Agricultural Program Assistant - Extra-Help

Position Information

Bring your agricultural passion to the County of Sonoma and a pply to be an Agricultural Program Assistant!

Several positions are available!

Salary starting at $27.72/hour!*

The Department of Agriculture/Weights and Measures is mandated to promote and protect agriculture, the environment, and public welfare through the enforcement of local, state, and federal laws and regulations. One of the department's primary responsibilities is the prevention of the establishment of exotic pests that are harmful to our agriculture and the environment. Additional responsibilities include environmental protection and worker health and safety, which are accomplished through enforcing pesticide laws and regulations and agricultural hazardous materials programs.

Agricultural Program Assistants are an integral part of the Department of Agriculture/Weights and Measures Pest Detection Trapping Program. They place and service insect traps that are used to collect data, identify insects, and detect the presence of invasive pests during the trapping season of 2/17/2026 through 9/15/2026 and 5/1/2026 through 10/31/2026 (dates are approximations).

The positions work Monday through Friday, eight hours per day. Work is performed outside in all weather conditions and may include walking on uneven terrain. Operating a vehicle safely in all weather conditions, both on and off road, and in rural and urban areas, is critical for these positions.

Ideal candidates for these positions will possess a valid driver's license and many of the following:

• Agricultural or entomology experience and/or relevant coursework
• A keen sense of safety awareness
• The ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Excellent attention to detail, strong customer service skills, and a passion for serving the community
• Basic Microsoft Office, data entry, and computer skills

Extra-Help Employment

Extra-help employees relieve or augment permanent staff. Temporary, extra-help employees are not in the classified civil service and do not have property rights to permanently allocated positions. In addition, they do not receive most employee benefits such as long-term disability insurance coverage; accrual of vacation; participation in the County retirement program; or eligibility to take promotional examinations. Temporary, extra-help employees are limited in their employment to a maximum of one calendar year. These employees must be off of work for three months before they can be re-employed on an extra help basis. Extra-help employees who meet the eligibility requirements may qualify for a County contribution toward medical coverage.

This recruitment is being conducted to fill multiple Agricultural Program Assistant temporary, extra-help positions in the Department of Agriculture/Weights and Measures. This employment list may also be used to fill future extra-help positions as they occur during the active status of this list.

Application submissions require the Supplemental Questionnaire be completed.

Minimum Qualifications

Experience: Any combination of paid or volunteer work experience which would provide the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and ability stated herein. Normally, college internships, special agricultural projects and related tasks would provide such an opportunity.

Education: Any combination of course work or training including on-the-job training which would provide the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities stated herein. Normally, course work or training in the natural sciences, statistics and related subjects would provide such an opportunity.

License: Possession of a valid driver's license.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of: the methods of planting, growing, treating and harvesting agricultural crops; methods of controlling noxious weeds; the use of pesticides and other chemicals; a variety of audio-visual aides; possible computer applications to agricultural projects.

Ability to: learn to operate and maintain equipment and vehicles associated with cultivation of test plots, weed eradication and related tasks; operate vehicles and equipment in a manner determined to be safe by department policy and rules of regulatory agencies; communicate orally or in writing; develop effective working relationships between peers, supervisors, elected officials, community representatives, members of the public, and others who have an interest in Sonoma County agriculture; learn to perform basic research associated with agricultural projects; and learn to operate a computer and use common software.

Selection Procedure & Some Helpful Tips When Applying

• Your application information and your responses to the supplemental questions are evaluated and taken into consideration throughout the entire selection process.
• You should list all employers and positions held within the last ten years in the work history section of your application. Be as thorough as possible when responding to the supplemental questions.
• You may include history beyond ten years if related to the position for which you are applying. If you held multiple positions with one employer, list out each position separately.
• Failure to follow these instructions may impact your competitiveness in this process or may result in disqualification.

Please visit Getting a Job with the County of Sonoma to review more detailed information about the hiring process, including the application process, examination steps, and department selection process.

Application submissions require the Supplemental Questionnaire be completed.

Responses to supplemental questions are used to evaluate your qualifications. Please provide sufficient information to allow for a thorough evaluation of your qualifications.

The selection procedure will consist of the following examination:

An Application and Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination (pass/not pass) will be conducted to evaluate each applicant's combination of educational coursework, training, experience, knowledge, and abilities that relate to this position to ensure satisfaction of the minimum qualifications for this position. Candidates who possess the minimum qualifications for the position will be placed on an extra-help employment list and referred to the department. The department may contact candidates from the employment list who possess the most appropriate job-related qualifications for further consideration.

Additional Information

A background investigation is required prior to employment. Candidates referred to departments for a selection interview are typically required to sign authorization and release forms enabling such an investigation. Failure to sign prescribed forms will result in the candidate not being considered further for that vacancy. Reference information will not be made available to applicants.

Additional requirements, such as successful completion of a physical exam, drug screen, etc., may apply, depending on the duties and responsibilities of the position. If you receive a conditional job offer for the position, the requirements upon which the offer is contingent will be outlined in the conditional job letter. You may also review the Job Classification Screening Schedule to determine the requirements for this position.

How to Apply

Applications are accepted online at www.yourpath2sonomacounty.org . Paper applications may be submitted by person, fax (707-565-3770), email, or through the mail. All applications and appropriate supplemental information as outlined in the job bulletin must be received by the time and date specified on the first page of this job announcement. Continuous recruitments may close without notice at any time that a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received. Applications received after the recruitment closes will not be accepted.

The County of Sonoma values diversity and is dedicated to creating a workplace environment that provides individuals with a sense of belonging. We are committed to having a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we serve. The County is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer where all aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance, and business need.
HR Analyst: KK
HR Tech: VH

Important Note: Benefits described herein do not apply to Extra Help positions.

County of Sonoma Benefits: General*

These are some of the excellent benefits the County offers:

Paid Time Off: Competitive vacation accrual and sick leave accruals; additional management leave annually; 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year; and may be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) of Paid Parental Leave after 12 months of County employment.

Health Plan: Choose from nine health plans (three HMOs, three deductible HMOs, and three HSA-qualifying plans) with a generous County contribution to the premium (the contribution amount varies by bargaining unit). For more information, please see the appropriate MOU.

Retirement: Fully integrated with Social Security. For more information regarding eligibility, retirement contributions, and reciprocity with prior public service, please visit https://scretire.org/active-/-deferred/when-you-are-hired .

IRS 457 Plan: Pre-tax employee contribution up to the IRS annual maximum.

Retiree Medical: County contribution to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits.

Student Loan Debt Relief: County employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the U.S. Department of Education.

Plus, excellent dental, vision, disability, life insurance, professional development, and more.

For answers to specific questions regarding the employment process and more details about benefits or retirement, please contact Human Resources at (707) 565-2331. Additional details about benefit and compensation packages can be found in the MOUs located at Labor Agreements & Salary Resolution . For specific information about health and welfare benefits, including plan options, coverage, and premium amounts, go to Human Resources or contact the Human Resources' Risk Management-Benefits Office at benefits@sonomacounty.gov or (707) 565-2900.

*Important Notes: Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice.

Closing Date/Time: Continuous

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• County of Sonoma

• 707-565-8059

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