Final Filing Deadline: March 13, 2026
 Exam #:  T26/30N40/02JG

The County of Monterey is committed to honoring the service and sacrifice of veterans and eligible military spouses and awards veterans’ preference points for this recruitment. To learn more about the eligibility requirements and the process, be sure to read the Hiring Preference for Veterans and Eligible Military Spouses section located towards the end of this job flier.

The Agricultural Commissioner's Office is seeking to fill seasonal vacancies for Temporary Agricultural Assistant I. Depending on the specific assignment, incumbents perform routine duties in support of produce inspection, trapping, seed production inspection, nursery inspection and other established inspection/detection programs, assists farm advisors with field, greenhouse and laboratory experiments, conducts weed control and eradication activities and maintains equipment and facilities.

The Eligible List established by this recruitment process may be used County-wide to fill current and future vacancies on a temporary basis.

Examples of Duties:

• Monitor’s insect traps to identify and detect pests; refers suspect samples to experienced staff for confirmation; submits specimens to state laboratories as needed for official confirmation.
• Inspects incoming plant shipments for presence of pests and reviews documentation to confirm compliance with quarantine regulations. 
• Keeps accurate records of activities related to assigned and completed tasks and carries out verbal and written instructions.
• Assists in the inspection and survey of agricultural and other properties to determine the existence of pest and disease infestation or damage; reports on conditions found.
• Conducts weed surveys, control, and eradication activities, including the application of herbicides.
• Controls infestations of weeds, rodents, birds, and other agricultural pests by spraying or applying pesticides, by either manual methods or setting traps.
• Mixes and applies pesticides according to label directions, use regulations and established formulas and procedures.
• Inspects agricultural crops at various growth stages for evidence of pests or disease, or fruit and vegetable standardization requirements.

To view the complete job description, please visit the Monterey County website:  Agricultural Assistant I

THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE

Will have a proven track record demonstrating the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

Some Knowledge of:

• Methods of planting, growing, and harvesting of agricultural crops.
• Basic agricultural tools, materials and equipment, and their use and care.
• The use of pesticides and other chemicals

Skill and Ability to:

• Identify the presence of noxious weeds and other pests.
• Use and maintain basic agricultural tools, materials, and equipment.
• Use pesticides and other chemicals.
• Maintain accurate records of assigned activities. 
• Safely use and mix various pesticides.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with co-workers and the general public.
• Understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
• Identify agricultural crops and ornamental plants.

Any combination of training, education and/or experience which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities and required conditions of employment listed above is qualifying. An example of a way these requirements might be acquired is: 

Experience: 

One year of agricultural field experience or related experience.

OR

Education: 

Fifteen semester units from an accredited college or university in plant science, botany, or related field.

Conditions of Employment:

The required conditions of employment include, but are not limited to the following:

• Possess and maintain a valid California Class C driver’s license or the ability to provide suitable transportation that is approved by the appointing authority. 
• Be available to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and during times of disaster and/or emergency. 
• Successfully pass a pre-employment physical examination
• Travel and work throughout Monterey County.
• Adhere to related federal, state and local safety laws, regulations, and ordinances as applicable.
• Wear and use proper and appropriate safety clothing and equipment. 
• Acquire and maintain safety certifications as required.

NOTES:

• As a condition of employment, prospective employees may be required to submit to a background review which may include a review of information concerning present and/or prior employment, driving record, and record of any criminal convictions. 
• Employment is contingent upon acceptable documentation verifying identity and authorization for employment in the U.S.; a list of acceptable documents is available on the USCIS Form I-9. 
• If you are hired into this classification in a temporary position, your rate of pay will be hourly, and you will not be eligible for the benefits listed in the summary.

Application and Selection Procedures

Apply On-Line at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/montereycounty,

by Friday, March 13, 2026, 11:59 PM(PST)

or

Hard copy applications may be obtained from and submitted during normal business hours, 

Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM by contacting:

Monterey County, Agricultural Commissioner's Office 

Agricultural Commissioner’s Office

Attn: Human Resources 

1428 Abbott St.

Salinas, CA  93906

Phone: (831) 759-7378 Fax: (831) 754-2268

The selection process is tentative, and applicants will be notified if changes are made. To assess applicants' possession of required qualifications, the examination process may include an oral examination, pre-examination exercises, performance examination, and/or written examination. The competitive examination process includes submittal of required application materials. A complete application package will include:

• Responses to the Supplemental Questions

Applicants who fail to provide all required materials by the final filing deadline will not be considered. Resumes, cover letters, letters of interest, and other correspondence will not be accepted as a substitute for required application materials. All required application materials will be competitively evaluated. Those applicants that are determined to be the most appropriately qualified will be invited to participate further in the selection process.

HIRING PREFERENCE FOR VETERANS AND ELIGIBLE MILITARY SPOUSES

The County of Monterey is committed to honoring the service and sacrifice of veterans and eligible military spouses (i.e., surviving spouses of veterans, spouses of totally disabled veterans, and spouses of active-duty service members) and awards veterans’ preference points for this recruitment. To obtain a Veterans and Eligible Military Spouse Preference Application, please visit the Human Resources website or click on the following link: Click Here to View the Veterans and Eligible Military Spouse Preference Application

To apply for veterans’ preference points, veterans or eligible military spouses must complete and email a Veterans and Eligible Military Spouse Preference Application with supporting documentation of their eligibility by the final filing deadline to VeteransPreferencePoints@countyofmonterey.gov

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

Monterey County is a drug-free workplace and an equal opportunity employer. The County seeks candidates who can make contributions in an environment of cultural and ethnic diversity. Monterey County is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, contact Jennifer Garcia, Human Resources Analyst, at (831)759-7378 or garciaj7@countyofmonterey.gov