Insect Detection Specialist

Insect Detection Specialist II

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.

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 refer to the job posting.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Insect Detection Specialist II

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.

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 refer to the job posting.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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