Job Description

J oin our team as an Agricultural Technician I in Rangeland and Forage Production!

 In this entry-level role, you’ll support the management and conservation of rangelands and forage crops while promoting environmental stewardship. This position offers hands-on experience working in the field and contributes to the long-term health of our ecosystems.

The University of California Cooperative Extension Department is hiring a candidate for temporary part-time work as an Agricultural Technician I i n Rangeland and Forage Production. This is a seasonal position from early/mid-March through the end of June 2025.

Under supervision, individuals in this position provide research support for the Forage Production Project on rangelands in San Luis Obispo County. This position involves a variety of non-licensed technical and administrative duties in Agriculture and Natural Resources monitoring. The position will involve 70% outdoor work and 30% laboratory analysis & data management tasks. 

Typical Tasks 

• Assists Farm Advisors in departmental fieldwork and/or educational functions
• Provides community outreach and educational programs
• Prepares reports and correspondence and keeps accurate records
• Operates and maintains specialized equipment
• Gathers statistics and information; prepares data, maps, and reports; evaluates agricultural and natural resource information related to production, costs, loss assessments, and practices; provides support for land use planning, environmental issues and/or emergency response programs 

Essential Responsibilities:

The incumbent will maintain cattle enclosures, which involves dismantling the enclosures, moving them and setting them up again for new season (fence-building, weed removal, raking, etc.). They will collect samples of Residual Dry Matter (RDM), following project protocols and precise data collection methods, keeping accurate records onsite, maintaining and downloading data loggers, collecting environmental data (soil moisture & temperature), set up, maintain and download cameras recording vegetation growth.

The incumbent will manage data samples, including using specialized equipment to dry and measure. They will transfer data from field notes and a computer to a spreadsheet, create reports, maps, and statistics related to forage production for emergency declarations and wildfire risk monitoring.

Physical Demands:

• Must be able to lift 40 pounds above shoulder height
• Must be able to work full days, outdoors, in rural and rugged conditions
• Must be able to walk up to one mile in sometimes steeply sloping rangeland terrain (up to 45% slope)
• Must be able to collect samples continuously over a one-hour period which will require kneeling on the ground and clipping vegetation
• Must be able to build, take down fences, and pound and pull fence t-posts
• Must be able to operate gas-powered t-post drivers and weed whackers
• Ability to drive 4WD trucks in off-road situations

Work Environment:

• Based at the UC Cooperative Extension Office located at 350 N. Main Street, Templeton, CA. Fieldwork is performed throughout the county.
• Must be able to work alone in difficult and remote terrain for up to 8-hours during data collection and recording days. No overnight sampling is expected. Must have proper clothing, including work boots, long pants, hats, gloves and knee pads. 
• Must be able to follow training protocols to address potential risks associated with working on rangelands in remote areas of the California Central Coast, including Lyme disease from ticks, valley fever, rattlesnakes, heat, etc. Must also be able to follow training protocols on fence-building and use of mechanized equipment.

Please click here for a complete job description.The ideal candidate will have a working knowledge of rangeland cattle grazing practices and have general knowledge of working around livestock, skills with GPS to navigate in remote environments, and skills to collect and maintain data for analysis.

In addition, ideal candidates will have knowledge of plant identification, experience collecting data for research projects in outdoor environments, and ability to operate specialized tools (fence-building tools, weed management equipment, etc.). In addition, candidates must have excellent organization skills for managing data files and samples in an accurate manner and working knowledge of data entry, creating spreadsheets in Excel, basic data management and analysis, and word processing.

Employment Standards

Knowledge of:

• County agricultural, environmental, and natural resources programs

• Tools, methods and equipment pertaining to departmental programs – specifically Rangeland and Natural Resources

• Basic administrative skills and computer operations

• Departmental policies, procedures, programs, activities and goals

• Principles of program organization and coordination techniques

• Current technological developments and industry trends in area of expertise

• General knowledge of working around livestock

Ability to:

• Establish and maintain effective relationships with the public and others using tact, patience and courtesy

• Prepare and maintain accurate reports and records

• Perform moderately strenuous physical work which may involve walking, climbing, lifting and carrying up to 60 pounds and other related physical tasks

• Perform work indoors and outdoors in all types of environmental conditions

• Assist in coordinating countywide program activities

• Use appropriate independent judgment, and analyze, formulate, and implement effective course of action

• Maintain alertness and attention to detail

• Foster a spirit of teamwork and advocacy when meeting with staff and members of departments

• Maintain a safe and orderly work area and adhere to all safety rules and policies

Education and Experience

A combination of education, training, and experience resulting the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. An example of qualifying education and experience includes:

Either A: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a Bachelor's degree in agricultural, biological, natural resources, chemical or physical sciences, or other appropriate disciplines. Or B: Completion of two (2) years (60 semester units or 90 quarter units) in an accredited college or university in agricultural, biological, natural resources, chemical or physical sciences, or other appropriate disciplines, AND two (2) years of experience performing related agricultural tasks.

Licenses:

Certain positions within this classification may require driving. When driving is an essential function of the position, a valid CALIFORNIA driver's license will be required at the time of appointment and must be maintained throughout employment.  

This is a continuous recruitment; however, the posting can close at any time without notice, therefore, prompt application is encouraged.

 

Applications, including answers to supplemental questions, must be submitted online. Apply for this position at governmentjobs.com/careers/slocountyca. 

Most County recruitments require you to respond to supplemental questions as part of the application process. We recommend that you review these questions prior to beginning your application.

An initial application review will be conducted. Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications and are best qualified will be invited to participate in selection activities which may include online assessments, performance exams, written exams, and interviews.

 

Final candidates will be required to have an in-depth background review performed before proceeding in the process. Please note that references will not be contacted until the end of the process.

 

If you have questions or would like to discuss the opportunity further, please contact Human Resources at  [email protected] . Confidential inquiries are welcomed.

 

For further information regarding the County of San Luis Obispo, visit our website at  . 

This is a continuous recruitment and will remain open until filled.

 Work hours are subject to change depending on the needs of the department.

Job Tags

Remote job, Contract work, Temporary work, Part time, Seasonal work, Outdoor, Work alone,

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