COUNTY OF SANTA BARBARA
INVITES APPLICATIONS FOR THE POSITION OF:
Agricultural Biologist I
Job Bulletin# 17-0324-01
An Equal Opportunity Employer
SALARY: level I $50,867.89 - $60,739.97 (The annual salary includes a cash benefit allowance of $6149.26); plus bilingual allowance when applicable.
OPENING DATE: 4/13/17 CLOSING DATE: 4/27/17
We are accepting applications to fill a vacancy in Santa Barbara for the Agricultural Commissioner’s Office and Weights and Measures Department.
NOTE: Candidates may be appointed at the I, II or III level, depending on the candidate’s qualifications and the needs of the department. Salary: level II $58,030.89 - $69,473.26 level III $63,478.27 - $76,132.48 (The annual salary includes a cash benefit allowance of $6149.26)
Ideal Candidate:
·  Excellent communication and writing skills
·  Ability to adapt to situations quickly
·  Demonstrates initiative, drive and energy
·  Strong multi-tasking skills
·  Ability to establish and maintain harmonious relationships with the public and other agencies
·  Ability to conversein Spanish is highly desirable.
For more information on the Agricultural Commissioner’s Office and Weights and Measures Department, check website at: http://www.countyofsb.org/agcomm/home.aspx?id=12464
THE POSITION: Under supervision, the Agricultural Biologist I receives training and performs a variety of agricultural field inspections with increasing responsibility; and performs related duties as required.As an Agricultural Biologist, you will join a department dedicated to providing responsive services to the agricultural community and the residents of Santa Barbara County in the areas of pest prevention, pesticide enforcement and resource protection. We are looking for a person who enjoys working in a collaborative environment; has strong communication and interpersonal skills; is a self-starter; and has knowledge of agricultural or biological sciences. As a County Agricultural Biologist, you will be required to obtain five specialized licenses for Agricultural Biologists issued by the California Department of Food and Agriculture. Your experience in the department will help you gain some of the technical knowledge that you will need to pass these examinations.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
1.  Enforces regulations related to pesticide use and storage, and worker health and safety; issues permits and monitors applications of pesticides; and registers agricultural pest control operators and advisors.
2.  Investigates complaints related to agricultural pesticides, certain pests, and violations of County, State, or Federal laws; and conducts a variety of inspections of agricultural products to ensure compliance with regulations, and/or to verify certificate requirements for export/import and pest cleanliness.
3.  Detects and prevents the introduction of detrimental pests through examination, surveys, trapping, sampling, and regulation of possible carriers; and controls and/or eradicates pest plants, insects, diseases, and nematodes in accordance with approved procedures.
4.  Advises landowners regarding the control of common pests; inspects nurseries and evaluates nursery license applications to determine compliance with State requirements.
5.  Gathers and compiles evidence and prepares reports; collects, prepares, and submits official samples required for the enforcement or verification of various regulations; and obtains, compiles, and disseminates statistical data on agricultural commodities produced in the County.
EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS:
1.  Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college with specialization in:
a)  one or more disciplines in the agricultural, biological, chemical or physical sciences that meets the minimum qualifications for the County Agricultural Inspector/Biologist licensing examinations; or,
b)  any discipline with a minimum of 30 semester units, or equivalent, in one or any combination of the following disciplines:agricultural science, biological science, chemical science, physical science, mathematics, and/or statistics; or,
2.  Possession of a valid license in one category as a County Agricultural Biologist, issued by the California Department of Food and Agriculture.
Additional Qualifications: Possession of a valid California Class C Driver’s License at the time of appointment.
NOTE: Applicants who are currently in their final quarter or semester of study leading to the required degree are encouraged to apply. Such applicants may compete in the examination process but may not be considered for appointment until they have attained the required degree.
Additional Information: Candidates that are being considered for a bilingual position will be tested to determine if they are fluent in speaking Spanish. If you do not demonstrate sufficient fluency, you will not be considered for a bilingual position.
Knowledge of: basic chemistry to understand the properties of pesticides; biological sciences, entomology and plant pathology; correct English usage.
Ability to: establish and maintain harmonious public relations; enforce laws, rules, and regulations firmly, tactfully, and impartially; learn inspection methods; learn to interpret and apply the provisions of laws and regulations relating to agricultural inspection; organize and prioritize work; keep accurate records; write clear, concise, and accurate reports; learn to recognize various plant products and pests; learn appropriate controls for particular pests; make effective oral presentations; obtain cooperation from the public.
SELECTION PROCESS:
1.  Review Applications and Supplemental Questionnaire: Application and supplemental questionnaire will be used to determine those applicants who meet the employment standards.
2.  Conviction Questionnaire. Candidates that have passed the above steps will be emailed approximately on May 3, 2017 with instructions on how to complete the conviction questionnaire. All candidates must complete the conviction questionnaire in order to advance to the next step in the selection process.
3.  Supplemental Questionnaire Ranking. Responses to the required supplemental questionnaire will be evaluated and scored. Answers to supplemental questions will be scored on correct sentence structure, spelling and use of grammar as well as content. Candidates’ final score and rank on the eligibility list will be determined by their responses to the supplemental questionnaire. This process may be eliminated if there are fewer than 11 qualified candidates.
Candidates must receive a percentage score of at least 70 on the supplemental questionnaire to be placed on an employment list. An adjustment may be made to raw scores based on factors listed in Civil Service Rule VI. Those candidates who are successful in the selection process will have their names placed on the employment list for a minimum of three months. At the time the employment list is established, all candidates will receive written notice of their score on the exam(s), rank on the employment list, and exact duration of the employment list.Human Resources will notify you by mail if your name is removed.
NOTE: Veteran’s preference credit is applicable for this recruitment at the I level only (5 points for veterans, 10 points for disabled veterans). To be eligible for this credit, you must be applying for this position within five years from your most recent date of: (1) honorable discharge from active military service; or, (2) discharge from a military or veterans’ hospital where treatment and confinement were for a disability incurred during active military service; or, (3) completion of education or training funded by a Federal Educational Assistance Act. No time limit exists for veterans with 30% or more disability. To receive veteran’s preference points, you must: (1) check the Veteran’s Preference Points box on the employment application form, (2) attach a copy of your Form DD214 to your application at the time of applying, and (3) pass all phases of the examination process. The preference points will be added to your final test score.
Applicants are encouraged to provide their e-mail address on their application to enable the Human Resources Department to communicate more quickly with them via e-mail regarding the status of their application and the recruitment process.The County of Santa Barbara will not release any applicant’s e-mail address to a third party.
The County of Santa Barbara is committed to providing reasonable accommodationto applicants. Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter listed on the job posting. We do require verification of needed accommodation from a professional source, such as a doctor or a learning institution.
Additional Information: Performing the essential functions of this job may require the incumbent to work with and/or around hazardous materials; perform lifting and bending; or be exposed to unpleasant or hazardous conditions or substances in the field, such as heat, dust, diesel exhaust, or chemicals.
Appointeewill be subject to a post-offer medical evaluation or examination. The appointee must satisfactorily complete a probationary period and pass at least one CDFA licensing exam during the first year of employment.
The County of Santa Barbara respects and values a diverse workforce and strongly promotes strategies and activities to recruit, develop and retain qualified persons of varied backgrounds, lifestyles, experiences and races.
BENEFITS The County of Santa Barbara offers generous benefits, please visit our website at: http://www.countyofsb.org/hr/CompSumm.aspx?id=11024
APPLICATION AND SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE DEADLINE: 4/27/17 at 5:00 pm; postmarks not accepted. Applications and job bulletins can be obtained 24 hours a day at www.sbcountyjobs.com. In Santa Barbara, applications and job bulletins may be obtained at the Human Resources Department, 1226 Anacapa Street, from 9:00-12:00 and 1:00-4:00. In Santa Maria, applications and job bulletins can be obtained on-line only at the Workforce Resource Center located at 1410 S. Broadway, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Applicants may use county computers at the Workforce Resource Centers to complete online applications and assessments at the following Santa Barbara County locations:
Workforce Resource Center in Santa Barbara
130 East Ortega Blvd Santa Barbara, CA (805) 568-1296
Hours: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Monday through Friday
Workforce Resource Center in Santa Maria
1410 South Broadway Santa Maria, CA (805) 614-1550
Hours: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Monday through Friday
Debbie Beach, Senior HR Recruiter
Agricultural Biologist I
Supplemental Questionnaire
* / 1. / I acknowledge that it is my responsibility as an applicant to provide sufficient information on my application to demonstrate that my education and experience meets the employment standards (minimum qualifications) for this position as detailed in the job bulletin. I further acknowledge that if the County determines that I do not meet the employment standards there will be no opportunity for me to provide additional information regarding my application after the closing date listed on the job bulletin. Therefore, I understand that before submitting a job application, it is important that I review the job bulletin thoroughly and ensure that my application clearly reflects how my education and experience meets the employment standards at the time I submit my application.
I understand.
* / 2. / The current vacancy is in Santa Barbara only. In order to be considered for this position, you must check Santa Barbara on your application.
I understand
* / 3. / As part of the application process, a completed supplemental questionnaire must be submitted along with the standard application form. Resumes will be accepted, but NOT in lieu of a completed application and supplemental questionnaire.
I understand
* / 4. / The Human Resources Department communicates with All Applicants through e-mail. Please make sure your email address is entered correctly and it is current. If you feel you are not receiving your emails, please check your spam or junk inbox for our emails.
I understand
* / 5. / I understand, as part of the application process, a completed supplemental questionnaire must be submitted along with the standard application form. Resumes will be accepted, but NOT in lieu of a completed application and supplemental questionnaire.
Yes No
* / 6. / Below is the list of Employment Standards. You are required to meet one of them. You will be asked a series of questions for us to determine if you meet one of the standards. We ask that you read the questions carefully and answer them honestly. PLEASE NOTE: Applicants may compete in the examination process but may not be considered for appointment until they have attained the required degree and email a copy of degree to the Human Resources Department.
1. Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college with specialization in:
a) one or more disciplines in the agricultural, biological, chemical or physical sciences that meets the minimum qualifications for the County Agricultural Inspector/Biologist licensing examinations; or,
b) any discipline with a minimum of 30 semester units, or equivalent, in one or any combination of the following disciplines: agricultural science, biological science, chemical science, physical science, mathematics, and/or statistics; or,
2. Possession of a valid license in one category as a County Agricultural Biologist, issued by the California Department of Food and Agriculture. Please check which one you would qualify under.
A) I'm currently in my final (last 3 to 4 months) quarter or semester of study, leading to the required degree.
B) Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college with specialization in: one or more disciplines in the agricultural, biological, chemical or physical sciences that meets the minimum qualifications for the County Agricultural Inspector/Biologist licensing examinations
C) any discipline with a minimum of 30 semester units, or equivalent, in one or any combination of the following disciplines: agricultural science, biological science, chemical science, physical science, mathematics, and/or statistics
D) Possession of a valid license in one category as a County Agricultural Biologist, issued by the California Department of Food and Agriculture.
None of the above - I do not meet the minimum qualifications for this position
7. / If you selected A, please answer the following questions. Provide the complete name of degree and if you have a minor. Include date you will be obtaining your degree. If your degree is not specifically in agricultural, biological, chemical or physical sciences, we are requiring you to attach your transcripts to your application. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
8. / If you selected B, answer the following questions. If you have a bachelor's degree or higher from an from an accredited college with specialization in: one or more disciplines in the agricultural, biological, chemical or physical sciences that meets the minimum qualifications for the County Agricultural Inspector/Biologist licensing examinations. Please provide full name of degree obtain including minor degree and the date you obtained your degree. Please note: The degree you have, may require for you to provide transcripts. You may attach them now or be ready to send them upon our request.
9. / If you selected C, please answer the following questions. If your degree is in another area, as listed in the job bulletin; you must have any discipline with a minimum of 30 semester units, or equivalent, in one or any combination of the following disciplines: agricultural science, biological science, chemical science, physical science, mathematics, and/or statistics. Please list below each class title, area of study and either semester or quarter units. OR Attach your transcripts to your application at the time you apply. Failure to provide the minimum requirements, your application will not be accepted.