Insect Detection Specialist I

Description

The County's 1,873 square miles include 1,846 square miles of land with 42 miles of coastline, home to cities like Camarillo, Fillmore, Moorpark, Ojai, Oxnard, Port Hueneme, Santa Paula, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, and Ventura. It also includes parts of the Angeles National Forest, Channel Islands National Park, and the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.

About the Role

The Ventura County Department of Agriculture/Weights & Measures (VCAWM) is a regulatory agency focused on promoting agriculture and protecting the market place. The department works with stakeholders to build structures for long-term success and addresses challenges promptly to achieve positive outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Inspects plants for the presence of pests
• Maintains a variety of records and draws simple maps indicating trap placement and daily activity
• Drives a county vehicle to accomplish tasks
• Assembles cardboard insect traps and places them in host plants
• Maintains effective working relationships with the public and colleagues
• Explains the purpose, policies, and procedures of pest detection programs

Requirements

• Post-secondary coursework in agriculture-related subjects
• Prior experience with insect detection programs
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions safely
• Able to maintain accurate and legible records
• Able to distinguish shapes and colors of anomalies related to pests and diseases

Qualifications

Necessary special requirements include possession of a valid California driver's license, willingness to work outdoors, and ability to safely perform physical tasks such as walking on uneven ground, squatting, bending, stooping, lifting, pulling, and pushing objects weighing up to 35 pounds.

Skills

Knowledge of local agriculture, pests, and related problems, along with the ability to keep accurate records and establish effective working relationships.

Benefits

Veteran's Points may apply to eligible candidates. The position is represented by SEIU and eligible for overtime compensation.

Pay

Details on pay are not specified in the job posting.

Schedule

The tentative schedule opening date is Tuesday, June 23, 2026, and the closing date is continuous. Applications will be reviewed starting the week of June 29, 2026.

Application Information

To apply online, visit www.venturacounty.gov/jobs. Paper applications can be obtained by calling (805) 654-5129. Address: County of Ventura Human Resources, 800 South Victoria Avenue, L-1970, Ventura, CA 93009.

Note to Applicants

Sufficient information must be provided under the Education/Work experience portions of the application and supplemental questionnaire to demonstrate qualifications. Applicants must complete and submit the questionnaire at the time of filing.

Background Investigation

A thorough pre-employment background investigation, including inquiries into past employment, education, criminal background information, and driving record, may be required for this position.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The County of Ventura is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all individuals 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.