
Hiring Process & Timeline:
The timeline for this recruitment is outlined below.

1. Job Offer and Background Process begins: Shortly after the interviews. Note: Current County employees may be excluded from additional background screening.
2. Pre-employment Medical Screening: Approximately 3 days following successful background investigation results.
3. Anticipated Start Date: Start date will be based upon successful completion of medical screening or other mutually agreed upon date.
   If you are not selected for this interview process, you may have the opportunity to compete for future vacancies.

Minimum Qualifications

1. One (1) year of experience in the areas of vertebrate, insect, plant disease or weed detection and/or identification in a nursery, horticulture or agricultural setting; OR,
2. Completion of at least eighteen (18) units of college level course work from an accredited U.S. college or university, or a certified foreign studies equivalency in biology, botany, entomology, or a closely related science; OR,
3. Six (6) months of experience as an Insect Detection Specialist I in the County of San Diego, or equivalent pest detection experience with other counties or California Department of Food and Agriculture.

Should you be seeking to qualify under Minimum Qualification #2, you are required to attach copies of your college documents-this includes your diploma, complete official or unofficial transcripts, foreign equivalency certificate, or a letter of verification-during the first step of the application submission process on our website.
For the full job description, including duties, responsibilities, essential functions, and working conditions, please click
Blind Applicant Screening
The Department of Human Resources removes personally identifiable information from all recruitments. This practice, called Blind Applicant Screening, hides a candidate's personal information that could influence or bias a hiring decision. Personal information includes name, phone number, address, gender, age and race. This process helps contribute to a fair and equitable selection process leading to a more diverse and inclusive workforce.
The most highly qualified candidates, based on the evaluation results, will be referred for an interview. Be sure to include your experience in meeting the minimum requirements in both the Work Experience section and the Supplemental Questionnaire section of the Application.
Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of the application Work History and/or supplemental questionnaire.
Conditions of Employment
As part of the County of San Diego's pre-employment process, prospective candidates will undergo a background check (including fingerprinting) and a pre-employment medical screening prior to beginning County employment. Additional types of background investigations may be conducted based on the job-related activities of the position. Current County employees may be excluded from this process.
Working Conditions
May be subject to occasional overtime and weekend work. May be subject to driving work trucks approximately 60-125 miles daily, and occasional walking up/down hills or slopes. May be subject to exposure to extremes in temperature, humidity or wetness, and small amounts of pesticides daily. May be subject to exposure to chemicals. May perform duties in conjunction with a detection dog team. Incumbents are required to work in outdoor and laboratory settings.
Evaluation Process
The names of qualified applicants will be placed on a six (6) month employment list based on scores received during the evaluation of information contained in their employment and supplemental applications.
Please ensure all information is complete and accurate as the responses you provide on the supplemental application form will be reviewed using an automated evaluation system. If you are successful in the initial screening process, your application will be reviewed individually to confirm that the information you provided is accurate and qualifying.
Accommodation
Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of a job, on a case-by-case basis.
As an employer of over 19,000 employees, the County of San Diego is an organization committed to veteran hiring, retention, and professional development. We recognize the contributions and sacrifices made by our veterans and value the unique expertise and leadership qualities they bring to our workforce. We strive to provide veterans with the resources and tools necessary to maximize their employment opportunities, and to assist veterans with their transition into civilian life by applying the valuable skills, knowledge and training acquired in service to positions and career paths at all levels within our large organization. Click on the resource links below to learn more about how the County of San Diego supports its veterans.
Veteran's Preference Policy
The County of San Diego offers preferential credits for military service to assist qualified applicants in transitioning from military to civilian careers with the County of San Diego. Please read the for additional information.
Military Skills Translator
Do you need assistance translating your military experience into civilian experience? This tool can help! Please read the to access the tool.
Strategic Plan
The County of San Diego and its employees embrace the vision of: a just, sustainable, and resilient future for all. Our values include: integrity, equity, access, belonging, excellence, and sustainability. Each of which are infused throughout our operations. While also embracing a mission of strengthening our communities with innovative, inclusive, and data driven services through a skilled and supported workforce. Click here for more information on our
Disaster Service Worker
Under California Government Code Sections 3100 - 3109, public employees are designated as disaster service workers. The term "public employees" includes all persons employed by the state or any county, city, state agency, or public district. Disaster service workers are required to participate in such disaster service activities as may be assigned to them by their employer or by law.
Diversity & Inclusion
The County of San Diego is committed to valuing diversity and practicing inclusion because our diverse workforce is our greatest asset and our customers are our number one priority.
Click here to see the Non-Management Benefits Summary
01
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY:
Please be sure to answer the following questions in a thorough, complete and truthful manner, as your responses may be used to determine your overall score.
Please do NOT indicate "See Resume," or "See Application," as these are not valid answers.
If you are invited to a selection interview(s) by the hiring department, your responses to the following questions may be subject to verification.
Please be sure to review the minimum qualifications listed on the job posting.
Do you understand this information?

• Yes
• No

02
Which type of Insect Detection Specialist II position are you applying for? Check the box or boxes that interest you.

• Permanent
• Temporary
• Both

03
Please select the experience area or areas below that accurately describes background in terms of paid work experience.

• I have at least one year of experience in the areas of vertebrate, insect, plant disease or weed detection and/or identification in a nursery, horticulture, or agricultural setting
• I have at least six months of experience as an Insect Detection Specialist I with the County of San Diego
• I have at least six months of pest detection experience (equivalent to Insect Detection Specialist I with the County of San Diego) with other counties, or the California Department of Food and Agriculture
• None of the above.

04
If you selected at least one of the work experience areas listed in Question #3, please provide the following information:
1) Job title(s)
2) Employer name(s)
3) Employment dates (month/year)
4) Brief description of your work experience
If you answered "None of the above" on Question #3, please indicate "N/A."
05
Have you completed at least eighteen (18) units of college level course work from an accredited U.S. college or university, or a certified foreign studies equivalency in biology, botany, entomology, or a closely related science?
If you answer "YES" to this question, please attach an unalterable copy of your complete college official transcripts, unofficial transcripts, diploma, foreign equivalency certification (if college education was obtained outside of the US), or letter of verification at the time of application. Please attach this document(s) during Step 1 of the application submittal process.
If you have already attached your college documents to your Master Profile, and you were placed on the eligible list for previous recruitments for Insect Detection Specialist II with the County of San Diego, then you may by-pass these instructions.

• Yes
• No

06
Working conditions for Insect Detection Specialist II consist of the following:
-May be subject to occasional overtime and weekend work.
-May be subject to driving work trucks approximately 60-125 miles daily, and occasional walking up/down hills or slopes.
-May be subject to exposure to extremes in temperature, humidity or wetness, and small amounts of pesticides daily.
-May be subject to exposure to chemicals.
-May perform duties in conjunction with a detection dog team.
-Incumbents are required to work in outdoor and laboratory settings.
Do you understand the working conditions for Insect Detection Specialist II listed above, and are you willing to work under these conditions?

• Yes
• No

07
Do you possess knowledge and experience performing field insect and pest detection duties?

• Yes
• No

08
If you answered "YES" on Question #7, please provide the following information:
1) Job title(s)
2) Employer name(s)
3) Employment dates (month/year)
4) Description of your knowledge and experience in performing field insect and pest detection duties
5) Any other knowledge and experience you have in the areas of vertebrate, or weed detection and control
If you answered "NO" to Question #7, please indicate "N/A."
09
Do you possess knowledge and experience in identifying plants and insects?

• Yes
• No

10
If you answered "YES" on Question #9, please provide the following information:
1) Job title(s)
2) Employer name(s)
3) Employment dates (month/year)
4) Description of your knowledge and experience in identifying plants and insects
If you answered "NO" on Question #9, please indicate "N/A."
11
Do you have the knowledge and experience in answering questions and inquiries from members of the general public regarding plants and/or insects?

• Yes
• No

12
If you answered "YES" on Question #11, please provide the following information:
1) Job title(s)
2) Employer name(s)
3) Employment dates (month/year)
4) Description of your knowledge of and experience in answering questions from the general public regarding plants and/or insects
If you answered "NO" on Question #11, please indicate "N/A."
13
Where did you first hear about this job opportunity?

• San Diego County website
• Governmentjobs.com
• Veteran Outreach / FFSC
• Mana de San Diego
• Family, Neighbors, Friends
• County Employee Resources Group
• College/University Career Site
• County Social Media
• Voice and Viewpoint
• Linked In
• Other

14
If you answered "Other" to the question above, please indicate where you first heard about this job opportunity. If this does not apply, please indicate "N/A" below.
Required...