SALARY:
$35,088.46 - $48,531.66 Annually, plus Benefits
WHAT WE OFFER:
The County of Ventura offers an attractive compensation and benefits package. Aside from our base salary range, an employee within this position will also be eligible for the following:
General Salary Increase - 3.50% effective 12/22/2024.
Educational Incentive - An educational incentive of 2.5% for completion of an Associate's degree, 3.5% for completion of a Bachelor's degree, OR 5% for completion of a Graduate's degree.
Bilingual Incentive - Incumbents may also be eligible for bilingual incentive depending upon operational needs and certification skills.
Vacation Accrual – Initially 14 days per year; after approximately 5 years of service increasing to 19 days a year; after approximately 11 years increasing to 20 days per year and then increasing 1 day a year through 15 years of service; topping out at 26 days per year after approximately 20 years of service with a maximum accumulation of 400 hours.
Vacation Leave Redemption – After 14,560 hours (equivalent to 7 years) of continuous County service the ability to "cash in" or redeem up to 80 hours of vacation accrued in the same year after using 80 hours of vacation in the preceding 12 months.
Deferred Compensation- Eligible to participate in the County's 401(k) Shared Savings Plan and/or the Section 457 Plan. This position is eligible for up to a 3% match on your 401(k) contributions.
Health Plans – You are afforded a flexible credit allowance for purchasing medical, dental, and/or vision insurance from a group of authorized plans. For Plan Year 2024 tier one for employee only is $502 per pay period, tier two for employee plus one is $730 per pay period and tier three for employee plus family is $905 per pay period.
Flexible Spending Accounts - Choice of participation in the Flexible Spending Accounts which increase spending power through reimbursement of pre-tax dollars for IRS approved dependent care and health care expenses.
Pension Plan - Both the County and employees contribute to the County's Retirement Plan and to Social Security. If eligible, reciprocity may be established with other public retirement systems, such as PERS.
Holidays - 12 paid days per year which includes a scheduled floating holiday.
AGRICULTURAL COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE:
The Ventura County Agricultural Commissioner's Office is the leader in promoting and protecting agriculture in Ventura County. Working together with all Ventura County stakeholders, the Agricultural Commissioner builds the necessary structures for long term success into the future. The Ventura County Agricultural Commissioner's Office identifies challenges as they are forming and quickly develops appropriate actions to reach a positive outcome. Excellence of service and continued improvement are key parts of the very structure and operation of the Department.
The Ventura County Agricultural Commissioner spends most staff time on four major program areas: Pesticide Use Enforcement and Environmental Monitoring; Pest Exclusion and Pest Eradication; Pest Mitigation including the Pierce's Disease Control Program; and Standards and Compliance. The Agricultural Commissioner has separate divisions dedicated to these programs and participates in several smaller and more limited programs.
To learn about the Ventura County Agricultural Commissioner's Office and the agricultural industry in Ventura County, please visit: http://www.ventura.org/agricultural-commissioner.
THE POSITION:
Under supervision, performs duties related to State and/or Federal funded programs designed to detect a variety of insects which are harmful to the Agricultural Industry.
The successful candidate will have post-secondary coursework in agricultural related subjects and/or prior experience in insect detection programs and be able to safely follow oral and written instructions, keep accurate and legible records/logs, and establish and maintain strong interpersonal relationships.
The ideal candidate will be detail oriented and have visual acuity that enables incumbents to distinguish shapes and colors of anomalies related to pests and diseases.
VETERAN'S POINTS:
The Insect Detection Specialist I is a trainee/entry level classification, and Veteran's Points may apply to eligible candidates.
CLOSING DATE:
Continuous and may close at any time; therefore, the schedule for the remainder of the process will depend upon when we receive a sufficient number of qualified applications to meet business needs.
REVIEW OF APPLICATIONS:
Applications will be reviewed on a weekly basis beginning the week of March 04, 2024.
EDUCATION, TRAINING, and EXPERIENCE:
Any combination of formal education, training, and/or experience which has led to the acquisition of the required knowledge, skills and abilities.
Possessing the required knowledge, skills and abilities may be demonstrated by completion of post-secondary coursework in agricultural related subjects (such as agriculture, biology, chemistry, physics, etc.), and/or prior experience in insect detection programs.
NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Possession of a valid California driver license
Candidates must be able to work Monday through weekends and evenings
Candidates must be willing and able to work outdoors, (including during periods of inclement weather), be able to safely walk on uneven ground, and to physically and safely squat, bend, stoop, lift, pull and/or push objects weighing up to 35 pounds.
If using education to qualify the verification of completion of required post-secondary coursework from an accredited institution is required.
Submit your college diploma, and/or transcripts/grade reports from an accredited college or university which shows your name, the conferred date and the major area of study. Submit within 3 days of the closing date of this recruitment.
If you need additional time to submit transcripts, contact the analyst conducting the recruitment for an extension.
Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
Degree(s) from a foreign institution require an academic credential evaluation to determine the U.S. equivalency.
If the name on this documentation is different from the name on your application, include documents that show the name change (e.g., a marriage certificate).
HOW TO APPLY:
To apply on-line, please refer to our web site at www.ventura.org/jobs. A paper application can be obtained by calling (805) 654-5129. Our address is 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 thoroughly and accurately demonstrate your qualifications to determine eligibility. A resume may be attached to supplement your responses in the above-referenced sections; however, it may not be submitted in lieu of the application.
WRITTEN EXAMINATION - 100%:
An un-proctored, internet-based job-related written examination will be conducted to evaluate participating applicants' knowledge of Insect Detection, the Agricultural Commissioner's Office, the Agricultural Industry in Ventura County, the Glassy Winged Sharpshooter and Workplace Practices. Applicants must earn a score of seventy percent (70%) or higher to qualify for placement on the eligible list.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY:
The County of Ventura 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.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
For further information about this recruitment, please contact Esmeralda Oseguera by telephone at (805) 477-7268.