AGRICULTURAL CHEMICAL SPRAYER

FILING DATES: March 30, 2023, at 8:00 a.m. (PT) - Until the needs of the service are met and is subject to closure without prior notice.

EXAM NUMBER: V0398C

TYPE OF RECRUITMENT: Open Competitive Job Opportunity

JOB TYPE: Permanent

DEFINITION:
Applies or directs the application of selected pesticide sprays to public maintained areas.

CLASSIFICATION STANDARDS:
Positions allocable to this class have responsibility for selecting and applying pesticide treatments to the grounds and property of the County and to public areas under contract to the County. Positions in this class typically report to a Regional Grounds Maintenance Supervisor, Regional Park Superintendent, or Flood Control Construction Supervisor. Incumbents must have a working knowledge of pesticide laws and regulations as set forth by the California Department of Food and Agriculture, California Department of Pesticide Regulation, the California Environmental Protection Agency and other regulatory agencies.

Some positions may be required to provide technical supervision to a small crew of workers in the safe and effective application of restricted agricultural and related pesticides and must be able to communicate effectively orally and in writing and exercise basic supervisory skills.

Positions in this class usually perform arduous tasks such as bending, stooping, and lifting heavy objects in the performance of their duties.

• Selects, mixes, and applies or participates in the selection, mixing, and application of various pesticides such as insecticides, algaecides, rodenticides, herbicides, and fungicides for areas such as turf, fence lines, ball diamonds, planter and shrub beds, waterways, access roads, parks, government building exteriors, landscaping on median strips, parkway planters on public roadways, and public jurisdiction rights-of-way.
• Uses respirators and appropriate personal protective equipment in the application of pesticides as required by the California Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Cal-OSHA), California Department of Food and Agriculture, and other regulatory agencies.
• Develops vegetation control spray programs and schedules for a maintenance area or region of a County Department and participates in the management of such programs including estimating cost and staying within budget with Departmental Service Orders (DSO).
• Maintains spray equipment in proper working order including preventive maintenance and minor repairs. 
• Oversees and ensures compliance with label requirements.
• Orders and may issue controlled pesticides.
• Keeps records, prepares, and maintains reports regarding control and use of pesticides using electronic devices and various software programs.
• Documents and verifies billable hours for the work performed consistent with Departmental Service Orders (DSO)and contract work.
• Responsible for the safe storage and use of pesticides in conformance with regulations of the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA) and State Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR), Los Angeles County Fire Department, and the Department of Agricultural Commissioner/Weights and Measures.
• Provides safety training to pesticide applicators and others associated with pesticide applications.
• Provides technical direction in the safe and effective application of restricted and non-restricted pesticides to a small crew of Weed Hazard Pest Abatement Workers, Senior Weed Abatement Workers, Pest Control Workers, Grounds Maintenance Workers, Public Works Maintenance Workers, Public Works Laborers and/or other workers performing pesticide spraying activities.
• Drives and operates vehicles such as, but not limited to, small to large pickup trucks, crew cab trucks, and heavy vehicles with motorized spray equipment to various jobsite locations.
• Cleans facilities or sites after performing work assignments.
• Cover areas to specified depths with pesticides, applying knowledge of weather conditions, droplet sizes, elevation-to-distance ratios, and obstructions. Assesses work site for areas of special concerns or sensitive sites and recommends mitigation measures as appropriate.
• Use of traps and firearms in the performance of managing Vertebrate Pest Programs, as needed.

SELECTION REQUIREMENTS:
OPTION I: One year's experience*** in the preparation and application of pesticides using high pressure, power driven spray equipment.

OPTION II: Two years' experience*** in grounds maintenance and care work assisting in the preparation and application of pesticides using high pressure, power driven spray equipment.

LICENSE:
A valid California Class "C" Driver License. A current and valid Qualified Applicator Certificate** (QAC) and/or Qualified Applicator License** (QAL) issued by the State of California, Department of Pesticide Regulation with categories: A - Residential, Industrial, and Institutional, B - Landscape Maintenance, and C - Right-of-Way.

Successful applicants for positions that require driving must obtain and present a copy of his/her driving record from the California State Department of Motor Vehicles before final appointment. Applicants should not present a copy of their driving history until asked to do so by the hiring department. The County will make an individualized assessment of whether an applicant's driving history has a direct or adverse relationship with specific duties of the job. License must not be currently suspended, restricted, or revoked.

PHYSICAL CLASS IV– Arduous: This class involves frequent heavy lifting over 25 pounds, often combined with bending, twisting, or working above ground on irregular surfaces. It includes those positions that occasionally demand extraordinary physical activity such as those in Safety positions.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT INFORMATION:
*Accredited colleges and universities include all colleges and universities that meet the accreditation guidelines indicated on the bulletin.

**In order to receive credit for the required degree/coursework and/or license, you must include a legible copy of the official transcripts and/or a legible copy of the official certificate and/or license at the time of filing or within 15 calendar days from the date of filing application.  Please submit documentation to TMarchese@acwm.lacounty.gov and indicate your name, exam name (Agricultural Chemical Sprayer), and the exam number (V0398C).

***Part-time experience will be prorated. 

For applicants with international transcript(s), a report by an evaluation agency recognized by The National Association of Credential Evaluation Services or the Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. must be submitted at the time of filing or within 15 calendar days. The report must confirm the U.S. course/degree equivalency.

Additional points will be awarded for additional experience beyond the requirements. 

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Classes in Agriculture, Horticulture, Landscape Irrigation, Plant Science, Zoology, or Biology from an accredited college**.
• Current and valid POST PC 832**.
• Pest Control Adviser license, California Department of Fish and Wildlife Trapping License**.

NO OUT-OF-CLASS EXPERIENCE WILL BE ACCEPTED.  EXAMINATION CONTENT: 
This examination will consist of an evaluation of education, experience, and the Desirable Qualifications based on the application information weighted 100%.

CANDIDATES MUST ACHIEVE A PASSING SCORE OF 70% OR HIGHER ON THE WEIGHTED PART OF THE EXAMINATION IN ORDER TO BE PLACED ON THE ELIGIBLE REGISTER.

ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION:  
Applications will be processed on an as-received basis and promulgated to the eligible register accordingly.  No person may compete for this examination more than once in a twelve (12) month period.

SPECIAL INFORMATION:

FAIR CHANCE INITIATIVE
The County of Los Angeles is a Fair Chance employer. Except for a very limited number of positions, you will not be asked to provide information about a conviction history unless you receive a contingent offer of employment. The County will make an individualized assessment of whether your conviction history has a direct or adverse relationship with the specific duties of the job, and consider potential mitigating factors, including, but not limited to, evidence and extent of rehabilitation, regency of the offense(s), and age at the time of the offense(s). If asked to provide information about a conviction history, any convictions or court records which are exempted by a valid court order do not have to be disclosed.

VACANCY INFORMATION: The resulting eligible register for this examination will be used to fill PERMANENT vacancies throughout Los Angeles County in the Department of Agricultural Commissioner/Weights and Measures. 

AVAILABLE SHIFT:
Appointees will be required to work any shift, including evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays.

APPLICATION AND FILING INFORMATION:

Applications must be filed online only. Applications submitted by U.S. Mail, Fax, or in person will not be accepted.

Apply online by clicking on the green "Apply" button at the top right of this posting. You can also track the status of your application using this website.

Many important notifications including invitation letters will be sent electronically only to the email address provided on the application. It is important that you provide a valid email address. Please add SMora@acwm.lacounty.gov as well as noreply@governmentjobs.com, and info@governmentjobs.com, donotreply@amcatmail.com, noreply@proctoru.com, talentcentral@shl.com to your email address and list of approved senders to prevent email notifications from being filtered as spam/junk/clutter mail.

Applicants have the ability to opt out of emails from LA County. if you unsubscribe, you will not receive any email notification for any examination for which you apply with Los Angeles County.

Regardless of whether you choose to unsubscribe, you can always check for notifications by logging into governmentjobs.com and viewing your profile inbox, which saves a copy of all emailed notices.

It is your responsibility to take the above steps to view correspondence.  Los Angeles County will not consider claims of not viewing or receiving notification to be a valid reason for late test administration or rescheduling of a test component.

Plan to submit your online application well in advance as you may be required to verify your email address. This only needs to be done once per email address, and if you already have a job seeker account on www.governmentjobs.com/careers/lacounty, you can verify at any time by logging in and following the prompts. This is to enhance the security of your online application and to ensure you do not enter an incorrect email address.

SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER:
Please include your Social Security Number for record control purposes. Federal law requires that all employed persons have a Social Security Number.

NO SHARING OF USER ID, E-MAIL AND PASSWORD:
All applicants must file their application online using their own user ID and password. Using a family member or friend's user ID and password may erase a candidate's original application record.

COMPUTER AND INTERNET ACCESS AT PUBLIC LIBRARIES:
For candidates who may not have regular access to a computer or the internet, applications can be completed on computers at public libraries throughout Los Angeles County.

CONTACT INFORMATION:
ADA Coordinator Phone: (626) 575-5464
Teletype Phone: (626) 585-5520
California Relay Services: (800) 735-2922
Department Contact Name: Sylvia Mora
Department Contact Phone: (626) 575-5464
Department Contact Email: SMora@acwm.lacounty.gov

Salary : $59,280 - $79,884