What are the responsibilities and job description for the Agricultural Assistant II position at County of Monterey, CA?
Position Description
Final Filing Deadline: August 21, 2026
Exam #: 26/30N05/07JG
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 University of California Cooperative Extension of Monterey County (UCCE) is seeking to fill a full time vacancy for Agricultural Assistant II. UCCE is a partnership between the University of California (UC), Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the County of Monterey. The Agricultural Assistant II is a Monterey County position but will support the research needs of the UC Farm Advisor programs of; Agricultural Technology, Entomology, Irrigation & Nutrient Management, Plant Pathology, Vegetable & Weed Sciences, and Viticulture. A general interest in hands on learning, research, and all aspects of cool season crop growing is encouraged.
An Agricultural Assistant II position is currently available within the California Cooperative Extension . Depending on the specific assignment, incumbents perform routine duties in support of setting up field trials, harvesting, irrigation set up and experiments, disease inspection, insect trapping, 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 regular full-time, part-time, or temporary basis.
Flexible staffing This classification is part of a flexible series. Incumbents appointed at the lower level of the career series may be promoted up to the higher level of the career series subject to their meeting the employment standards for the higher class and a recommendation for their promotion by the appointing authority.
Examples of Duties
Examples of Duties:
- Plants and maintains crops for experiments or testing.
- Processes experimental samples of soil and plant materials, maintains and harvests crops and maintains experimental information, plants crops and inoculates crops as part of experiments, analyzes data.
- Assists in a variety of laboratory experiments and in processing samples and cultures.
- May operate hand tools; agricultural field equipment including field planters, fertilizer applicators, pesticide application equipment, tractors and various cultivation equipment.
- Inspects agricultural crops at various growth stages for quality standards or evidence of disease or pests.
- Mixes and applies pesticides according to label directions use regulations and established formulas and procedures.
- Keeps accurate records of activities related to assigned tasks.
- Maintains and makes minor repairs to agriculture equipment including lubrication, minor adjustments, and modifications.
- Plans and conducts weed control eradication activities, including herbicide applications.
- Examines insect specimens, insects traps and other materials in laboratory and field settings to detect and identify pests; refers suspect samples to experienced staff for confirmation; submits specimens to state laboratories as needed for official confirmation.
- Maintains collections of insects, plants and other materials for reference and identification.
To view the complete classification description, please visit the County of Monterey website: Agricultural Assistant II
THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE
Will have a proven track record demonstrating the following knowledge, skills and abilities:
Working Knowledge of:
- Principles and practices of field inspection and pest identification
Some Knowledge of:
- Investigation procedures and methods used to isolate, identify, evaluate and classify insects, plant diseases, nematodes or other organisms.
- Methods of planting, growing and harvesting of agricultural crops.
Skill and Ability to:
- Identify the presence of noxious weeds and pests.
- Use and maintain basic agricultural tools, materials and equipment.
- Identify agricultural crops and ornamental plants.
- Understand and carry out oral and written directions.
- Maintain accurate records on assigned activities.
- Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with co-workers and the general.
- Use common laboratory equipment.
Examples of Experience/Education/Training
Any combination of training, education and/or experience which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities and required conditions of employment is qualifying. An example of a way these requirements might be acquired is:
- One Year of experience comparable to Agricultural Assistant I
Additional Information
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. (Positions assigned to UC Cooperative Extension (Farm and Home Advisor) may be required to obtain and maintain a valid commercial driver's license within six (6) months of appointment.)
- 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.
- Positions assigned to UC Cooperative Extension may be required to obtain and maintain a valid Qualified Applicator Certificate within six (6) months of appointment.
BENEFITS:
The County of Monterey offers an excellent benefits package. Please visit our website to view the Unit J-Unit Benefit Summary Sheet. This information is not legally binding, nor does it serve as a contract. The benefits listed in the Monterey County Personnel Policies and Practices Resolution or Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) prevail over this listing.
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 August 21, 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:
Agricultural Commissioner’s Office
Attn: Human Resources
1421 Abbott St.
Salinas, CA 93901
Phone: (831)759-7378
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:
A completed County of Monterey Employment Application
- 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
The County of Monterey 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. The 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, please contact Jennifer Garcia, Human Resources Analyst, at garciaj7@countyofmontery.gov.