WEED HAZARD AND PEST ABATEMENT WORKER

Position/Program Information


DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL COMMISSIONER/WEIGHTS AND MEASURES

FILING DATES: February 29, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. (PST) - Until the needs of the service are met and is subject to closure without prior notice.

EXAM NUMBER: V0038P

TYPE OF RECRUITMENT: Open Competitive

JOB TYPE: PERMANENT, eligible register will also be used to fill TEMPORARY positions.

DEFINITION:
Removes flammable vegetation and debris from properties declared to be a nuisance and assists in the control or eradication of noxious weeds and vertebrate pests.

CLASSIFICATION STANDARDS:
Positions allocable to this class work as a weed or pest abatement crew member, typically under the direction of a Senior Weed Abatement Worker, Pest Control Worker, or a higher-level supervisor. Incumbents perform manual labor involving the removal of flammable vegetation and debris from properties declared to be a nuisance, and the control or eradication of noxious weeds and vertebrate pests by mechanical or chemical means. Assignments require positions to utilize hand-held tools and portable power equipment, lift heavy loads of debris for removal, and follow applicable safety procedures and regulations when applying pesticides for pest eradication or control. Positions in this class receive instruction in and are expected to learn and comply with safe operating practices and procedures, departmental safety regulations, CAL-OSHA regulations, and Safety Data Sheet (SDS) guidelines. All positions in this class may be required to operate Class C vans and trucks of up to 26,000 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight in order to carry out the essential duties of the position.

Essential Job Functions

• Cuts and removes flammable grasses, weeds, brush and debris.
• Lifts heavy loads of brush cuttings and debris, such as, but not limited to a chipper box truck or a compactor.
• Uses hand tools (i.e., combination hoe/rake, shovels, etc.) and portable power equipment (i.e., chainsaws, weed eaters, blowers, etc.).
• Performs daily routine maintenance of portable power equipment, including cleaning and ensuring proper functioning.
• Observes, identifies, and documents pest infestations.
• Sets traps and puts out poison bait for the control of various types of vertebrate pests under the supervision of a Qualified Applicator Certificate or Qualified Applicator License holder.
• Treats rodent burrows with toxic fumigants under the supervision of a Qualified Applicator Certificate or Qualified Applicator License holder.
• Treats rights-of-ways or other areas under the supervision of a Qualified Applicator Certificate or Qualified Applicator License holder.
• Demonstrates safe operating practices and procedures, departmental safety regulations, CAL-OSHA regulations, and Safety Data Sheet (SDS) guidelines for use of safety equipment, protective devices, herbicide/pesticide applications, special clothing, etc.
• Makes daily routine maintenance and minor repairs to application equipment.
• Inspects buildings and grounds to locate and identify pest infestations.
• Drives and operates vehicles such as, but not limited to, small to large pickup trucks, crew cab trucks, vehicles with motorized spray equipment, and vehicles weighing up to 25,000 pounds to various jobsite locations.
• Cleans facilities or sites after performing work assignments.
• Documents work hours or activities.

Requirements

SELECTION REQUIREMENTS:

One year* of full-time outdoor work experience performing manual labor in landscaping or the removal of rubbish, weeds, and brush.

LICENSE:
A valid California Class C Driver License.

Successful applicants 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 the 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:
*Part-time experience will be prorated.

**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, certification, and/or license, you must include a legible copy of the official diploma, official transcripts, or official letter from the accredited institution which shows the area of specialization, and/or a legible copy of the official certificate and/or license at the time of tiling or within 15 calendar days from the date of filing application (if applicable). Please submit documentation to CCortes@acwm.lacounty.gov and indicate your name, the exam name (Weed Hazard and Pest Abatement Worker) and the exam number (V0038P).

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. The report must confirm the U.S. course/degree equivalency.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Successful completion of a Hazardous Material course from an accredited** college or university.**
• Possession of a current and valid Qualified Applicator Certificate (QAC) or Qualified Applicator License (QAL) in categories: A (Resident, Industrial, and Institutional), B (Landscape Maintenance), C (Right-of-Way) and M (Non-Soil Fumigation)***
• Possession of a current and valid Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) certificate***
• Possession of a current and valid Chain Saw and Cross Cut certificate.***
• Possession of a current and valid Wild Land Firefighter certificate.***

Additional Information

EXAMINATION CONTENT:
This examination will consist of an Evaluation of Experience and Desirable Qualifications based on the application information weighted 100%.

Candidates must achieve a passing score of 70% or higher on the examination to be added onto the list of eligible candidates.

ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION:
The names of candidates receiving a passing score in the examination will be placed on the eligible register in the order of their score group for a period of twelve (12) months following the date of eligibility.

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:

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 contingent offer of employment. The County will make an individualized assessment of whether your conviction history has 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, recency 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 and TEMPORARY vacancies located throughout the County of Los Angeles in the Department of Agricultural Commissioner/Weights and Measures as they occur.

AVAILABLE SHIFT:
Appointees will be required to work any shift, including evenings, nights, weekends, overtime, 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 to the email address provided on the application. It is important that you provide a valid email address. Please add Ccortes@acwm.lacounty.gov as well as noreply@governmentjobs.com, and info@governmentjobs.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 of the deadline 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 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.

IMPORTANT NOTE:
All information included in the application materials is subject to verification at any point during the examination and hiring process, including after an appointment has been made. Falsification of any information may result in disqualification or rescission of appointment. Utilizing verbiage from Class Specification and Selection Requirements serving as your description of duties will not be sufficient to demonstrate that you meet the requirements. Doing so may result in an incomplete application and you may be disqualified.

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 USER ID AND PASSWORD:

No Sharing of User ID, e-mail and Password: All applicants must file their application 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.

TESTING ACCOMODATION INFORMATION AND COORDINATOR CONTACT INFORMATION:

If you need accommodation to take the assessment, let us know by contacting the ADA/Testing Coordinator at 626-575-5464 and/or CCortes@acwm.lacounty.gov . The sooner you contact us, the sooner we can respond to your request and keep you moving through the process.

ANTI-RACISM, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION (ARDI):
The County of Los Angeles recognizes and affirms that all people are created equal and are entitled to all rights afforded by the Constitution of the United States. The Department of Human Resources is committed to promoting Anti-racism, Diversity, and inclusion efforts to address the inequalities and disparities amongst race. We suppose the ARDI strategic Plan and its goals by improving equality, diversity, and inclusion in recruitment, selection, and employment practices.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

ADA Coordinator Phone: (626) 575-5464

Teletype Phone: (626) 585-5520

California Relay Services: (800) 735-2922

Department Contact Name: Crisselle Cortes

Department Contact Phone: (626) 575-5464

Department Contact Email: CCortes@acwm.lacounty.gov

For detailed information, please click here

• 

• Los Angeles County

• (800) 970-5478

Show more